https://meenews.co/post/6a83a9e82c5335ae1047ca73 Man calls 911 after girlfriend found dead in motel, police allegedly uncover disturbing videos on his phone te 2026-08-18T00:40:08.659Z Man calls 911 after girlfriend found dead in motel, police allegedly uncover disturbing videos on his phone A Missouri man called 911 after his girlfriend died at a motel, but investigators say a disturbing discovery soon turned the case into a homicide investigation. Nicholas Ayres, 35, is now charged with second-degree felony murder and first-degree domestic assault in the death of 37-year-old Destiny Dunn, according to Columbia Police and Boone County jail records. The investigation began around 3:22 p.m. on Aug. 12, when Ayres called 911 and told a dispatcher that Dunn was lying down, might have a heartbeat and appeared "red and blue," according to a probable cause statement (PCS) reviewed by Fox News Digital. TEXAS DAD FACES MURDER CHARGE AFTER ESTRANGED WIFE FOUND DEAD AT SUBURBAN HOME: POLICE Ayres told the dispatcher the couple had gotten into an altercation while they were in the shower and claimed Dunn fell after he got out, the court document states. But as the dispatcher pressed him about Dunn's condition, Ayres allegedly acknowledged they had been fighting and that she was bruised. "It looks like I f---ing beat her up and I promise to God I didn't do it," Ayres allegedly told the dispatcher, according to the PCS. The dispatcher then instructed him on performing chest compressions. Officers arrived about a minute later and found Dunn dead, according to the affidavit. Investigators described bruising across her body, including severe bruising to her neck and face, as well as swollen and discolored eyelids. NJ MOM’S MURDER SHROUDED IN SECRECY AS PI SAYS ‘NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS’ BEHIND-CLOSED-DOORS CASE Police quickly began piecing together what allegedly happened inside the motel room. Neighbors who shared a wall told investigators they had heard what sounded like a physical altercation around 11 a.m. that morning, according to the court filing. Ayres was taken into custody. During a post-Miranda interview, he allegedly admitted having physical altercations with Dunn on Aug. 11 and Aug. 12, but characterized them as accidental and told investigators he "does not beat women," the affidavit alleges. Then investigators searched the motel room. Police said they found Ayres' cellphone, and its contents allegedly provided a disturbing timeline stretching from the days before Dunn's death into her final hours. ANNA KEPNER’S SUSPECTED CRUISE SHIP KILLER CARRIED OUT ‘BARBARIC, INTENTIONAL, THOUGHTFUL ACT’: PROSECUTORS One video recorded Aug. 10 showed Dunn without bruising on her face, according to the affidavit. Another recording from later that night allegedly showed Ayres repeatedly assaulting her for more than a minute. In that video, investigators allege Ayres could be heard telling Dunn to "clean up her mess" as sounds of slapping and punching were captured. Near the end, police said Ayres appeared to grab Dunn by the hair and punch her in the face, knocking her down. By the afternoon of Aug. 12, the recordings allegedly painted a far more dire picture. At 12:06 p.m., police said a photo showed Dunn lying in a bathtub wearing only a shirt. A five-second video recorded at the same time allegedly showed her barely moving. NEW JERSEY MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING WIFE WITH BARBELL ALLEGEDLY CONFESSED IN MESSAGES TO RELATIVES: REPORT Two minutes later, another video allegedly captured Ayres pacing between the motel room and bathroom while a woman could be heard groaning. About a minute into the recording, investigators say Ayres told Dunn he was "really calling 911." "I have to because I'm not going down for manslaughter," he allegedly said, according to the affidavit. But the 911 call that followed did not bring police rushing to the motel. At 12:21 p.m., just 13 minutes after the video, Ayres called 911 and told dispatchers the call was accidental, according to the probable cause statement. He verified his name, phone number and location before disconnecting. ARIZONA MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING WOMAN AFTER SOCIAL MEDIA FIRST DATE ENDS IN DESERT GRAVE It would be roughly three more hours before the 3:22 p.m. call that brought officers to Dunn. Police also photographed what the affidavit described as defensive wounds on Ayres' left wrist and torso. Investigators ultimately determined Dunn's death was a homicide, Columbia Police said. In the PCS, an officer alleged Ayres physically assaulted Dunn "to the point she died from her injuries." Ayres is being held without bond, according to jail records, and is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 2. As the criminal case moves forward, Dunn's family is remembering her as far more than the victim at the center of a homicide investigation. Her sister, Marinah Hollon, described Dunn in a GoFundMe as a "loving, nurturing, and incredibly sweet person" and a mother whose death has left her children facing life without her. "She had a beautiful soul and a heart that cared deeply for the people around her," Hollon wrote. "She was someone who brought love and kindness into the lives of others." "No family should ever have to endure this kind of heartbreak," Hollon wrote. Columbia Police said the investigation remains ongoing. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83a9e42c5335ae1047ca54 Family Presses for Information About Fatal ICE Shooting in Maine te 2026-08-18T00:40:04.543Z Family Presses for Information About Fatal ICE Shooting in Maine The Department of Homeland Security said there would be an investigation. But so far little has been disclosed about the killing last month. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83a78f2c5335ae1047c759 Giles defends abortion vote, says he’s still ‘pro-life’ te 2026-08-18T00:30:07.319Z Giles defends abortion vote, says he’s still ‘pro-life’ MESA — The nominee for lieutenant governor running with Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs says he sees no conflict between being “pro-life” and voting for a state constitutional amendment that lets women terminate a pregnancy up until fetal viability. “I voted for it,” said John Giles, the former Republican mayor of Mesa who is now a political independent. “It accurately reflects my personal point of view on the topic.” Giles made his comments during a news conference with Hobbs on Saturday. The event followed a campaign rally at Giles’ Mesa law office and was the first time that political reporters had a chance to extensively question the new running mate about his beliefs on a range of statewide issues. Hobbs, by virtue of her time as a Democratic legislator, secretary of state and governor for the last four years, has an extensive public record. Republican nominee Andy Biggs has 14 years of legislative votes in addition to actions he has taken since being elected to Congress in 2016. His running mate, Sine Kerr, was appointed to the Legislature in 2018 to fill a vacant Senate seat and was re-elected three times before deciding not to seek reelection in 2024. Giles, by contrast, has a political career that is confined to Mesa, first as a council member and then as mayor. Restroom policy Giles dismissed questions about his position on transgender bathroom policies, calling the issue a “red herring.” He pointed out that in 2021, as mayor, he helped push through a wide-ranging ordinance that prohibits discrimination in public accommodations, employment and housing — not just on the basis of race, color or ethnicity but also sexual orientation, gender and gender identity.” That measure drew complaints from some residents who argued it would put women and children at risk. Giles responded at the time that the ordinance would not make Mesa restrooms fearful places where men posing as women will lurk. “Privacy is a reasonable concern,” he said. “As a father of four daughters and grandfather, I would never put them in danger.” And now? “The Mesa ordinance has been in place for several years now,” he said. “There’s never been a situation like that that has been brought forward.” Abortion In a 2024 interview with CNN during the Democratic National Convention, Giles said, “I continue to be pro-life.” He added that that was the reason he was “more comfortable” with the Republican Party than the Democratic Party. Yet Giles acknowledged that, just four months later, he voted for Proposition 139, which enshrined in the Arizona Constitution the “fundamental right to abortion.” It also barred any state restrictions on that right prior to fetal viability — generally considered between 22 and 24 weeks — absent “a compelling state interest that is achieved by the least restrictive means.” Giles said his views on the issue were affected by the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2022 that overturned Roe v. Wade and the constitutional right to abortion.  In Arizona, an 1864 law outlawing abortion had never been repealed. And a judge ruled — and the Arizona Supreme Court affirmed — that with Roe overturned, that 1864 law could once again be enforced. Giles said that, unlike Biggs and Kerr, who have a long record of opposition to legalized abortion, “I did not support that.” “If I’m ever in a position to defend [Prop.] 139 and the new state Constitution protections for that, I will do so,” Giles said. ESAs Giles was also asked about those, including Hobbs, who have pushed to eliminate the system approved by Republican lawmakers in 2022 that allows any student to get an Empowerment Scholarship Account. He responded by saying he supports “school choice.” “School choice, that toothpaste is out of the tube,” said Giles. “We’re going to continue to support school choice.” But he added that he supports Proposition 212, which would place new restrictions on how ESA money is spent and would limit benefits to families with $150,000 or less in annual income. He said he remains a “strong advocate” for public education, noting his father was a school principal in Mesa for 30 years, his mother was a teacher, and his children are school teachers and principals. “I think that for there to be true meaningful school choice the public option has to be a strong one,” Giles said. “Public education has to have the resources that it needs to compete.” Party ties Giles, born in 1960, was unapologetic about having been a Republican. “I was drawn to the Republican Party because of my admiration for people like John McCain, because of a belief in limited government and free enterprise,” he said. “That’s never changed.” Giles said he remained registered with the GOP even as he believes the party changed, saying he “felt like he needed to be there to advocate for people like myself that were being shoved out of the party.” “A few months ago, I realized that’s a lost cause right now,” Giles said. “So ‘independent’ is a good place for me to be,” he said. “It accurately describes where I’m at politically.” The post Giles defends abortion vote, says he’s still ‘pro-life’ first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83a78d2c5335ae1047c750 Report identifies keys to nuclear development te 2026-08-18T00:30:05.790Z Report identifies keys to nuclear development Focusing on workforce development, expediting permitting and lowering financial risk will help states develop nuclear power, according to the Nuclear Innovation Association’s 2026 guide for state policymakers. “The real intent of this guide is to provide state policymakers with the knowledge necessary to understand how they can bring new nuclear energy to their states,” Zach Koshgarian, who authored the document, said on a call Tuesday unveiling the annual update. “The guide ultimately answers this question ‘What can states do?’ by highlighting these policies, partnerships, and initiatives that can help advance new nuclear energy in their states.” The Nuclear Innovation Alliance is a nonprofit nuclear energy think tank. Koshgarian is an NIA analyst. Over the last few years, states have increasingly explored nuclear power as demand for electricity is projected to rise with the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and data centers, a rise in domestic manufacturing and industrial onshoring, and the widespread electrification of transport and heating. According to consulting firm ICF, electricity demand is projected to increase 25% by 2030 and 78% by 2050. Around 250 bills aimed at advancing nuclear energy were introduced this year, including measures to declare nuclear power a clean energy source, make it easier to site projects, remove moratoriums, provide incentives, develop the workforce and study nuclear power development. Workforce development is key to building new nuclear power plants as skilled workers retire at a greater rate than those seeking to take their place. The report points to Tennessee, which in 2023 provided $95 million to ramp up nuclear power in the state, including workforce training. The state used the funds to establish nuclear programs at universities, such as the University of Tennessee, and partnered with technical colleges and K-12 networks to build a nuclear talent pipeline. Other states have since set up similar funds, including New York and Iowa. Connecticut enacted legislation to study nuclear workforce development. The legislation comes as the U.S. Department of Energy recently identified Idaho, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Utah as the five possible host states for proposed Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses. Hosting a campus will also help spur nuclear workforce development. The Energy Department intends to locate fuel fabrication, enrichment, used-fuel recycling, and waste management in a unified regional hub. The agency plans to select three final host sites by the end of the year. Expediting permitting for nuclear projects has also gotten attention from states, which have sought to create a single point of contact for nuclear developers. “States can… align permitting and provide clarity on timelines and requirements to developers by creating a state-wide ‘one-stop shop’ for nuclear energy,” the report says. Lawmakers in at least nine states this year have introduced legislation establishing a centralized office to help shepherd nuclear development and expedite the permitting of new nuclear power projects. Those states include Colorado, Iowa, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah and West Virginia. The Utah bill, which creates a state nuclear energy regulatory office within the Utah Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control, was signed into law in March. Nuclear power is also very expensive, typically costing billions of dollars. To help reduce the financial risk, states have sought to work together. All six New England governors issued a joint statement in March committing to explore advanced nuclear technologies while supporting continued operation of the region’s existing nuclear fleet. The Midwestern Governors Association plans to explore deploying advanced nuclear power in the Midwest. States are also looking for incentives and pilot programs to entice developers to help defray the costs. In Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, signed legislation in April to establish the Nuclear Reactor Site Readiness Pilot Program. The initiative provides up to $75 million total for up to three selected projects. The law would provide up to $25 million per project to cover a third of costs for early site permits, construction permits, and federal licensing. Kenya Stump, executive director of the Kentucky Office of Energy Policy, who was also on the call, said the idea was to help ease the risk associated with early site development and send a signal to developers that the state is serious about nuclear power. “We just wanted to send the right market signal, de-risk it, and say that the state was all in on securing at least three sites for development,” Stump said. “I’m not trying to go find the billions yet. I’m really just trying to provide certainty that Kentucky has sites for you, and then we’ll move to the next step of how we’re going to fund it.” The post Report identifies keys to nuclear development first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83a5362c5335ae1047c6e2 Trump Votes by Mail Again in Florida te 2026-08-18T00:20:06.281Z Trump Votes by Mail Again in Florida The president also voted by mail in 2020 and in a Florida special election in March, even as he has railed against the practice and equated it to cheating. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83a5352c5335ae1047c6d9 House Panel Investigates Charges a Democrat Had Sexual Contact With Aide te 2026-08-18T00:20:05.521Z House Panel Investigates Charges a Democrat Had Sexual Contact With Aide Representative Jimmy Gomez of California acknowledged “personal mistakes” outside his marriage but denied breaking rules that bar relationships with a direct subordinate. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83a08a2c5335ae1047c654 Illegal immigrant learns fate after using stolen identity to vote in US elections for decades te 2026-08-18T00:00:10.433Z Illegal immigrant learns fate after using stolen identity to vote in US elections for decades Carlos Felipe Jaramillo-Grajales, a criminal illegal alien from Colombia, was recently sentenced to three years behind bars for identity theft and lying about his citizenship status — a falsification that, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), he used to participate in U.S. elections over a period spanning roughly 20 years. "Because of his fraud, he was able to obtain a driver’s license and vote in our elections," DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a statement. "DHS will always fight to protect the integrity of our elections, because election security is national security. Only Americans should be electing American leaders," he continued. His Friday sentencing comes as lawmakers in Washington, D.C. have wrestled over whether new legislation is needed to shore up voter verification that demonstrates the lengths some aliens have gone to secure state ID. SCHUMER SAID ‘DEMOCRATS SUPPORT VOTER ID’ — THEN EVERY SENATE DEMOCRAT VOTED AGAINST GOP BILL It’s a pattern that Mullin highlighted in a letter to secretaries of state in California, New Jersey, Nevada and Pennsylvania earlier this year. According to his findings, as many as 190,830 noncitizens registered to vote in California, for instance. In Jaramillo-Grajales’ case, he first began the scheme by using the name, date of birth and Social Security number of a U.S. citizen to obtain a passport in March 2003. Once he had secured that credential, he used the false information to obtain a Florida driver’s license and register to vote. He would go on to cast a ballot in the 2020 election and others, according to DHS. Investigators also explained that he had used the stolen identity for other purposes. "This criminal illegal alien spent years exploiting a stolen identity of a United States citizen to obtain government documents [and] claim benefits," Tim Hemker, a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations, said. CALIFORNIA ACCUSED OF BLOCKING FEDERAL VOTER ROLL AUDIT AS DOJ ESCALATES PROBE OF ELECTION FRAUD CLAIMS In one instance, Jaramillo-Grajales used his false name in June 2017 to secure lawful permanent residence for his fiancée, who later became his wife. DHS framed Jaramillo-Grajales’s conviction as a part of a broader effort to crack down on illegal aliens fabricating information to vote or secure U.S. benefits. The agency noted cases like that of Marian Chariton, an alien from Slovakia, who had illegally voted in the 2022 election in New Jersey after falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen. It similarly pointed to Jose Ceballos, an alien from Mexico who pleaded guilty to three counts of disorderly election for falsely claiming to be a citizen in Kansas. "Thanks to the hard work of the men and women of HSI, along with our federal partners, this criminal is out of our communities and, at the end of his sentence, will be removed from our country," Mullin said. NONCITIZEN EX-KANSAS MAYOR PLEADS GUILTY TO ILLEGALLY VOTING MULTIPLE TIMES According to the Florida U.S. attorney’s office, Jaramillo-Grajales’ case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), and the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arnold B. Corsmeier. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83a0822c5335ae1047c629 Anthropic’s annualized revenue surges to $65B te 2026-08-18T00:00:02.661Z Anthropic’s annualized revenue surges to $65B The model maker added $18 billion in annualized revenue in two months. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a839e2f2c5335ae1047c021 Penn State cocaine bust nets 14 arrests over alleged pledge coke-cutting ‘indoctrination' rituals te 2026-08-17T23:50:07.350Z Penn State cocaine bust nets 14 arrests over alleged pledge coke-cutting ‘indoctrination' rituals More than a dozen Penn Staters are charged in connection with an alleged massive cocaine distribution ring. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that 14 people are facing charges related to the coke trafficking operation where students and two off-campus fraternities were allegedly involved. "In all, 13 defendants were Penn State University students at or around the time of the alleged conduct, in 2023 and 2024. The 14th defendant, the father of a student, is charged with tampering with evidence and hindering the investigation," the Attorney General's office said. SUSPECT ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY RUNNING METH LAB AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY’S LARGEST ACADEMIC BUILDING In the Monday announcement, the AG said suspects Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson were the main coke suppliers. They allegedly made regular trips to Philadelphia and New York to pick up "large quantities" of the illegal drug. Members of the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternities allegedly cut and packaged the coke inside their frat houses off campus and distributed it to Penn State students, investigators said. 📩 Send me a story idea: kelsie.cairns@fox.com 📸 Instagram: kelsiecairns_tv 🎥 Facebook: Kelsie Cairns The AG said in addition to the charges against alleged ringleaders Abbatiello and Robinson, two more, Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat, are charged with felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity and related offenses. Additionally, Robert Zanolla, is charged with felony conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility and related misdemeanors. FBI CHARGES 35 IN WEST VIRGINIA DRUG AND FIREARMS OPERATION, LAUNCHES NATIONWIDE SUMMER CRIME INITIATIVE Eight more "student-aged defendants" charged are facing misdemeanors for possession and paraphernalia, the AG said. Those include Liam Smith, Michael Brogno, Kaden Howe, Connor Hurleigh, Seth Beardsley, Kyle Ridpath, Daniel Price and Charles Wiseman. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS The AG's office confirmed at least four of the men charged are current Penn State students. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE "This was a coordinated and highly-profitable drug-trafficking crew revolving around two senior members of the fraternities, other fraternity brothers, and pledges," Attorney General Sunday said. "In fact, according to the evidence uncovered, cutting and packaging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the fraternities." SEND US A TIP Thomas Robinson's father, Paul Robinson is charged with felony tampering, hindering apprehension for taking steps to conceal evidence and obstructing the investigation. FOOTBALL PLAYER STOMPED, JABBED IN ALLEGED HAZING INCIDENT WITH BROOMSTICK BY TEAMMATES AS COACHES HID IT: DA Penn State University confirmed to Fox News Digital that the university has responded to the criminal allegations and announced the Delta Upsilon fraternity would be placed on interim suspension while the school investigates. It also made note that Sigma Chi is "not a recognized organization and operates outside of the University's support and oversight." LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST In a statement, Penn State said in part: "We are horrified by these serious allegations against current and former students," said Andrea Dowhower, vice president for Student Affairs. "Criminal activity, including hazing, such as this has no place at our institution, and we will cooperate with law enforcement in any way we can. We will continue to enhance our efforts around health and safety and hazing educational efforts for all our organizations." GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL In a statement sent to Fox News Digital, Delta Upsilon Executive Director Justin Kirk said, "The charges filed today [Monday] stem from alleged incidents that Delta Upsilon International Fraternity was previously made aware of. The individuals associated with Delta Upsilon have either been expelled, suspended or resigned. We will continue to work closely with the university on any investigative efforts." Fox News Digital has reached out to Sigma Chi fraternity. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a839bd62c5335ae1047bfd5 Oprah distances herself from Trump allies Dr Phil and Dr Oz, says they have ‘not one thing to do with me’ te 2026-08-17T23:40:06.572Z Oprah distances herself from Trump allies Dr Phil and Dr Oz, says they have ‘not one thing to do with me’ Talk show legend Oprah Winfrey distanced herself from Dr. Phil McGraw and Dr. Mehmet Oz, two stars she helped turn into national media personalities who have since become associated with conservative politics. Winfrey spoke to Emmy Magazine about her career and was asked how she felt about McGraw and Oz now. "People criticize me for Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz, because of their politics or their views," she said, recalling that during a lengthy legal battle in the late ‘90s, "Dr. Phil, he was so practical, so down-to-earth, so real. And he would ride in the car with me every morning on the way to trial, where I’m literally sitting on trial for six weeks." McGraw and Oz have become political figures in recent years. Oz, endorsed by President Donald Trump, ran for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania in 2022 before being defeated by Sen. John Fetterman. While McGraw has not endorsed either party, he appeared at Trump’s Madison Square Garden campaign rally in October 2024, and accompanied ICE personnel during Chicago immigration raids alongside Trump border czar Tom Homan. OPRAH WINFREY SPARKS FRESH BACKLASH AFTER SHE REVISITS PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLE BOMBSHELL INTERVIEW "I felt that he was so instrumental in helping me. I thought, ‘Oh, you could help a lot of people. You should come on my show,’" she added. For Dr. Oz, she recalled, "He explained practical things like colon cancer and bowel movements. I thought he had the language for explaining medical things in a way that was helpful to me. I thought it would be helpful to many other people. And that is how they ended up on the show." "Everybody has their own path in life, and it has not one thing to do with me, and I don’t have one thing to do with them," she concluded. "At the time, the reason and intention behind me giving them their breaks was I thought they had valuable information to share that had been meaningful to me." ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ SHRUGS OFF PAST 'DEFUND THE POLICE' COMMENTS, JOKING 'WOKE 1 WAS CRAZY' The managing editor of Media Research Center's NewsBusters, Curtis Houck, told Fox News Digital that Winfrey appears to have no qualms about engaging in politics herself. "Oprah certainly doesn't have a problem with being friends with progressives or anyone willing to take on Trump," he said. "Oprah wants us to feel bad for woke Prince Harry and Meghan or the woman in the Coldplay kiss cam. She herself is stuck on Woke 1," Houck added, referring to the term Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez used in an attempt to shrug off far-left identity politics as a thing of the past. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "Oprah and her friend/CBS ‘Journalist’ Gayle King can continue promoting whatever causes they want or pal around with the Obamas, but they shouldn't be seen as non-partisan by any stretch. While I'm sure they're incredibly grateful to her, Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz should be allowed to have their own opinions and not be framed as the exclusive partisans," he concluded. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83997e2c5335ae1047be8d Facing Quagmire in Iran, Trump Turns to a Familiar Face: North Korea’s Kim Jong-un te 2026-08-17T23:30:06.387Z Facing Quagmire in Iran, Trump Turns to a Familiar Face: North Korea’s Kim Jong-un Seven years ago, President Trump failed to disarm North Korea and walked away. Could the same thing happen with Iran? Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8397232c5335ae1047be42 Judge Rules Trump Administration Can’t Scrap F.B.I. Move to Maryland te 2026-08-17T23:20:03.398Z Judge Rules Trump Administration Can’t Scrap F.B.I. Move to Maryland The ruling is almost certainly not the end of the lengthy fight over the F.B.I.’s future headquarters, which has lasted for years. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8394e42c5335ae1047be00 Cancer treatment delays surge across US as doctor warns system ‘needs fixing immediately’ te 2026-08-17T23:10:28.714Z Cancer treatment delays surge across US as doctor warns system ‘needs fixing immediately’ Wait times between a cancer diagnosis and the start of treatment grew by nearly two weeks over the past decade in the U.S., according to a recent study published in JAMA Surgery. Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles and Massachusetts General Hospital analyzed national data from more than two million patients diagnosed between January 2012 and December 2023. The study tracked adults with early to locally advanced stages of six common cancers (breast, colon, lung, pancreatic, stomach and esophageal) who received surgery as part of their initial care. WHERE YOU LIVE COULD SHAPE YOUR RISK OF CANCER MORTALITY, STUDY SUGGESTS Researchers measured wait times from the day of the diagnosis to the first treatment, whether that was a surgery or pre-surgical therapy designed to shrink a tumor. Across all six cancer types, median wait times grew by more than 10 days over the study period, regardless of whether surgery came first or followed other treatments. The longest increases occurred in stomach cancer, where wait times rose from 35 days to 49 days, and lung cancer, which increased from 41 days to 53 days. Breast cancer wait times grew from 34 to 45 days, while colon cancer delays increased from 20 to 31 days. CANCER WARNING SIGNS MAY APPEAR IN DNA YEARS BEFORE BLOOD TESTS DETECT TROUBLE Pancreatic cancer waits climbed from 23 to 32 days, and esophageal cancer delays grew from 38 to 48 days. The researchers also found that a growing share of patients waited 60 days or longer to begin treatment. "This is part of our healthcare system that needs fixing immediately," Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, told Fox News Digital. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ The delays were even seen at high-volume academic medical centers, noted Siegel, who was not involved in the study. "The waiting times for basic cancer operations in non-metastatic diseases is high and increasing since 2012," he added. After adjusting for factors like age and underlying health, researchers found the delays did not affect all groups in the same way. Longer wait times were seen for Black patients, people on Medicaid, individuals in lower-income areas, patients traveling longer distances for care, and those treated at academic medical centers or high-volume hospitals. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES The West experienced longer delays than other regions, and for non-breast cancers, the use of robotic surgery was linked to longer wait times. The study authors cautioned that delays in surgical treatment have been tied to higher death rates and worse long-term survival in previous medical research. In supporting commentary published along with the study, Lia D. Delaney, M.D., and Sherry M. Wren, M.D., both of the Stanford School of Medicine in Palo Alto, California, emphasized that cancer care has become increasingly sophisticated over the last two decades. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER However, "as cancer care continues to regionalize, efforts to improve quality may inadvertently create barriers to timely treatment unless capacity and coordination evolve in parallel," they wrote. The authors noted several limitations to their study. Because the analysis relied on retrospective data from the National Cancer Database, it could not determine the exact reasons behind individual treatment delays, such as scheduling issues, logistical hurdles or personal patient preferences. The database also lacked information on when patients first developed symptoms or sought medical advice prior to diagnosis. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8394e32c5335ae1047bdf7 Kushner gives Hamas stark ultimatum: Disarm or Israel gets US backing to ‘finish the job’ te 2026-08-17T23:10:27.858Z Kushner gives Hamas stark ultimatum: Disarm or Israel gets US backing to ‘finish the job’ U.S. special envoy Jared Kushner delivered a stark ultimatum to Hamas on Monday, warning that the terrorist group must honor its commitments to disarm in Gaza or face an Israeli military operation to "finish the job." Speaking exclusively to Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst, Kushner also detailed high-stakes diplomatic meetings in Egypt and Israel over the last 48 hours aimed at advancing President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace roadmap as fighting and disagreements between Israel and Hamas persists. Israel has carried out air strikes and seized more territory in Gaza despite an October ceasefire, while Hamas has refused to give up its weapons, Reuters also reported Monday. Kushner met first with Hamas in Cairo, together with the National Committee, the new technocratic Palestinian government that will take over control.  HILLARY CLINTON BREAKS WITH DEMOCRATIC CRITICS BY BACKING TRUMP’S GAZA PLAN AS THE 'ONLY GAME IN TOWN' Kushner told Yingst that the group reaffirmed its commitment to Trump’s 20-point peace plan and to the "15-point roadmap that we've been working on with them for the last four months, where they commit to giving up their weapons." "Time will tell whether that's going to be implemented," he added, before stating that Washington feels it could be "very close to knowing, and we're making a lot of progress towards trying to get to the next steps." "If they don't follow through now on their commitment, everyone will see that they're not genuine about peace, and then Israel will have a lot more support from the U.S. and others to go and finish the job in the appropriate way," Kushner also told Yingst of the militant group. The warning from Trump’s son-in-law followed the rare face-to-face meeting — only Kushner's second known meeting with the group. "They said all the right things, but obviously, it's very, very hard to trust, you know, a terrorist organization that committed these terrible atrocities," Kushner continued. "But we had a very cordial meeting, and they said all the right things, and so we're going to give them a chance to perform.  "It's going to have to be based on actions and steps, and I hope it will be true." HAMAS SAYS IT WILL DISSOLVE GAZA GOVERNMENT, BUT ISRAEL WARNS GROUP STILL SEEKS HEZBOLLAH-STYLE CONTROL The U.S.-led "Board of Peace" proposal centers on a phased ceasefire, demilitarization of Gaza, Israeli troop withdrawal, Palestinian technocratic governance and international reconstruction efforts. On Monday, Kushner also traveled to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for further talks whereby the central sticking point remains the roadmap execution timeline. Israel demands full demilitarization before withdrawing further or allowing reconstruction, while Hamas insists withdrawal and disarmament must happen in parallel. Netanyahu, facing political pressure ahead of Israel's upcoming elections, appears cautious about phased compromises. NETANYAHU REJECTS BOARD OF PEACE'S GAZA PLAN: NO 'WITHDRAWAL UNTIL HAMAS IS GENUINELY DISARMED' Despite the friction, Kushner expressed optimism following a four-hour session with Israeli officials. "I think today we had a very, very good meeting," Kushner said. "I think there were some valid concerns that they raised that we were able to address, and we were able to go through some of the misunderstandings and misinformation that's been out about it as well." Kushner emphasized that Washington’s support for reconstruction remains tied to demilitarization. "We will not allow Gaza to be rebuilt until demilitarization occurs," Kushner warned. "We're also not going to restrict Israel's right to defend itself if there are any imminent threats. And so we had to clarify what that means." Outlining a clear timeline, Kushner highlighted the urgency of Hamas laying down its weapons.  "We could be seeing progress, you know, in as much as in as little as 30 days," Kushner said. "Hopefully, on starting to take some of the weapons out, and hopefully, you know, filling in some of the tunnels as well in the next 60 to 90 days as well." TRUMP REVEALS THE LINE IRAN HAS TO CROSS FOR US TO RESTART OFFENSIVE MILITARY CAMPAIGN "For Israel, we think this is a win-win situation because if Hamas actually gives over the weapons and the tunnels willingly over the next 60 to 90 days, that obviously would be the elimination of a huge security threat for Israel, almost an unthinkable achievement," he added. The conflict — triggered by Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack that killed nearly 1,200 people in southern Israel and saw more than 240 taken hostage — has dragged on for nearly three years. "Israel has a strong desire to live in peace," Kushner told Yingst. "They've been through three years of war. It's been very, very hard for the country, very hard for the people. I think there's a lot of emotion in Israel and in the region." "As I travel around the region, I do think people are tired of war. I think they're ready for something new," he continued. "But it's just sometimes hard. You know, who's going to take the first step, and how do you build trust when there's so little trust that's now been eroded?" IS ISRAEL REALLY ISOLATED? POLLS AND DIPLOMACY POINT IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS Kushner also voiced confidence in President Trump’s ability to broker a lasting deal. "We see a lot of positive indications, and President Trump has pulled off miracles before in the Middle East," Kushner said. "He's very committed to continuing to do things that nobody thinks are possible." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8394df2c5335ae1047bddc Tucson Village Farm construirá un parque infantil de adobe te 2026-08-17T23:10:23.621Z Tucson Village Farm construirá un parque infantil de adobe Leer en inglés Tucson Village Farm está recurriendo a la comunidad para ayudar a construir un parque de juegos de arcilla, a Clayground, una zona de juegos interactiva y a gran escala hecha de adobe, cob: una mezcla de tierra, arcilla y paja, con el objetivo de que sea gratuita y abierta a todos una vez terminada. La granja es un proyecto de la Extensión Cooperativa del Condado de Pima y la Universidad de Arizona. Fundada en 2010, es un programa que abarca desde la semilla hasta la mesa, reconectando a los jóvenes con sistemas alimentarios saludables mientras les enseña a cultivar y preparar alimentos frescos y a tomar decisiones de vida saludables. El Clayground, anunciado el mes pasado en la página oficial de Instagram del proyecto, combinará arte, naturaleza y educación en un espacio donde los niños podrán trepar, explorar y aprender sobre prácticas de construcción sostenible. Incluirá ocho estructuras, de tamaños que van desde lo pequeño hasta lo grande, con un estilo similar al de una escultura de casa para pájaros de unos 9 pies de altura que el grupo construyó como proyecto piloto a principios de este año. Los organizadores lo describen como algo más que un parque infantil, lo conciben como un "aula viva" donde niños y familias pueden aprender de primera mano sobre construcción sostenible mientras fortalecen su conexión con el mundo natural, todo ello en un espacio permanente y gratuito diseñado para atender a las más de 20,000 personas que visitan Tucson Village Farm cada año. "Esta idea surgió hace seis meses, cuando las artistas locales Lindee Zimmer y Lisa Rooney organizaron una serie de talleres para construir una casa para pájaros que comenzó con un simple trozo de arcilla," comentó Jessica Bell,coordinadora de desarrollo y participación comunitaria de TVF. La primera ronda de ocho talleres completó su cupo en menos de 24 horas, lo que refleja el gran interés inicial que despertó el proyecto. "Es algo especial que la comunidad se una a nosotros para construir esto," dijo Bell. Noticias del sur de Arizona escritas por periodistas que viven la realidad de la zona. Gratis en su bandeja de entrada. Una representación gráfica muestra algunas de las piezas escultóricas planeadas para el "Clayground" de Tucson Village Farm, elaboradas con adobe, cob: una mezcla de tierra, arcilla y paja. Cortesía de Lindee Zimmer y Lisa Rooney. Zimmer y Rooney recibieron apoyo de la subvención StArt de la Arts Foundation of Tucson and Southern Arizona para organizar ocho talleres en los que participaron más de 70 miembros de la comunidad; estos ayudaron a construir una casa para pájaros de 9 pies de altura que se convertirá en un hábitat para aves nativas en la granja. Los fondos de la subvención permitirán que el Clayground sea gratuito y accesible para la comunidad, pero las artistas aún necesitan recursos para financiar su creación. La meta inmediata de la recaudación de fondos es de $11,000, aunque las organizadoras señalan que esa cifra representa solo la primera fase de un proyecto mucho mayor, valorado en $92,000, para completar las ocho obras escultóricas que conformarán el Clayground en su totalidad. Los niveles de donación oscilan entre los $25, para patrocinar los materiales de un participante en un taller, y los $16,000, para financiar completamente una escultura a gran escala. "Hemos recaudado unos $9,000 hasta ahora, pero nos falta mucho dinero para poder completar el proyecto," dijo Zimmer. "La escala es variable y depende de cuántos fondos logremos conseguir." Esta no es la primera vez que Zimmer y Rooney construyen un área de juegos; crearon algo similar en una escuela primaria de Marrakesh, Morocco. "Tras el trabajo que realizamos en Morocco, nos sentimos muy entusiasmadas y nos preguntamos, '¿Cuál es la combinación de todos nuestros intereses? Estar al aire libre, trabajar con la tierra, colaborar con la comunidad y crear elementos escultóricos a base de arcilla con los que la gente pueda interactuar,’” comentó Rooney. "Siempre habíamos tenido esta idea en mente y ahora sentimos que es un sueño que pasa del subconsciente al consciente." Kamsiyochukwu Kanma-Okafor es estudiante de periodismo en la Universidad de Arizona y pasante en El Foco de Tucson . Esta nota fue traducida por el equipo bilingüe de El Foco de Tucson. 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/6a83927e2c5335ae1047bc35 LA gun owners stuck waiting years for concealed carry permits score major DOJ victory te 2026-08-17T23:00:14.992Z LA gun owners stuck waiting years for concealed carry permits score major DOJ victory The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) has slashed lengthy concealed carry permit delays after a Department of Justice (DOJ) lawsuit accused the agency of leaving thousands of applications in limbo and forcing some gun owners to wait nearly three years for action. The turnaround prompted the DOJ to end its landmark lawsuit against LASD, with federal officials announcing Thursday that the sheriff’s department is now meeting California's permitting deadlines after adding personnel and new processing software. The case put one of the nation's largest law enforcement agencies at the center of the Trump administration's push to enforce Second Amendment rights, with the DOJ calling the outcome a "huge win" for Los Angeles County residents and gun owners. INSIDE TRUMP'S UNPRECEDENTED BATTLE PLAN TO EXPAND SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS THROUGH JUSTICE DEPARTMENT The agreement marks the conclusion of a case the DOJ touted when it was filed in September 2025 as its first-ever affirmative lawsuit brought in support of gun owners' Second Amendment rights. At the time of the lawsuit, applicants were waiting an average of more than nine months to receive decisions on their permits, the DOJ alleged. LASD has since "drastically" reduced those waits and is now complying with California's statutory deadlines, the DOJ said. "The sheriff acknowledged the problem and devoted substantial additional resources, including new processing software and additional personnel, to cutting waiting times dramatically," Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the DOJ's Civil Rights Division said. "We applaud their efforts and are happy to be able to bring this litigation to a successful conclusion!" CIVIL LIBERTY ADVOCATES SUE BLUE STATE OVER 'SHOW YOUR PAPERS' GUN LAW The settlement caps a battle that began in March 2025, when the DOJ's Civil Rights Division opened a pattern-or-practice investigation into whether the nation's largest sheriff's department was effectively denying residents their constitutional right to bear arms through excessive permitting delays. The DOJ said at the time that it had received numerous complaints about the department's handling of concealed carry applications. Federal officials pointed to a court case in which applicants had faced waits of roughly 18 months. The investigation escalated into a federal lawsuit on Sept. 30, 2025. Federal prosecutors alleged that between January 2024 and March 2025, LASD received 3,982 applications for new concealed carry licenses but had approved just two as of May 2025. TRUMP’S PUSH FOR NATIONAL CONCEALED CARRY RECIPROCITY WOULD PROTECT GOOD GUYS WITH GUNS Approximately 2,768 applications remained pending, while another 1,210 had been withdrawn, according to the complaint. The federal government alleged applicants waited an average of 281 days before LASD took action on its applications, while the median delay was 372 days. Some applicants had waited as long as 1,030 days — nearly three years. California law requires licensing authorities to provide applicants with an initial approval or denial within 90 days. The DOJ argued those delays amounted to a "pattern or practice" of depriving people of their constitutional rights, alleging LASD was effectively forcing some applicants to abandon their efforts to obtain a permit. MARYLAND SYNAGOGUE SUES COUNTY OVER LAW RESTRICTING CONCEALED CARRY NEAR HOUSES OF WORSHIP "The Second Amendment protects the fundamental constitutional right of law-abiding citizens to bear arms," former Attorney General Pam Bondi said when the lawsuit was filed. "Los Angeles County may not like that right, but the Constitution does not allow them to infringe upon it." The federal action followed separate litigation brought by the California Rifle & Pistol Association, Gun Owners of America, Gun Owners of California, the Second Amendment Foundation and individual gun owners challenging California and local concealed carry restrictions. That case resulted in a preliminary injunction that included allowing qualifying non-California residents to apply for concealed carry permits. California subsequently changed its law to permit qualifying non-residents to apply, and LASD's current application portal includes an option for out-of-state applicants. The DOJ's case also came amid a broader effort by the Trump administration to use federal civil rights enforcement to protect Second Amendment rights. DOJ SUES DENVER OVER BAN ON ‘ASSAULT WEAPONS’ AS CITY'S DEM MAYOR SAYS IT 'WILL NOT BE BULLIED' The Civil Rights Division has since established a dedicated Second Amendment Section, which has pursued challenges involving firearms laws and permitting practices in several jurisdictions. Under the settlement announced Thursday, LASD will maintain procedures designed to ensure concealed carry applications are processed under objective standards and without lengthy delays. The DOJ credited Sheriff Robert Luna's department with putting additional personnel and new technology toward eliminating the backlog. The DOJ said its Second Amendment Section will continue accepting complaints from current and prospective gun owners who believe state or local governments have infringed their right to keep or bear arms. Fox News Digital reached out to the LASD for comment, but did not immediately receive a response. Fox News Digital's Michael Dorgan contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83927d2c5335ae1047bc25 CNN fires back at Trump White House over attacks on reporter, calls them 'beneath the office' te 2026-08-17T23:00:13.955Z CNN fires back at Trump White House over attacks on reporter, calls them 'beneath the office' CNN fired back at the White House on Monday after President Donald Trump's rapid response team took aim at CNN White House correspondent Kristen Holmes. While Trump took questions from the Oval Office, Holmes asked him for his reaction to viral comments made by Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., who claimed Trump would rather "build a ballroom and travel with [White House aide]" Natalie [Harp]" than do his job as president, to which Trump replied by calling him "Pee-wee Herman." The Rapid Response 47 account on X slammed Holmes for invoking Ossoff's jab, which fueled online fodder for liberal critics pushing unfounded claims of an inappropriate relationship between Trump and Harp. TRUMP MEETS WITH TEEN LIFEGUARD AND BOY SAVED IN VIRAL OCEAN RESCUE AT OVAL OFFICE "[Holmes] is a disgraceful, humiliating embarrassment to her alleged profession," the White House-run account wrote on X. "@POTUS hosts a hero lifeguard in the Oval Office and she uses it as an opportunity to take a cheap shot about one of President Trump's staffers. These scumbags are the lowest of the low." "Someday, your children will come across your disgusting and inhumane question. They will be sickened and embarrassed to have a parent be so callous and vindictive. It’s quite troubling," the White House told Holmes. CNN STAFFERS BRACE FOR PARAMOUNT CEO'S POTENTIAL PLAN TO LAUNCH EDITORIAL BOARD TO OVERSEE NETWORK CNN issued a statement standing behind its reporter. "Kristen Holmes is one of the most respected and accomplished journalists covering the White House," CNN wrote. "This afternoon, she did her job and asked the President of the United States a tough, relevant, and newsworthy question on behalf of the American people." WHITE HOUSE PUSHED FOR PROTOCOL TO PRESERVE CORRESPONDENTS' CREDIBILITY AFTER TRUMP'S SECRET PLANE SWITCH "Public officials are free to challenge reporting they disagree with, but personal attacks on journalists for asking questions are beneath the office and inconsistent with the principles of a free press. We stand firmly behind Kristen and reject these attacks in the strongest possible terms," the network added. The White House cited its posts in response to Fox News Digital and declined to comment further. Trump, who held a meeting at the Oval Office with Ryder Williams — the heroic 16-year-old lifeguard who went viral last month for rescuing 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai, who was also at the White House — lashed out at Holmes in a separate exchange as she attempted to ask another question, repeatedly scolding to her, "Quiet!" "You’re very disrespectful in front of this young man. Don’t you find her disrespectful? He understands," Trump smirked to the 10-year-old sitting next to him. "Who are you with?" "I'm with CNN," Holmes responded. "Fake News. You're fake news," Trump said to Holmes. "You're a loud, boisterous person. You're fake news. Be quiet!... You're a fake reporter and you report fake news!" Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8390232c5335ae1047b895 Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski may poach former Pro Bowl pass rusher from Browns team that fired him te 2026-08-17T22:50:11.448Z Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski may poach former Pro Bowl pass rusher from Browns team that fired him Za'Darius Smith was supposedly set to sign with the Cleveland Browns, if one believed the reports coming out of The Land over the weekend. But there is a significant problem with those reports. Smith, a three-time Pro Bowl player with 70 1/2 career sacks, doesn't think that's necessarily true. And he called out one of the reporters who supposedly broke the news. And then he worked out for the Atlanta Falcons on Monday. ATLANTA FALCONS 2026 BETTING PREVIEW: LIMITED UPGRADES HAS NEW HEAD COACH KEVIN STEFANSKI FACING A STEEP CLIMB So we have a lot going on here, none of it good for Cleveland. Let's get specific: The Cleveland Plain Dealer and Cleveland.com reported Sunday that Smith was set to sign with the Browns, and as late as noonish Monday was describing the negotiations as possibly being "finalized today." Except Smith, who has played on six teams in his 11 seasons, has a say in the matter and he was in Atlanta. And he called out the reports of him heading to Cleveland. "I haven't signed yet," Smith wrote on social media, adding the bulging eyes emoji. "I have another workout tomorrow morning with a different team! Who told you to post this?" Yeah, whoops. The NFL wire that tracks workouts and other league transactions indeed had Smith working out for the Falcons on Monday. And aside from that perhaps causing some embarrassment among some media, it creates an intriguing situation as two teams clearly have interest in the same player. FALCONS SELECTED TWO PASS RUSHERS IN THE FIRST ROUND AND NEITHER MAY BE AVAILABLE TO START THE NFL SEASON The Browns obviously want Smith because he played for them for two seasons, started 25 games, collected 10 sacks and 27 quarterback hits. The Falcons potentially want Smith because they have a need and coach Kevin Stefanski, who is in his first year with the club, coached Smith when the two were with the Browns... ...Before the Browns fired Stefanski. LOL. This would be the perfect spot for speculation about Stefanski wanting to stick it to his former team that fired him, while at the same time helping himself, but we're above such speculation here. Maybe. It obviously serves Smith to have two teams bidding for his services rather than one. It would also be a statement of what Smith thinks of his old coach if he chooses Atlanta over Cleveland. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Browns coach Todd Monken was asked about Smith on Monday and punted the issue to general manager Andrew Berry. "I’m not going to comment on that," Monken said. "I really don’t know where it’s at, so I’ll leave that to Andrew." The Falcons, meanwhile, may have a more urgent need than the Browns. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS Former first-round pick Jalon Walker tore his ACL early in training camp and is out for the entire season. Former first-round pick James Pearce ran afoul of the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy and is suspended the first eight games of the season. The Falcons are in desperate need of pass rush help. And if outbidding the Browns or coaxing Smith to join them over the Browns is a way to fill the need, well, that would be kind of interesting given everything that is at play. FOLLOW ARMANDO SALGUERO ON X: @ARMANDOSALGUERO Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83901d2c5335ae1047b87b Appeals Court Rejects Trump’s Strategy of Picking U.S. Attorneys te 2026-08-17T22:50:05.929Z Appeals Court Rejects Trump’s Strategy of Picking U.S. Attorneys It was the second federal appellate decision to take issue with the administration’s custom of leaving interim prosecutors in place to lead U.S. attorney’s offices to circumvent congressional approval. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a838dc92c5335ae1047b839 EARL TAYLOR: You Cannot Swear To Defend The Constitution While Seeking To Destroy It te 2026-08-17T22:40:09.003Z EARL TAYLOR: You Cannot Swear To Defend The Constitution While Seeking To Destroy It By Earl Taylor, Jr. | The U.S. Constitution is very clear with regards to the requirements to hold any public office in the United States. One of the requirements is as follows: “Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:—’I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.’” (Article 2, Section 1, U.S. Constitution) Also: “The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution…” (Article 6, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution) The requirement of taking an oath is in addition to other qualifications listed in the Constitution to hold public office, such as age, birth, citizenship, residency, and more. No person, even if elected, may legitimately hold any office in the United States or any particular state unless that person promises under oath to support, protect, and defend the principles of the U.S. Constitution. Some may ask, then, what about candidates today who have announced they want to eliminate some basic constitutional provisions, such as the executive or judicial branches of our government? Such actions would destroy our system of checks and balances and limited government. The nation first tried this type of government in the Articles of Confederation, which had neither executive nor federal courts. It was a disaster and led to the Founders wisely adopting the U.S. Constitution in its place with limited, enumerated powers distributed among three branches. The Founders also provided that the Constitution may be amended, allowing for changes to be made within the document as time and circumstances required, but not to throw out the whole document. It has been amended 27 times. Those who advocate for the complete dismantling of our system of government should be stopped at the gate—not allowed to lie their way into public office by taking an oath to “preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution” while intending to destroy the very heart and structure of the Constitution they have sworn to uphold. That’s especially true when America’s enemies have openly pledged to do precisely that. The Founders called such action by would-be public officials treason, which they defined as giving aid and comfort to enemies of the United States. The people must awaken to this awful situation. Earl Taylor, Jr. is the President of The National Center for Constitutional Studies. The post EARL TAYLOR: You Cannot Swear To Defend The Constitution While Seeking To Destroy It first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a838b712c5335ae1047b7e9 Shocking prehistoric discovery on NJ beach '100%' came from colossal ancient predator te 2026-08-17T22:30:09.558Z Shocking prehistoric discovery on NJ beach '100%' came from colossal ancient predator A family's search for seashells on the Jersey Shore took an unexpected turn when a father and son uncovered the tooth of an ancient shark — and it dates back millions of years. Mike Bowers and his son, Bo Bowers, uncovered the fossil, which came from an Otodus megalodon, in Sea Isle City near the Townsend Inlet on August 11.  Megalodons were the largest predatory sharks in Earth's history, and went extinct around 4 million years ago. TRAVELERS CAN HUNT FOR MILLION-YEAR-OLD FOSSILS AND MORE VALUABLE TREASURES IN THESE SPOTS Pictures of the tooth show its massive size and dark, jagged edge, with the fossil measuring roughly the length of young Bo Bowers' hand. The Pennsylvania family had been vacationing in Wildwood when an overcast day prompted them to look for somewhere different to search for shells, Mike Bowers told Fox News Digital. "There was a rock jetty and a real nice looking beach," said Mike Bowers. "And I was like, well, let's go check it out." The father noticed something in a small opening between two rocks, but his hand was too large to fit, so he called his son over. Bo Bowers told Fox News Digital that he was initially hesitant to reach into the rocks but grabbed the tooth as soon as he saw it. MARINE EXPERTS FIND LIKELY REMAINS OF 18TH-CENTURY TREASURE SHIP THAT WAS LOST FOR CENTURIES The 11-year-old said it was "really hard to believe" when he learned the tooth was millions of years old. "He likes to look for shark teeth and stuff like that," Mike Bowers added. The family "definitely did not expect to find something of that stature," he added.  The Bowers family was allowed to keep the tooth because it was found on a public beach, the dad told Fox News Digital. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER On their way home to western Pennsylvania, the family stopped at the New Jersey State Museum to have the tooth examined. "[An official] took us up to the fossil lab, and he examined it and confirmed it," he said. "[It] 100% is a true megalodon tooth." Mike Bowers added that an official told him only five megalodon teeth had previously been recorded as found on New Jersey beaches, and that the family's discovery was the sixth. Dana Ehret of the New Jersey State Museum confirmed the tooth's authenticity to Fox News Digital. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS "These teeth are highly uncommon in New Jersey because we do not have the right aged sediments preserved at or near the surface," said Ehret. "The Bowers tooth is in extraordinary good condition for a tooth from New Jersey. It reminds me of the teeth found in North Carolina, where they are much more common," he added.  "Typically, teeth [found in New Jersey] are substantially worn from being in the water for long periods of time." TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ The discovery is one of several ancient finds made by children in unexpected places in recent months. Earlier this year, an 11-year-old boy in England discovered a roughly 1.8 million-year-old tooth from an extinct relative of modern elephants while visiting a beach. In another unusual find, an 8-year-old boy in Israel found a 1,700-year-old Roman statuette fragment and brought it to school for show-and-tell. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a838b6c2c5335ae1047b7d3 Trump to Travel to Myrtle Beach to Rally for Darline Graham te 2026-08-17T22:30:04.670Z Trump to Travel to Myrtle Beach to Rally for Darline Graham The sister of Lindsey Graham was appointed to his Senate seat on an interim basis. She must win a runoff next week against a conservative House member to serve a full six-year term. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8389152c5335ae1047b78a Authorities raid CBD store in AG investigation te 2026-08-17T22:20:05.168Z Authorities raid CBD store in AG investigation State and federal authorities executed a warrant last week at SunMed CBD in Lake Havasu City, reportedly seizing store products and business records as part of a broader investigation by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8386c02c5335ae1047b74e Kelly Osbourne wows in leopard-print swimsuit as she steps 'away from the madness' te 2026-08-17T22:10:08.093Z Kelly Osbourne wows in leopard-print swimsuit as she steps 'away from the madness' Kelly Osbourne is stepping away from the noise and giving herself time to recharge. The 41-year-old television personality shared a series of vacation photos as she reflected on the importance of slowing down amid a busy and emotional period in her life. In one photo, Osbourne relaxed on a lounge chair in a leopard-print one-piece swimsuit while soaking up the sun. KELLY OSBOURNE BLASTS DEE SNIDER AS 'SPECTACULARLY CLASSLESS' FOR CLAIMING OZZY DIDN’T WRITE HIS OWN SONGS She reclined with both arms resting behind her head and one leg crossed over the other. Osbourne paired the animal-print swimsuit with her iconic black cat-eye sunglasses featuring red-tinted lenses, layered necklaces and several rings, while her tattoos were visible along her arms. A second photo offered another look at the same poolside moment. Osbourne leaned back against the lounge chair with her arms at her sides. Her blonde hair was swept back as she enjoyed the sunny setting. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS The former reality star explained that the getaway had given her an opportunity to disconnect from the demands of everyday life. "I’m really learning how important it is to step away from the madness sometimes. 🌊☀️" Osbourne wrote on Instagram. "I get so wrapped up in life, work, people, plans… everything going on around me, that I genuinely forget I’m allowed to stop. To switch off. To breathe. To just be." Osbourne said the time away had changed her perspective on taking a break. "This holiday has reminded me that taking a break isn’t wasting time — sometimes it’s exactly what you need to come back to yourself." She added, "I honestly feel reborn. Lighter, calmer, happier… and very much NOT ready to go home 😂❤️" Fans celebrated Osbourne's carefree vacation photos in the comments, with several praising how happy she appeared. "Your dad is smiling watching you get your sparkle back ❤️✨️," one person wrote. Another commented, "Wow !!!!! You are stunning !! You look so happy and healthy !!!!" A third fan focused on Osbourne's poolside look, writing, "🔥I love that bathing suit girl! You look amazing !! Miss ya. Hope you're doing well. 💜🤘🏼" Osbourne also shared a close-up selfie taken on the water as the sun set behind her. KELLY OSBOURNE DEMANDS CHILD SUPPORT AND HER DOGS BACK IN FIERY RANT AMID REPORTED BREAKUP Wearing the same black cat-eye sunglasses, she posed in a black-and-white striped top with her blonde hair swept back. The orange sun could be seen dropping toward the horizon behind her, reflecting across the water. Osbourne's time away also included a sweet moment with her 3-year-old son, Sidney. In another photo, Osbourne cuddled her 3-year-old son, Sidney, while aboard a boat. The mother and son smiled as Sidney wrapped his arm around her neck. Osbourne held her son close, while an older child stood at the boat's steering wheel beside them. Sidney is Osbourne's son with Slipknot musician Sid Wilson. The former couple welcomed him in 2022. KELLY OSBOURNE STUNS IN CORSETED SWIMSUIT ON YACHT MONTHS AFTER SHUTTING DOWN BODY-SHAMING CRITICS The getaway comes amid changes in Osbourne's personal life following reports that she and Wilson have split. Earlier this month, Osbourne fueled speculation about their relationship when she shared a series of since-deleted Instagram Stories that appeared to take aim at Wilson, though she never mentioned him by name. "Wake the f--- up and take some responsibility. I will not take your s--- anymore! I'm done. I want to be happy, and I have a beautiful son to raise. Leave me alone. Let me heal. I can't protect you from yourself anymore," she wrote. Osbourne later appeared to reference unresolved issues involving their son, finances and her belongings. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "Also while I’m at it can I have my dogs back and all my possessions. Oh yeah and maybe some child support?" Osbourne and Wilson reportedly ended their engagement earlier this year, though neither has publicly confirmed the split. The pair began dating in 2022 and welcomed Sidney later that year. Her vacation comes during an emotional chapter for the Osbourne family following the death of her father, Ozzy Osbourne, in July 2025. The Black Sabbath frontman died at 76, just weeks after performing his final concert with the legendary heavy metal band. Osbourne has remained fiercely protective of her father's legacy. Most recently, she fired back at Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider after he made comments about the late rocker's songwriting. For now, however, Osbourne's latest update suggests she is making a deliberate effort to step away from the pressures surrounding her and enjoy quieter moments with her family. "Note to self: do this more often," she wrote. "Life will still be there when you get back. ✨" Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8386bf2c5335ae1047b745 WNBA admits security in Atlanta was wrong to make fans cover shirts at Dream-Fever game te 2026-08-17T22:10:07.404Z WNBA admits security in Atlanta was wrong to make fans cover shirts at Dream-Fever game The WNBA admitted Monday that league security improperly forced a mother and her teenage daughter to cover their XX-XY Athletics shirts during Sunday's game between the Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream. "The WNBA is aware of interactions at last night's game in Atlanta in which fans were asked by league security to cover their shirts," a WNBA spokesperson said in a statement provided to OutKick. "This should not have happened." The WNBA's admission is as damning as it is simple: its own security forced paying fans to cover shirts supporting women's sports. MOM AND DAUGHTER TOLD TO COVER UP XX-XY T-SHIRTS, SAY THEY WERE THREATENED WITH EJECTION AT FEVER-DREAM GAME OutKick's Jon Root first detailed the incident involving Georgia resident Kasey Thomason and her 17-year-old daughter, Annie, who were sitting courtside during Indiana's 95-91 victory when security confronted them in overtime. The pair wore XX-XY Athletics shirts backing Fever guard Sophie Cunningham and her stance on protecting female athletics. The shirts have become a symbol of the WNBA's trans dilemma, exposing an uncomfortable question for a women's basketball league struggling to define who belongs in women's sports. They wore them for four quarters without issue. Then, in overtime, Kasey said a fan complained and security issued an ultimatum: cover up with Dream shirts or get tossed. "Biology and science is offensive?" Kasey recalled responding. To watch the conclusion, they reluctantly put on the Dream shirts. CLUELESS WNBA ATTACKS 'BAD-FAITH' FANS WHO DON'T WANT BIOLOGICAL MEN RUINING WOMEN'S SPORTS The WNBA admitted security crossed the line. But that only raises a bigger question: How did a women's basketball league reach the point where stating biological reality became grounds for security intervention? Cunningham sparked national debate weeks ago by voicing support for keeping biological males out of women's sports. The controversy even prompted a WNBA task force discussion among team executives, while the league denounced what it called "bad-faith efforts" to use the transgender-athlete debate to demean or marginalize others. But the debate hasn't remained confined to league statements and meetings. STORM CO-OWNER SUSPENDED AFTER INCIDENT WITH SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM FANS AS STAR BREAKS SILENCE ON CONTROVERSY Less than three weeks ago, Seattle Storm minority co-owner Celeste Keaton confronted two teenage girls wearing XX-XY Athletics gear and supporting Cunningham at a Fever-Storm game. The Storm subsequently apologized, and the WNBA fined Keaton an undisclosed amount and suspended her from attending five home games. Now, another mother and teenage daughter backing the same cause were confronted at a WNBA game — this time by league security. Kasey said she believed a nearby fan wearing a "Protect Trans Rights" shirt had complained. The Thomasons could not confirm whether security also instructed that fan to cover her shirt, though they said they later noticed her jacket zipped over it. State Farm Arena policy prohibits clothing displaying explicit language, profanity or derogatory characterizations, while the NBA Fan Code of Conduct prohibits obscene or indecent messages on clothing. According to Kasey, security cited neither policy, instead telling the pair their shirts were "offensive." SAM PONDER CALLS OUT THE WNBA FOR COWARDICE: 'BE COURAGEOUS. STAND FOR WOMEN' That's the larger problem for the WNBA: its identity crisis over women's sports just got uglier, with league security now going after fans for defending them. Forcing fans to cover XX-XY shirts wasn't merely a questionable judgment call. By the WNBA's own admission, it crossed the line. "This should not have happened." OutKick has requested additional comment from the WNBA on why security ordered the fans to cover their shirts, what policy they were believed to have violated and whether the league is investigating the incident. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8384692c5335ae1047b6e9 Portland parent banned from school events after opposing gender identity assignment files lawsuit te 2026-08-17T22:00:09.764Z Portland parent banned from school events after opposing gender identity assignment files lawsuit Portland, Oregon, mother Allison Roberts filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against Portland Public Schools and her children's elementary school after allegedly facing retaliation over her opposition to their gender curriculum. According to the Liberty Justice Center, which filed the lawsuit on behalf of Roberts, she initially expressed concern last year over Meriwether Lewis Elementary School's decision to repaint its traditional rainbow pride flag into an "Intersex-Inclusive Progress" variant to include support for racial and transgender ideology. Though Roberts supported "being immersed" in Portland's gay community, she felt that the new flag was "an overtly political symbol that promotes values contradictory to her Christian faith," specifically due to its promotion of transgenderism. WASHINGTON MOTHER PULLS CHILDREN FROM SCHOOL AFTER PRIDE LESSON SHOWN IN MUSIC CLASS WITHOUT NOTICE Before she took any action, she discovered an "identity flower" assignment given to her 11-year-old child that asked students to identify and discuss their gender identity with classmates and teachers. Roberts alleged that she received no prior notice of this assignment and requested a meeting with the school's principal. After receiving what she described as an unsatisfactory response from the school, Roberts wrote an open letter to the community against the school's policies, which she distributed on a public sidewalk outside school property. Roberts was later issued a one-year trespass order after a heated exchange with another parent, barring her from attending school events, including her child's graduation ceremony. When she reached out to the school for clarification, Roberts was reportedly told that it was a result of engaging in "harassment, intimidation, and threatening behavior" as part of a pattern of "animus and harassment targeting vulnerable members of [the] community." VIRGINIA SCHOOL DISTRICT SUED OVER ALLEGED POLICY OF KEEPING STUDENTS' GENDER TRANSITIONS HIDDEN FROM PARENTS The Liberty Justice Center argued that the school violated Roberts' First and Fourteenth Amendment rights by stifling and retaliating against her speech criticizing the school's policies. The legal organization is asking a federal court to have the school's actions declared unconstitutional and issue an injunction against the policies targeting Roberts. Portland Public Schools declined to comment to Fox News Digital about the ongoing case. Timothy R. Snowball, senior counsel at Liberty Justice Center, told Fox News Digital that the organization also aims to have an injunction issued against the school's current harassment policy to prevent other situations like Roberts' in the future. "Our next step in the case will be filing a motion for a preliminary injunction to put a stop to these unconstitutional policies while the case moves forward. This motion will help protect not only Allison’s rights, but all affected families in Portland," Snowball said. FIRED SCHOOL COUNSELOR LOSES AGAIN AFTER FREE SPEECH FIGHT OVER GENDER-THEMED BOOKS IN HIS OFFICE Roberts also told Fox News Digital that she has received widespread support for her efforts. "It has been heartening to see the outpouring of support from my local Portland community, and from parents and grandparents across the country," she said. "I never wanted things to get to this point. But knowing that I'm fighting this battle not just for my family, but for millions of American families, reassures me that bringing this suit is the right thing to do." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8384632c5335ae1047b6d4 Florida Race to Replace Byron Donalds Features Candidates Who Have Already Run for Congress te 2026-08-17T22:00:03.528Z Florida Race to Replace Byron Donalds Features Candidates Who Have Already Run for Congress We look at the crowded race to replace Byron Donalds. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8382102c5335ae1047b69c Jets fans breathe sigh of relief after practice scare for $43M star running back te 2026-08-17T21:50:08.316Z Jets fans breathe sigh of relief after practice scare for $43M star running back New York Jets fans all waited with bated breath to hear about what happened to running back Breece Hall at Monday’s training camp practice after reports he suffered a non-contact injury while running in a drill. It appears they can breathe a collective sigh of relief for their new $43 million man in the backfield. Hall suffered a strained right groin at practice on Monday, and though the Jets still need to learn of the severity of the injury after tests, head coach Aaron Glenn doesn’t think it’s anything too serious. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "I don’t think it was a big deal, but I want to make sure I get the evaluation on that," he told reporters, per ESPN. Hall fell onto the practice field grass untouched, which is never what teammates, coaches, or anyone wants to see for a player. It was supposed to be a touchdown for Hall, who had caught a pass during a drill, but he went down on a knee before reaching the end zone. VIKINGS FEAR WORST AS JAMAL ADAMS, FORMER ALL-PRO SAFETY, SUFFERS KNEE INJURY IN PRESEASON GAME: 'NOT GOOD' Hall eventually limped his way to the sideline and was seen entering the blue medical tent before heading back to the locker room. Even Jets players were worried for Hall, who had just signed a three-year, $43.5 million extension he was looking for this offseason. "My stomach dropped a little bit," Hall’s backup, Braelon Allen, said, per ESPN. "From the sounds of it, it doesn’t seem too serious, so I’m hoping he gets back as quick as possible." Hall is coming off a career year for the Jets, and wanted to be paid accordingly. The Iowa State product, whom the Jets took 36th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, was set to play this season on his fifth-year option, and he wasn’t shy about hinting about his contract on social media. Hall tallied 1,065 rushing yards with four rushing touchdowns, while hauling in 36 receptions for 350 yards and one score amid another rollercoaster season for the Jets – the team that has not reached the playoffs since 2010. With the Jets revamping its offense again, this time tapping Frank Reich as its offensive coordinator, the veteran play-caller said how important the run game will be for New York this season. In turn, Hall is an extremely important player for Jets success in 2026, meaning his health is paramount. Allen and Kene Nwangwu are the running backs behind Hall right now on the depth chart. Isaiah Davis, who would be their third-best back, is dealing with a minor knee injury at the moment that he should be back from soon. One thing about Hall has been his availability for the Jets in recent seasons. His rookie campaign was cut short due to an ACL injury, but he’s missed a total of two games in the last three seasons. Hall has proven to be a dual-threat running back, having the ability to make defenders miss in the pass game as well as the run game. The Jets will surely look to utilize that skill set, as well as wide receiver Garrett Wilson and intriguing rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq. The Jets also had a reunion with Geno Smith this offseason, as the journeyman quarterback is hoping for a much different tenure in New York this time around. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83820f2c5335ae1047b693 Harvard, NYU among 30 universities hit with Pentagon foreign-tie audit deadline te 2026-08-17T21:50:07.646Z Harvard, NYU among 30 universities hit with Pentagon foreign-tie audit deadline The Pentagon on Monday ordered 30 American universities to conduct audits of their financial and research ties to foreign entities or risk losing federal research funding. The institutions must review the identified foreign collaborations and assess any exposure of "sensitive or export-controlled research." "The Department of War has zero tolerance for academic partnerships that compromise our national security," said Emil Michael, Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering. "Institutions that receive funding from American taxpayers must uphold the highest standards of research security, and these mandated audits will ensure accountability across the board." According to a U.S. official, the schools subjected to the audit are: Georgetown University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of California, Berkeley, University of California, San Diego, University of Texas at Austin, Emory University, Harvard University, Oklahoma State University, Penn State University, University of California, Los Angeles, University of Cincinnati, University of Minnesota, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, University of South Carolina, University of Southern California, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Bryant University, Cornell University, Drake University, Duke University, Illinois Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins University, New York University, Northeastern State University, Tahlequah (Oklahoma), Portland State University, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Stony Brook University, University of Delaware and University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. FOREIGN ROBOT BAN TARGETS CHINA OVER SECURITY FEARS The institutions must also implement plans to mitigate actions that violate national security protocols and, if necessary, terminate "problematic partnerships." They are required to report their findings to the War Department by Aug. 31. Fox News Digital has reached out to the DOW and all 30 schools. "Universities are critical partners in executing a wide range of Department of War research programs, and the Department must therefore ensure that our research investments are well protected from foreign exploitation," said Dr. Joseph Jewell, Assistant Secretary of War for Science and Technology. SCOPE OF CCP-BACKED CHINESE EXCHANGE PROGRAM INSIDE AMERICAN SCHOOLS UNCOVERED IN SWEEPING REPORT The audits target foreign entities named under Section 1286 of the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act. The list identifies 130 academic and research institutions located in China, Russia, and Iran, which engage in "activities that increase the likelihood of U.S. government-funded research and development efforts being misappropriated." A recent report said Harvard University failed to safeguard research collaborations with Chinese institutions, noting that researchers affiliated with the Ivy League school co-authored more than 140 publications with other researchers affiliated with a group of Chinese universities. Harvard also reportedly received more than $600 million from China under the federal Section 117 foreign-gift disclosure system—more than any other American university, according to the Education Department dashboard cited in the report from the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. LAWMAKERS RAISE ALARM OVER NEVILLE ROY SINGHAM'S $278M NETWORK SPREADING CCP PROPAGANDA IN THE U.S. China has used outputs from U.S. artificial intelligence models to train its defense capabilities, Reuters reported in July. In recent years, many universities and colleges across the United States have shut their doors to their China-tied Confucius Institutes amid concerns over the centers' funding connection to Beijing. Lawmakers have also raised alarms over tech mogul Neville Roy Singham's $278 million network accused of spreading Chinese Communist Party propaganda in the U.S. The self-described goal of the institutes is to offer instruction to students on Chinese language and culture. A 2023 watchdog report detailed the rapid decline of Confucius Institutes at American colleges, which dropped from approximately 100 to fewer than five in just four years. The primary drivers for the closures were federal funding limitations established by National Defense Authorization Acts and increasing government pressure. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a837fb72c5335ae1047b640 Man unleashes deadly ‘revenge’ rampage on ex’s family, kills 4 people, 3 dogs before torching home: DA te 2026-08-17T21:40:07.203Z Man unleashes deadly ‘revenge’ rampage on ex’s family, kills 4 people, 3 dogs before torching home: DA A California man bent on revenge after a breakup waited until his ex-boyfriend’s family went to bed before entering their home, gunning down four people and setting the house ablaze, prosecutors said. Miguel Diego Sandoval, 21, has pleaded guilty to the November 2024 bloodbath inside a Lancaster home that left Janvi Maquindang, 21, Christine Aca-ac, 25, Edwin Garcia, 24, and Matthew Montebello, 21, dead. "The defendant was jilted when he broke up with his boyfriend and then did something unimaginable when he killed four innocent people," Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. FLORIDA WOMAN ALLEGEDLY KILLED TWO EX-LOVERS THE SAME DAY, AND POLICE FOUND OUT WHEN SHE ASKED 'WHICH ONE?' "This was a calculated act of violence that left a void for the victims’ families that can never be filled," Hochman added. "Rest assured this guilty plea will result in a lifetime prison sentence." The deadly rampage was sparked by the end of Sandoval’s relationship with Aca-ac and Maquindang’s brother, and prosecutors say he came looking for revenge. On Nov. 16, 2024, Sandoval lurked outside the North Tabler Avenue home until the occupants had gone to bed, according to prosecutors. He then went inside and opened fire, killing the four victims. Sandoval torched the home after the shootings and fled, prosecutors said. MICHIGAN DAD SHOT WIFE, SIX KIDS THEN SET FAMILY HOME ABLAZE IN MURDER-SUICIDE, SHERIFF SAYS Amid the carnage, a 16-year-old victim trapped inside managed to call 911 from a locked bedroom. Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies responding to the burning home rescued the teen. Three beloved family dogs were also killed, resulting in three felony animal cruelty counts against Sandoval. Fundraising pages set up by the victims’ loved ones in the aftermath of the 2024 killings paint a picture of four young lives cut short and the families left reeling from the massacre. Christine and Edwin were engaged and planning a future together, according to a GoFundMe organized by Christine's sister. The fundraiser remembered Christine as a funny, vibrant and deeply caring older sister who served as the legal guardian and protector of her younger siblings. The same GoFundMe described Janvi, Christine's brother, as a bright and successful young man who had graduated as valedictorian of his high school class. His younger siblings looked up to him as a role model and someone they could count on, the fundraiser said. The fundraiser said the younger siblings escaped the attack physically unharmed, but lost Christine and Janvi, as well as their home in the fire. The fundraiser was later expanded to help them find a safe place to live, continue their education and rebuild their lives. Matthew had turned 21 only days before the shooting, his older brother Andrew Montebello wrote on a separate GoFundMe. According to the fundraiser, Matthew was shot in the head, rushed from the scene and placed in a coma as his family desperately waited for good news that never came. Andrew described his younger brother as talented, smart and relentlessly curious, writing that Matthew would throw himself into learning a new skill until he mastered it or moved on to his next interest. LUIGI MANGIONE PLEADS GUILTY IN FEDERAL COURT TO STALKING AND KILLING UNITEDHEALTHCARE CEO BRIAN THOMPSON In another GoFundMe, Edwin's mother, Yemi Olivares, remembered the 24-year-old, known to his family as Fernando or Fer, as a gentle soul who dreamed of becoming an educator in academics and music. She wrote that her son hoped to marry, become a father and teach future generations. "As a mother, I am completely and utterly devastated," Olivares wrote on the GoFundMe. Sandoval pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder, including special-circumstance allegations of multiple murders and murder by means of lying in wait. He also admitted to attempted murder, first-degree residential burglary and arson of an inhabited structure or property, along with two counts of child abuse under circumstances likely to cause great bodily injury or death. The guilty plea ensures Sandoval will never walk free. He faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. He is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 17. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a837fb22c5335ae1047b621 Mary Peltola Shakes Up Campaign Staff Days Before Alaska’s Senate Primary te 2026-08-17T21:40:02.514Z Mary Peltola Shakes Up Campaign Staff Days Before Alaska’s Senate Primary Ms. Peltola, the Democratic Senate candidate, fired a longtime senior aide and named a new campaign manager. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a837d5a2c5335ae1047b5b7 AI automation startup Relay shuts down, staff joins Google’s Chrome team te 2026-08-17T21:30:02.136Z AI automation startup Relay shuts down, staff joins Google’s Chrome team Relay, which offered businesses workflow automation, will stop operating next month. Its CEO and some of its staff plan to get to work on Google Chrome next. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a837b0c2c5335ae1047b58b Babysitter accused of kidnapping two young sisters was previously charged with abducting newborn te 2026-08-17T21:20:12.037Z Babysitter accused of kidnapping two young sisters was previously charged with abducting newborn Police in Georgia have arrested a babysitter accused of kidnapping two young sisters. The girls, Zola Cooper, 4, and Norah Cooper, 11 months, were allegedly abducted by Lakesha Brown. The girls, who were once considered to "be in extreme danger" were safely recovered by officers, the City of Atlanta Police Department confirmed on Monday. Brown reportedly gained the trust of the girls' mother and agreed to babysit them while mom went out to dinner Saturday night. When she returned from dinner, she could not make contact with Brown and called police minutes later. The girls' mother reported them missing around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday. She left her children in Brown's care at 6 p.m. earlier that evening, police said. FAMILY STOPPED ALLEGED CHILD KIDNAPPER AS POLICE SAY STAFFING SHORTAGE DELAYED RESPONSE UP TO 40 MINUTES By Monday afternoon, police announced they were able to locate the girls using technology that pointed them to the Sylvan road area. Once they arrived, officers heard crying, found them, and brought them to safety. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X Atlanta police said Brown had previously been accused in a similar kidnapping case in Alabama. Investigators in Alabama said in August 2021, Brown was arrested for kidnapping infant Kamarion Taylor, who was just four days old at the time. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE Brown allegedly gained the trust of Taylor's mother and grandmother and kidnapped the infant while his mother was taking a nap. CHILD REUNITED WITH MOM AFTER TRANSGENDER DAD, PARTNER ALLEGEDLY KIDNAP ABROAD AMID GENDER SURGERY FEARS: FEDS "When Kamarion’s mother awoke, the baby was nowhere to be found. Lakesha was also gone. The mother immediately contacted Lakesha and asked where Kamarion was. Lakesha told her that Kamarion was there in his playpen where she laid him before she left," the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said. SEND US A TIP LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL Investigators safely recovered Kamarion and Brown was booked into jail. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a837b0b2c5335ae1047b582 Declassified FBI docs reveal Swalwell had sex with 'Fang Fang' multiple times te 2026-08-17T21:20:11.330Z Declassified FBI docs reveal Swalwell had sex with 'Fang Fang' multiple times Disgraced former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., admitted to FBI agents that he had "physical relations" with suspected Chinese intelligence operative Christine "Fang Fang" Fang on a "handful of occasions," newly declassified FBI records show. The records, which were declassified by President Donald Trump and released by the White House Government Transparency Task Force Monday, detail two FBI interviews with Swalwell — one at an Oakland field office in May 2015 and another at the same location in March 2016 — conducted as part of a broader investigation examining Fang Fang’s involvement with illicit campaign contributions, funneling interns to Swalwell's office and other activity. During the first interview, Swalwell told agents he had "physical relations" with Fang Fang on a "handful of occasions," with their last physical encounter occurring in March 2015. Swalwell, meanwhile, joined Congress in 2013. In the second interview, Swalwell described multiple encounters, including one in which Fang Fang arrived at his apartment banging on his door and the two subsequently "hooked up" after Swalwell had taken a powerful sleep medication. The former congressman indicated he had little recollection of the event. The records indicated they "probably" occurred before Swalwell was elected to Congress. CUBA BUILT COVERT NETWORK INSIDE AMERICA THROUGH SPIES, ACTIVISTS AND UNIVERSITIES, STATE DEPT ALLEGES "FANG left after a couple hours. Swalwell barely remembers the event because he had taken Ambien prior to FANG arriving," stated an interview summary from the FBI. Swalwell told investigators he considered his physical relationship with Fang Fang "casual," while maintaining that the two "never dated" and "never had a romantic relationship." He also told agents he believed Fang "may have wanted a more romantic relationship," according to the 2015 interview summary. "Swalwell had a drink with Fang a couple weeks after they first met in 2012. He had physical relations with Fang on a handful of occasions, but never dated her or had a romantic relationship. March 2015 was the last time Swalwell had physical relations with Fang," the documents say. "Swalwell considered their physical relationship to be casual, but believed that Fang may have wanted a more romantic relationship." IRAN MINES US TROOPS' SOCIAL MEDIA AS MILITARY CONSIDERS SEIZING CELLPHONES The documents, which were first reported on by Just the News, were declassified as part of the administration's broader efforts to combat foreign threats to U.S. elections and other political systems. They provide a much more detailed look at Swalwell and Fang Fang's relationship, which had remained publicly murky for years as Swalwell refused to say several times whether their interactions were sexual or romantic, and described the allegations as GOP attacks. Beyond the revelations about Swalwell’s intimate relationship with Fang Fang, the records show the FBI said financial records indicated Fang Fang used conduits to conceal herself as a prohibited foreign-national source and orchestrated conduit contributions to Swalwell’s campaign at least twice in 2013 and at least twice more in 2014. They also show Fang Fang referred prospective interns to Swalwell's political operation. During his 2016 FBI interview, Swalwell told agents he viewed anyone Fang Fang put forward for an internship as coming through the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association, or APAPA, an organization with which Fang was reportedly connected. SCOPE OF CCP-BACKED CHINESE EXCHANGE PROGRAM INSIDE AMERICAN SCHOOLS UNCOVERED IN SWEEPING REPORT The internship referrals were one component of the FBI's broader inquiry. An investigative memo said agents were examining allegations that Fang Fang facilitated access to Swalwell and internships in his congressional office in exchange for campaign contributions. However, the FBI ultimately said it did not find evidence that Swalwell committed federal corruption violations or participated in a quid-pro-quo scheme.  Swalwell was removed as a subject of the investigation in 2017, but the bureau did indicate it found evidence that Fang Fang herself violated federal election laws involving foreign-national and conduit contributions. The declassified files revealed that the FBI had previously tried to cultivate Fang Fang as a confidential source under the codename "RUSTY THUMBS," as agents suspected she had ties to China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS), including her parents who were reportedly considered known Chinese intelligence officers. Fang also repeatedly encouraged Swalwell to visit China, according to the records. During his 2016 FBI interview, Swalwell told agents that Fang "would generally mention that SWALWELL should go to CHINA," and said she extended a China invitation to someone in his orbit at a November 2014 election-night party. By the time of that 2016 interview, Swalwell told agents he had cut off contact with Fang Fang after first meeting with the FBI about the matter. Agents had given him a defensive briefing in late April 2015 about foreign-intelligence targeting and specifically discussed Fang Fang and her connections. Fox News Digital reached out to Swalwell and his attorneys for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a837b092c5335ae1047b56a Branch te 2026-08-17T21:20:09.801Z Branch Branch is a 3 1/2-year-old male American pit bull terrier mix. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a837b092c5335ae1047b561 Whiskerton te 2026-08-17T21:20:09.046Z Whiskerton Whiskerton is a 4 1/2-year-old male domestic shorthair mix. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a837b082c5335ae1047b558 Rambo te 2026-08-17T21:20:08.192Z Rambo Rambo is a 5 1/2-year-old male American pit bull terrier mix. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a837b022c5335ae1047b548 PACC vacancies ease after June outbreak, overcrowding persists te 2026-08-17T21:20:02.435Z PACC vacancies ease after June outbreak, overcrowding persists Vacancies at Pima Animal Care Center peaked near 20% during a June disease outbreak that forced the shelter to halt adoptions, and while the vacancy rate has since eased to under 15%, advocates say chronic overcrowding, not hiring struggles, remains the root problem. As of Aug. 10, 150 PACC positions funded through the county were budgeted, with 22 vacant, a 14.7% vacancy rate, according to data provided by the county. Five of those vacancies have sat unfilled for more than 240 days. That's down from a peak of 30 vacancies, or 20%, in early June, just before a distemper outbreak temporarily disrupted the shelter's operations. As of May 18, 2026, nine of PACC's 29 vacancies, 31%, had sat unfilled for more than 240 days, county data shows. The shelter is not new to criticism over its work environment and long-term staffing struggles, with critics mostly pointing to chronic overcrowding and its impact on workers and volunteers. "We're always hiring because of turnover," PACC Director Steve Kozachik told Tucson Spotlight. "I think the challenge that we have is more retention than the inability to attract applicants to begin with." Kozachik said PACC advertises vacant positions nationally and locally, depending on the type of role being recruited. "I believe staffing is partly a symptom of a larger system problem, not simply a hiring problem," said Nancy Kate Grayson, a local animal advocate and caregiver with Rodeo Kittens & Pups. Grayson said increased intake creates a heavier workload for employees and volunteers, likely leading to burnout and vacancies, which in turn puts even more pressure on the remaining staff. Your membership pays emerging journalists to cover Southern Arizona the way it deserves. PACC houses upwards of 700 animals at a time, a volume advocates say strains the shelter's remaining staff and volunteers. Courtesy of PACC. PACC oversees a large volume of animals daily and faces periods where intake numbers significantly outpace releases. Still, the shelter maintains its no-kill status with a 90% live release rate; as it notes on its website, "no municipal, open-admissions shelter can operate without euthanizing pets in instances of severe medical or behavioral issues." Staffing problems and overcrowding create a lot of internal stress at the shelter, and Kozachik acknowledges PACC can be a frustrating place to work. "This is a fairly emotionally charged environment," Kozachik said. "We see this every day. We have a shelter right now that is chronically overcrowded and here it is, 5:30 at night and some people drive up and want to drop two more dogs off with us." PACC has counselors who work with families to try to keep pets in their homes, but it doesn't always succeed, Kozachik said. As an open-admission shelter, PACC must accept every animal brought to its doors regardless of space, age, health or behavior, even at or over full capacity. Grayson said this isn't always the case. She recounted an experience shared by a couple who brought in their dog after a change in their apartment complex's rules meant it could no longer stay with them. They told her PACC refused to take the dog, saying it was their responsibility. "At PACC, the counselor is supposed to sit down and try to find alternatives. But what's happening is they're just plain turned away. Animals don't receive the care they need, and everything like that," Grayson said. "It's not easy to give up an animal." PACC Director Steve Kozachik says the shelter's biggest challenge is retention, not hiring, as it works to manage chronic overcrowding. Courtesy of PACC. PACC takes in approximately 19,000 to 23,000 pets annually, housing upwards of 700 at a time with another 1,400 in foster care. On June 17, an outbreak of canine distemper and respiratory infections forced the shelter to halt adoptions and limit intake. Staff and volunteers treated the outbreak through quarantine and vaccination, and the limited intake was lifted July 6, but the episode raised concerns about overcrowding and the disaster it could have caused. "Seventy-five percent of that work goes to volunteers. It's not done by staff. There's no way they can physically vaccinate that many dogs," Grayson said. "People don't get that picture of it, you know, they only see the picture of staff vaccinating." Kozachik said he understands the mental toll that working at an open-admission shelter takes on staff, and that PACC has been working to secure resources for those involved with the shelter. PACC has recently begun working with a program called Struggle Well, which describes itself on its website as "a prevention-focused program...focused on transformation of the active serving military and first responder culture, rather than the implementation of another wellness program." PACC staff voluntarily attend the five-day program, based in Sonoita, where they receive support to manage stress and difficult workplace scenarios. PACC has worked with the program for about a year, and roughly 50 employees have gone through it. "The challenge is, it's a five-day program, and so we're losing an employee for five days every time we do it," Kozachik said. "But it's something that we have found very beneficial for our staff's psychological well being. People, the employees, come back grateful for having had the experience, and they feel more confidence in their own sense of self." Vaccinating and monitoring animals during outbreaks like June's distemper crisis fell largely to volunteers, according to advocate Nancy Kate Grayson. Courtesy of Friends of PACC. Beyond staffing and wellness programs, PACC's operations are also shaped by its relationship with an outside nonprofit partner. Friends of Pima Animal Care Center is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner and fundraising arm that describes itself as "(supporting) Pima Animal Care Center and enhancing its efforts to save the lives of pets in need." The organization regularly receives donations and grants that go back into PACC and its needs. Grayson said the central concern about Friends of PACC is its lack of transparency: as a private nonprofit, it must provide specific federal tax and formation documents to the public upon request, but it isn't required to share internal operational or donor records. She's also raised concerns about the organization's annual contract with Pima County, citing limited oversight of its supervisors. "This ties into employment because of the crisis of so many animals and so many animals by prior directorships, being … hidden in foster," Grayson said. "Those expenses go to the foster families for the most part, except for some medical (expenses.) This turnover in paid staff, depending on who's funding it, Friends (of PACC) or Pima County, is going to be hard to nail down because it's just all so all over the place." Grayson advocates for a different approach to reducing staff stress: prevention. "It's vicious, this endless stream of animals. There's no break, ever. It just gets larger and larger," Grayson said. "(There have) been recent articles and editorials in the newspaper, and it's spot on." Grayson pointed to Española Humane Society, an open-admission nonprofit shelter in Española, New Mexico, that offers free spay and neuter surgeries and free pet vaccinations to state residents. "What they do, everybody can do. Everyone can do what Española Humane is. They can treat the community like us. They can treat people respectfully," Grayson said. Kozachik echoed Grayson's concerns about prevention, asking residents to spay, neuter and microchip their pets. He also encouraged people to seek alternatives to bringing stray animals straight to PACC, in order to help combat overcrowding, including posting lost pets on social media, neighborhood lists, or sites like Petco and Love Lost. "There are lots of tools that the community can use to help us. And we try to message that out every single day," Kozachik said. Gabrielle Cotnoir is a University of Arizona journalism student and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at gabriellecnews@gmail.com. Tucson Spotlight is a community-based newsroom that provides paid opportunities for students and rising journalists in Southern Arizona. Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation. Donate to Tucson Spotlight Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8378b12c5335ae1047b50c New champions alter WWE landscape while NXT newcomer makes his presence known with authority te 2026-08-17T21:10:09.284Z New champions alter WWE landscape while NXT newcomer makes his presence known with authority WWE will enter this week with new champions and an NXT wrestler who put himself into prime position for some gold right off the bat. "Friday Night SmackDown" saw two title changes occur. Jacy Jayne captured the Women’s United States Championship in a match against Tiffany Stratton, adding to Fatal Influence’s chokehold on the roster as Lainey Reid and Fallon Henley are already the WWE women’s tag team champions. COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL Additionally, Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga won the WWE Tag Team Championship in a triple-threat match, knocking off Damian Priest and R-Truth as the title-holders and keeping Erik and Ivar from adding more gold around their waists. MFT definitely have a new feel to them since Haku returned and took over as their manager. The WWE title landscape is poised to change even further if Rey Mysterio and his fellow Luchadores and Kevin Owens have anything to say about it. Mysterio will challenge Chad Gable for the WWE Intercontinental Championship on "Monday Night Raw," while the tournament to see who will challenge Roman Reigns for his World Heavyweight Championship continues with Dragon Lee taking on El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. and Rey Fenix taking on El Fiscal. Penta and LA Parka have already moved on to the semifinals. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Owens will challenge CM Punk for the Undisputed WWE Championship on Friday. Owens became the No. 1 contender after his win in a fatal four-way match at SummerSlam. He and Punk exchanged words in a heated promo last week and seemed to be poised to tear each other apart. Those competitors are far from the only ones in search of gold. In NXT, champion Tony D’Angelo has his hands full. Grayson Waller and Cruz Montana were vying for the No. 1 contender spot for D’Angelo’s title on Tuesday night when Zilla Fatu debuted and took out both of them. Fatu is the latest marquee signing in WWE. He will certainly have questions to answer this week. The heat on the reigning champions is certainly on as Sunday Night’s Main Event and Night of Champions inch closer. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8378b02c5335ae1047b503 El-Sayed aide likens GOP opponent's campaign to 'KKK cross burning' over video with Ford pickup te 2026-08-17T21:10:08.629Z El-Sayed aide likens GOP opponent's campaign to 'KKK cross burning' over video with Ford pickup A recent campaign video released by Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers in Michigan left one of his opponent's staffers feeling triggered. Rogers on Sunday released a video of himself riding shotgun in a red antique Ford pickup truck, which had two American flags affixed to the tailgate. The video shows Rogers smiling and waving from the passenger's seat as the truck breezes down the road. Toby Keith's "American Ride" accompanies the video. "Gotta love this American Ride! There’s no better way to do the Woodward Dream Cruise!" said a post from Rogers accompanying the video online. FOX NEWS POLL: A SENATE BATTLE LOOMS IN MICHIGAN But one staffer for Abdul El-Sayed, the far-left socialist-adjacent Democrat running against Rogers, did not find the bit of Americana to his liking. "Mike Rogers’ campaign has the aesthetics of a 1960s white flight suburb and a KKK cross burning," Mason Pressler, who serves as a El-Sayed's political manager in the northern part of Michigan, said on X. Rogers' campaign seized on the post, accusing Pressler of thinking that "driving a Michigan-made Ford truck is akin to the KKK." The campaign also added "Old Ford trucks" to its running list of things it says El-Sayed hates. El-Sayed's communications director, Roxie Richner, explained to Fox News Digital that Pressler's views are not representative of the campaign as a whole because Pressler's X bio explicitly states that his posts are his own opinions. BIDEN-WORLD VETERAN ISSUES STARK WARNING ABOUT ABDUL EL-SAYED AS HE CROSSES PARTY LINES She did not return a follow-up request for further comment on the post from El-Sayed's campaign aide. The Democratic candidate has been dogged for his particular brand of left-wing politics, even by some members of his own political party who believe he is too far left. El-Sayed during his campaign has campaigned and partied with socialist streamer Hasan Piker, who is known for saying "America deserved 9/11," praising Mao Zedong and Communist China, arguing that capitalists should be murdered in the streets and spewing a litany of antisemitic comments. The far-left candidate also argued against the Second Amendment in videos discovered among the 100 he hid from public view from his YouTube channel. In an unearthed essay, he drew a parallel between President Donald Trump and Osama Bin Laden. MICHIGAN SENATE RACE: EL-SAYED’S TIES TO EXTREMIST FUEL ANTISEMITISM CONCERNS AMONG JEWISH VOTERS Fox News Digital previously reported that El-Sayed has received more than $100,000 in campaign cash from 41 people who work for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a designated a terrorist organization by the United Arab Emirates and formally designated or labeled as such in Florida and Texas. El-Sayed's sister, Eman Abdelhadi, has also been revealed as a socialist University of Chicago professor who was arrested last year for allegedly spitting on a police officer during an anti-ICE protest outside the Broadview, Illinois immigrant detention facility. Fox News Digital's Andrew Mark Miller and Kiera McDonald contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8373fc2c5335ae1047b449 HCH Pet of the Week: Juan te 2026-08-17T20:50:04.948Z HCH Pet of the Week: Juan My name is Juan, and I am such an angel. I LOVE to play, especially with my brother Natches! Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8371a72c5335ae1047b411 Charlamagne blasts 'dumb' Democrats for getting drawn into WNBA transgender debate ahead of midterms te 2026-08-17T20:40:07.741Z Charlamagne blasts 'dumb' Democrats for getting drawn into WNBA transgender debate ahead of midterms Charlamagne tha God slammed the debate over transgender participation in women's sports, particularly the WNBA, during his "Brilliant Idiots" podcast on Sunday, saying the conversation was "ridiculous." "I think this s--- is ridiculous," Charlamagne said. "I don't know why this is becoming a story again, and I cannot believe that people are falling for tricks like this right before the midterm elections. This is so dumb for Democrats to even be going back down this road having this conversation." The discussion came in the wake of WNBA star Sophie Cunningham, who plays for the Indiana Fever, taking a stand against transgender participation in women's sports. Other WNBA players have said they hold the opposite views, as well as coaches, including Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve, who recently wore a "Trans Kids Belong" T-shirt to the team's game against the Fever. "And I hate when they conflate two things," Charlamagne continued. "Because guess what? I don't know why Sophia Cunningham was asked this question, but if she's asked, ‘Should biological men play in the WNBA?’ The answer should be no. That should be the answer from everybody." FORMER NBA PLAYER ROYCE WHITE SAYS HE IS DECLARING FOR NEXT WNBA DRAFT AFTER ENES KANTER ANNOUNCEMENT "Should biological people that were born men play in the WNBA? No. Full stop," Charlamagne added. "Any other thing? There is no, 'Whoa, so are you saying transgenders don't have a right to — 'Man, shut the f--- up. I ain't saying nothing like that. You asked me a specific question. Do transgenders belong in the WNBA if you're born a biological man? No. OK." Former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White have both said they intend to declare for the 2027 WBNA draft. Charlamagne also questioned why the question of transgender participation in sports was being raised at all, suggesting athletes respond to any questions about it by saying, "Why are you asking me this?" Loren LeRosa, who stood in for "Brilliant Idiots" co-host Andrew Schultz, gave a response, acting as somebody who asked the question of an athlete. "This is what they would say," she said. "Because I'm a person who believes that all people should matter. And if a person identifies as something, we're in America, they should have a fair shot." Charlamagne agreed and said that had nothing to do with the WNBA. "Identifying as a woman. Cool. You got all the right to do that. This is a free country, but you shouldn't be allowed to play in the WNBA," he said. GENO AURIEMMA QUESTIONS WHY WNBA TRANSGENDER ATHLETE DEBATE IS 'AN ISSUE' WHEN IT 'DOESN'T EXIST' Transgender participation in women's sports became a focal point for the Republican Party and President Donald Trump throughout the 2024 election cycle. Several prominent Republicans praised Cunningham's comments, including Vice President JD Vance, who called her "courageous." Democrats have largely remained silent and stayed out of the Cunningham news. Payton McNabb, an ambassador at Independent Women, told Fox News Digital, "I, of course, agree with Charlamagne that this is ridiculous. It’s ridiculous that in 2026 we’re still having to debate whether men belong in a women’s basketball league. But that’s exactly why this has become a story." "Sophie Cunningham gave the obvious answer, and instead of the WNBA backing her up and putting the issue to rest, we’re still waiting on the league to say the same thing," she continued. "Men declaring for the WNBA draft are exposing an absurdity that the WNBA could end tomorrow but continue to go in a circle." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Cunningham doubled down on her position at the end of July ahead of one of her games, saying, "I think I said what I said. I think it's kind of common sense." "I'll always believe in that. It's really important to protect children, and that's little girls who are also involved in that category," the Fever star said. "I'm not a very political person, but I do have beliefs. I have morals, and I'll always stand on those," she explained. Cunningham also rejected the idea that her position stems from bigotry, saying defending women's sports doesn't mean harboring hatred toward anyone else. "I extend love, and I don't dislike anyone. I think there is room for absolutely everyone here," she said, adding that she has never expressed hatred toward the trans community. OutKick's Alejandro Avila contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a836f522c5335ae1047b3b6 Luigi Mangione's New York murder trial adjourned until December over double jeopardy concerns te 2026-08-17T20:30:10.181Z Luigi Mangione's New York murder trial adjourned until December over double jeopardy concerns Luigi Mangione's New York state murder trial has been adjourned until December following his defense team's motion to dismiss the charges in the wake of last week's guilty plea on related federal charges. Jury selection had been penciled in to begin on Sept. 8 — but the guilty plea allowed his defense team to raise new double jeopardy concerns. Prosecutors have until Oct. 9 to respond to the motion to dismiss, Judge Gregory Carro wrote in an order published to the court's website Monday afternoon. LUIGI MANGIONE PLEADS GUILTY IN FEDERAL COURT TO STALKING AND KILLING UNITEDHEALTHCARE CEO BRIAN THOMPSON Then the defense will have until Oct. 30 for Mangione's own reply. Carro set the next adjourned date for Dec. 10. Due to a difference in state law and the U.S. Constitution, New York's double jeopardy rules are more favorable to Mangione with the federal case resolved. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE Manhattan prosecutors, however, have said they plan to continue pursuing their case against him. GOT A TIP? The 28-year-old University of Pennsylvania graduate admitted Friday to stalking UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson across state lines, then shooting him in the back outside a Manhattan hotel where he was supposed to meet with investors. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Thompson was a 50-year-old father of two from Minnesota. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL Mangione has not yet been sentenced in the federal case. Sentencing guidelines recommend about 30 years max, but Judge Margaret Garnett is not bound by them. He could still face a maximum of life in prison without parole. If he goes to trial on the state charges, the top count of second-degree murder carries a maximum potential sentence of 25 years to life in prison. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a836f512c5335ae1047b3ad Despite complaints about other sports, the NFL has become the most predictable league in America te 2026-08-17T20:30:09.437Z Despite complaints about other sports, the NFL has become the most predictable league in America There's nothing more predictable than fans complaining about sports, and particularly, how much better things used to be. Well, there may be one thing more predictable: the modern NFL. Much of the online discourse over the past few months in the sports world has centered on the supposed decline of competitive balance in Major League Baseball. Primarily because the Los Angeles Dodgers have spent money in an attempt to improve their roster, or used their top tier farm system to acquire Tarik Skubal. Combined with LA's back-to-back World Series wins, this has given rise to concerns that the Dodgers are unbeatable. That other teams can't hope to compete with their superior talent. That sailing through the postseason is a foregone conclusion. Meanwhile, the Dodgers just wrapped a stretch where they went 2-11 against likely playoff teams such as the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Arizona Diamondbacks and Milwaukee Brewers. Several of those games were started by Skubal, with LA now 1-2 in games he starts. The one win coming against the last place Kansas City Royals. DODGERS REPORTEDLY ACQUIRE ACE TARIK SKUBAL FROM TIGERS IN TRADE THAT STIRS UP MLB WORLD Fans quick to hand wave those concerns off as "meaningless games" don't seem to realize that securing a bye through the first round, as well as home field advantage throughout the playoffs, is very meaningful. Or don't seem to remember that teams aren't able to magically become superhuman in October, as evidenced by the Dodgers winning 104 games in 2017, 106 games in 2019, 106 games in 2021, 111 games in 2022, and 100 games in 2023, only to lose in the postseason each year. It's not that easy to sail through the playoffs in baseball, because the gaps between teams is so small. Over the course of a season, the best team in baseball might win 60-61% of their games. Meanwhile, the Cubs, headed for a wild card spot, have won 58% of their games. The gaps between teams just aren't big enough for predictable dominance. They are in the NFL. Though nobody seems to care, for several, frankly ridiculous, reasons. First, some context. Starting in the 2013 season, the last 13 years, just seven NFL organizations have won the Super Bowl. Out of 32 teams. Over that same time frame, just 11 organizations have even reached the Super Bowl, out of 32 teams. In fact, 10 of the last 13 Super Bowls have been won by the New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles or Seattle Seahawks. One of the other three? Tom Brady's win with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. MLB'S SALARY CAP PROPOSAL WON'T FIX THE LEAGUE'S NON-EXISTENT COMPETITIVE BALANCE PROBLEMS All told, just 22% of the NFL has won the Super Bowl since 2013. Only 34% of NFL teams have reached the Super Bowl in the last 13 seasons. The Chiefs and Patriots alone have made up 13 of 26 Super Bowl teams over that time frame. MLB, which is the sport supposedly lacking in competitive balance, where the two World Series teams are reportedly predetermined each year, has been much less predictable. Since 2013, nine organizations, out of 30 teams, have won the World Series. In all 30% of MLB has won a championship, outpacing the NFL. And 17 MLB teams have reached the World Series, or 57%. So 22% of the NFL has won the Super Bowl since 2013, and 34% have reached the Super Bowl, while 30% of MLB has won a title and 57% have reached the World Series. Which sport has the predictability problem again? But that's only part of the story. The other, arguably even worse, side of it? The relationship between the regular season in the NFL and reaching or winning the Super Bowl. Again, some context. The best teams in baseball generally win around 60-61% of their games. In the NFL, the best teams routinely win 80+% of their games. The last two seasons, the best record in the NFL has been 14-3, an .824 winning percentage. Meanwhile, the Green Bay Packers, a playoff team, won just 56% of their games. The gaps between teams in the NFL is so large that the ultimate outcome, which franchises reach the Super Bowl, is much easier to predict. That's not an opinion, it's fact. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Since 2013, again, the past 13 seasons, the average Super Bowl participant has ranked second in the NFL's regular season winning percentage. On average. The median rank? Literally one. More than half of the Super Bowl participants had the best record in the regular season. 15 of 26 teams, or 58%, had the best record in the NFL. So 23 of the 26 teams had a top-5 record. 20 of the 26 were in the top three in winning percentage. Some of that is because of ties, meaning teams that had the same records, but it indicates the severity of the problem: have one of the best records? Reach the Super Bowl. Two of the three outliers, with records outside the top-5, were Tom Brady teams, the 2018 Patriots and 2020 Buccaneers. The other? The 2021 Cincinnati Bengals, one of the flukiest appearances in recent memory after beating the Raiders, Titans, and getting a 27-24 overtime win over the Chiefs. They promptly lost to a team with a top-3 record. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Let's compare to baseball. Again, over that same time frame, the relationship to regular season winning percentage is much lower. While the average NFL team to reach the Super Bowl had the second best record, in baseball it's 4.5. The median rank of a Super Bowl was one, in MLB it's four. Only eight of 26 teams to reach the World Series had the best record in baseball. That's just 26%, compared to 58% in the NFL. Not one NFL team that finished outside the top nine in winning percentage reached the Super Bowl, while there were three MLB teams that were 10th or worse that reached the World Series. The 2023 Diamondbacks were 13th, and they swept the almighty Dodgers in the NLDs on their way to a World Series appearance. The 2021 Braves had the 12th best winning percentage in the regular season and beat the 106-win unstoppable Dodgers in the NLCS on their way to bringing home a championship. Fans have short memories, so it's easy to forget just how unpredictable the baseball postseason actually is. And how little relevance the regular season has. We've seen in just the past few years that even teams that finish well down the list in winning percentage have a legitimate chance of winning a title. In the NFL? Not even close. The gaps between teams are so big that the best regular season team almost always reaches the Super Bowl or wins it. If your team finishes outside the top three in winning percentage, it's a near-guarantee you're waiting for next year. Especially if you don't have Patrick Mahomes or Tom Brady. The NFL has several structural benefits however, that allows it to overcome this predictability problem. One is the misguided assumption that any team can win in a given season. We have nearly a decade and a half showing that is conclusively not the case. Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady have played on 10 of the 26 Super Bowl teams since 2013. The other benefits? The schedule, Red Zone channel, scoring system, and the explosion of fantasy football and gambling. In 2024 and 2025, the average NFL team has scored 23 points per game. Big numbers! Big numbers means exciting! Considering that represents an average of just over three touchdowns per game, it's much less so. If the average score of an NFL game was 4-3, would fans think it was so "exciting?" The Red Zone channel, where most fans spend time watching games that don't feature their favorite teams, focuses exclusively on the big, meaningful plays. If you condense a three hour football game into a handful of the best plays, of course it'll seem exciting. The schedule too, where games are primarily focused Sunday, when the vast majority of fans aren't working and are able to watch games on national television. They watch those games, even with teams they don't follow, due in large part to the rise of gambling, daily fantasy, prop bets, prediction markets, and of course, season-long fantasy football. Or to just have something on in the background. The Netflix "second screen" model. Apparently because some of this predictability comes from teams in smaller markets, primarily the Chiefs, fans bizarrely don't seem to mind dynasties. No one cares if the same few teams win in the NFL, as long as they're not from New York or LA. Even though the outcome ultimately is predictable, people don't think it is. And perception, as is so often the case, is more important than reality. Then there's the fact that betting in the NFL is primarily on point spreads, not simply winners and losers. That makes the ultimate outcome, even if it is more predictable, less "boring," because a team can still "cover" even in a loss. Oh, and by the way, the current betting favorite is the LA Rams, which, should that come to pass, would mean we'd have just seven different teams win a Super Bowl in 14 seasons. It doesn't get much worse than that. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a836f502c5335ae1047b3a4 Man busted after customs uncovers bizarre cargo hidden inside 22 pairs of socks te 2026-08-17T20:30:08.698Z Man busted after customs uncovers bizarre cargo hidden inside 22 pairs of socks A man was arrested at a Tokyo airport after authorities discovered about 200 lizards stuffed inside 22 pairs of socks in his suitcase, according to reports. The 23-year-old man from Mexico arrived at Haneda Airport from South Korea on Aug. 8 when customs officials found the reptiles hidden in his luggage, The Times of India reported. Authorities found the lizards packed into socks inside the suitcase. One of the animals was already dead when the luggage was opened, according to the outlet. TSA OFFICER SEES ALARMING SHAPES ON X-RAY BEFORE STOLEN CIVIL WAR MYSTERY UNRAVELS Among the reptiles were nine Mexican alligator lizards — an endangered species with restrictions on international trade, The Times of India reported. The man allegedly told investigators he bought the lizards in Mexico for roughly $3.50 to $4.70 each. Some of the reptiles can sell for around $630 each in Japan, according to reports. Keith Jeffries, vice president of K2 Security Screening Group and former federal security director at Los Angeles International Airport, told Fox News Digital that financial incentives can drive unusual smuggling attempts. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "If there's a market for it, people will attempt to smuggle it," said Jeffries, who is based in Orlando. "We've seen this before many times," he added. "It happens more frequently than any of us would like." Airport screening procedures can vary depending on the agency involved and the types of prohibited items officers are tasked with finding, Jeffries said. In the United States, for example, TSA officers are primarily searching for items that could threaten aviation security, such as weapons and explosives, rather than conducting searches specifically for smuggled wildlife or drugs, he said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES "The TSA security directives do not look for items from just a smuggling standpoint," Jeffries said. "They look for guns, knives, explosives, incendiary devices — and it's very specific and narrow to that." However, wildlife smuggling attempts are not unheard of, Jeffries added. During his time with TSA, he recalled cases involving exotic turtles, as well as another incident in which nearly 100 exotic birds were discovered inside checked luggage arriving from overseas. The discovery of the 200 lizards comes weeks after another suitcase containing wildlife products was intercepted at a U.S. airport. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Fox News Digital previously reported that a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture detector dog helped officers find nearly 100 pounds of prohibited meat, plants and wildlife products in luggage arriving from Thailand. K-9 Maisy alerted officers to the suitcase, which contained 50 pounds of meat, including raw meat, along with 33 pounds of mangoes, garlic, bamboo, banana plants and approximately 16 pounds of Bengal monitor lizard, according to CBP. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took custody of the monitor lizard. CBP agriculture specialists inspect international luggage for prohibited items that could bring pests, animal diseases or invasive species into the United States. Jasmine Baehr of Fox News Digital contributed reporting. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a836cf32c5335ae1047b335 ‘Unprecedented’ number of Apple users received recent spyware alert, say investigators te 2026-08-17T20:20:03.234Z ‘Unprecedented’ number of Apple users received recent spyware alert, say investigators Cybersecurity experts who investigate spyware attacks say the number of people who received a recent threat notification from Apple is unusually high. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a836aa12c5335ae1047b230 Josh Pate was evicted while earning $27K. Now, he runs a college football media empire te 2026-08-17T20:10:09.949Z Josh Pate was evicted while earning $27K. Now, he runs a college football media empire Josh Pate owns the IP of his industry-leading college football podcast and signed a new deal with ESPN to co-host a Friday afternoon television program with Will Compton and Taylor Lewan of "Bussin' With The Boys" this fall. Pate now turns down sponsorship deals and other financial offers at the risk of overexposure. "The truth of it is I leave a lot on the table because I don't want to overextend myself," he told OutKick. "A lot of these, you know, influencer marketing deals and stuff like that, I appreciate the offers. But I think there's a limit to how much of me the public should have to consume." But it wasn't always this way. Less than a decade ago, Josh Pate was working in Columbus, Georgia, making far less than the average American. His financial struggles eventually led to his eviction. "I was making a little over, slightly over $27,000 a year. I was counting on YouTube revenue, Google AdSense revenue at that point. So I'm barely, I'm barely getting by. In fact, I got evicted. I didn't get by. So we fell below the get-by line for a little while," he explained. JOSH PATE DISCUSSES NEW ESPN SHOW, FOUR FACES OF ESPN, PAT MCAFEE AND FUTURE OF MEDIA COMPANY WITH OUTK In 2020, he started to make more, but not much more. "I think I signed for $75,000 when I came to CBS in 2020. My goal when I was working down in Columbus was to one day make $50,000 a year. So please understand, I thought I had hit the lottery even then." It was that year, during COVID-19, that Pate began building the show that would eventually put him in a position to own his content. "So when I came to 247Sports in 2020, I came with a complete fresh slate. We started from scratch. That's right there pre-COVID. We started a YouTube channel before the show I was going to do, and so we started doing the show. Boom, COVID sets in, and I'm working for CBS. I'm working out of the 247Sports office down in Brentwood, Tennessee, just south of Nashville at the time." "The key was I was smart enough, I guess strategic logic enough, whatever you want to call it, to just talk college football. Because I saw some other sports shows out there, including ones that I consumed regularly, starting to merge and segue into areas that I just didn't think they had any business segueing into. By that, I don't mean they shouldn't have the right to talk about it." CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE Pate elaborated on why he stuck to sports during this time. "What we found is because we did that simultaneous to so many other shows alienating their audiences, people flocked to the show and our numbers scaled really hard and really quick to the point where by the time we got games that fall, we had a condensed season. By the time some of the executives come back into the office, we're already a successful show. We're already a profitable show, and they never really touched the show because it was already a proven product by that point." By 2022, CBS was offering Pate the first major contract of his career. But it wasn't what he wanted. "They rip your old contract up. They want to extend you a couple of years, and then another year into that, it is just continuing to scale. So they rip that contract up. They want to offer you a new one, and I got about two new contracts in. "In 2022, I had to make some decisions with CBS because they wanted to put a long-term, really, really lucrative deal in front of me. But it would not have included IP ownership, asset ownership. I remember talking to some people who I confided in, people in the business well beyond me whose opinions I valued. They said, look, the future of this business is IP ownership, asset ownership. If you're ever going to get it, you've got to get it now because you get one more step down the road and that franchise is going to be way too profitable for them to ever hand over the keys to." Pate and CBS eventually came to terms. "So it was that, or it was counter with an offer that was much less, still good, but much less. But it included IP ownership. We went back and forth on that, back and forth on that. There was one night, it was about 10:30 Friday night, for whatever reason, I was in the office all by myself, and I got a call from CBS and they said, all right, we're going to do it. "I negotiated with CBS. They put a really, really big, to me, an astronomical salary number in front of me, because I'd been making 27 grand a year a few years before that down at my old job in Columbus, Georgia. "So we've got the YouTube channel, we've got the podcast feeds, we've got the IP ownership, and I own the company. We produce the show now." From eviction to media stardom. Watch Josh Pate's full interview with OutKick here. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8368492c5335ae1047b1d8 Trump meets teen lifeguard and boy saved in viral ocean rescue at Oval Office te 2026-08-17T20:00:09.657Z Trump meets teen lifeguard and boy saved in viral ocean rescue at Oval Office President Donald Trump praised a teenage California lifeguard as a hero during a Monday meeting at the White House, after the 16-year-old rescued a 10-year-old boy in a viral ocean rescue. Trump met with Ryder Williams, 16, and his family, as well as Nathaniel Rai—who was swept into the ocean by a wave—and his family.  The rescue drew national attention when it was captured on video. "It's an honor to be with Ryder Williams," Trump said in the Oval Office. "I understand he was a winner right from the time they first saw him as a lifeguard. He saved this young gentleman who I had a long talk with." BEACH HERO JUMPS INTO THE WATER AFTER SPOTTING 3 GIRLS IN DANGER OF DROWNING Trump praised Williams, saying, "What you did was incredible and everybody saw it." He said the teen was an inspiration for young Americans. Williams, a California State Parks lifeguard, was on duty when Rai was pulled into the water just before the July 25 rescue. Williams rushed to get ahold of the boy, who was being pounded by rough waves until another lifeguard came and helped pull them both to shore. The rescue went viral, catching the eye of Eric Trump, before President Trump issued a White House invitation to Williams. "In those dangerous moments that we have, we always try to fall back on our training," Williams, who aspires to become a firefighter, told reporters. "We are trained so well by many to handle that situation as best we can." MAN, WOMAN KILLED IN RIP CURRENT AS LIFEGUARD SHORTAGE LEAVES DANGER ZONES IN BEACH DESTINATION "I hope that everybody can take away from this and try to help more people. Try to look out for everybody around you and just try to help everybody out as much as you can," he added. Nathaniel's father, Sumit Rai, who was also in the Oval Office, thanked Williams, saying he's "beyond grateful" for the rescue of his son. The teen's action showed how important lifeguards are, Trump said. "Maybe lifeguards don't get the credit they deserve," he said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8365ef2c5335ae1047b18a Former ref warns official to keep Caitlin Clark's name out of her mouth, RIP Sheryl Yoast & Kristin Cavallari! te 2026-08-17T19:50:07.606Z Former ref warns official to keep Caitlin Clark's name out of her mouth, RIP Sheryl Yoast & Kristin Cavallari! 'Nightcaps' is a daily column that catches you up on the biggest sports, news and culture stories you may have missed while pretending to do work at your desk. It runs Monday–Friday on OutKick.com. Second half of August, boys and girls. Time is FLYING this month. Feels like we were just celebrating the big 2-5-0, and now we're dropping AP Top 25s for college football, and gearing up for Week 2 of the NFL preseason. This should be the final week, by the way, but the NFL insists on making them play a third game for whatever reason. I assume money. Who knows? Regardless, it'll be gone in a few years when they add an 18th game to the schedule. That's neither here nor there, though. Today, we look forward, and we keep GRINDING through the second half of August. Let's grind. Welcome to a Monday Nightcaps — the one where the best TV ref in the business tells a WNBA ref to keep Caitlin Clark's name out of her MOUTH. I think Terry McAuley has a point here, too. It was odd. But, the whole WNBA is odd, to I wasn't surprised. What else? I've got Shane Gillis quickly calling a Bud Light off the bench, a quick reminder about today's Top 25 poll, Kristin Cavallari gets in on the peptide craze, and this Hollywood death hits hard for us football fans. "He's gettin' beat like he stole somethin', Mr. Bosley!" Sad. Very sad. Grab you whatever you'd like to start the week — dealer's choice on this Monday — and settle in for a second-half-of-August 'Cap! Yes, I know, it's almost football season. And I promised to keep the WNBA talk at a minimum once football season rolled around. But, it's only almost football season. Close, but no cigar. So, we started the week with Caitlin Clark and yesterday's weak foul call. Take a look: "I'll be stunned if they don't overturn that call." *Two seconds later* "The contact by Caitlin Clark is deemed illegal." First of all ... what are we doing here? I've seen a lot of bad officiating in my days — across all sports — but the WNBA easily has the worst refs in the game. They're just awful. In what world is that a foul? I don't get it. What am I missing? Just horrible. But that's not why we're here today. The Xs and Os of the call have been written about a dozen times already. Ultimately, the Fever won, so it didn't matter. Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese rivalry gets a new chapter in Fever-Dream overtime thriller I'm here to talk about the actual call itself ... I have never, in my life, heard a ref call a player by his or her name while making a call. I'm not sure it's ever happened. This girl did it yesterday, and former NFL referee Terry McAuley was quick to call out the nonsense: "Using a player’s name during a foul or review announcement is incredibly unprofessional," he wrote on X. "I’ve never heard it done before in any sport I’ve watched or been involved with. It personalizes the ruling which should always be avoided." Bingo. Get her, Terry! Don't let this nonsense slip through the cracks. Wild move by the head ref here. Again, I've never heard anything like it. Terry, by the way, is an excellent TV ref. I'd put Fox's Dean Blandino at the top of the list for obvious reasons, but Terry is a close second. You know who's awful? Gene Steratore for CBS. You know who was even worse? Mike Carey, who Gene replaced on CBS years ago. You remember the Mike Carey years? It got so bad towards the end. He became a weekly punchline on Twitter: Man, I miss Mike. He had some bangers back in the day. A true legend of his craft. Anyway, let's move this thing along and say goodbye to one of the most underrated actresses of all time, Hayden Panettiere. She died last night at just 36. It was stunning to wake up to. Just stunning. Even more stunning? I didn't realize she played Coach Yoast's daughter in Remember the Titans. It's, easily, my favorite sports movie of all time, and I found out this morning that Sheryl Yoast was played by Hayden Panettiere. And let me tell you something ... that little 10-year-old girl acted her butt of in this movie. She went toe to toe with Denzel the entire time, and it was incredible. Lordy, what a movie. What a scene. What a cast! Denzel. Ryan Hurst. A young Ryan Gosling (who was a terrible DB). Hayden. Will Patton (underrated actor). Just amazing. Anyway, Sheryl Yoast was an iconic character for people my age when that movie came out, mainly because we were the same age. She played the part so well. I have no idea what happened, but I'm sad it did. OK, let's rapid-fire this Monday class into a big Monday night. First up? Bud Light spokesman Shane Gillis got caught indulging South of the Border over the weekend, and the PR team had to make a quick call to the bench: That's the good stuff right there. Solid head's up by whoever the hand is in the picture. You did well. I don't blame Shane, by the way. I'd take a Dos Equis over a Bud Light. I'd also to a Busch Light over a Bud Light. I think I'd take a Miller Lite over all of them. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE Next? Happy AP Top-25 Day to all who celebrate! Thoughts? First impressions? I think Miami is a little low. Same with LSU. 'Bama's probably too high, but I get it. Missouri at 25 feels like a "F–k it, let's just pick one and get this over with" move by the AP voters. Again, I get it. Regardless, and I cannot emphasize this enough ... Absolutely none of this matters: Nearly HALF of last year's Top 25 finished the season unranked. HALF. That's insane. It's the most useless poll in all of sports, but boy, does it feel good to have football (almost) back. Few more weeks, folks. Hang tight. OK, that's it for today. Good start to the week, everyone. Let's have another strong one. Let's keep grinding our tails off. There's a light at the end of this WNBA tunnel. I can see it! Take us home, Kristin Cavallari. Is Remember the Titans the greatest sports movie ever? Email me at Zach.Dean@OutKick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8365ee2c5335ae1047b181 National park trip turns tragic after falling rock pierces Jeep roof, fatally striking man in front of wife te 2026-08-17T19:50:06.967Z National park trip turns tragic after falling rock pierces Jeep roof, fatally striking man in front of wife A nostalgic family trip to Glacier National Park in Montana took a devastating turn last month when a falling rock suddenly crashed through the roof of a Jeep, violently striking a grandfather in the head as his wife watched in horror from the seat beside him. Park officials told Fox News Digital that the incident happened the afternoon of July 11, at Rimrocks along Going-to-the-Sun Road, a popular 50-mile scenic highway that winds through the mountainous park. The road is known for its sharp curves, steep drop-offs, narrow lanes and towering rock faces. The Flathead County Coroner's Office identified him as Rex Schowengerdt, a 72-year-old Missouri man.  According to a GoFundMe page organized by the family, Schowengerdt suffered a "catastrophic brain injury" and died five days later at a nearby hospital.  "While riding in a hardtop Jeep on Going-to-the-Sun Road, a falling rock came through the roof and struck my dad as my mom sat beside him and witnessed the entire heartbreaking moment, holding him through the horror of it all," the daughter, Amy Prince, wrote on the fundraising site. RECORD-SETTING EL CAPITAN ROCK CLIMBER DIES AT AGE 30 IN SIERRA NEVADA ACCIDENT Prince said her father began his trip extremely excited and was looking forward to revisiting all the places "that had meant so much" to the family. He was traveling with his wife of 50 years, his sister and brother-in-law. "On July 11, 2026, I received the kind of phone call no one ever forgets. It was my mom calling from the mountain, her voice shaking in the wind, saying that something terrible had happened and that my dad would not survive," the daughter said. After the incident, Schowengerdt was airlifted from the mountain by helicopter to a nearby hospital. After several days in the intensive care unit, the family was forced to make "unimaginable end-of-life decisions," according to Prince. He died on July 16 as his wife and daughter held his hand, Prince said. The daughter’s brother, aunt and uncle were also nearby. "My dad was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and someone who loved adventure, the outdoors, and his family deeply. He taught us all to cherish moments and when you are in nature and looking at something beautiful, to look twice and cherish the moment," Prince said. The Flathead County Coroner's Office ruled the manner of death accidental.  NURSE IMPALED BY POLE DURING HIKE FORCED TO TREK 10 MILES FOR HELP: 'A FREAK THING' Despite their grief, Prince said Schowengerdt’s eyes and tissues were viable for donation, allowing him to share his love of seeing the world with others even after his death. His wife later reportedly received a letter from World Vision informing her that his donation helped restore the vision of two people. "That brought a small measure of comfort in the middle of so much heartbreak," Prince said. She added that the family also made the difficult decision to cremate Schowengerdt "because bringing him home was too costly from Montana." They also hope to honor his life with a memorial in his name. "Our family is deeply grateful to everyone who prayed, to the rescuers, and to the ICU staff at Logan Hospital who cared for my dad," Prince said. While millions of people travel Going-to-the-Sun Road safely, the steep alpine terrain can be prone to rockfall. Falling debris can damage vehicles and cause serious injuries. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8363992c5335ae1047b12a LIV Golf Team Championship set for Indianapolis as Michigan tournament is canceled amid league's murky future te 2026-08-17T19:40:09.941Z LIV Golf Team Championship set for Indianapolis as Michigan tournament is canceled amid league's murky future The LIV Golf Team Championship, originally scheduled to take place in Michigan at the end of August, has officially been canceled and moved to Indianapolis. The news not only comes after weeks of speculation about whether the season finale would take place, but also after the breakaway circuit announced a new, unknown investor to keep LIV afloat into 2027 and beyond. The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sole funder of LIV Golf, announced in April that it would be cutting ties with the league. The PIF's announcement specifically noted that it would "fund LIV Golf only for the remainder of the 2026 season," but with the re-scheduling of the team championship, that doesn't appear to be the case. "As the 2026 LIV Golf season comes to a close after incredible competition across 10 countries and five continents, we reflect on record crowds, broadcast viewership, marketing partner support and social growth, alongside historic comebacks, emerging young talent, OWGR recognition and new pathways to the majors," LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil said in a news release. "By concluding the season now, we can put our full resources behind what comes next and maintain the operational rigor this transition demands. We are reimagining LIV Golf as a fundamentally new League owned by the players and anchored in a sustainable business model, with an evolved fan experience built for the markets where the game is growing fastest across the globe and the support of world-class partners. "Professional golf is more unified today than at any point since we launched, creating a genuine opportunity to grow the game together. Indianapolis will be a fitting finale for the League as fans have known it and the starting point for what we believe it can become." Rumors of LIV's Team Championship disappearing reached a fever pitch in July when former major champion and Cleeks team captain Martin Kaymer said the event, which carried a purse of $40 million, was "highly unlikely" to go on as scheduled. LIV Indianapolis, scheduled to take place Aug. 20-23, will be the last event of the season. LARGEMOUTH BASS EXPLODES FROM WATER TO EAT CHARL SCHWARTZEL'S GOLF BALL AT LIV GOLF NEW YORK "As we concentrate on finishing the season strong and building the next chapter of LIV Golf, we’ll carry the energy and enthusiasm our fans have shown us into what comes next," O'Neil added. "The road ahead is possible because of the people who stand behind this League – our fans, players, caddies, employees, partners, and sponsors." Recent reports also claimed that the build-out at The Cardinal at Saint John's, the course that was set to host the finale, had not yet begun. LIV Michigan is now the second event on LIV's 2026 calendar to be canceled after LIV New Orleans was scrapped in June. While speculation about LIV's immediate future has more or less been put to bed with the Team Championship's re-scheduling, that isn't the case regarding the circuit's future in 2027. On Aug. 5, O'Neil announced that an investor has been secured to keep the league afloat. While he did not divulge any specific details about the unknown investor, O'Neil did share an important fact about the next phase of LIV Golf and its players. "LIV Golf has an agreement in place with a lead investor, signed by the investor and approved by the Board, to anchor the transaction and play a key role in supporting the path forward for the League’s next era, driven by and for the players," O'Neil said at the time. "Notably, our next chapter will make our players the majority equity holders in LIV Golf, a first for a major global sports league," he continued, while stating the goal is to enter a finalized transaction in September. It remains unclear what LIV Golf looks like, and even more unclear which players will be competing, beginning in 2027. The plan for the 2027 LIV schedule is for it to feature 10 events, with five in the United States and five across the globe. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8363952c5335ae1047b112 DEA vehicle spotted at Tucson raid as agents shift to immigration work  te 2026-08-17T19:40:05.695Z DEA vehicle spotted at Tucson raid as agents shift to immigration work  During a Tucson raid last week, photos taken by observers show one vehicle standing out with a clear agency name: DEA, or Drug Enforcement Administration.  That agency has traditionally focused on enforcing drug laws, including targeting people who produce and sell prohibited drugs.  But under the Trump administration’s crackdown, DEA agents are increasingly arresting immigrants, according to recent comments by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes.  “They are taking DEA agents that normally work with me to go after the Mexican drug cartels, and they are sending them to places like Minneapolis and Washington D.C. to do interior enforcement against people who have not committed crimes,” Mayes told reporters with Fox 10 Phoenix.  In August 2025, almost half of DEA agents had been shifted to immigration enforcement, according to the Cato Institute.  Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, directed questions about DEA’s involvement in immigration arrests to the drug enforcement agency. The DEA did not respond to Arizona Luminaria’s request for comment.  The post DEA vehicle spotted at Tucson raid as agents shift to immigration work  appeared first on AZ Luminaria. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8363932c5335ae1047b0f8 Save up to $300 on your TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 pass until August 21  te 2026-08-17T19:40:03.513Z Save up to $300 on your TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 pass until August 21  If you’ve been circling around Disrupt, then now’s the best time to lock in your pass and start getting ready to join the rest of the startup community gathering in San Francisco from October 13-15 at Moscone West! Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83613b2c5335ae1047b0b4 Spotify’s new Playlist Notes let users and editors explain their song picks te 2026-08-17T19:30:03.638Z Spotify’s new Playlist Notes let users and editors explain their song picks Spotify launches a new feature that gives users a chance to explain the stories and reasoning behind their favorite music. Editors will be using the feature, too, on top playlists like RapCaviar and others. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a835ee72c5335ae1047b090 House Democrat investigated over alleged 'inappropriate sexual contact' with staffer te 2026-08-17T19:20:07.818Z House Democrat investigated over alleged 'inappropriate sexual contact' with staffer The House Ethics Committee is investigating a sitting Democratic lawmaker over allegations of sexual misconduct. The committee, which acts as the House of Representatives' internal watchdog, announced Monday that it is investigating Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., over allegations including "inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer." He's the latest House lawmaker to be accused of misconduct or harassment in relation to aides on Capitol Hill, an issue that's rocked Congress and forced a new reckoning over rules of engagement for lawmakers in Washington. CAPITOL HILL SEX SCANDALS TRIGGER NEW PUSH TO REDRAW THE LINE FOR LAWMAKERS Gomez, who has been in Congress since 2017, is known as a founder and chair of the Congressional Dads Caucus. According to its website, the caucus was created to "ensure that dads step up at home and in the halls of Congress." Gomez is a married father of one. Fox News Digital reached out to a spokesperson for the congressman for a response. More information was not immediately provided by the Ethics Committee, which typically operates in secrecy until it releases its final findings on a given matter. It did note that the allegations are not evidence of wrongdoing. REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER WELCOMES HOUSE ETHICS PROBE INTO SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HIM For example, the panel released an explosive report this summer that detailed sexual harassment accusations against Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., targeting two young staffers who worked in his office. The committee recommended censuring Edwards, a form of punishment that's largely symbolic with no practical effects. The resulting blowback, however, pushed Edwards to drop his re-election bid despite denying any wrongdoing. The New York Post reported earlier this year that Gomez was seen kissing a "much younger" congressional aide in the summer of 2023. He confessed to CNN this past June, "Years ago, I made personal mistakes outside my marriage that have caused real pain to my wife and family. Although my actions were consensual in nature and haven't violated the law or House ethics rules, that doesn't diminish the impact that these mistakes have made on those I care about the most." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a835ee62c5335ae1047b080 ‘I don’t trust you’: Tensions boil over on Trump administration’s election security call te 2026-08-17T19:20:06.450Z ‘I don’t trust you’: Tensions boil over on Trump administration’s election security call Adrian Fontes in January 2026. (Photo by Gage Skidmore/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0) Tensions between state election officials and the Trump administration are rising as we head into the heart of the midterm election season. Frustrations boiled over on Monday during a rare election security call hosted by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency for state officials. During the call, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes unloaded on the agency. CISA used to be a go-to shop for many states looking for help ensuring that their elections weren’t hacked, targeted, or undermined by cyberattacks or foreign interference. CISA provided states with classified security briefings on threats, helped ensure that state voting equipment wasn’t vulnerable to cyberattacks, and worked with election leaders to game out potential risks. All that changed when Donald Trump returned to the White House last year. The second Trump administration scaled back its support for states, cut back CISA staff, and launched an investigation of its former leader, whom Trump accused of disloyalty because he pushed back on the president’s false claims that the 2020 election was rigged. CISA has not had a permanent director since the start of Trump’s second term. Changes at CISA have paired with the president’s broad focus on controlling how elections are run. The federal government is threatening to arrest election officials if they allow noncitizens to vote. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has vowed to withhold federal funds from states that don’t implement Trump administration election overhaul proposals. A coalition of Democratic states and officials has sued the Department of Homeland Security in a suit that accuses the Trump administration of withholding Federal Emergency Management Agency funding in an attempt to coerce states into enacting disputed election changes. With all that as backdrop, CISA organized this week’s call – and things didn’t go too well. After more than a year of near silence, elections officials wondered if CISA would step up to offer classified intelligence briefings on emerging cyber threats from hostile countries, specialized testing of election equipment, or training on how to prepare for potential problems on Election Day. Instead, CISA leaders provided what one participant characterized as a generic “CYA” (cover your a**) briefing that offered state officials few assurances that the federal government would help thwart threats this November. Participants said acting CISA Director Nick Andersen and Jim Harrell, the assistant director for integrated operations, offered no concrete support for the 2026 election, which is less than 90 days away. Instead, the participants said, CISA leadership seemed more focused on the 2028 presidential election. When they were done, according to participants, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, a Democrat, lashed out at the CISA officials. Fontes blasted the Trump administration for threatening state election officials and made it clear he had no confidence in their leadership, they said. “Fontes got testy with them,” said one participant on the call who asked not to be identified. “‘I don’t trust you,’ [Fontes told the CISA officials.] ‘Your boss came out there and said: We are going to criminalize the work you do. Why should we trust you?’” When asked about the call, Fontes confirmed that he’d made those comments and expanded on his frustrations “They don’t work with us, they work against us,” Fontes told Votebeat. “Why should I trust them?” Fontes said it was difficult for state and local elections officials to have confidence they would get support from the federal government when the administration treats them like an adversary rather than a partner. He and others on the call said CISA leaders offered few assurances they would provide much support in the coming weeks. “They just wholly and completely abandoned their duties and threatened prosecution,” Fontes said. “If they want to apologize for threatening us and ruining perfectly good systems, that’s a good start.” CISA did not respond to requests for comment on the call. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, also a Democrat, echoed Fontes’s frustrations. “It’s unhelpful to have political leaders, including the secretary of Homeland Security, hinting at imprisoning election administrators who don’t do what they want,” Simon told Votebeat. “That’s just not helpful.” Simon said Minnesota and other states have spent months working to fill the gaps left by the drop-off in CISA support. “It’s pretty clear states are almost entirely on their own this election cycle and cannot rely on the federal government for election assistance,” said Simon. Not everyone on the call came away with a sour taste in their mouth, though. Some participants described it as a tentative move that could help repair the strained relationship between state and federal leaders working on elections. Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, also a Democrat, described the call as a “positive step” in rebuilding relations between CISA and state election officials. “While this engagement is encouraging, CISA and our other federal partners must focus on continuing to rebuild trust with election officials,” Hobbs said. “Over the last two years, we have watched this administration systematically dismantle many of the election security resources in place at the federal level.” With the November election fast approaching, he said, “election officials need sustained commitment to supporting local elections, not renewed attention only as major elections approach. Meaningful support will do more to rebuild relationships than words alone.” This article was originally published by Votebeat, a nonprofit news organization covering local election administration and voting access. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a835c912c5335ae1047b033 Italy-Spain border feud exposes Europe’s deepening immigration divide te 2026-08-17T19:10:09.027Z Italy-Spain border feud exposes Europe’s deepening immigration divide A rift between the right-wing Italian government and Spain's leftist rulers continues to grow over immigration and border security. It has been days since Italy’s conservative government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni enacted stricter border controls at air and seaports, for any non-EU citizen traveling from Spain. The two countries do not share a border. Two days later, Spain’s left-wing government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, enacted reciprocal measures on any non-EU citizens traveling from Italy. Even EU citizens need to show their ID to move on, causing travel delays during a month when most Europeans travel, including over two million between Italy and Spain. At issue is border security. More specifically, the five-mile-long border between Morocco and the Spanish exclave of Ceuta. The Associated Press reported that roughly 72,000 people reportedly attempted to illegally cross the border to Ceuta during the late July surge, before Spain and Morocco could reinforce the border to prevent what the EU calls "irregular migration." SPAIN STOCKS AFRICAN ENCLAVE CEUTA WITH BOOSTED SECURITY AS MOROCCO MONITORS CALLS FOR SECOND BORDER RUSH Emma Schubart of the Henry Jackson Society told Fox News Digital that Italy’s border checks and Spain’s reciprocal measures "highlight the Meloni–Sánchez divide: enforcement-first versus a regularization program that drew 1.2 million applications." On July 31, Meloni’s government, in what she called an "extraordinary measure," decided to "temporarily suspend the free movement regime (under the Schengen agreement) in maritime and air connections with Spain, reintroducing border controls," while also offering "to support every European initiative to assist Spanish institutions as needed to restore full control of the Union's external borders." The implementation involved random checks for non-EU travelers. Even some countries of Europe’s left are taking notice. Meloni teamed up with Denmark’s left-leaning Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to lead a group of 22 European Union leaders, including Hungary’s new Prime Minister Péter Magyar, in a letter calling for an "extraordinary" meeting of EU Interior Ministers to define a "coordinated European response." The letter placed blame on Spain, noting that "the recent ruling of the Spanish Supreme Court has been used to trigger this attack and abuse (of) our migration and asylum system." They added that the EU "cannot allow mass crossings, the instrumentalization of migration or other hybrid threats to create the perception that illegal entry into the European Union is possible." EU ADMITS IT ‘DIDN’T HAVE CONTROL’ ON MIGRATION AS BLOC RUSHES CRACKDOWN AHEAD OF NEW RULES Spain’s Supreme Court issued a July 8 ruling regarding the immediate return of migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to enter Ceuta or Melilla. Spain’s Sánchez called the letter "politically motivated," saying the situation in Ceuta was "under control" and that his government had acted in "full compliance with EU law." On his account, Sánchez posted "Solidarity and empathy are optional. Respect for European treaties and data is not… It is the time to continue building a strong and united EU," while noting EU Frontex data that there were 470,600 "irregular entries" via Italy since 2021, compared to Spain’s 234,760. The Spanish Foreign Ministry said, "Entering Spain irregularly through Ceuta or Melilla does not grant the right to remain in the country, to travel to mainland Spain, or to move freely within Europe." Meloni responded on X that Ceuta "once again demonstrated how urgent it is for Europe to respond to illegal immigration. … Defending the external borders of the (European) Union is not the interest of a single Nation. It is a shared responsibility of Europe." As soon as the Italian border controls went into effect, Spain responded, with Sánchez's administration calling the controls "unjust" and "discriminatory towards the Spanish population." The Spanish warned of "proportionate measures" to defend their interests, reciprocating with their own border controls on Italian travel on August 8. The Palazzo Chigi, the office of the Italian prime minister, said, "Italy does not accept ultimatums or impositions from abroad regarding national security and border control. Under no circumstances do we intend to review our decision… at least until 15 August… Another wave of migration is expected in Ceuta on that date, as the Spanish authorities themselves have announced." Morocco stepped in this past Saturday, August 15, ahead of that attempted rush on the border, with officials saying more than 111 were arrested attempting to reach Ceuta via mountain roads in an attempt to avoid check points. Morocco’s Le360 news agency said that the number was closer to 300. After the arrests, Italian foreign ministry officials told the AGI news agency they were "closely monitoring what is happening in Morocco and reaffirm the necessity of the measures adopted," with a spokesman telling ANSA, "The checks at the border with Spain remain necessary in light of the latest developments in Morocco." NATO ALLY POLAND WARNS RUSSIA, BELARUS PUSHING ILLEGAL MIGRANTS TOWARD ALLIANCE — AND THE US Lorenzo Vidino, director of the Program on Extremism at George Washington University, told Fox News Digital that this "Tit for tat" between the two countries could continue "for the foreseeable future." Vidino said EU immigration policies are "complicated" because "there is one policy, but enforcement is by the country," so politics plays a role. "Country A thinks Country B is not enforcing things correctly, so Country A closes the border to create de facto border controls." He said a contributing factor to Italy’s decision may be the large Moroccan population in Italy, especially in northern Italy, which could be a draw for illegal immigrants from Morocco. Vidino added that these types of internal EU border controls are nothing new. "France also reintroduces these ‘routine checks’ from time to time." Austria continues sporadic checks on land crossings from Slovenia and Hungary and traffic at crossings into Germany can also be miles long due to continued controls there. And it’s not only outside governments upset with Madrid’s response. Ceuta’s center-right Mayor-President, Juan Jesús Vivas, held a press conference Friday, two weeks after the initial incursion, in the city’s Palacio de la Asamblea. He called the situation "unsustainable," saying "Ceuta cannot endure much longer like this." Despite Spanish authorities saying only 5,000 migrants remained in the city, Vivas says that number is closer to 9,000, adding, "Each passing day worsens the situation." Vivas said he felt "misunderstood and powerless in the face of the lack of legal tools" from Madrid, adding the government is moving too slowly. "I cannot understand that if a part of our territory is invaded… there is no legal mechanism that allows for an expeditious and immediate action for the return of these people who entered this territory illegally and irregularly." Maldita.es, an independent Spanish fact-checking platform, reports health officials have confirmed cases of scabies, impetigo and an outbreak of gastroenteritis among the migrants. Other news outlets report at least 2 cases of tuberculosis, but health officials say those affected were treated in Morocco before they crossed the border, and are not contagious. The National Institute of Health Management, the Spanish body responsible for managing healthcare in Ceuta, told reporters that, as of August 11, there were "no confirmed cases of tuberculosis" originating in Ceuta. Schubart said the EU should look to the U.S. "The U.S. experience is clear, over 8.7 million Southwest border encounters under weakened enforcement produced record surges and secondary pressures. Without consistent external controls, Schengen’s internal free movement erodes." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a835c8b2c5335ae1047b009 Higgsfield raises $400M Series B, quadrupling its valuation in 8 months to $5.4B te 2026-08-17T19:10:03.553Z Higgsfield raises $400M Series B, quadrupling its valuation in 8 months to $5.4B Higgsfield, founded by former Snap exec Alex Mashrabov, lets users create AI images and videos. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a835a432c5335ae1047afe8 Mike Johnson taunts Hakeem Jeffries for losing Dems' civil war 'in his own backyard' te 2026-08-17T19:00:19.760Z Mike Johnson taunts Hakeem Jeffries for losing Dems' civil war 'in his own backyard' Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is capitalizing on Democrats' internal civil war as he crisscrosses the country in a bid to keep the House majority for Republicans in November. During a campaign stop in Virginia Beach on Monday, Johnson name-checked House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., as he described the wave of socialist-linked primary wins in Jeffries' home state. "It's a fascinating thing to see the Democrat Party, they're in the midst of, now, an open civil war. Truly, they don't know who they stand, what they stand for, or who stands with them. They don't have a leader," Johnson said. It comes after candidates linked to the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and endorsed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani toppled establishment-backed candidates, including two sitting House Democrats. JOHNSON TURNS DEMOCRATS’ SOCIALIST CIVIL WAR INTO NEW WEAPON FOR MIDTERMS "Hakeem Jeffries is the top leader, the Democrat leader in the House. But he lost his slate of candidates in his own backyard," Johnson said. "Several weeks ago, you saw Mamdani endorsed a slate of radical far-left candidates, DSA-approved and endorsed candidates, and they all won. And one of those races was in the Bronx, in Hakeem Jeffries' own backyard." The specific race Johnson was referring to saw Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., defeated by socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier in New York's 13th Congressional District. The area spans parts of the Bronx and Upper Manhattan. In the 10th Congressional District, encompassing part of western Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan, former DSA member Brad Lander defeated Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y. SOCIALISM VS CAPITALISM: HOUSE DEMS CLASH OVER WHAT NY ELECTION RESULTS MEAN FOR PARTY Both incumbents were endorsed by Jeffries, as is usually the case. Both Chevalier and Lander were backed by Mamdani, himself a DSA member. Socialist Claire Valdez, also a Mamdani-backed candidate, won a Brooklyn- and Queens-area House seat being vacated by Rep. Nydia Velázquez. Jeffries did not endorse in that race, but it's notable that Velázquez's chosen successor lost. Jeffries' own district sits entirely in Brooklyn. Despite that, however, neither Chevalier nor Valdez has publicly backed Jeffries to remain House Democrats' leader. It's a microcosm of the wider fight playing out across the country between the establishment party and a far-left insurgency. The war has proved to be a boon for Republicans who are facing an uphill battle to keep their razor-thin House majority. 100 DAY SPRINT TO THE MIDTERMS KICKS OFF AS REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS CLASH FOR CONTROL ACROSS THE COUNTRY Johnson, who was in Virginia campaigning for endangered House Republican Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., compared Democrats to a "rudderless ship." "But the thing that is so, I think alarming — let me use that word, alarming, for the American people — is that you have open Marxists who are winning primaries in that party," Johnson said before referencing the DSA's own platform. HAKEEM JEFFRIES CONFRONTED ON 'YOU'RE NEXT' CHANTS FOLLOWING NY DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST VICTORIES "The challenge is coming from people who, you know, they put their platform out, they published it. They want to abolish the border. They want to abolish all prisons in America. They want to abolish the U.S. Senate. They want to remove the president. They want to expand the House and make it a unicameral governing body over the country. Why? Because they believe that over two or three cycles, they'll be able to bring a wave of Marxists, communists into the Congress and take it over." When reached for a response, a spokesperson for Jeffries referred Fox News Digital to an exchange between the House Democratic leader and NBC's "Meet the Press" host Kristin Welker on Sunday. "I expect that there will be at least 220 members of the House Democratic Caucus when we take back the majority, if not a number much greater than that," Jeffries said in response to a question about challengers from the left toppling incumbents. "We as House Democrats are committed to fighting for an affordable America every day, every week, every month until we solve this crisis." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a835a432c5335ae1047afdf Reporter calls for more men, diversity in WNBA broadcasts: ‘Feels like a girls’ club’ te 2026-08-17T19:00:19.126Z Reporter calls for more men, diversity in WNBA broadcasts: ‘Feels like a girls’ club’ Longtime NBA reporter Ric Bucher wants more men on WNBA broadcasts. On his podcast this week, Bucher criticized networks like ESPN and NBC for using all-female panels during their WNBA coverage. "Why are all the color analysts and studio hosts women?" Bucher asked. "Women have served in a variety of positions on national NBA broadcasts. Why shouldn’t there be diversity on national WNBA broadcasts? What are the networks afraid of?" He elaborated, arguing that WNBA analysts tend to be like-minded. "There are some smart, basketball-savvy women, both in the studio and the broadcast booth, but I don’t hear a whole lot of differing opinion or debate." "It all comes off as safe and monotone and cookie cutter, especially when it comes to controversial topics. DiJonai took Sophie Cunningham’s head off, and the broadcasters were debating whether it would be elevated to a Flagrant 2. They sounded afraid to say it, even after multiple replays showed DiJonai [Carrington] made no attempt to make a play on the ball. The studio analysts were no better. "All of it feels like a girls’ club. The media protecting the league from real scrutiny or critique. I’ll ask again: What are they afraid of? Players can’t take it? That critiquing a woman in public is no way to treat one?" EX-ESPN HOST SAYS SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM DESERVED TO BE EJECTED AND PUNISHED — NOT DIJONAI CARRINGTON, WHO CLOTHESLINED HER Bucher is right. There is rarely much debate among WNBA analysts, despite the polarizing nature of the topics they discuss. Whether it’s Caitlin Clark, alleged racism, transgender issues, or white privilege, the analysts sound the same. Unsurprisingly, the consensus among WNBA analysts is that Clark is overrated, white privilege is rampant, Black players are victims of racism, and trans women are women. For a network that markets itself around "diversity," ESPN’s lead WNBA studio panel consists of four Black women: Malika Andrews, Monica McNutt, Andraya Carter, and Chiney Ogwumike. SAM PONDER CALLS OUT THE WNBA FOR COWARDICE: 'BE COURAGEOUS. STAND FOR WOMEN' That said, we don’t necessarily agree with Bucher that a male analyst would help. Most men in sports media, especially at ESPN, aren’t going to add much diversity of thought to the conversation. They are even more afraid and concerned about fitting in with the in-crowd on Threads and Bluesky. Case in point: ESPN writer David Dennis Jr., who claimed Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad left him "mortified." What the coverage of the WNBA needs is someone who can provide balance to the conversation. It needs someone who isn’t afraid to acknowledge Clark’s record-setting stretch, that forcing females to change next to males in the name of transgenderism is wrong, that Carrington clearly committed a hard foul, and that the claims of "white privilege" are baseless, and that the Black women are aggressors. To this point, the only analyst who has proven willing to provide this perspective, which is the majority perspective across America, is ESPN/NFL Network reporter Stacey Dales, who was a star in women’s basketball. Earlier this summer, Dales debated and schooled Dennis Jr., who tried arguing that Caitlin Clark was not even a top-five guard in the WNBA. ESPN could fix its WNBA studio show immensely by replacing the overly obnoxious Monica McNutt with Dales as it looks for other credible commentators, male or female. Still, props to Ric Bucher for raising awareness that mainstream WNBA coverage is overrun by partisan, virtue-signaling, race-idolatrous mean girls. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a835a422c5335ae1047afd6 Harvard professor caught using AI to condense Financial Times op-ed trashing Trump tariffs te 2026-08-17T19:00:18.411Z Harvard professor caught using AI to condense Financial Times op-ed trashing Trump tariffs A Harvard professor is facing criticism for using AI to condense a longer iteration of an opinion piece written for the Financial Times (FT) on Thursday. "Trump is taxing the dark matter that pays America’s way," read the headline of the piece by Harvard professor Ricardo Hausmann. The piece was published by the FT on August 13. "It has come to our attention that AI was used to condense a longer draft of this column prior to submission to the FT and our own editorial involvement. The FT editorial code of conduct specifically prohibits the use of AI in the writing process," an editor's note at the top of Hausmann's piece says. The FT told Fox News Digital the publication was going to conduct an "editorial review process to look at this piece in more detail," but otherwise pointed to the editor's note. NEW YORK MAGAZINE SEVERS TIES WITH WRITER ROSS BARKAN, UPDATES 67 COLUMNS FOLLOWING PLAGIARISM PROBE Harvard and Hausmann did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. "The verdict on the first full year of the largest US tariff increase in almost a century arrived quietly, in the tables of the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. America’s current account deficit in 2025 was $1.18tn — virtually identical to the year before. The most protectionist turn in living memory did not move the number it was meant to shrink," the first paragraph of Hausmann's piece read. "That much was predictable — a matter of accounting necessity rather than economic argument," the column continued. "A current account deficit is not a scorecard of trade cheating; it is the gap between what a country invests and what it saves, and tariffs alter neither." REP. TED LIEU: AI IS ALREADY TOO POWERFUL. WE NEED A KILL SWITCH BEFORE DISASTER STRIKES The piece by Hausmann garnered reaction online, as Bloomberg's Joe Weisenthal wrote on X, "I have learned a lot from @ricardo_hausman, I'm a big appreciator of his thought, and have enjoyed talking with him. And yet I find this astonishing, both in its writing and its publication." Dartmouth Political Scientist Brendan Nyhan posted an image on X showing Pangram, an AI detection software, finding that 71% of the text was "AI-generated." A Harvard student and freelance writer, Alex Bronzini-Vender, wrote on X, "Gotta be the worst AI slop I’ve seen in a major publication." Hausmann is a professor at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government and the director of the Harvard Growth Lab. This comes as higher education institutions are grappling with how to approach AI with their students. While many universities have AI polices and some professors have returned to paper tests and taken other measures aimed at preventing students from improperly using AI, Harvard University Senior Research Fellow Christopher Dede said colleges are focusing on the wrong problem and are not adequately preparing students to face a world in which AI is ubiquitous. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "The problem is that our educational systems are geared to teaching reckoning, and their quality is measured by assessing reckoning, the GRE, the SAT, the LSAT, et cetera, et cetera," Dede told Fox News Digital. "And, so, what we're doing is preparing human beings to lose to AI as opposed to preparing human beings with skills that complement AI," he added. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a835a412c5335ae1047afcd Olympic gold medalist praises Real American Freestyle for 'opportunity' ahead of highly anticipated debut te 2026-08-17T19:00:17.741Z Olympic gold medalist praises Real American Freestyle for 'opportunity' ahead of highly anticipated debut Ahead of his Real American Freestyle (RAF) debut, wrestling legend Jordan Burroughs is reflecting on his career, longevity and the sport's future. The Olympic gold medalist joined "Fox & Friends" as RAF approaches its one-year anniversary on Fox Nation, demonstrating some of his signature moves. He praised the organization for giving older competitors a second chance in the sport they love. FOX NATION SPECIAL EXPLORES REAL AMERICAN FREESTYLE WRESTLING LEAGUE FOUNDED WITH HULK HOGAN'S HELP "I'm getting older, so I'm past my prime," he said. "Typically the average age of the Olympian or world championship team member is anywhere from 25 to 30. So at 38, I'm on the back side of my career, but RAF has given me an opportunity to get back into that." Burroughs noted the success of RAF is unusual for the sport. He explained how the league is the first of its kind to have "sustainability." "It's hard — I've seen a lot of professional wrestling leagues fail," he said. "The pinnacle of wrestling, at least freestyle wrestling, has always been the Olympic Games and the World Championship." MEET KANDI KRUSH – THE FORMER OLYMPIC HOPEFUL WHO IS RISING THROUGH THE RANKS IN WOMEN OF WRESTLING Burroughs also discussed the limited options available to wrestlers after their college careers end. "Most wrestlers start at a very young age, but post-collegiately you don't really have a lot of options," he said. "You go to the average jiu-jitsu studio, you see the average age of an athlete there is probably 30 to 40 years old. But wrestlers are all kids, right? And so we're trying to create a way to sustain excellence over a long period of time. I think RAF has done a great job." Burroughs has compiled a lengthy list of achievements during his career. After capturing two national championships with the Nebraska Cornhuskers, he earned a gold medal in the men's 74-kilogram freestyle competition at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. He has also claimed six freestyle wrestling world titles, three Pan American Games gold medals and multiple Pan American Wrestling Championships titles. Burroughs holds the U.S. record for the most combined World and Olympic gold medals, with seven, according to USA Wrestling. CHARLIE KIRK’S MURDER SENDS SHOCKWAVES THROUGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY IN HIT FOX NATION SERIES To tune in to his anticipated Real American Freestyle debut in Cleveland on Aug. 22, make sure to subscribe to Fox Nation to stream RAF 12. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO FOX NATION Fox Nation programs are viewable on demand and from your mobile device app but only for FOX Nation subscribers. Go to Fox Nation to start a free trial and watch the extensive library of your favorite FOX Nation personalities. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a835a3e2c5335ae1047afb9 Lake Powell hits record low, threatening key water and electricity supply for millions te 2026-08-17T19:00:14.578Z Lake Powell hits record low, threatening key water and electricity supply for millions The water level at Lake Powell has fallen to a record low in another sign of crisis along the Colorado River. This alarming milestone, reached on Saturday, follows a record low set by Lake Mead. The two are the country's… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a835a3d2c5335ae1047afad Arizona cities conference to tackle water, housing and data center growth te 2026-08-17T19:00:13.651Z Arizona cities conference to tackle water, housing and data center growth Nearly 2,000 local government leaders and guests will gather in Phoenix this week to confront some of Arizona’s biggest challenges, including Colorado River cuts, housing affordability and the growing energy demands of data centers. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a835a3c2c5335ae1047afa4 Two Lake Havasu City men arrested after fight damages phone, glasses te 2026-08-17T19:00:12.539Z Two Lake Havasu City men arrested after fight damages phone, glasses Two Lake Havasu City men were arrested after a fight left a cellphone and pair of glasses damaged. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a835a3b2c5335ae1047af9b Hobbs running mate Giles defends abortion vote, backs voucher limits te 2026-08-17T19:00:11.092Z Hobbs running mate Giles defends abortion vote, backs voucher limits MESA -- The nominee for lieutenant governor on the Democratic ticket says he sees no conflict between having declared himself to be "pro-life'' in 2024 and then, just months later, voting for a state constitutional amendment that lets women terminate… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a835a372c5335ae1047af8b NAU connection lifts Partridge to AAU National Diving Championship te 2026-08-17T19:00:07.478Z NAU connection lifts Partridge to AAU National Diving Championship NAU diving coach Nikki Kelsey led Lillian Partridge, daughter of NAU team physician Tim Partridge, to a title at the AAU National Diving Championships last month. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a835a352c5335ae1047af82 Coconino, Flagstaff golf teams start strong at Agave Highlands te 2026-08-17T19:00:05.634Z Coconino, Flagstaff golf teams start strong at Agave Highlands The Flagstaff and Coconino boys golf teams teed off the golf season with strong showings across the board at Agave Highlands Golf Course. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8357e32c5335ae1047af4a NYC drivers shell out $9 congestion toll. City admits it failed to improve air quality te 2026-08-17T18:50:11.009Z NYC drivers shell out $9 congestion toll. City admits it failed to improve air quality A lofty New York City toll slapped on drivers in an effort to reduce congestion and improve air quality produced nearly no change in pollution after its first year, according to the city’s own analysis. The New York City Health Department's report, released Friday, examined four traffic-related pollutants inside Manhattan's Congestion Relief Zone since the $9 toll was implemented last year. Researchers found that the city’s overall pollution levels remained largely unchanged, with no statistically significant improvement attributable to the toll. Still, officials in the Big Apple touted the study as the city's most comprehensive look at congestion pricing's effect on air quality to date. MAMDANI’S AFFORDABILITY REVOLUTION STUMBLED AS RENT COSTS SOAR TO RECORD HIGHS They pointed to reduced traffic, public transit improvements, less traffic noise and other benefits as positive outcomes from the toll being implemented in January 2025. All similar things that New York Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul hailed in a June 2023 speech when she backed congestion pricing. Despite an 11% drop in traffic since implementation, the Health Department said vehicles account for only about 10% of the city’s pollution, meaning fewer cars alone is not expected to significantly improve overall air quality. Unlike many parts of the country, where cars and trucks are a major source of air pollution, New York City's emissions come largely from other sources. The city's dense concentration of buildings, which burn fuel for heat and hot water, along with emissions from restaurants and power plants that supply the most populated U.S. city with electricity, are reasons for its poor air quality. Findings in the recent report could backfire and provide fresh ammunition to critics who have blasted congestion pricing as an expensive burden on commuters, small businesses and working families in America's largest city. The New York City Health Department and Hochul’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. MAMDANI'S RENT FREEZE, TAX HIKES A 'ONE-TWO WEALTH DESTRUCTION PUNCH,' ECONOMISTS WARN New York City’s congestion pricing toll applies to passenger vehicles entering the Congestion Relief Zone in Manhattan at or below 60th Street. The lofty $9 toll applies to E-ZPass users once-a-day during peak hours, which are weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and weekends from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. All other off-peak hours require a $2.25 toll. Those who do not have E-ZPass could face toll-by-mail rates that about 50% more than the typical charge. President Donald Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy have been among the program's most prominent opponents, with Duffy previously calling the toll a "slap in the face to working class Americans and small business owners." The Trump administration also attempted to withdraw federal approval for the Biden-era program, but a federal judge ruled in March that the effort was unlawful. Following that ruling, Gov. Hochul called congestion pricing a "once-in-a-lifetime success story," saying its first year brought "reduced gridlock, faster trips, safer streets, and cleaner air" while generating funding for mass transit upgrades. "Congestion pricing is legal, it works, and it is here to stay," Hochul said in a March 3 statement. For now, the toll remains, traffic is down, but the city’s first-year data show no statistically significant improvement in air quality. Some online critics pounced on the findings, dragging up a 2023 speech where Hochul promised: "With congestion pricing New Yorkers have a lot to lose. How about 15 to 20 percent fewer vehicles in the central business district every single day? Less noise, less honking, less gridlock." "How about less air pollution, lower carbon emissions, lower speeds, fewer crashes?" she went on. "I don't mind losing that." "Kathy Hochul’s congestion pricing did not significantly improve air quality in Manhattan like she promised it would. Who could’ve possibly seen this coming?" wrote the popular right-wing X account called Libs of TikTok. Another account noted: "Hochul looked right into the camera and swore this toll would scrub the air and let kids with asthma breathe easier. When they wrap a new tax in an environmental bow, the only thing that ever improves is the government's balance sheet." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8357e22c5335ae1047af41 NBA blasts ESPN report saying no evidence Ballmer funneled money to Kawhi Leonard in Clippers probe te 2026-08-17T18:50:10.326Z NBA blasts ESPN report saying no evidence Ballmer funneled money to Kawhi Leonard in Clippers probe ESPN dropped what appeared to be a major development in the Clippers-Aspiration saga on Monday. Then the NBA essentially told everyone not to believe it. Don Van Natta Jr., Baxter Holmes and Ramona Shelburne reported that the NBA’s investigation has found no evidence Clippers owner Steve Ballmer funneled money through team sponsors to Kawhi Leonard to circumvent the salary cap. The allegation centered on Leonard’s four-year, $28 million endorsement deal with the now-bankrupt tech firm Aspiration, a partnership that Pablo Torre reported was a "no-show" arrangement designed to pay Leonard outside his Clippers contract. According to ESPN, investigators spent months digging through internal emails, text messages, and financial records, expanding their probe beyond Aspiration to other team sponsors like Daktronics and Boingo Wireless. Yet ESPN reported the league has presented no evidence connecting Ballmer to those arrangements. MAJOR NBA TRADE WON'T BE OFFICIAL UNTIL LEAGUE'S INVESTIGATION INTO TEAM'S SALARY CAP ACCUSATIONS IS COMPLETE Instead, investigators are reportedly focused on narrower questions: whether the Clippers broke league rules by connecting Leonard with corporate partners or failed to properly supervise staff. The Clippers maintain they did nothing wrong, acknowledging they connected Leonard with business partners but calling it "an ordinary practice by NBA teams." Leonard's representatives handled the negotiations, they said, while denying they "negotiated or dictated" endorsement terms, overpaid vendors or offered favorable deals to funnel money to him. If ESPN’s account holds up, one of the biggest alleged salary-cap scandals in recent NBA history would suddenly look a whole lot less scandalous. That distinction matters. Getting caught circumventing the salary cap isn't some slap-on-the-wrist offense. The NBA can hammer teams with multimillion-dollar fines, strip draft picks, void contracts and suspend team personnel. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS FINALLY GIVE UP ON KAWHI LEONARD, SEND FORMER FINALS MVP BACK TO TORONTO RAPTORS Except the NBA insists ESPN got it wrong. League spokesman Mike Bass issued a blunt statement directly challenging the report: "ESPN’s article regarding the LA Clippers investigation — for which the NBA declined to cooperate — contains numerous and significant inaccuracies. The results in this matter will be made clear once the investigation is concluded." Well, then. The NBA didn't specify which details were inaccurate or say whether investigators have uncovered a smoking gun against Ballmer. But Bass made one thing unmistakably clear: the probe isn't over. That leaves a jarring disconnect. ESPN reports investigators found no evidence of the alleged Ballmer-to-Kawhi financial pipeline. The NBA says ESPN's account contains "numerous and significant inaccuracies." MAJOR NBA TRADE WON'T BE OFFICIAL UNTIL LEAGUE'S INVESTIGATION INTO TEAM'S SALARY CAP ACCUSATIONS IS COMPLETE Until official findings are released, declaring the Clippers cleared is just as premature as declaring Steve Ballmer guilty in the first place. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8357da2c5335ae1047af16 Reddit begins testing a new audio and video experience, similar to popular TikTok videos te 2026-08-17T18:50:02.818Z Reddit begins testing a new audio and video experience, similar to popular TikTok videos Reddit is beginning to test video and audio versions of popular posts, allowing users to watch or listen to Reddit stories instead of just reading them. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8355822c5335ae1047aebf Sound-powered fire protection startup gets $15M to snuff out fires before they turn catastrophic te 2026-08-17T18:40:02.786Z Sound-powered fire protection startup gets $15M to snuff out fires before they turn catastrophic Sonic Fire Protection raised its new funding to help get its sound-powered fire protection system into everything from commercial kitchens to apartment buildings. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8353312c5335ae1047ae9b ICE calls out ‘depraved freak’ illegal immigrant deported after heinous crime in Dem-run state te 2026-08-17T18:30:09.342Z ICE calls out ‘depraved freak’ illegal immigrant deported after heinous crime in Dem-run state The Department of Homeland Security called out a "depraved freak" sex offender and illegal immigrant whom the agency said it recently deported after he abused his own daughter in Democrat-run Virginia Records from the Albemarle County Circuit Criminal Division show Mexican national Marcelo Vasquez Reyna was convicted in March after pleading guilty to a charge involving a parent violating a child between the ages of 15 and 17. The incident took place in 2018. He was sentenced to five years and six months in prison, with five years of the sentence suspended. Local outlet ABC 7 reported that Vasquez Reyna was arrested in March following his conviction. The outlet said he was also charged with attempted rape and abduction. In an X post, DHS wrote that "ICE has DEPORTED Marcelo Vasquez-Reyna, a depraved freak who sexually abused HIS OWN DAUGHTER." ICE NABS ILLEGAL ALIENS CONVICTED OF CHILD SEX CRIMES AND METH TRAFFICKING IN NATIONWIDE ENFORCEMENT SWEEP The agency added that "criminals like this sicko have NO sanctuary in our nation." The Daily Progress reported that Vasquez Reyna was repeatedly arrested on charges of groping his teenage daughter and attempting to rape her using force, causing her to live in fear of further attacks. The deportation comes as parts of Virginia have seen a series of violent and sexual crimes involving illegal immigrants. Fairfax County, north of Albemarle County, has seen several high-profile cases. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged a detainer in July asking Fairfax County officials not to release Nehemia Noel Fuentes-Banegas after DHS said he ambushed a Fairfax County police officer Tuesday. ICE LODGES DETAINER FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ACCUSED OF TRYING TO DISARM VIRGINIA POLICE OFFICER DHS said officers responded to a report of a man who left a home in Annandale following an argument while armed with two knives. As officers searched a wooded area, DHS said Fuentes-Banegas emerged from the brush, grabbed an officer's gun and attempted to disarm him. Fairfax County police said one officer fired his service weapon while a second officer simultaneously deployed a department-issued Taser. Police said the bullet grazed Fuentes-Banegas' shoulder. Another high-profile case involved Israel Flores Ortiz, an illegal immigrant who was 18 at the time and was accused of groping several underage girls at a Fairfax County high school. FIRST ON FOX: DOJ SUES SPANBERGER’S VIRGINIA OVER LAWS KNEECAPPING FEDERAL AGENTS AS MASK WAR ESCALATES SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger has faced criticism for her handling of illegal immigrant crime. On her first day in office, Spanberger rescinded an executive order by her predecessor, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, directing state law enforcement agencies to assist federal immigration enforcement authorities. She also ordered state and local law enforcement agencies to terminate all 287(g) agreements with ICE and signed an order prohibiting ICE from using state property as a staging area, processing location or operations base for federal civil immigration enforcement activities. Fox News Digital reached out to Spanberger’s office, the Albemarle County Police Department and the Albemarle County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8350d62c5335ae1047ae58 Iran deal clock hits zero as Trump demands ‘white flag’ with new pressure campaign looming te 2026-08-17T18:20:06.739Z Iran deal clock hits zero as Trump demands ‘white flag’ with new pressure campaign looming The 60-day window for the United States and Iran to reach a final agreement expired Monday with no deal announced, as President Donald Trump hardened his rhetoric toward Tehran and his administration prepared what Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has described as an unprecedented new phase of economic pressure. "They should put up the white flag of surrender," Trump told Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst in a phone interview Monday. Trump said he was in no rush to reach a deal and also confirmed a direct back channel with officials from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The June memorandum of understanding committed Washington and Tehran to negotiate a final deal within a maximum of 60 days, extendable by mutual consent. Reuters reported Monday that the interim agreement quickly unraveled over a dispute involving control of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump declared the pact "over" on July 7 and Tehran later said it was suspended. The deadline now puts a central question at the heart of Trump’s Iran strategy: whether the United States can turn military and maritime pressure into political concessions by squeezing Tehran financially rather than escalating again on the battlefield. Before the war, roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas moved through the Strait of Hormuz, making the standoff a threat not only to Tehran but to global energy supplies and U.S. fuel prices. TRUMP SAYS IRAN DEAL ‘LARGELY NEGOTIATED’ AS 84-DAY WAR NEARS POSSIBLE END "Watch this space for more announcements coming next week because we are going to apply measures like have never been seen in the history of economic isolation of a country," Bessent told Newsmax on Aug. 13. In comments provided to Fox News Digital on background, a Treasury spokesperson said, "Economic Fury has left the regime desperate for cash," arguing that the campaign has constrained Tehran’s ability to generate and move revenue and pushed it further toward shadow-banking networks and cryptocurrency to evade sanctions. Average Iranian oil loadings had fallen from 1.8 million barrels per day before the war to less than 500,000 barrels per day over the previous month, The Associated Press reported Aug. 11, citing Treasury figures. AP also cited an IMF projection that Iran’s economy would contract 5.4%. IRAN’S DEEPEST WEAKNESS IS GETTING EXPOSED THROUGH AMERICA’S MAXIMUM PRESSURE CAMPAIGN Miad Maleki, a former Treasury sanctions analyst and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital that the pressure is real. "The numbers are brutal," Maleki said, citing inflation, the collapsing rial and reduced oil traffic. He described the current campaign as "a maximum pressure campaign on a steroid." Reuters reported Monday, citing Iran’s Statistical Centre, that consumer prices in July were 87.9% higher than a year earlier and food prices were up 128%. President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged last week that Iran was selling less oil and collecting less tax revenue from struggling businesses. Maleki argued that what distinguishes the current campaign from previous rounds of sanctions is the combination of financial restrictions and a physical blockade. "What really started, I would say, as Economic Fury, has now turned into maximum pressure on steroids," he said, arguing that Tehran is being squeezed not only in its ability to export oil but also in its ability to bring critical goods into the country. He pointed in particular to Iran’s gasoline deficit and weakening government revenues as vulnerabilities that could become increasingly difficult for the regime to manage. In November 2019, a sharp increase in government-set gasoline prices triggered nationwide demonstrations that rapidly broadened into anti-government protests. Reuters reported at the time that Iranian officials said roughly 200,000 people participated in the unrest, while thousands were arrested. "The regime is very scared of another 2019," Maleki said, arguing that Tehran has been reluctant to significantly raise retail fuel prices because of the potential political consequences. But history also illustrates the limitation of Washington’s strategy: economic pain can bring Iranians into the streets without necessarily forcing the regime itself to concede. IRAN’S REVOLUTIONARY GUARD SIDELINES PRESIDENT AS MILITARY GRIP EXPANDS The larger question, Maleki said, is who ultimately absorbs the pain. Iran’s economic system, he argued, includes powerful foundations and elite networks tied to the IRGC and the supreme leader that were built long before today’s sanctions architecture. "That elite network has spent about three decades insulating themselves from exactly this kind of pain," Maleki said. "And historically, the regime always burns the population clock before really having to absorb any of that pressure themselves." Maleki said pressure can force "tactical concessions," but broader concessions depend on whether the financial pain reaches IRGC-linked foundations, oligarchs and regime elites rather than remaining concentrated among ordinary Iranians. Washington is already near "the ceiling on sanctions with Iran," he argued, meaning the next phase may depend less on new legal tools than on enforcing existing restrictions against foreign enablers, including Chinese refineries, Hong Kong shell traders, exchange houses, shadow-fleet tankers and cryptocurrency channels. So far, the pressure has not produced a final deal. Reuters reported Monday that a senior Iranian official threatened military escalation within weeks if Washington does not fully implement the interim agreement. "The worst is still ahead for the Iranian regime," Maleki said, arguing that payment-cycle delays mean the full fiscal impact of reduced oil exports may not be felt until the fall. The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a834e832c5335ae1047ae15 Scottie Scheffler already on the cusp of passing Tiger Woods on PGA Tour career earnings list te 2026-08-17T18:10:11.645Z Scottie Scheffler already on the cusp of passing Tiger Woods on PGA Tour career earnings list Tiger Woods is the person most responsible for the financial boom in professional golf, and is frankly one of the biggest reasons that the PGA Tour is what it is today. While every player of the modern era should be eternally grateful for Woods from a monetary standpoint, Scottie Scheffler's sense of gratitude may rightfully trump all others. Scheffler, who turned 30 in June, picked up the 21st PGA Tour victory of his career on Sunday by winning the FedEx St. Jude Championship by eight shots. The win earned him a paycheck of $3.6 million, bringing his career on-course prize money to $119,964,411. Woods is, of course, the all-time money leader on the PGA Tour, but he won't be for long, with Scheffler pulling within just over $1 million of catching Woods' career earnings of $120,999,166. This week's BMW Championship is a no-cut event carrying a $20 million purse, with the following week's Tour Championship in Atlanta also having no cut and a purse of $40 million. Scheffler, who will be the favorite to begin both events, will almost assuredly take over the No. 1 spot in the career-earnings list over the course of the next two weeks. The top eight players at the Tour Championship will earn at least $1 million, with the winner in Atlanta earning $10 million. PGA Tour purses have exploded over the last handful of years, and it's unlikely we've seen anything close to the ceiling with the Tour going from a non-profit to a for-profit entity. Scheffler has the benefit of simply playing and winning in this era of professional golf, but the numbers are eye-opening to compare. Woods' 2019 Masters win earned him $2.07 million, while Scheffler's first Masters victory just three years later carried a payday of $2.7 million. SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER TERRORIZES MEMPHIS, RORY MCILROY COMPLETELY MAILS IT IN, AND JORDAN SPIETH IS DONE Woods, 50, has made 378 starts and won 82 times on the PGA Tour on his way to earning $120.9 million. Scheffler, meanwhile, has nearly caught him despite making fewer than 168 starts on Tour. While Scheffler passing Woods on the career-money list is by no means a shocker, considering the money in the sport today compared to the late 90s and early 2000s. What is quite shocking is the Top 3 on the career-money list and the gap they have achieved over everyone else. Woods leads the charge with $120.9 million, Scheffler is in the No. 2 spot with $119.9 million, and Rory McIlroy sits third with $116.4 million earned. Justin Rose is No. 4 on the list with just less than $79 million in career earnings. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a834e7d2c5335ae1047adfa Tohono O'odham vows to fight on after border wall ruling te 2026-08-17T18:10:05.762Z Tohono O'odham vows to fight on after border wall ruling The Tohono O'odham Nation says it's "considering all possible options" after a U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., denied the tribe's request to block border wall construction on its reservation Friday, deepening a months-long standoff that has also drawn a wave of racist commentary online. In a Friday statement, the Nation's executive leadership said the court failed to adequately weigh the wall's impact on tribal land, culture and sacred sites, pointing to past destruction at Las Playas Intaglio, Quitobaquito Springs and Monument Hill, traditional lands outside the reservation that were desecrated even when federal authorities knew they were protected. Tribal leaders say a wall would further sever the O'odham people and are vowing to keep pushing for border security measures that don't come at the cost of their heritage and environment. The Tohono O'odham Nation filed suit in U.S. district court on June 16, seeking to block construction of the wall. Attorneys for the Nation argued the case for a preliminary injunction on July 22. "The Nation's legal team has presented a strong case and we thank the court for their commitment to hearing all the facts," Chairman Verlon Jose said in a statement following the July hearing. "We are hopeful that the weight of evidence will lead the court to approve the preliminary injunction preventing construction of this wasteful and destructive wall." Jose also thanked Pima County, the city of Tucson, the National Congress of American Indians, and tribes and individuals across the country for their support. Judge Richard Leon denied the request to secure the land from federal construction, ruling that the Nation is unlikely to succeed on the merits of its claims: that contractors are trespassing on tribal land and that reservation boundaries have been unlawfully altered. Tucson Spotlight is free for every reader because donors make it possible. Join them. Tohono O'odham Nation Chairman Verlon Jose speaks with members of the Nation's delegation following a July 22 court hearing in Washington, D.C. Courtesy of Tohono O'odham Nation. On Aug. 7, the Nation announced "no trespassing" signs were being posted across the reservation after learning federal contractors hired for wall construction might attempt to enter tribal land without authorization. The notice stressed that Tohono O'odham members remain free to travel as usual, and that the restriction applies only to non-tribal members associated with border wall construction. The following day, the Nation issued further clarification, stressing the closure is not a blanket ban. The Nation remains open for official business and "proper guest activities," including tribal members, non-tribal residents and employees, travelers on public roadways, invited guests, authorized vendors, and Desert Diamond Casino guests and staff. The restriction applies specifically to unauthorized DHS contractors and subcontractors, and anyone attempting to access Nation land to conduct border wall construction activities who will be warned, informed of trespass and escorted off by law enforcement, with possible legal consequences. Since the Nation's trespassing notice, social media reaction on outlets covering the story has included a strain of hostile, dismissive commentary, some framing the lawsuit as an affront to national security, others dismissing tribal sovereignty outright or invoking language telling non-Indigenous critics to "go back where they came from." The tone reflects a broader, longstanding frustration Indigenous people have expressed about widespread historical, legal and geopolitical ignorance regarding Native nations that inhabited what is now the United States long before its founding. Online hostility toward the Nation's lawsuit reflects a broader pattern: the U.S. government has a history of militarizing its response when Indigenous nations attempt to enforce treaty or sovereign rights. Members of the Tohono O'odham Nation's Border Security Delegation and supporters look on during a July 22 hearing in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. Courtesy of Tohono O'odham Nation. National Guard members in riot gear fired pepper balls into the crowd during the 2020 Black Hills protest, part of a demonstration to reclaim land the Supreme Court had ruled was illegally taken in 1980. During the 2016 Dakota Access Pipeline protests, the National Guard deployed water cannons in subzero temperatures, pepper-sprayed protesters during prayer, fired rubber bullets and used concussion grenades against demonstrators. More recently, in 2024, a horseback ride meant to raise awareness for the federally unrecognized Muwekma Ohlone's status turned violent when Washington, D.C., police attacked children, elders and women in the group and threatened to euthanize the horses. There are many more examples. A 1927 amendment to federal law states that only Congress has the authority to alter tribal boundaries, not the executive branch. The Nation's supplemental briefing to the court echoed that argument, noting the law authorizing border wall construction did not include explicit congressional approval to take reservation land. For decades, the Tohono O'odham Nation has worked with DHS and Border Patrol to help secure the international border, and its land predates the United States and Mexico by centuries. "We will continue to push for common sense border solutions that provide security without destroying our heritage and natural environment, just like we have always done," the Nation said in its Aug. 14 statement. "We are blessed to have the support of our people and other allies as we stand up for what is right and against what is unjust." Katherine Martinez is a a Kickapoo-Potawatomi Native majoring in journalism at the University of Arizona and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at martinezk29@arizona.edu. Tucson Spotlight is a community-based newsroom that provides paid opportunities for students and rising journalists in Southern Arizona. Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation. Donate to Tucson Spotlight Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a834e7b2c5335ae1047ade6 YouTube will now count a view as soon as a video starts playing te 2026-08-17T18:10:03.817Z YouTube will now count a view as soon as a video starts playing The change comes a year after YouTube applied the same approach to counting views on Shorts videos. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8349cc2c5335ae1047abc9 What We Know About Damages From Hurricane Lala in Hawaii te 2026-08-17T17:50:04.113Z What We Know About Damages From Hurricane Lala in Hawaii The storm narrowly missed land, but its outer bands left the Big Island with power outages, road closures and flooded homes. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8347782c5335ae1047ab84 Lindsay Clancy’s parents get massive global donor support as fundraiser surpasses $830K te 2026-08-17T17:40:08.401Z Lindsay Clancy’s parents get massive global donor support as fundraiser surpasses $830K As the trial for Massachusetts mother Lindsay Clancy enters week four, funds are pouring in for her parents who have supported their daughter who is accused of killing all three of her children. Clancy admitted to strangling her three children to death, Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and Callan, who was just eight months old. She's facing three counts of first-degree murder. Her defense team argues Clancy is not criminally responsible because she was suffering from postpartum psychosis among other mental illnesses made worse by the numerous medications she was prescribed, during the time of the killings. POSTPARTUM MOM LINDSAY CLANCY ON TRIAL FOR MURDER BRINGS COURT TO A HALT WITH SUDDEN BREAKDOWN Funds for the Musgrove Family, Clancy's mother and father Paula and Mike Musgrove, have surpassed $830,000 with an end goal of $2 million. The fund appears to have been created six days ago. 📩 Send me a story idea: kelsie.cairns@fox.com 📸 Instagram: kelsiecairns_tv 🎥 Facebook: Kelsie Cairns FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X The fundraiser says the money is intended solely for Clancy's parents who, "have spent years absorbing the travel, lodging, and living costs required to remain close to their daughter, drawing down savings they spent a lifetime building," the page says. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS The Musgroves have stood by their daughter's side throughout the case; if convicted Clancy faces life in prison without possibility of parole. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE GOT A TIP? "Nothing about this fund asks anyone to share their view of Lindsay or the criminal case. It asks donors to recognize the extraordinary financial burden her parents have carried simply by continuing to be present," the page said. CONVICTED KILLER KARMELO ANTHONY CLAIMS HE IS 'PENNILESS' IN APPEAL DESPITE MAJOR DONOR-FUNDED LEGAL CAMPAIGN Donors from around the world have contributed to the staggering fund, including one donor who said, "Sending love from Belize, Central America," another who said, "Sending love from Australia," and another from the UK who said "Sending support," among tens of thousands more. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL "The case will eventually reach its conclusion. Whatever that outcome is, Mike and Paula will still have to pick up the pieces of the lives they have put on hold to be there for their daughter. They should not have to face that future without the financial foundation they spent decades building." Fox News Digital has reached out to GoFundMe and the Plymouth County Prosecutor's Office. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8347772c5335ae1047ab7b Socialism will 'control people' and 'take everything away' from America, according to these expats te 2026-08-17T17:40:07.696Z Socialism will 'control people' and 'take everything away' from America, according to these expats As socialist candidates gain traction across the nation, three expats who fled countries under similar policies caution against what happens when socialism goes wrong — warning these governments can seek to "control people" and "scare them." Emmanuel Rincón, a Venezuelan expat who escaped his country in 2017, urged vigilance against democratic socialism in America. "They like to call [it] democratic socialism, [but] there is no democratic socialism, because the main incentive of socialism is to take the money and take what the people have legitimately earned and give it to some people that have never worked," Rincón told Fox News Digital. "That is not democratic in [any] way." EXPERT WHO FLED CUBA WARNS OF ‘VICIOUS CYCLE’ THAT WILL LEAD TO ‘COMMUNISTS IN DOUBLE DIGITS’ IN CONGRESS Democratic socialism is defined by the Democratic Socialists of America as "a system where ordinary people have a real voice in our workplaces, neighborhoods, and society." But those who’ve actually lived under socialist policies warn the promise of a "real voice" is fictional. According to Rincón, who lived his entire life under socialism in Venezuela until 2017, he’d have to wait 18 to 20 hours in line just to put gas in his car, which was heavily regulated. "We could go to the grocer[y store] to buy meat and eggs or milk or whatever… but we wouldn't be able to find meat or milk, or bread… and you have to make lines for 6, 12 hours only to try to buy something... It's really that bad. It was only because of the mismanagement of the socialist administration," he continued. I WATCHED CHICAGO PROMISE FOOD EQUITY. NOW MY NEIGHBORHOOD HAS EMPTY SHELVES Rincón also touched on criminal activities that locals defer to as a means of survival to obtain food, given that wages aren’t enough to buy basic needs. Eliécer Ávila, a Cuban expat who was forced to flee the island in 2017 after speaking out against the negative impact of communist policies on its people, commented that immigrants who escape dictatorships often appreciate the United States more than the Americans born in the country. "Cubans, Venezuelans, Latinos, who lived in dictatorships and who managed to live in democracy, have to appreciate it a lot… Every time I talk to the Americans themselves, I think that I love the United States more than those who were born here, because they have no point of comparison," he said. TRUMP EXPANDS CUBA SANCTIONS BEYOND US COMPANIES IN MAJOR CRACKDOWN ON FOREIGN ENABLERS When asked what he would say to a room full of far-left Democrats or socialists in America, Ávila offered a comparative metaphor to Donald Trump banning democracy and being president for 67 years to attempt to bridge perspectives with those who advocate for socialism. "Imagine [he banned] the Democratic Party on the first day and all the others. That he closed all leftist media outlets… everything. That nobody could criticize Trump because they’d get 30 years in prison, be shot or exiled. Imagine you could only have a car, phone or passport if you’re a Trump supporter," he asked. "Would you agree with that, Democrat?" "I'm sure that 100% of you would say, ‘[I'd] take up arms against him.’ So, [maybe] now you can understand me," Ávila quipped. "There is a gap that's being exploited… because there's a lot of evil forces in the world that do not want America to succeed. And they've realized very early on actually, that America cannot be defeated from the outside — it's too strong — but it can be defeated from the inside," Gene Maine, who escaped the Soviet Union in 1981, said.  "Through generations of things like demoralizing the population, removing trust in the institutions, like elections, like courts, you [sow] doubt in the heads of the people that what you have right now is probably the best that's ever been," he stated. "There is no such thing as free lunch. [People are] starting to understand [that] when [the] government that offers you everything can also take everything away," Maine added. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8347762c5335ae1047ab72 DOJ opens new pathway to restore federal gun rights for certain barred individuals te 2026-08-17T17:40:06.979Z DOJ opens new pathway to restore federal gun rights for certain barred individuals Attorney General Todd Blanche on Monday launched a new process to allow certain people who are barred from possessing firearms to apply for restoration of their federal firearm rights. Under a final rule issued by Blanche, applicants must establish the circumstances of their prohibition, as well as show that they are not likely to pose a danger to public safety. " The Second Amendment is not a second-class right, and the federal government should not permanently deprive Americans of a constitutional right without regard to whether they pose a danger to public safet y," Blanche said in a statement. "This rule establishes a rigorous, commonsense process that protects the public while giving deserving Americans a real path to restoration." INSIDE TRUMP'S UNPRECEDENTED BATTLE PLAN TO EXPAND SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS THROUGH JUSTICE DEPARTMENT Along with the circumstances of the prohibition, the applicant's record, reputation, and subsequent conduct will also be taken into consideration, the Justice Department said. "Absent extraordinary circumstances, violent felons, registered sex offenders, illegal aliens, and other individuals who present an ongoing danger will remain presumptively ineligible for relief," the agency said. "Any relief granted under the rule removes only applicable federal firearms disabilities and does not override independent restrictions imposed by state law." Monday's announcement is another win for gun-rights advocates. Last week, the Trump administration declined to pause a judge's ruling that allows people to possess short-barreled rifles, shotguns, and silencers without registering them with the federal government. GUN RIGHTS GETS 'GREATEST RESTORATION' IN 100 YEARS WITH LATEST TRUMP DOJ MOVE, LAWMAKER HAILS The National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA) established a $200 tax on silencers, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and other firearms that also required additional federal registration to obtain. Republicans reduced that tax to $0 in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), prompting gun rights groups to successfully argue that the added registration requirement was unconstitutional. "Our court victory against NFA registration is the greatest Second Amendment legal win in American history," U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., wrote on X last week. Fox News Digital's Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83451f2c5335ae1047ab28 American tourist killed by lightning while hiking Sicily's Mount Etna te 2026-08-17T17:30:07.967Z American tourist killed by lightning while hiking Sicily's Mount Etna An American tourist was killed after being struck by lightning while hiking Sicily's Mount Etna, Europe's largest volcano, which was recently active, Italian firefighters said Monday. The 29-year-old man from Kansas, whose name had not been released at the time of this reporting, was found at an altitude of 1,000 feet in the Rocca Capra area. He was rescued by helicopter after he was struck Sunday night in a barren, exposed area. He was later pronounced dead by medical officials. HIKER WHO SET OUT IN WARM SPRING WEATHER FOUND DEAD AFTER SNOWSTORM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE MOUNTAINS Ash from the volcano forced the closure of Sicily's largest airport last week, impacting summer travelers during the busy travel season. FAMOUS LANDMARKS SLASH VISITING HOURS AS DEADLY HEAT WAVE THREATENS TOURISTS Planes were forced to be re-routed to other airports on the island. More people have died on Etna from lightning strikes over recent decades than from volcanic activity, officials said. The last eruption-related fatalities were in 1987. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8342cd2c5335ae1047aae3 Phillies send Cy Young contender Christopher Sanchez to the mound in wild card race showdown te 2026-08-17T17:20:13.255Z Phillies send Cy Young contender Christopher Sanchez to the mound in wild card race showdown We have only about 25% of the season remaining for most teams. With 125 games done for the majority of clubs, we have fewer than 40 games for teams to figure out who is going to make the postseason. This should be a fairly tight race in both leagues, but the National League seems a bit more decided at the moment than the American League. There are only six teams within 3.5 games of a Wild Card spot, but two of them battle tonight as the Marlins take on the Phillies. The Miami Marlins are on the outside looking in on the postseason if the playoffs started today. They are currently three games back of the Padres and Phillies, who are tied for the final two spots. Of all the teams that are not leading a division in the National League, the Marlins have the best run differential at +20 (excluding the Cubs, who own the first Wild Card spot and are +100). The Marlins played fairly consistent baseball this season in the first half, but had a really rough stretch to start the 2nd half of the year, losing nine straight. In fact, the entire second half has been streaks: 9 losses, three wins, one loss, three wins, four losses, four wins, two losses, two wins. They will need to break out a winning streak if they want to make it to the postseason. They also need to find a way to get their starting pitching to line up well. Tonight, they send out Janson Junk to the hill in hopes that he can battle against a Cy Young contender. Junk is 6-7 for the season with a 4.41 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. He has made 17 starts for the club this season. He has been substantially worse on the road than at home for Miami this season. On the road, he has allowed 20 earned runs compared to 23 at home. However, those 20 earned runs came in 33.2 innings compared to 54 innings of work at home. He has only faced the Phillies once this year, and he was solid against them, throwing 5.1 innings, allowing five hits and one earned run. The Philadelphia Phillies were the hottest team in baseball at one point, but they have since cooled off. Now, they find themselves in a battle just to make the postseason. Sure, if the season ended today, they would earn the second Wild Card spot. However, I wouldn't call them a lock by any means. There are a lot of teams breathing down their neck, and the Phillies are under .500 since the All-Star Break. It is just two games, but still reflects that they haven't been playing their best baseball lately. The good news for them is that if they do make the playoffs, they have three strong starters to line up for any series. One of them, Christopher Sanchez, takes the ball for the Phillies tonight. Sanchez has been as good as anyone in the game this season. For the year, he is 15-4 with a 2.54 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. He also has fanned 181 batters in 155.2 innings of work. He has been extra dominant at home with a 1.41 ERA in Philadelphia. He has not faced the Marlins this year, but has held them to a .170 average over 53 at-bats in his career. This is a game the Phillies should win, but let's be honest, me telling you to bet a -220 favorite isn't exactly a tough thing to do. It also isn't something I'd ever do. My bet is to take the Phillies on the run line. In Sanchez's 25 starts, 20 of them have been decided by at least two runs. Meaning there have been only five one run games. In games Sanchez has started and the Phillies have won, 15 of them have been by at least two runs. Only three have been by one run. Give me the Phillies on the run line tonight. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8342cc2c5335ae1047aada Repeat offender with 7 prior convictions arrested 3 times in 12 days over alleged attacks on women te 2026-08-17T17:20:12.618Z Repeat offender with 7 prior convictions arrested 3 times in 12 days over alleged attacks on women An Oklahoma man was arrested twice in five days over allegations that he sexually assaulted multiple women, then was arrested again days later and booked on a first-degree rape charge. Jail records identify the defendant as Jeff Kufi Asare, 26, who was booked Aug. 12 on a $75,000 cash-or-bail bond. The record did not list a release date. Oklahoma City ABC affiliate KOCO reported that firefighters saw Asare allegedly restraining a woman on the Lake Hefner Trail before alerting police. The arrest followed two others in less than two weeks. On Aug. 1, Oklahoma City police responded to a possible rape call and arrested Asare on probable-cause allegations of felony sexual battery and felony indecent exposure. ICE ARRESTS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ACCUSED OF RAPE, MULTIPLE SEX CRIMES AFTER RELEASE FROM MARYLAND JAIL The incident report obtained by Fox News Digital lists attempted forcible rape and forcible fondling among the reported offenses. Five days later, officers arrested Asare after responding to reports of sexual assaults involving multiple women at a downtown park. Police booked him on probable-cause allegations of attempted kidnapping and felony sexual battery. He also received two city assault-and-battery citations. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X Fox News Digital has requested the Aug. 12 incident report, which Oklahoma City police said was not yet complete for release. All three cases involve Asare, but state charges have not been filed because Oklahoma City police are still investigating and have not yet presented the cases to prosecutors, the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office told Fox News Digital. The office said it expects to file state charges after receiving the cases from police. Judges set Asare’s bond at $50,000 on Aug. 5 and again on Aug. 10. After his third arrest, prosecutors asked a judge to raise his bond from $50,000 to $75,000, court and jail records show. REPEAT OFFENDER WITH MASSIVE RAP SHEET LEADS COPS ON WILD CHASE AS BLIND PASSENGER BEGS TO ESCAPE: POLICE Since January 2023, Asare’s name has appeared in at least 18 Oklahoma County court dockets, a Fox News Digital review found. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS The total includes early probable-cause proceedings, misdemeanor cases and a pending civil lawsuit. Some of the probable-cause files are tied to later criminal cases stemming from the same arrest. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE The court records also show at least seven misdemeanor convictions. Three were for breaking and entering. The others were for resisting an officer, shoplifting, trespassing and marijuana possession. SEND US A TIP Asare pleaded guilty to resisting an officer, shoplifting and trespassing in September 2023. He later pleaded guilty to breaking and entering and marijuana possession in November 2024, then in two additional breaking-and-entering cases in October 2025 and April. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL He received 45 days in jail in the October case and 30 days in the April case, with credit for time served in both. He also enrolled in a court-ordered outpatient program after prosecutors dismissed a 2025 trespassing and obstruction case. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST In a separate 2024 case, he missed a hearing, and a judge issued a bench warrant. Fox News Digital has requested comment from prosecutors and asked ICE whether it has custody, detainer or immigration-status information involving Asare. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8342cb2c5335ae1047aad1 US military bases are ‘ill-equipped’ to stop drone swarms, top commander reveals after Rubio's UAP warning te 2026-08-17T17:20:12.001Z US military bases are ‘ill-equipped’ to stop drone swarms, top commander reveals after Rubio's UAP warning A top commander responsible for defending the U.S. homeland warned Thursday that American military bases are "ill-equipped" to repel a swarm of small attack drones. The vulnerability that persists even as the Pentagon seeks billions for new counter-drone weapons, and Army Lt. Gen. Joseph Jarrard said the shortfall begins well before troops try to shoot down a drone. Some bases do not have the sensors to spot and track an incoming swarm or the weapons to take it out, the deputy commander of U.S. Northern Command and vice commander of the American contingent at North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). "We don’t have the sensors, and depending on where that swarm is going to attack, it depends on whether we have any sensors at all, and also whether we’ve got any effectors to go after that problem," Jarrard said at the annual Space and Missile Defense Symposium. Jarrard said NORTHCOM is folding counter-drone tactics into Operation Noble Eagle, the long-running U.S.-Canada homeland air-defense mission. For now, he said, NORAD is relying on radars already in its inventory while working to connect with local law enforcement and other agencies that operate detection systems beyond military installations. "Detection is obviously the biggest issue, and so how we are able to detect is one of our biggest concerns right now," Jarrard said. "That’s where we’ve got to get to with respect to the interoperability between not just military systems, but also those that are protecting our cities, critical infrastructure, etc., that are off our installations." PENTAGON CONSOLIDATES DRONE OVERSIGHT AS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PUSHES RAPID UNMANNED WARFARE EXPANSION Jarrard’s assessment offers a blunt measure of the gap between the Pentagon’s rapid counter-drone push and the protection available at installations today. Cheap, one-way attack drones have changed the battlefield calculus in Ukraine and the Middle East, where adversaries can threaten equipment, infrastructure and personnel without expending the missiles or aircraft traditionally associated with a strike on a military target. "We are ill-equipped right now to handle something like that, and obviously we’ve seen it used," Jarrard told the audience. "We’re seeing it used on a daily basis around the world, and we’ve got to figure out how to mitigate that threat." His warning echoed concerns raised in May by NORTHCOM commander Gen. Gregory Guillot, who said troops deployed along the southern border lacked adequate counter-drone tools. The Pentagon has since sought a record $21 billion for drones, counter-drone weapons, munitions and other related capabilities as it tries to close the gap. The warning also comes as President Donald Trump moves ahead with the Golden Dome plan, his broad homeland missile-defense initiative intended to protect the United States and critical infrastructure from ballistic, hypersonic and cruise missiles, as well as other advanced aerial threats. The issue has resurfaced as it relates to the administration’s broader discussion of unidentified objects around U.S. military sites. Earlier this week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the government should take seriously reports of objects flying over military installations — more recently called unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs) rather than unidentified foreign objects (UFOs). "I don't know who it is. I don't know what it is, but there are things flying over our military installations, and they're not ours, and we should look into this, be serious about it," Rubio said while discussing UAPs in an interview with Katie Miller, wife of top White House aide Stephen Miller. Rubio was not specifically referring to drone swarms, and Jarrard did not suggest that every unidentified object reported near a military site is a drone. Still, the two officials’ comments point to the same practical concern for U.S. forces: an aircraft does not need to be mysterious to present a danger. Jarrard, in his remarks, was describing a more immediate and localized vulnerability: the ability to detect and defeat low-cost drones flying toward a base before they can strike. The military is pursuing several answers, from radio-frequency systems that can jam drone communications or interfere with satellite navigation to high-powered microwave weapons designed to disrupt the electronics of multiple nearby drones at once. PENTAGON RACES TO BUY 10X MORE MISSILES AS IRAN WAR DWINDLES ARSENAL, THREATENS READINESS FOR CHINA AGGRESSION It is also moving closer to fielding high-energy lasers. Fox News Digital reported this month that the Army is nearing a contract award for the Enduring High Energy Laser, or E-HEL, program, which could become the service’s first permanent operational capability for a family of high-energy laser systems. Army acquisition chief Lt. Gen. Frank Lozano said in July that the technology had shown "a lot of recent promise and capability" during testing at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. A laser could allow troops to engage drones that have entered a defended area without relying solely on expensive missile interceptors, but it is not a complete solution: lasers are line-of-sight weapons, which limits their reach, and they must be integrated with the sensors, command-and-control networks and other systems Jarrard said are lacking at some locations. In an era when small drones can be cheap, expendable and deployed in numbers, the military must be able to identify the threat quickly and prevent it from reaching the installation it is meant to protect. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8342cb2c5335ae1047aac8 College Football’s AP Top 25 Is out: Who’s overrated, underrated and flat-out snubbed? te 2026-08-17T17:20:11.312Z College Football’s AP Top 25 Is out: Who’s overrated, underrated and flat-out snubbed? College football fans have been waiting on this day for months. With the preseason AP Top-25 now released, every fan has a reason to either complain or rejoice, as the 2026 season is just two weeks away. It's a tradition unlike any other. Voters from across the country — some of whom have no clue about teams in other regions, no matter how much research they do — release their rankings for the college football world to argue about for the next few weeks leading up to Labor Day weekend. This is also the time of year when local sports talk radio shows flourish, inciting near-riots over how their team was shafted compared to others within their own conference. It’s a gold mine of radio segments that will pass the time until an actual ball is kicked off. 2025 AP Top 25 Poll Shake-Up: Ohio State Takes No. 1, Alabama Tumbles After Florida State Loss But I want you to remember something while you’re digesting the initial 2026 rankings: Twelve teams ranked in the preseason AP Top 25 last season finished outside the poll when the 2025 season concluded. Those teams included: COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS FINALLY BACK AFTER MONTHS OF NCAA LAWSUITS, NIL DRAMA AND CONGRESSIONAL FIGHTS Meaning: Don't freak out over where your team lands over the next month. How do you think Penn State, LSU and Clemson fans felt heading into the 2025 season compared to how it ended? Exactly. Ok, everyone hold your breath as you go through the list of teams who some voters across the country are expecting big things from over the next five months. Also, please don't forget that AP voters are spread out across the country, and obviously don't follow your favorite team closely on a daily basis. I would imagine a percentage of voters had to perform a good amount of research on who the starting quarterbacks were at some schools. Better yet, we have no idea who some of these teams will be rolling out as the week-one starter, and we still have at least one more scrimmage in Fall camp for a nice chunk of these programs Well, Clemson was the first team just on the outside receiving votes, followed by Florida, Boise State, Arizona and TCU. Where in the world is South Carolina? Have you cooled down a bit since scrolling? Yes, the Associated Press poll does carry more weight in the eyes of fans, compared to the USA Today coaches poll that is usually voted on by the sports information directors or some staffer at each school. No, the coaches aren't taking time out of their day to piece together a poll on their rivals. COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS FINALLY BACK AFTER MONTHS OF NCAA LAWSUITS, NIL DRAMA AND CONGRESSIONAL FIGHTS How weird is it not to see Florida State in a preseason poll? Mike Norvell had better turn things around in Tallahassee, or his time coaching the Seminoles could end before conference title games. Ok, I could have a pretty strong argument on South Carolina not being ranked in the Top-25, but it seems as though voters are under the impression Clemson has more talent than the Gamecocks in the 'receiving votes' category. College Football Coaches On Hot Seat: Bill Belichick, Mike Norvell and Others Facing Make-Or-Break 2026 Ohio State deserves to be at the top, and we'll obviously find out about the Texas Longhorns when the Buckeyes roll into Austin during week two. Alabama coming in at No. 13 feels about right, while voters are obviously giving Penn State the historical treatment as Matt Campbell enters his first season in Happy Valley. As for the very expensive roster that Lane Kiffin assembled at LSU, it seems as though money can't buy you top-ten votes, and we'll find out soon enough if it can buy the Tigers' wins. LANE KIFFIN KNOWS THERE AREN’T EXCUSES AT LSU. NOW COMES THE TEST OF MAKING IT WORTH THE PRICE OF ADMISSION Oh, and USC being ranked No. 14 is fair, but my goodness the pressure is on Lincoln Riley to win this season. Anything less than an appearance in the College Football Playoff will spell disaster for his tenure with the Trojans. Remember, take a breath. Make sure to infiltrate your local sports talk radio shows, and let me know how you feel in the comments below. We're here folks. College Football season is just two weeks away!! Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8342ca2c5335ae1047aabf American tourist killed by lightning while hiking Sicily's Mount Etna te 2026-08-17T17:20:10.550Z American tourist killed by lightning while hiking Sicily's Mount Etna An American tourist was killed after being struck by lightning while hiking Sicily's Mount Etna, Europe's largest volcano, which was recently active, Italian firefighters said Monday. The 29-year-old man from Kansas, whose name had not been released at the time of this reporting, was found at an altitude of 1,000 feet in the Rocca Capra area. He was rescued by helicopter after he was struck Sunday night in a barren, exposed area. He was later pronounced dead by medical officials. HIKER WHO SET OUT IN WARM SPRING WEATHER FOUND DEAD AFTER SNOWSTORM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE MOUNTAINS Ash from the volcano forced the closure of Sicily's largest airport last week, impacting summer travelers during the busy travel season. FAMOUS LANDMARKS SLASH VISITING HOURS AS DEADLY HEAT WAVE THREATENS TOURISTS Planes were forced to be re-routed to other airports on the island. More people have died on Etna from lightning strikes over recent decades than from volcanic activity, officials said. The last eruption-related fatalities were in 1987. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8342c92c5335ae1047aab0 Legal scandal forces Pinal County off high-profile capital murder case te 2026-08-17T17:20:09.336Z Legal scandal forces Pinal County off high-profile capital murder case (Photo via iStock/Getty Images Plus) A Maricopa County Superior Court judge has disqualified the Pinal County Attorney’s Office and the Pinal County Superior Court from trying a high-profile capital murder case plagued by legal scandal. Judge Patricia Starr issued her order Aug. 12. It’s still unclear which county will prosecute the case and where it will be tried, and it’s unknown whether Pinal County will appeal the ruling. The quadruple murder was brutal: two men and two women shot and slashed at a low-rent casita in Casa Grande in October 2017. Alec Perez, the estranged husband of one of the victims, was arrested almost immediately, along with his friend, Rodney Ortiz. GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE Perez had a bad meth habit and a history of abusing his wife, Crysta Proctor, whom he met while both were in a halfway house. The other victims, Justin Yates, Connie Carrera and Jose Aguilar, were staying with Proctor, in part, to protect her from Perez. Ortiz allegedly went along for the ride with Perez.  The Pinal County Attorney’s office filed its intent to seek the death penalty against both suspects, and the Pinal County Superior Court appointed defense attorneys for them. The cases dragged on. Seven years later, acting on a tip from the prosecutor’s office, the judge in the case realized that Perez’s attorney, Matthew Long, was not qualified to try a capital case, and he was ultimately removed from the case.  From there, the case doubled back on itself like a staircase in an M.C. Escher painting, and Long was simultaneously walking in both directions. Ortiz’s attorneys asked for a change of venue and a change of prosecutor. Perez’s new attorneys followed suit. And after months of evidentiary hearings, Starr, who was brought in as an impartial evaluator, ruled in the defense’s favor.   “We appreciate the Court’s thoughtful ruling, which upholds Mr. Ortiz’s constitutional right to due process and a fair trial,” Ortiz’s attorneys, Jamie Sparks and James Soslowsky, wrote in an email. “This decision reinforces the fundamental principle that our justice system must not only be fair but appear to be fair.” Long, who did not testify in the disqualification hearings, did not respond to the Arizona Mirror’s question, but did respond to Starr’s order on his Facebook page.  “If both sides of a controversy make a claim about a person and both sides refuse to call that person, then neither side is interested in the truth, but only argument,” he wrote. “When the truth doesn’t advance one side’s argument, then it is that attorney’s duty to not present truthful information — if they can. That is our system.”  The Pinal County Attorney’s Office has not yet commented on the order. Death penalty defendants are assigned two defense attorneys, designated as first and second chair. Long has always insisted — and still maintains —that he was qualified to be first chair, but the court ruled that he had not met one important requirement: that he had worked on a capital case to its conclusion, presumably as second chair.  Long claimed that a capital case he had prosecuted in his earlier job as deputy Pinal County Attorney met the bill. But that case ended in mistrial because of misconduct on Long’s part. Long also had received permission to defend capital cases from the Arizona Supreme Court, but only if he associated with an attorney who was death-qualified. The judge in Perez’s case ruled that he never did. After he was removed from Perez’s defense team, Procter’s mother, Christine Maples, filed a lawsuit against Long and the county. Long also filed a notice of claim against the county and the judge who removed him from the case. Then another case Long had prosecuted was brought to bear. A federal court judge had thrown out the conviction of a man accused of sexual conduct with a minor because Long had vouched for a jailhouse snitch, saying the snitch had received no benefit for his testimony, when in fact he was allowed to plead to a lesser sentence in exchange for testimony. That defendant, Fernando Almanza, filed suit against the county for wrongful conviction. In her order, Starr wondered why neither the Pinal County Attorney’s Office, knowing Long’s history, nor the judge had questioned his qualifications sooner. She also wondered why the court had not referred him to the State Bar for potential discipline. But the immediate problem was that Long was now under scrutiny not only for his actions as a prosecutor but also as a defense attorney, and that the county could ultimately be liable for his actions in both roles. “(I)n this case, the Maples lawsuit and Long’s Notice of Claim essentially implicate all the parties in Pinal County’s legal system,” she wrote in her order. The appearance of impropriety was too much. And the conflicts, real or perceived, could sway the outcome of the Perez and Ortiz trials, especially given the high profile of the cases. “Here, where two lawsuits have been filed based on Long’s conduct and Pinal County’s response to his conduct, and where Long has filed a Notice of Claim against a sitting Pinal County Judge, the possibility of public suspicion is great,” Starr wrote. “The Court finds that possibility so great that it outweighs the benefit of having (Pinal County Attorney’s Office) continue on as the prosecutors.” Then she turned to the court: “Here, given the allegations made in the Maples lawsuit, Almanza lawsuit, and Long’s Notice of Claim, such an observer would naturally doubt whether justice could be done if these cases are heard by (Pinal County Superior Court),” she wrote. “There is no need to find wrongdoing, and the Court finds none. But justice must not just be fair, but appear to be fair. Given the underlying facts here, the only way to achieve that end is to disqualify (Pinal County Superior Court).” The order did not specify what court or what prosecutor office will ultimately try the case. But it is a short list: only three Arizona counties try capital cases, and one has been disqualified. That leaves Yavapai and Maricopa Counties as possible venues. And before that happens, there is a likelihood that Pinal County will appeal the order and the cases will drag on further. Long had another suggestion. “Regardless of the facts, which remain in dispute, the only just outcome is the removal of the death notice. The fact that issue hasn’t been raised or argued should trouble anyone that values truth, justice or due process.” YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8342c32c5335ae1047aa93 Feedly attributes weeklong slowdown to bug, not its AI pivot te 2026-08-17T17:20:03.795Z Feedly attributes weeklong slowdown to bug, not its AI pivot Feedly says a bug is behind the performance issues that have made its web app nearly "unusable" for some users, while complaints about its mobile apps and customer support are adding to frustrations. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8340702c5335ae1047aa6f 47-year-old California pastor makes college football comeback decades after injury stifled career te 2026-08-17T17:10:08.783Z 47-year-old California pastor makes college football comeback decades after injury stifled career Nearly three decades after an injury cut his college football career short, a 47-year-old California pastor is putting the pads back on for an unlikely second shot at his on-field dream. "No one's going easy on me... and I'm not going easy on them," Justin Buzzard told "Fox & Friends First" co-host Todd Piro. "I'm giving them everything I've got, too." Buzzard, who recently made the San Jose City College Jaguars, said his much younger teammates have embraced him despite his initial uncertainty over how they would react to a 47-year-old joining the roster. RAVENS ARE SIGNING A 40-YEAR-OLD DEFENSIVE LINEMAN TO PLAY HIS 19TH NFL SEASON AND IT IS AWESOME "I was really wondering, 'How are they going to handle... a 47-year-old guy showing up?' Are they going to receive me? Are they going to accept me? Will they try to go easy on me? Will they try to attack me? And they've been incredible." Also, a husband and dad of three, Buzzard must also balance his on-field ambitions with his family life — including a wife for 23 years who initially had some reservations about his return to the gridiron. "She told me actually a couple of weeks ago, she said, ‘I want you to make the team, but I don’t want you to play in any games,’" Buzzard recalled. "I told her those are some of the most hurtful words she’d ever told me in my life." TRAVIS KELCE INSISTS CHIEFS RETURN IN 2026 WAS NEVER IN DOUBT: 'HUNGRY TO GET BACK' Her outlook has since changed, however. Now all of her husband's games are on her calendar as she plans to cheer him on from the stands. Buzzard told NBC Bay Area that he got the idea to return to the field after his son highlighted a social media reel about a 60-year-old man playing the sport on the East Coast. To his surprise, reaching out to a coach at San Jose City College led to him lining up as a defensive end, the same position he once played years ago. For Buzzard, the comeback goes beyond football and family and into faith — something that has helped guide him through the unconventional journey. As he prays to stay healthy enough to "go the distance" and make it through the entire season, he remains eager to help his new team in every way possible. And for anyone else wondering whether it is too late to pursue a longstanding dream, Buzzard offered a simple message: "Risk or rust. You're either risking or you're rusting as a man. Take risks. Don't rust." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a833e192c5335ae1047aa31 Ella Langley's Texas photo dump sends country music fans into a frenzy online on Instagram te 2026-08-17T17:00:09.684Z Ella Langley's Texas photo dump sends country music fans into a frenzy online on Instagram Ella Langley has country fans in a frenzy on Instagram. As our loyal readers know, Langley has turned into an unstoppable star in the country music world. The "Nicotine" singer isn't just a star. She currently has no rivals when it comes to being the most popular woman in the genre. Whether it's racking up awards, selling out shows, dominating the charts or going viral, Langley can do it all. MORGAN WALLEN AND ELLA LANGLEY HOLD THE TOP TWO ALBUM SPOTS IN AMERICA FOR FIRST HALF OF 2026 The talented singer, once again, put her skills on display for the internet. Langley hopped on Instagram late Sunday to celebrate playing three shows in Texas, and there's something to note: Her hit song "Choosin' Texas" is currently the most popular song in the country. It makes sense that her shows down in the Lone Star State would be generating significant buzz. MORGAN WALLEN POKES FUN AT ELLA LANGLEY’S ONSTAGE MIX-UP, THEN REPEATS IT "Texas forever 🤍 Austin, Corpus Christi & Fort Worth… I’ll never forget these shows," the "Choosin' Texas" singer wrote in the caption. You can check out the awesome photo dump below, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. One fan in the comments used the post to tie it back to Langley's hit song. An obvious opportunity that you can't miss. The fan wrote, "She’s choosin Texas." COUNTRY MUSIC STAR STIRS UP FANS WITH SEE-THROUGH WHITE OUTFIT, VIDEO EXPLODES ONLINE Another added, "She’s choosin’ Texas I can tell." Well played! A third fan commented, "An Absolute US National Treasure." I think it's safe to say many country music fans would agree. Langley's star is 100% only going to shine brighter, and that's a guarantee you can take to the bank. Let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a833bbe2c5335ae1047a9ec ‘Hidden homicides’: Families push states for more scrutiny of domestic violence deaths te 2026-08-17T16:50:06.842Z ‘Hidden homicides’: Families push states for more scrutiny of domestic violence deaths Dr. William Smock, medical director of the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention, part of the Alliance for HOPE International, speaks to students about evidence and how to detect staged scenes during a mock crime scene exercise. This year, at least five states have considered “hidden homicide” legislation. (Photo courtesy of Gael Strack/Alliance for HOPE International) Families who believe local officials prematurely ruled their loved ones’ deaths suicides or accidents — rather than investigating whether domestic violence played a role — are pushing lawmakers in a growing number of states to require additional scrutiny. Advocates call the deaths “hidden homicides” — killings they say may be staged to look like suicides, overdoses or accidents and then overlooked by investigators. Some advocates argue that requiring additional investigative steps could prevent potential evidence from being lost before a case is closed. This year, lawmakers in at least five states — Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York and Oregon — have considered legislation aimed at identifying homicides or unexplained deaths involving domestic violence that might otherwise be misclassified. All of the bills have stalled in legislative committees amid concerns over financial and administrative constraints, including requirements for law enforcement training.  California in 2024 became the first state to enact a law addressing the issue when lawmakers approved Joanna’s Law, or Senate Bill 989, which took effect last year. The law requires police officers, in certain cases, to interview family members before determining the manner and cause of death and allows families to request a complete autopsy when specific indicators of domestic homicide are present. The law was inspired by the death of Joanna Lewis, whose family argued her death had been misclassified as a suicide. She had previously sought restraining orders against her husband, Mark Lewis, accusing him of domestic violence. Alliance for HOPE International, an anti-domestic violence advocacy organization that helped develop the legislation, said that case reflects broader concerns about how suspicious deaths involving intimate partner violence are investigated nationwide.  The group has also helped families conduct independent investigations into their loved ones’ deaths.  “We’ve come across some tremendous obstacles and have felt the pain and the frustration that family members have gone through,” said Gael Strack, co-founder of Alliance for HOPE International.  The group would also like to help introduce similar legislation in Alaska, Arizona and Nevada. Advocates acknowledge that not every suspicious death involving domestic violence is a homicide, but argue certain circumstances should prompt investigators to slow down and ask additional questions. “In many of our cases, they make a conclusion on the manner of death within 30 minutes of arriving at the scene. They don’t know anything about the family, the relationship, the history,” said Casey Gwinn, co-founder of Alliance for HOPE International. Advocates point to several reasons they believe deaths can be misclassified, including the limited number of autopsies, inconsistent death investigation practices and a lack of coordination among law enforcement, medical examiners, prosecutors and domestic violence experts. In many cases, advocates say, a death that appears to be a suicide is treated differently than a homicide investigation — meaning investigators may not conduct the same level of scene analysis, interviews or evidence collection. Families seeking answers also often face additional hurdles after a death is classified as a suicide or accident, some advocates say. They may struggle with obtaining police records, challenging a medical examiner’s findings or commissioning an independent investigation.  Among those pushing for legislation is Kellee Harris of Oregon, whose daughter, Kelsey Harris, was found dead in her Linn County home in 2021 a week after she had reported that her boyfriend had strangled her. Local authorities ruled Kelsey’s death a suicide. Harris says investigators failed to fully consider the circumstances surrounding her daughter’s death, including the recent strangulation report and the history of abuse she says occurred in the relationship. “I just think that they wanted me to go away,” Harris told Stateline, referring to local authorities. “It’s real easy to slap a suicide determination on on a death, and then they don’t have to do anything else.” Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan told Stateline that her office stands by its determination that Kelsey died by suicide. Oregon lawmakers are now working to revive a proposal that stalled during this year’s legislative session. Democratic state Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin, one of the bill’s sponsors, said the original version of the legislation needed revisions after medical examiners and law enforcement raised concerns about its scope and cost. The earlier proposal was interpreted by some stakeholders as requiring significantly more autopsies, leading to concerns about the financial impact. Gelser Blouin said the next version, which she plans to introduce next year, will take a narrower approach. She plans to update the bill’s language to more explicitly require additional evaluation in certain domestic violence-related deaths rather than automatically requiring an autopsy. Those additional steps could include further documentation, toxicology testing, additional imaging or interviews before investigators determine the manner of death. Her goal, she said, is to make the death investigation process in the state more transparent in hopes of helping people find some sense of closure. “People want to do this, and they want to get it right. They don’t want us to pass a law that can’t be implemented because it’s too confusing or that makes it worse,” Gelser Blouin said. Duncan, the Linn County sheriff, said she generally supports efforts to strengthen Oregon’s death investigation system and said she would like to see more autopsies completed. But Duncan said she has concerns about making certain investigative steps mandatory in every case, such as requiring law enforcement to contact family members, because sometimes investigators are unable to locate next of kin. “There’s often people that we just can’t even find family for,” she said. Stateline reporter Amanda Watford can be reached at awatford@stateline.org. This story was originally produced by Stateline, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Arizona Mirror, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83396a2c5335ae1047a9ab CNN staffers brace for Paramount CEO's potential plan to launch editorial board to oversee network te 2026-08-17T16:40:10.334Z CNN staffers brace for Paramount CEO's potential plan to launch editorial board to oversee network CNN staffers don't all appear to be enthusiastic about the idea of an editorial board overseeing the network if and when Paramount takes over its parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery. Fox News Digital confirmed that Paramount CEO David Ellison is mulling the creation of an editorial board if he takes ownership of CNN, which falls under the WBD umbrella. The editorial board and other potential safeguards would be put in place to "ease concerns over [CNN's] news operation’s independence," according to The Wall Street Journal, which first reported on the internal discussions. "We always remain open to internal improvements to journalistic integrity," a Paramount spokesperson told Fox News Digital. Fox News Digital spoke with CNN staffers about what they think of the theoretical editorial board. PARAMOUNT ESCALATES THREAT TO LEAVE CALIFORNIA AS DEM AG'S ANTITRUST LAWSUIT STALLS WARNER BROS MERGER "I think we'd be fine with one," one CNN staffer reacted. "I mean editorial independence is always a good idea, however it is achieved... My colleagues just want the uncertainty gone." However, another CNN staffer chalked it up to "throwing spaghetti at a wall," calling a hypothetical editorial board "useless at best, paralyzing at worst." "I don’t even think it’s serious," the staffer told Fox News Digital. "I think it’s just a daily throw something at the wall to see if it’s enough." One senior CNN correspondent insists "no one" at the network has confidence that it will maintain its independence even if an editorial board is installed, pointing to the chumminess between the Ellisons and President Donald Trump. David Ellison's billionaire father — Oracle founder Larry Ellison — is a close ally of Trump who is financially backing the deal. CNN STAFFERS SEE PARAMOUNT MERGER AS 'INEVITABLE' DESPITE LEGAL BATTLE DELAYING ELLISON TAKEOVER "As of now, it's impossible to have confidence when the White House and President Trump himself refer to the Ellisons as friends and says he's looking forward to a change in leadership," they said. "Ellison seems to say whatever is necessary to get the merger across the finish line," the correspondent added, saying that the delay in the merger had brought a "sigh of relief" in the newsroom for the time being. "It felt at CNN as though everything was frozen — from hiring to talking about the future when the deal was imminent. Now, it feels slightly more normal." Notably, CNN CEO Mark Thompson, whose future at the network remains unclear if the merger goes through, previously floated an independent board as a barrier between CNN and Paramount, similar to ones established for British news organizations, according to Semafor and CNN's Brian Stelter. A spokesperson for CNN declined to comment. There has been speculation that California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who is leading the antitrust lawsuit hoping to block the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger, wants Ellison to sell CNN in order for him to bless the deal in the Golden State, something Bonta has denied. However, as the Journal noted, the idea of the editorial board came before Bonta and 11 other state attorneys general filed the lawsuit. The trial for the suit is scheduled for next March, and Paramount is hoping to settle before then so the $111 billion merger goes through. Ellison has floated the company leaving California amid the merger fight. PARAMOUNT-WARNER BROS DISCOVERY ANTITRUST TRIAL DATE SET; MERGER PUT ON PAUSE OVER LEGAL BATTLE Paramount's bid to buy Warner Bros. Discovery would be a historic deal merging two major Hollywood studios under one corporate umbrella as well as all of their television networks, including CBS and CNN. Critics of the deal believe such a merger would crush the entertainment industry and lead to mass layoffs. Some have also been vocal against the deal due to the Ellison-Trump relationship. Liberal critics in particular also claim that, as a result of the deal, CNN would be given a MAGA-bent to its coverage, and it would be run by current CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, who has been criticized by some media liberals. The Paramount CEO has previously assured that CNN would maintain editorial independence following the merger. In a guest essay published in The New York Times, Ellison addressed the "speculation" about what would happen to CNN under his ownership. "I have regularly voted for candidates of both parties; I hold some views that would be called conservative and others that would be called liberal, just like most Americans; and when it comes to our news operations, I do not aspire to lead these companies to bend their newsrooms to my views. I believe that news should be based on facts and truth," Ellison wrote. "Great news organizations like CNN and CBS News are here to tell it straight down the middle," he added. "That requires newsrooms that reflect the whole world, not one side of it. And it requires independence." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8339692c5335ae1047a9a2 House Republican suggests Sen Darline Graham is an 'ally' for the 'swamp' te 2026-08-17T16:40:09.637Z House Republican suggests Sen Darline Graham is an 'ally' for the 'swamp' Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, suggested in a post on X that Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., is an "ally" of the "swamp." Graham, who finished the Aug. 11 South Carolina GOP special U.S. Senate primary in first place, will go head-to-head against second-place finisher Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., in an Aug. 25 runoff. "Ralph Norman will work to drain the swamp. The swamp wants allies not adversaries. The swamp appointed an ally. These are the stakes in South Carolina," Davidson wrote in the Monday social media post. RUSSELL FRY ENDORSES EX-RIVAL DARLINE GRAHAM AFTER FAILING TO ADVANCE TO SPECIAL GOP US SENATE PRIMARY RUNOFF South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham to fill the seat of her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, last month in the wake of the senator's death. Fox News Digital attempted to reach out to Sen. Darline Graham's campaign on Monday. MARK LYNCH ENDORSES RALPH NORMAN AS CONGRESSMAN HEADS INTO RUNOFF AGAINST DARLINE GRAHAM President Donald Trump, who urged Graham to run and endorsed her prior to the special primary, is continuing to back her heading into the runoff contest. "SOUTH CAROLINA: GET OUT AND VOTE FOR DARLINE GRAHAM ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 25TH. DARLINE HAS MY COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT — SHE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!" the president declared in an Aug. 14 Truth Social post. DARLINE GRAHAM DETAILS HOW SHE'D FORGE OWN PATH IN SENATE WHILE CARRYING ON BROTHER LINDSEY'S LEGACY The president's post included an image of a post on X in which Rep. Russell Fry, who placed third in the South Carolina special GOP U.S. Senate primary, urged those who backed him in that contest to vote for Graham during the runoff. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8339682c5335ae1047a999 Walker Buehler takes the mound as red-hot San Diego Padres face Mets in series opener te 2026-08-17T16:40:08.948Z Walker Buehler takes the mound as red-hot San Diego Padres face Mets in series opener I had just one play on the diamond yesterday, and it was a no-doubt, no-sweat victory. This was mostly thanks to Edward Cabrera of the Cubs allowing seven runs in the first inning of the game. When you have a total of just 8.5 for the day, giving up seven in the first makes for a pretty comfortable rest of the game. The teams combined for 15 runs yesterday, and we cashed our ticket quickly. Tonight might not be as quick, but let's get a ticket cashed comfortably today as the Padres play against the Mets. The San Diego Padres are a team that I invested in around the All-Star Break, and they are starting to look like the investment has paid off. They are nine games above .500 and are sitting in second place in the NL West. They won't catch the Dodgers for the division, but if they keep this up, they should make the postseason without too much difficulty. They have been one of the hottest teams in baseball over the past 24 days. Since July 24th, they have gone 17-5. Tonight they look to keep that run alive by sending Walker Buehler to the hill. Buehler has been fine this season with a 7-5 record and a 4.88 ERA. He also has contributed 100 strikeouts and has a 1.43 WHIP. Buehler has struggled on the road with an ERA that is a full run higher than his homework. Buehler is a very frustrating pitcher because there are some stretches where you see just how good he can be — for example, in June he allowed five earned runs in five starts spanning 26.1 innings. Then in July, he allowed 16 earned runs in nine innings of work. He has been in one of his better stretches in August, allowing just five earned runs over 14.1 innings covering three starts. Mets hitters are batting .211 against him over 38 at-bats. The New York Mets are one of the more frustrating teams in baseball. I'm not a Mets fan, but it is hard to make sense of why the team falls apart. If you look at their roster on paper, you have to assume they would be a winning club. I suppose looking at the pitching staff would give you pause, but they've seen success with guys in the rotation in the past. Their stats are not that much worse than the Padres, but in terms of wins, they are 13 games under .500. NEW REPORT SUGGESTS THE NEW YORK METS ARE OPEN TO TRADING FRANCISCO LINDOR AMID DISASTROUS SEASON In order to try and take this series opener from the Padres, the Mets send Nolan McLean to the hill. He has been one of their better pitchers this season with an 8-8 record, 3.42 ERA, and a 1.13 WHIP. He has also struck out 159 hitters in 136.2 innings of work. He has been worse in New York than on the road, with a 4.19 home ERA. He also has allowed double the number of homers. He has been strong over the past month or so. In his past eight starts, he has seven quality outings and allowed more than two earned runs in just two of them. Padres hitters are also batting just .176 against him in 18 at-bats. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM While both of these starters have been inconsistent at times in the season, they both seem to be in decent form at the moment. Neither team is really known for its offense this season, either. The Padres are certainly the hotter team at the moment. Now is the right time to back them. Buehler hasn't been great on the road, or overall, but I think we take the team that is on the hot streak and at plus money. Give me the Padres to win this one. For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8339622c5335ae1047a96d Amazon, once an online bookseller, is destroying rare books to train AI models te 2026-08-17T16:40:02.649Z Amazon, once an online bookseller, is destroying rare books to train AI models Rare books are incredibly valuable for training LLMs, since these models have already trained on whatever's available online. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8337142c5335ae1047a3b2 ICE Boston arrests Brazilian illegal alien wanted for murder days before Gov Healy signed Protect Act te 2026-08-17T16:30:12.327Z ICE Boston arrests Brazilian illegal alien wanted for murder days before Gov Healy signed Protect Act An illegal alien wanted for aggravated murder in Brazil was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Massachusetts just two days before Democrat Gov. Maura Healey signed a law to block certain ICE operations in the state. Maycon Souto Dos Reis, 54, was convicted of aggravated murder in Brazil on Sept. 14, 2024 and sentenced to 14 years and three months in prison, when an arrest warrant was issued. The Brazilian national fled Brazil and crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally in June 2024, where he was apprehended but subsequently released into the United States under then-President Joe Biden's open-border policies, according to ICE. "This is yet another example of what the media often characterizes as a non-criminal, when in reality, many of these individuals are murderers, sexual predators, gang members and more: They simply do not have a criminal record in the United States," acting ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston Field Office Director David Wesling wrote in a statement. DEM GOVERNOR IN THE HOT SEAT AFTER TESTING LIMITS OF AUTHORITY WITH MAJOR MOVE AGAINST ICE "We will continue to pursue these dangerous criminal aliens that sanctuary politicians fight to protect." The timing of the Aug. 3 Boston-area arrest corresponded to Healey's Aug. 5 signing of the PROTECT Act, which keeps ICE out of courthouses, schools, child care centers, hospitals and healthcare facilities, while also providing stronger protections for parents in case they are detained or deported, banning new 287(g) agreements and allowing civil rights claims to be made against government officials, including ICE agents. "The PROTECT Act is the strongest law in the country to protect people from ICE, because no one should be afraid to send their child to school, seek medical care or fear reporting a crime or appearing in court," Healey wrote Aug. 5 in a statement announcing the signing of the new restrictions on ICE operations in her state. "It makes us all less safe. So we are getting ICE out of our courthouses, schools and hospitals. This bill is a testament to the hard work and advocacy of so many people across our state. We’re going to keep working together to make Massachusetts and this country the place we all want it to be." GOP SENATORS RALLY AROUND NEW DHS PROPOSAL TARGETING SANCTUARY CITIES: 'SHOULD PAY A PRICE' Dos Reis initially came to ERO Boston’s attention following his May 29 arrest for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in Southborough, Massachusetts. ICE officers arrested him Aug. 3 during a targeted operation at Westborough District Court in Westborough. ICE officials said Dos Reis had been living in Massachusetts, which has been at the center of clashes between state and federal officials over immigration enforcement. The agency characterized the jurisdiction as one where local policies can complicate federal efforts to locate and arrest immigration offenders. ICE LODGES DETAINER FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ACCUSED OF TRYING TO DISARM VIRGINIA POLICE OFFICER ICE did not provide additional details about the aggravated murder case in Brazil, including when the killing occurred or the circumstances surrounding Dos Reis’ conviction. He remains in ICE custody pending the outcome of deportation proceedings, the agency said. "DHS’s message is clear: If you come to our country illegally and break our laws, we will find you, arrest you, and you will never return," ICE wrote in a release Monday, hailing President Donald Trump and DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin's actions to protect legal American citizens. "Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the United States." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8334b22c5335ae1047a0a7 Groq raises $350M to fuel its pivot from AI chips to neocloud te 2026-08-17T16:20:02.328Z Groq raises $350M to fuel its pivot from AI chips to neocloud Groq raised $350 million at a $3.5 billion valuation as the former AI chipmaker pivots to a neocloud business and expands its Nvidia-powered data center footprint. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8332612c5335ae1047a07f GIANNO CALDWELL: Florida needs Byron Donalds to protect the DeSantis legacy te 2026-08-17T16:10:09.165Z GIANNO CALDWELL: Florida needs Byron Donalds to protect the DeSantis legacy When COVID hit in March 2020, I was living in Los Angeles. What I saw there changed the course of my life. It became clear almost immediately that local officials in California weren't following the science. They were following the politics. Every decision, every mandate, every shutdown got filtered through one lens: how do we use this crisis to fight back against Trump and Republicans? Californians paid for that calculation. Businesses shuttered. Kids lost years of school. Families lost everything they'd built. I watched it happen in real time. Florida went a different way. Governor Ron DeSantis stood firm. While Dr. Anthony Fauci pushed school closures, vaccine mandates, and business lockdowns, DeSantis said no. He signed executive orders and legislation suspending every local COVID mandate on Florida's citizens and businesses, and put into state law the presumption that schools stay open for in-person instruction. The pressure on him was relentless, from the left and from parts of the right. He didn't fold. THE REAL REASON AMERICANS ARE FLEEING BLUE STATES FOR FLORIDA AND TEXAS That's what made my decision. In May 2020, two months into the LA shutdown, I packed up and moved to Miami. I wasn't the only one. Ken Griffin moved Citadel, his multibillion-dollar firm, from Chicago to Miami. Major CEOs followed. Florida became the place serious people came when they were done waiting for their blue state to show any gravitas at all. I didn't agree with every decision Governor DeSantis made. But his tenure speaks for itself. In 2020, registered Democrats still outnumbered Republicans in Florida. Today, Republicans hold a registration advantage of more than 1.5 million voters, and they've expanded their share in all 67 counties. That didn't happen by accident. That happened because of leadership. Now DeSantis is term-limited, which raises a question that matters enormously, and not just to Floridians. Who carries this forward? I've known Congressman Byron Donalds for several years. I've watched him up close. He's the person Florida needs right now. I say that as the founder of the Caldwell Institute for Public Safety, an organization I built after my innocent teenage brother Christian was murdered in Chicago on June 24, 2022. Public safety isn't an abstraction to me. It's the reason I do this work. And it's the clearest place where Byron has distinguished himself. While the defund the police movement swept the country, Byron didn't equivocate. Carlos Arguelles, president of the Hispanic Police Officers Association of Miami-Dade, put it plainly in endorsing him: "During COVID, when the 'defund the police' movement was gaining momentum, Congressman Donalds stood up for law enforcement and doubled down on putting more boots on the ground. He has never been afraid to stand his ground." The Florida Police Chiefs Association endorsed him too, representing more than 1,300 law enforcement executives, along with a majority of Florida's sheriffs. His Zero Tolerance public safety agenda would mandate full cooperation between state and local agencies and federal immigration authorities at ICE and ban sanctuary policies statewide without exception. That last part is personal for me; Chicago has been a sanctuary city for over 40 years. Nearly 7,000 people have been murdered there in the last decade. I've spent four years asking Chicago's politicians to take that seriously. They haven't. Byron is promising Florida will never become that, and I believe him. ICE ARRESTS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ILLINOIS TEACHER LINKED TO TREN DE ARAGUA MASS SHOOTING He's also serious about the cost that hits Florida families hardest. Property insurance is the biggest affordability pressure in this state, and Byron says he believes he can bring rates down by as much as 20% by reforming Florida's property insurance regulatory framework. Byron grew up in Brooklyn. He came to Florida for college, graduated from Florida State, and built a career in banking and finance in Southwest Florida. He worked his way from local conservative activism to the Florida State House to Congress, where he's represented Florida's 19th District since 2021. President Trump's endorsement was unambiguous: "Byron Donalds would be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida." House Speaker Mike Johnson called him "a principled conservative leader who Floridians can trust as their next governor." But the endorsement that says the most came this week from an unlikely place. Stephen A. Smith, a lifelong Democrat, said on his SiriusXM show: "I ain't no Republican. But if anybody could make me one, it would be him. He's the real deal. Make no mistake about it. I've seen him battling with Democrats. He ain't backing up. He knows his stuff." CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION When a lifelong Democrat says a Republican is the real deal, people pay attention. Congressman Donalds could bring in a new crop of voters like Stephen A. Smith who've traditionally voted for Democrats but are now concerned their party has gone extremely far left. Look at the rhetoric the Democratic Socialists of America are using. Abolish prisons and police. It's crazy talk that's running away traditional Democrats. What I can tell you from knowing Byron personally is something no endorsement captures. He's a man of strong morals and genuine character. I've seen it for myself. When he speaks he means what he says. In a political environment full of people who say whatever the moment requires, that's rarer than it should be. Florida is ground zero for conservative values in America. The next governor either protects what's been built here or lets it erode. Byron Donalds will protect it. The primary is Tuesday, August 18. If you're a Florida voter, go vote. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8332602c5335ae1047a076 Texas dad faces murder charge after estranged wife found dead at suburban home: Police te 2026-08-17T16:10:08.468Z Texas dad faces murder charge after estranged wife found dead at suburban home: Police A man in Texas was arrested after allegedly murdering his estranged wife while their kids were home, according to police. Jake Bigoni, 37, was taken into custody Wednesday after officers performing a welfare check for his estranged wife, Eliana Bigoni, discovered her dead inside his Plano, Texas, apartment. He was initially booked on a felony abuse of corpse charge before authorities later added a murder charge, police said in a news release. Authorities initiated the welfare check after one of Eliana's friends reported that she had not appeared for a scheduled breakfast at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday and could not be reached, according to an arrest warrant obtained by FOX 4. The friend informed authorities that Jake and Eliana Bigoni were separated and that Eliana had been on her way to pick up their 2 and 5-year-old children. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE The two were in the process of a divorce when Bigoni was found dead. Jake Bigoni's mother later called police, saying her son had phoned her and allegedly said, "I have something to tell you. She's dead. We got in a fight and she's dead." SEND US A TIP Upon arriving at Jake Bigoni's apartment, officers allegedly observed what appeared to be a large blood stain on his shirt, which he said the was the result of cleaning. Eliana Bigoni's body would be found in the trunk of a white Hyundai in the apartment's garage, with officials adding she had major damage to her head and face. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Police said the couple's children were in the apartment during the alleged murder and weren't harmed. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS According to the report, Jake Bigoni allegedly has a history of violent behavior. Jake Bigoni is being held in jail with no bond. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8330092c5335ae1047a028 Russian state economist fired after stark warning about Moscow’s economic future te 2026-08-17T16:00:09.883Z Russian state economist fired after stark warning about Moscow’s economic future A prominent Russian state economist was fired after publicly warning that Moscow is losing an economic "war of attrition" with the West and could eventually face a social crisis, as the European Union prepares a major expansion of sanctions targeting Russia’s military-industrial base. The episode goes beyond an internal Kremlin personnel shake-up. For Washington and its European allies, the central question is whether years of economic pressure are beginning to constrain Moscow’s ability to sustain the war — or whether Russia can continue absorbing the costs while replenishing the resources needed to fight. Andrei Klepach, chief economist at state development bank VEB.RF, was dismissed after remarks in which he said Russia was falling behind technologically and economically and suffering mounting costs from the war in Ukraine, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Aug. 17. RUSSIA’S ‘AMAZON’ IN DEEP-STRIKE UKRAINE BLITZ, WIPING BILLIONS FROM PUTIN-LINKED CEO VEB confirmed to Reuters that Klepach was no longer its chief economist but did not give a reason for his departure. Klepach, who had held the position since 2014 after spending a decade at Russia’s Economy Ministry, also confirmed his dismissal. "We are falling behind. We are losing both the technological and economic competition in the world," Klepach said in a May speech to the Nikitsky Club, a forum of economists, academics and government officials. The remarks were delivered in May but did not draw attention in Russian media until last week. "And we are losing it not only to China and the United States, in some ways we are losing it to Ukraine too," he said, attributing Ukraine’s resilience in part to continued financial backing from the West. "We will not win the competition in this war of attrition," Klepach said. "We have the illusion that everything there [in Ukraine] will collapse. It has not collapsed and will not collapse. Our costs are mounting." Klepach acknowledged that Russia had proved resilient to Western sanctions but warned that Ukrainian attacks on energy and logistics infrastructure were creating additional economic pressure. Reuters noted that Russia’s central bank said in July that economic growth could fall as low as zero this year, while repeated Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries and other facilities have caused supply disruptions and added to inflation risks. BRINGING THE WAR TO PUTIN’S FRONT DOOR: IS UKRAINE’S ENERGY STRIKE STRATEGY WORKING? "Economically we will not collapse, but our lag will continue to grow, with all the resulting consequences," Klepach said, predicting that Russia could face a social crisis "precisely when nobody is particularly expecting it." A European intelligence source told Fox News Digital that Russia’s deeper economic problems should not be confused with immediate financial pressure on Putin. The source said higher oil prices had helped Moscow cover more of its budget deficit and could give the Kremlin additional time before economic constraints begin forcing difficult choices over the war. "It doesn’t solve the fundamental economic problems in Russia, but from a budgetary point of view, Putin is okay actually," the source said. "He’s not under pressure." The source argued that this could delay expectations that deteriorating economic and budget conditions would eventually pressure Putin to end the war, potentially allowing Moscow to continue fighting "another spring" or "another season." The assessment adds a counterpoint to Klepach’s warning: Russia may be losing ground economically over the longer term while still retaining enough near-term revenue to sustain its war effort. The warning comes as the European Union prepares to intensify its economic pressure on Moscow. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told Germany’s Die Welt that she plans to propose what she called the "most far-reaching sanctions listings since the start of the war." Kallas said existing EU sanctions had deprived Russia’s war machine of more than $1.16 trillion, , a figure presented by Kallas and reported by Reuters on Aug. 17. EU diplomatic sources told Reuters that the bloc’s diplomatic service is expected to propose sanctions against approximately 1,600 additional Russian individuals and entities, with a particular focus on the country’s military-industrial complex. 'PURE HELL' IN MOSCOW AS UKRAINIAN DRONES STRIKE MAJOR REFINERY SUPPLYING CAPITAL'S FUEL MARKET The measures are expected to include asset freezes along with travel and transaction bans. Officials plan to present the list to EU governments in early September and aim for adoption in October. Inside Russia, authorities also moved Monday against one of the country’s remaining prominent liberal opposition figures. Lev Shlosberg, deputy chairman of the Yabloko party, was sentenced to 11 years and one month in a penal colony, independent Russian outlet Mediazona reported. Shlosberg was accused of ‘discrediting Russia’s armed forces and spreading false information’ about them. Shlosberg, who described the war during his trial as a catastrophe for Russia, maintained his innocence and said the case against him was political. He also repeated his call for a ceasefire. The sentencing came a week after Russia’s Supreme Court barred Yabloko from participating in next month’s parliamentary election. Meanwhile, attacks continued through the weekend and into Monday. Russian strikes targeted port infrastructure in Ukraine’s Izmail district in the Odesa region overnight, according to Ukrainian authorities. A separate strike damaged a civilian Togo-flagged vessel and injured four people. Across the border, a Ukrainian drone attack killed a woman and struck an industrial facility in Russia’s southern Astrakhan region, the regional governor said. Separately, ArcelorMittal said a Russian missile strike on its Kryvyi Rih steel plant over the weekend killed two employees and injured three employees and contractors, damaging major energy and blast-furnace facilities and partially halting production. Reuters contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a832daf2c5335ae10479fec Cursed: All four of the Arizona Cardinals first four draft picks are injured, with two out for the season te 2026-08-17T15:50:07.858Z Cursed: All four of the Arizona Cardinals first four draft picks are injured, with two out for the season The Arizona Cardinals are in rebuild mode (again), with a new head coach and a quiver of promising draft picks, but their roster reconstruction has gone sideways mere weeks into the start of training camp because their top four rookies are all injured. Arizona's first round pick is injured. The second round pick is out for the season. The third round pick is injured. The fourth round pick is out for the season. The Cardinals had seven selections in the April NFL draft. A majority are injured. The Cursedinals. HOUSTON TEXANS STAR PRACTICES IN PADS FOR FIRST TIME IN NEARLY TWO YEARS AFTER 2024 CAREER-THREATENING INJURY The latest of the bad news is that running back Jeremiyah Love, the third player taken in the first round of the draft, is out indefinitely with an ankle injury. And, this isn't just a tweak. Love is likely to miss the remainder of the preseason and his availability for the start of the season is in question. That news comes hours after head coach Mike LaFleur announced that guard Chase Bisontis, the team's second round pick and the 34th player taken in the draft, is going to miss the entire season. LaFleur told reporters over the weekend that Bisontis would be placed on the Injured Reserve list, which by NFL rules means he's automatically out for the entire season when the designation is applied in the preseason. Bisontis suffered an MCL injury in his left knee in last Thursday's preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. He will require surgery. "He will be out for a good amount of time, if not the whole year," LaFleur said. "Sucks for him. Always think about the player first. Sucks for the Cardinals too. He's a good player, but more importantly, you hate it for the player." The sucking is not stopping for the Cardinals. Quarterback Carson Beck, the team's third-round pick, had a good preseason debut in the Hall of Fame game two weeks ago. He completed 15 of 19 passes with a touchdown pass, suggesting he should be included in the team's competition for the starting quarterback job. But, nope. Beck injured his ribs in the game and has not practiced since. He missed the preseason game against the Raiders as well. LaFleur has been coy about giving the exact status of the injury — whether there was a fracture or there is ligament or other soft tissue damage. He's only offered that Beck has experienced "soreness." But that soreness has left Beck's status uncertain for practice this week and Saturday's preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys. 49ERS QUARTERBACK HOSPITALIZED AFTER STRUGGLING TO BREATHE IN FIRST GAME IN NEARLY 2 YEARS Then there is fourth-round pick Kaleb Proctor, who was placed on preseason IR the first day the club reported for training camp on July 22. Proctor injured a knee during an Organized Team Activity session in June. He reportedly tore his meniscus and has required surgery. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM So Proctor is also out for the year. The only bit of encouraging news out of any of this is that Love and Beck are expected to return at some point. Love suffered a "mild high ankle sprain," per Dr. David Chao, OutKick's medical expert and the founder of Sports Injury Central. Chao said "the hope" is Love can be ready for Week 1 of the regular season, but that is to be determined. The problem with ankle sprains is that coming back too early often leads to re-aggravating the weakened ankle, making the situation worse. This pandemic of injuries to the rookie class is not normal. The Cardinals are the only NFL team that are managing injuries to more than half their draft picks. It's almost as if they're cursed. FOLLOW ARMANDO SALGUERO ON X: @ARMANDOSALGUERO Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a832daf2c5335ae10479fe3 NFL cornerback, 28, retires days after signing with new team te 2026-08-17T15:50:07.195Z NFL cornerback, 28, retires days after signing with new team NFL defensive back Sam Webb appeared to hang up his cleats after playing one preseason game with the New York Giants this season. The Giants placed Webb on the Reserve/Retired List on Sunday, one day after New York lost to the Minnesota Vikings. The Giants signed Webb on Thursday and he only had one practice with the team going into the preseason affair. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Webb, 28, was a standout at Missouri Western State before he turned pro. He joined the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022, playing in 17 games for them and recording 36 tackles with three pass break-ups. He had a stint with the Carolina Panthers in 2023 before re-joining the Raiders in 2024. In his second stint in Las Vegas, Webb played in 11 games and had one tackle. He found himself with the Cleveland Browns in 2025. He played in seven games, had eight tackles and returned a fumble for a touchdown. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Webb played 14 snaps in the Giants’ preseason game against the Vikings. But it appeared it was more than enough for him. He had joined the Giants five days after being released by the Denver Broncos. The Giants are hoping their secondary can turn around after a middle-of-the-road season in 2025. New York was 16th in pass defense with about 214 passing yards allowed per game. The team signed Greg Newsome II to help with that. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a832b5a2c5335ae10479f9f Virginia police seek others who fired shots in Virginia State University shooting that wounded 5 te 2026-08-17T15:40:10.145Z Virginia police seek others who fired shots in Virginia State University shooting that wounded 5 Police are seeking additional people who fired weapons during a shooting at Virginia State University that wounded five, as investigators work to determine whether the other shooters were aggressors or acting in self-defense. The new development came as a 19-year-old suspect, who was not a student, remained jailed without bond and Virginia State University President Makola Abdullah addressed the campus community Sunday evening, saying the investigation was still underway and the university was cooperating with local, state and federal law enforcement. The university said police would maintain an increased presence on campus as the investigation continued. POLICE ANNOUNCE ARREST AFTER 5 WOUNDED IN VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SHOOTING: REPORT Investigators have not said how many other people fired weapons during the shooting or publicly identified those they are seeking. Lt. James Lamb, commander of the Chesterfield County Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit, told The Associated Press that detectives were still working to identify them and determine their roles in the gunfire. "We don’t have specific locations that we are looking [at] yet as we are working on identifying them," Lamb told AP in an email. Virginia State University is a historically Black university located in Ettrick, Virginia, about 24 miles south of the state capital of Richmond. The public university has about 5,700 students and was the first fully state-supported four-year college for Black Americans. The victims ranged in age from 17 to 23 and only one of them — a male, 20, with non‑life‑threatening injuries — was a student at the university, according to police. A non-student male, 21, sustained critical injuries, while a male, 23; a female, 19; and a male, 17, have non‑life‑threatening injuries. TOLEDO POLICE NAME SUSPECT KA NYE TAYLOR IN FESTIVAL SHOOTING THAT INJURED 12, HUNT SECOND GUNMAN The shooting erupted at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday near the university’s Quad Annexes residential area. Virginia State University police and Chesterfield County officers responding to the scene found five people suffering from gunshot wounds outside campus residence halls. The shooting prompted a lockdown that was later lifted after authorities said there was no immediate threat to the campus community. Police later arrested Camron Harris, 19, of Henrico, after officers found him hiding in a closet inside Seward Hall, a campus residence hall, at about 4 p.m. Saturday — more than 14 hours after the shooting and several hours after the lockdown had been lifted. Harris, who police said is not a Virginia State student, faces four counts of malicious wounding and four counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony. He was being held without bond at the Chesterfield County jail and was due in state court Monday. The 20-year-old Virginia State University student was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and released from the hospital. A 21-year-old man remained in critical condition, while the other victims were expected to recover, according to police and university officials. In his Sunday night message, Abdullah said "the investigation remains ongoing" and thanked university police as well as the other law enforcement agencies assisting in the case. He acknowledged the concern the shooting had caused among parents and families and said student and campus safety remained among the university’s highest priorities. Virginia State remains a "strong and resilient community," his statement concluded. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a832b592c5335ae10479f96 Ilhan Omar staffer shredded for downplaying healthcare CEO’s killing after Luigi Mangione guilty plea te 2026-08-17T15:40:09.498Z Ilhan Omar staffer shredded for downplaying healthcare CEO’s killing after Luigi Mangione guilty plea The operations director for a controversial leftist congresswoman downplayed the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson after Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty to related charges last week. "You’ll never convince me that Luigi is a villain while everyone in the Epstein files is roaming free," Briana Rose Lee said Friday on X after Mangione pleaded guilty to interstate stalking resulting in death and cyberstalking/use of interstate facilities resulting in death. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., is currently seeking re-election for her fifth term in Congress. Lee's X bio says she does "operations" for the progressive congresswoman. Her LinkedIn profile confirms she has been working for Omar since January 2024, and that she is the former chairwoman of the Minneapolis Democratic-Farm-Labor (DFL) party. "On the morning of Dec. 4, 2024, I shot Mr. Thompson in Manhattan," Mangione told the court during last week's proceedings. "I knew what I was doing." LUIGI MANGIONE PLEADS GUILTY IN FEDERAL COURT TO STALKING AND KILLING UNITEDHEALTHCARE CEO BRIAN THOMPSON Thompson, a husband, father-of-two and the top executive at UnitedHealthcare, was a Minnesota resident who lived in the suburbs of Minneapolis — just outside of Omar's district. He was in New York City for business at the time of his death. Lee faced some backlash for her post. "You know you have sold your soul for your political beliefs when you are supporting an assassin who murdered a Minnesota father in cold blood," one X user said in a reply to the post. "You and many others need to seek help." "This comment perfectly highlights the mental illness plaguing the Democratic Party. Completely ignorant and psychotic," said another. 'THE VIEW' HOSTS CALL OUT CONSPIRACY THEORY THAT SHOOTING WAS STAGED, WARN AGAINST MAKING SHOOTER A MARTYR "Luigi changed nothing about our healthcare system. And he killed an innocent man," wrote a third. Omar's office and campaign did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment on her staffer downplaying the killing of a Minnesotan. Other leftists kined Lee in dismissing Mangione's actions, including one well-known podcaster who served as the national press secretary for independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders during his short-lived 2020 presidential campaign. "Talking about Luigi as a 'killer' without mentioning the tens of thousands of deaths Brian Thompson was responsible for is manufacturing consent for corporate genocide,'" Briahna Joy Gray wrote on X. "The problem with cops is their selective enforcement of crime. It’s about protecting monied interests. Not you." FORMER HOUSE INTEL LEADER POINTS TO DEM RHETORIC 'ENCOURAGING' VIOLENCE; EIGHTH MAN CHARGED IN UFC TERROR PLOT Gray's post drew the ire of at least one elected Democrat. "Luigi Mangione is a cold-blooded assassin who belongs in prison for the rest of his life," said Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., from his personal X account. "Any civilization that lionizes a cold-blooded murderer has forfeited the right to call itself civilized." In response, Gray referred to Torres as a "baby killing Zionist coward." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a832b552c5335ae10479f7e City of Flagstaff to hold community meeting for JW Powell extension project te 2026-08-17T15:40:05.024Z City of Flagstaff to hold community meeting for JW Powell extension project Scheduled for 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18 at the Flagstaff Aquaplex (1702 N. Fourth St.), the meeting will allow community members to learn more about the project. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8329012c5335ae10479f50 Andy Beshear calls socialism a 'failed experiment' as poll finds Dems view it more favorably than capitalism te 2026-08-17T15:30:09.400Z Andy Beshear calls socialism a 'failed experiment' as poll finds Dems view it more favorably than capitalism Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear called socialism a "failed experiment" on Sunday, addressing a new poll that found socialism was viewed more favorably than capitalism by Democrats. CBS News' Ed O'Keefe asked Beshear about a CBS poll that found 58% of Democrats have a positive view of socialism, compared to just 32% who have a positive view of capitalism. "What I make of it is that people are struggling. They're struggling because the cost of groceries is too high. The cost of gas is too high. It's too hard to see a doctor, and when you do, the cost of that is too high as well. They're not asking for a lot," Beshear said on "Face the Nation." He continued, "And right now, they're seeing a system that doesn't work for them. Now, I believe socialism is a failed experiment, but I do believe that we need to get results for the American people, and I think when you look at Democratic governors, you see those results." CAPITALISM IS ABOUT INCENTIVES. STOPPING THE STUPIDITY OF SOCIALISM IS A BIG INCENTIVE Beshear cited some of his work in Kentucky and said Americans just want to see results. "I think Beshear is right about the frustration, but the rise in support for socialism shouldn’t be mistaken for a sudden ideological conversion," author and psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert told Fox News Digital in a statement about Beshear's comments and the CBS polling. "That frustration creates fertile ground for socialism because socialism offers a very seductive message: The system is rigged, your struggles aren’t your responsibility, and government can make things fair. When people feel stuck or powerless, that can be an appealing promise," Alpert said. "The danger for Democrats is confusing economic frustration with a mandate for socialism. There’s a huge difference between voters saying, 'Capitalism isn’t working for me' and saying, 'I want socialism.' Democrats would be smart to address the first without embracing the second," he continued. O'Keefe asked the Kentucky governor about a big and bold idea he was promoting, noting another portion of the CBS poll that found Democrats want their leaders pushing to make big changes. "Well, I'll give you two because people want you to fix the darn economy, and they want you to fix the darn government. On the economy, it is time for an aspirational investment in housing that can bring down the cost of especially first-time home ownership," he said. Beshear said fixing the government meant outlawing partisan redistricting, "enshrine part of the Voting Rights Act right there in the Constitution" and instituting term limits for Congress and the Supreme Court. "It should also overturn Citizens United, and I think call for direct elections of the president and the vice president. That could actually make things work. A big idea that would, yes, change government, but in a way enshrined in the Constitution where people would know it's going to get better," he added. "I didn't realize you support abolishing the Electoral College. If you're saying direct election of the president and vice president," O'Keefe said. KAMALA HARRIS IS THE 'FAIRLY OBVIOUS' 2028 PRESIDENTIAL FRONTRUNNER, DEMOCRATIC INSIDERS SAY Beshear responded, "Yeah, I've said it a number of times, and it's because in Kentucky we will never see a candidate for president or vice president unless they're from here. Why? Because people just expect that it'll go one way or the other. It's the idea that someone would get elected not just knowing about seven states, but having to earn votes all over the United States. I certainly think it's time." Former Vice President Kamala Harris also recently expressed wanting to change the Electoral College. Both Harris and Beshear are considered potential presidential contenders for the Democratic Party in 2028. However, Beshear said he was still deciding on whether he was planning to run during the interview. The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Kentucky Republican National Committee and Kentucky Democratic National Committee did not immediately return Fox News Digital's requests for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8329002c5335ae10479f47 Tom Brady says too many NFL players are 'looking for easy ways out' by skipping preseason games te 2026-08-17T15:30:08.686Z Tom Brady says too many NFL players are 'looking for easy ways out' by skipping preseason games Tom Brady has a message for NFL players who would rather spend the preseason safely watching from the sideline. Get in the game. The seven-time Super Bowl champion took a shot at the increasingly common practice of established players sitting out exhibition games after a fan shared an old clip of Brady playing deep into a 2010 New England Patriots preseason game. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE Brady reposted the video to his Instagram Story and made his feelings pretty clear. "Preseason… Regular season… I never wanted to be taken off the field. Practice makes perfect," Brady wrote. "Too many people looking for easy ways out these days." The clip came from an Aug. 26, 2010 preseason game against the then-St. Louis Rams, when Brady played through New England's first offensive series of the fourth quarter. He finished 18-of-22 for 273 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions and a perfect 158.0 passer rating. One of those touchdowns was a 65-yard strike to Randy Moss. It’s not like he needed to prove himself worthy of a spot on an NFL roster, either. At this point, Brady already had three Super Bowl rings and two Super Bowl MVP awards. BILL BELICHICK CONFIRMS FEUD WITH TOM BRADY WAS FICTION, PRAISES HIS QUARTERBACK'S LEADERSHIP FROM DAY ONE Of course, there's a perfectly reasonable argument for keeping stars out of meaningless preseason games. The NFL now plays 17 regular-season games, and coaches understandably aren't thrilled about risking the health of multimillion-dollar players in August. Brady, apparently, does not care for that argument. "When you're a football player, and it's football season, your job is to play football," he concluded. Sure, this could be dismissed as a classic "kids these days" moment from a retired quarterback yelling at the younger generation to get off his lawn and work harder. Then again, Brady put his seven Super Bowl rings where his mouth is. So maybe there’s something to it. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8328fa2c5335ae10479f27 Supreme Court Again Rejects Trump’s Appeal of $5 Million E. Jean Carroll Payment te 2026-08-17T15:30:02.694Z Supreme Court Again Rejects Trump’s Appeal of $5 Million E. Jean Carroll Payment The court declined President Trump’s long-shot request that it reconsider his appeal. He has separately asked the court to overturn a much larger 2024 award. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8326a92c5335ae10479dd1 GOP freshman firebrand targets global consulting giant over 'plainly illegal' DEI practices te 2026-08-17T15:20:09.763Z GOP freshman firebrand targets global consulting giant over 'plainly illegal' DEI practices A top House GOP firebrand is accusing a multibillion-dollar global corporation of injecting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into the U.S. economy at a time when Americans are struggling with rising cost of living. Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, who chairs the House Oversight Committee's Task Force on Defending Constitutional Rights and Exposing Institutional Abuses, is targeting McKinsey & Company in a new probe over DEI reports that he says were "highly influential in American corporations." He's accusing the massive consulting firm of publishing reports that say race- and gender-based hiring practices are beneficial to U.S. companies, which he argues are a violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Meanwhile, Americans are at the mercy of many of the same companies as they grapple with high prices across housing, food, and other areas. GEORGIA GOP GUBERNATORIAL HOPEFUL VOWS TO 'BAN DEI' IN STATE BUT HIS OWN NONPROFIT URGED CEOS TO INVEST IN IT "These McKinsey reports have been highly influential, being cited by publicly traded companies, asset managers, proxy advisory firms, and banking institutions, among others, as cause for embedding illegal racial and sex-based targets into hiring, promotion, executive compensation, and asset manager proxy voting policies," Gill wrote in a letter sent Monday. "With the support of the previous administration, progressive activists cited McKinsey’s reports to push companies, governments, and stock exchanges to implement rules which forced or incentivized illegal corporate racial or gender-based hiring and disclosure policies." Gill also questioned whether the findings of that report were legitimate. "Although in 2024 McKinsey stated that it 'stands by its findings,' other researchers have found zero statistical correlation between a company’s gender and racial diversity and its financial performance," the letter said. "Racial discrimination in the employment context, including under the guise of DEI, has been pervasive despite being plainly illegal for over half a century." LEGAL EXPERT CALLS FOR SMITHSONIAN LEADERSHIP OVERHAUL OVER ‘SELF-LOATHING’ PORTRAYAL OF HISTORY: ‘IT’S BILE’ It comes just after Gill's panel led high-profile hearings into the Smithsonian Institute's teaching of American history, bringing national attention to what Republicans are calling a warped and politicized version of the U.S. Gill accused National Museum of American History director Anthea Hartig of pushing a left-wing ideological agenda rather than facilitating a straightforward education on the country's past. Hertig stood by the museum's teachings, which she called apolitical. In the letter sent Monday, Gill cited a 2026 White House Economic Report that said DEI initiatives cost the U.S. economy roughly $94 billion in 2023. He also pointed out that four reports published by McKinsey between 2015 and 2023 argued that companies with increased racial and gender diversity financially outperformed companies without. NEW YORK TIMES SUED BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OVER ALLEGED 'DEI-RELATED' EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION "Researchers assessing the McKinsey DEI studies cannot recreate the results and also find that McKinsey likely swapped the cause and effect of its DEI conclusions," Gill wrote. "The Executive Office of the President has identified $94 billion in annual economic costs to the U.S. economy due to promotion of otherwise illegal race and gender-based hiring practices, perhaps in part motivated by the findings of McKinsey’s DEI reports that are partially inaccurate or wholly incorrect." McKinsey's corporate website states, "The business case for gender equality, diversity, and inclusion is strong and growing stronger." The website estimated that the national GDP would go up by $12 trillion if the workforce gender gap is narrowed by 2025, but no update appears to be provided. Another statistic cites $2 billion in additional revenue "if financial inclusion efforts broaden services for black Americans." Fox News Digital reached out to the company for comment on Gill's letter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8326a92c5335ae10479dc8 Pro-life publisher facing demands to retract calling abortion ‘killing’ fires back: ‘The answer is No’ te 2026-08-17T15:20:09.062Z Pro-life publisher facing demands to retract calling abortion ‘killing’ fires back: ‘The answer is No’ EXCLUSIVE: A prominent pro-life organization is refusing demands to remove years of abortion-related reporting and to issue sweeping retractions after attorneys representing 13 abortion-rights advocates accused it of publishing false and defamatory claims about their pregnancies. "The answer is ‘No,’" attorneys for Live Action wrote in a fiery response obtained exclusively by Fox News Digital ahead of its public release Monday. The Thomas More Society, representing Live Action, argues that much of the disputed coverage is constitutionally protected speech, including the organization's use of terms such as "killing" to describe abortion, and signals that it is prepared to defend Live Action in court if the dispute escalates. SUPREME COURT UNANIMOUSLY SLAPS DOWN BLUE STATE TARGETING PRO-LIFE GROUP "Live Action will not cease reporting on abortion," the response says, rejecting demands to delete its archive, publish sweeping retractions or agree to restrictions on future coverage. Peter Breen, executive vice president and head of litigation at Thomas More Society, told Fox News Digital that he believes the dispute raises a fundamental free-speech issue. "The other side's argument is that somehow, by using the word kill or calling abortion killing, that you have a problem that you can create that could then be remedied in court," Breen said. "The issue is every single final court decision to deal with this has previously said that's not defamatory," he added. "It's not legally wrong to call abortion killing." BABYLON BEE SUES NEW MEXICO OFFICIALS OVER LAW REQUIRING AI DISCLAIMERS ON POLITICAL SATIRE Amplify Legal's July 15 cease-and-desist, however, alleges that the dispute goes beyond Live Action's use of terms such as "killing." Amplify, which represents 13 people featured in Live Action coverage, accused the outlet of publishing false factual claims about their pregnancies, fetal diagnoses and medical circumstances and demanded that Live Action remove articles and social media posts and issue a public apology and retractions. Amplify Legal responded Monday, telling Fox News Digital that its objections concern statements it says Live Action made about families facing wanted pregnancies. "Live Action has repeatedly accused grieving families with wanted pregnancies of ‘wanting to kill’ their babies. These statements are both inaccurate and cruel," Amplify Legal said in a statement to Fox News Digital. Asked whether Amplify intends to sue following Live Action's rejection of its demands, the group stopped short of committing to litigation. "As our clients’ lawyers, we will be weighing all of their options," the statement said. SURROGATE GIVES BIRTH IN TEXAS TO BABY WITH HEART DEFECT AFTER PARENTS REQUESTED ABORTIO Among the examples cited by Amplify is Kate Cox, a Texas woman who sought an abortion after her unborn child was diagnosed with Trisomy 18. Amplify says Live Action repeatedly disputed whether the diagnosis meant Cox's daughter was certain to die. Cox, whose case made national headlines after she asked the Texas Supreme Court for permission to obtain an abortion was denied and later left the state to have the procedure, was a guest of former first lady Jill Biden at the 2024 State of the Union Address. Amplify further says Live Action failed to contact its clients or their medical providers for comment before publication. "The lying, bullying, and complete disregard for the truth must end now," Amplify Litigation Director Molly Duane said when announcing the demand in July. "What they are doing is not only cruel — it's illegal." GOP LAWMAKERS URGE SUPREME COURT TO STRENGTHEN FIRST AMENDMENT PROTECTIONS FOR STREET PREACHERS Live Action's attorneys dispute Amplify's allegations, but say the organization remains willing to consider specific factual challenges through its normal editorial corrections process. Courts have previously confronted similar rhetoric in the abortion debate. In a 2023 case cited by the Thomas More Society, the Texas Supreme Court considered statements by an anti-abortion activist who characterized abortion-rights organizations as criminal and equated abortion with murder. The court held that the challenged statements were "protected opinion about abortion law made in pursuit of changing that law," placing them "at the heart of protected speech under the United States and Texas Constitutions." The court also cited a 1988 Illinois appellate decision, Van Duyn v. Smith, rejecting a defamation claim involving a poster that used the term "prenatal killing" to describe abortion. Ilya Shapiro, director of constitutional studies at the Manhattan Institute, told Fox News Digital that he believes Amplify's demand runs headlong into First Amendment protections for political debate. GOP RISING STAR DEMANDS ABORTION ADVOCATE NAME ‘FAVORITE’ METHOD IN HEARING CLASH "Amplify Legal's demand letter is legally frivolous activism," Shapiro said. "One side says ‘abortion is murder.’ The other side says denying women the right to abortion takes us to a dystopian Handmaid's Tale. These are opinions, and opinions by definition aren't defamatory." Shapiro went further, arguing that describing an abortion as "killing" does not become defamatory merely because the terminology is fiercely disputed. "In short, you can't criminalize or make someone civilly liable for the standard give and take of heated political debate," he said. Lila Rose, Live Action founder and president, told Fox News Digital that the organization would not change its language in response to the threatened legal action. "Abortion is an act of killing. It deliberately ends the life of a living human child," Rose said. "Americans have every right to say that openly and forcefully, without fear of being dragged into court for refusing to adopt the deceptive language preferred by abortion activists." Rose said the organization would continue using such language regardless of the legal threat. "Threats will not stop us from calling abortion what it is or from fighting for the right of every child to live," she said. "We will keep fighting, and we will win." The letter warns that Live Action could seek attorneys' fees and sanctions if a lawsuit is filed and directs Amplify and its clients to preserve potentially relevant records and communications. Asked whether the Thomas More Society was effectively telling Amplify and its clients, "Go ahead, sue us," Breen stopped short of inviting a lawsuit, but didn't back away. "Certainly, the courthouse door is open," Breen told Fox News Digital. Breen said the Thomas More Society does not want its clients dragged into litigation, but is confident in Live Action's position. "We're not going to back down from that," he said. "If it comes, we will be very, very well-prepared." Amplify, for its part, told Fox News Digital that it is "weighing all of [its clients'] options." For Breen, the next move belongs to Amplify. "The ball is in the other side's court," he said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8326a82c5335ae10479dbf Hayden Panettiere remembered by Viola Davis, Bethany Joy Lenz and other celebrities after sudden death at 36 te 2026-08-17T15:20:08.297Z Hayden Panettiere remembered by Viola Davis, Bethany Joy Lenz and other celebrities after sudden death at 36 Hollywood stars are mourning the death of Hayden Panettiere. Panettiere, known for her roles in "Heroes," "Nashville" and the "Scream" franchise, died Sunday at 36, her representative confirmed to Fox News Digital. "It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her – and to the millions who watched her onscreen," her father, Skip Panettiere, said in a statement provided to ABC News. HAYDEN PANETTIERE DEAD AT 36 Following news of her death, friends, former co-stars and fellow celebrities shared emotional tributes to the actress on social media. Viola Davis, who starred alongside Panettiere in the 2016 movie "Custody," remembered the actress as an "amazing talent" and reflected on the time they spent working together. HAYDEN PANETTIERE: A LIFE IN PICTURES Davis wrote on Instagram that she and her husband, Julius Tennon, "loved working" with Panettiere, describing her as an "old, wise soul" with a deep heart. The Oscar winner said she wished the world had been given more time with Panettiere and reflected on watching the actress rebuild her life through difficult periods. "You will be remembered," Davis wrote before offering prayers for Panettiere's family and daughter. "One Tree Hill" actress Bethany Joy Lenz shared an emotional tribute to Panettiere, recalling that she had known her since childhood and expressing disbelief over her death. "I’m crushed," Lenz wrote on Instagram. "I knew the wild little blonde. Was she nine? Ten? I was eighteen." Lenz recalled Panettiere running through the halls of Screen Gems Studios as a child, describing her as remarkably perceptive and talented even at a young age. HAYDEN PANETTIERE SAYS FILMING ‘NASHVILLE’ WAS LIKE LIVING THROUGH ADDICTION TWICE "Her intelligence was astonishing," Lenz wrote. "She understood scenes and nuance and human struggle like no child I’d ever seen on camera." The actress said she and Panettiere remained connected on and off for nearly three decades, comparing their relationship to cousins who would reconnect at family reunions. Although the two repeatedly made plans to get together, Lenz said those meetings never quite happened, and she largely kept up with Panettiere through mutual friends. "I dont understand how this is real," Lenz wrote. "Everything seemed to be turning around. She was coming BACK to life, wasn’t she? It’s too young and there’s still so much more life." Lenz also expressed regret over the times she did not reach out and shared her heartbreak for Panettiere’s daughter. "These are moments of how I knew you, in glimpses over 27 years," she wrote alongside photos of them over the years. "I don’t know how to process this. I am praying for you to know the peace of God now and always." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Other celebrities and former co-stars also reacted to Panettiere's death. "Scream VI" co-star Melissa Barrera shared a brief tribute on Instagram Stories, writing, "Rest in peace sweet Hayden." Selma Blair left a series of emotional comments on Panettiere's final Instagram post, pleading, "Don't be gone." David Arquette, who appeared with Panettiere in "Scream 4," also shared his heartbreak, writing on his Instagram Story, "Sending my love to Hayden and her family," he wrote. "She was such a brave and brilliant soul." Rosie O’Donnell shared her shock in a brief Instagram reaction, writing, "Oh my god — heartbroken." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Podcaster Jay Shetty reflected on a friendship with Panettiere that he said had only recently begun. "I can’t believe it," Shetty wrote in a comment on Variety's Instagram. "Our friendship had just begun and I was so moved by the conversation we shared earlier this year. My love and condolences to her family and fans." Panettiere's cause of death has not been publicly announced. Fox News Digital's Stephen Solace and Tracy Wright contributed to this post. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8326a22c5335ae10479d9f Nvidia investing $1.5B in SoftBank data center developer behind OpenAI project te 2026-08-17T15:20:02.556Z Nvidia investing $1.5B in SoftBank data center developer behind OpenAI project Nvidia's investment in SoftBank's data center developer will guarantee its chips power an OpenAI data center. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8324512c5335ae10479d7b California stabbing victim's friend blasts 'failed' justice system over illegal immigrant suspect's release te 2026-08-17T15:10:09.687Z California stabbing victim's friend blasts 'failed' justice system over illegal immigrant suspect's release A friend of a California crime victim who was allegedly fatally stabbed by an illegal immigrant on his front lawn lashed out on Monday, accusing the Golden State's justice system of failing the family while calling for change. "California state law, the judge, judicial system really failed Todd [Stewart] and his family and the community," Victoria, whose last name was withheld, told "Fox & Friends." Victoria's outrage stemmed from a string of developments leading up to the Aug. 6 murder, including the suspect's prior release. DEADLY HOSPITAL STABBING PUTS NEWSOM UNDER PRESSURE OVER ICE DETAINER FIGHT According to records, Marcos Iriarte-Valdez, alternatively identified by DHS as Marcos Valdezusper, entered the U.S. illegally during the George W. Bush administration. He had already faced felony burglary charges stemming from alleged home burglaries in April and was later released under pretrial supervision and home detention. Iriarte-Valdez was arrested again on Aug. 4 on allegations that he violated his home-detention requirements, but a judge ordered his release on his own recognizance the following day and referred him back to electronic monitoring. "Clearly, they were not thinking," Victoria said of the release. "And unfortunately, if a person shows you who they are, not once, not twice, not three times, you need to believe them." On Aug. 6, police said Iriarte-Valdez stabbed and killed Victoria's friend, 68-year-old retiree Todd Stewart, during an apparent burglary attempt at Stewart's Contra Costa County home. BYSTANDER SHOT DEAD AFTER INTERVENING IN FLORIDA MAN, WOMAN'S ROADSIDE FIGHT; MURDER SUSPECT WAS OUT ON BOND A Contra Costa County SWAT team arrested Iriarte-Valdez the following day. His bail was initially set at $1.1 million before a judge later ordered him held without bail after prosecutors charged him in Stewart's death. Victoria said that knowing her friend's death was preventable is "difficult" while pointing to broader issues allowing repeat offenders to remain on the loose. "It's very, very difficult when you know that this was preventable and there are ways and methods and laws that could have kept these people off the streets... but that's just not the way it works right now, which is unfortunate," she said. "Maybe if anyone involved with having this criminal released were to go to the crime scene and see firsthand what he did to Todd and have that play in their mind next time they make a decision to release someone dangerous like that onto the streets, maybe they'll think twice or it will have them change the way things are done, because my friend is going to have that vision of seeing her husband murdered in front of her eyes playing through her head for the rest of her life," she added, referring to Todd's wife, Nadia. Fox News' Charles Creitz and Elaine Mallon contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83244d2c5335ae10479d66 Trump Lashes Out as Preliminary Deal With Iran Expires te 2026-08-17T15:10:05.727Z Trump Lashes Out as Preliminary Deal With Iran Expires President Trump took aim at Oman, a U.S. ally that has been mediating the talks, as efforts to end a war he started have faltered. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83244a2c5335ae10479d54 Terra Industries closes $52M seed round to build defense infrastructure for the Global South te 2026-08-17T15:10:02.552Z Terra Industries closes $52M seed round to build defense infrastructure for the Global South African defense tech company Terra Industries announced an additional $18 million in funding, bringing its seed round to $52 million. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8321fb2c5335ae10479d30 LA teachers patrol for ICE before class as DHS blasts enforcement ‘false narrative’ te 2026-08-17T15:00:11.969Z LA teachers patrol for ICE before class as DHS blasts enforcement ‘false narrative’ Los Angeles teachers are patrolling neighborhoods near schools for ICE agents — a rogue effort the school district disavowed as it ramps up support for immigrant families, while DHS blasts critics for pushing a "false narrative" about enforcement at schools. "We recognize the fear and uncertainty that immigration enforcement activity can create for students, families, and staff," a Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Friday. "Our responsibility is to ensure our schools remain safe, supportive, and welcoming places for every student. We have strengthened communication and coordination with city leaders and municipal partners, increased our presence in impacted communities, and established rapid-response protocols should enforcement activity occur." The spokesperson was responding to a report that teachers were participating in "ICE Patrols" before the school day begins, driving through neighborhoods near schools to search for signs of federal immigration agents. CBS Los Angeles reported on the patrols, joining a ride-along with Los Angeles teacher Lupe Carrasco Cardona and other members of an anti-immigration enforcement group, called Unión del Barrio. When the group spots suspected ICE activity, members document what they see — including photographing license plates — and alert families and others in the community. The patrols are not sanctioned by LAUSD, according to the district, but they come as the nation’s second-largest school system has built its own network of services for families worried about immigration enforcement — including legal referrals, "Know Your Rights" resources, transportation assistance and alternative learning options. LOS ANGELES DODGERS REPORTEDLY DONATE $1.1 MILLION TO PRO-IMMIGRATION GROUPS AFTER 2025 FEDERAL ENFORCEMENT "Tinted windows, that is a red flag. We’re looking for double-parked like this one; that would be a red flag," another teacher riding with Cardona told the outlet. The teachers say their patrols have helped families, with Cardona saying some community members plan their days around the group’s reports. "It's been really beautiful to witness teachers devoting their own personal time to just watching the neighborhood and making sure that it's safe," said United Teachers Los Angeles Chapter Chair Jon Paul Arciniega. "It's been really beneficial." The district provides families with "24/7 access to Know Your Rights resources, legal referrals, mental health services, and a dedicated hotline" through its "We Are One" campaign, said the spokesperson. LAUSD also offers a multilingual Family Preparedness Packet to help families understand their rights and prepare for encounters with immigration officers. GEORGIA ICE SWEEP NABS OVER 700 CRIMINAL ILLEGAL ALIENS, INCLUDING SEX OFFENDERS, CHILD ABUSERS "We do not ask about or share a student's immigration status unless required by law, and we remain committed to maintaining safe zones around our schools," said the spokesperson. The schools also offer access to transportation assistance, alternative learning options through the Virtual Academy and referrals to legal service providers. "ICE is not going to schools to make arrests. If a dangerous or violent illegal criminal alien felon were to flee into a daycare, or a child sex offender is working as an employee, there may be a situation where an arrest is made to protect the safety of the children," a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "This is just another false narrative to try and demonize our brave ICE law enforcement who are facing a 1,300% increase in assaults against them and an 8000% increase in death threats," the DHS spokesperson added. "Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, ICE is targeting the worst of the worst. Nearly 70% of ICE arrests are of illegal aliens charged or convicted of a crime in the U.S. " TRUMP’S DC LAW-AND-ORDER BLITZ MARKS ONE YEAR WITH EYE-POPPING HAUL OF SUSPECTS ICE amped up operations in Los Angeles last year, with Mayor Karen Bass recently reaffirming her support for immigrant communities, saying, "We will always protect our neighbors, and we continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with immigrant families in LA and everywhere." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8321f52c5335ae10479d09 WordPress.com targets the next generation of web creators with a free student plan te 2026-08-17T15:00:05.255Z WordPress.com targets the next generation of web creators with a free student plan WordPress.com Education lets teachers offer their students free domains, plugin support and professional website-building tools. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a831fa12c5335ae10479cde Lions welcome Italian students te 2026-08-17T14:50:09.883Z Lions welcome Italian students Local scholarship winners honored alongside 2026’s guests from Italy The Sedona-Oak Creek Canyon Lions Club welcomed its two Italian exchange students — Enrico Panicciari and Vincenzo Coppola — who will be exploring the American Southwest for four weeks, on Saturday, Aug. 8. The club also welcomed b Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a831fa02c5335ae10479cbe Reporter's Notebook: Daylight saving time fight puts Senate up against a ticking clock te 2026-08-17T14:50:08.710Z Reporter's Notebook: Daylight saving time fight puts Senate up against a ticking clock The U.S. Senate is on the clock. In a matter of speaking. Or ticking. The House of Representatives approved a bill earlier this year to thrust the nation onto permanent Daylight Saving Time. In other words, the House voted to ditch the twice-a-year ritual of springing forward and falling back. Now it’s up to the Senate to sync up. "Around the country, people are going to be excited because they don’t have to go back and forth," opined Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., one of the biggest advocates of shifting to year-round Daylight Saving Time. Under this temporal regime, Florida and many southern states would benefit from "more" sun later in the afternoon and evening in the winter. HOUSE PASSES DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME REFORM AS TRUMP SIGNALS SUPPORT FOR ENDING CLOCK CHANGE Scott isn’t the only one who says time should expire for Daylight Saving Time. "People are sick and tired of having to change their clocks twice a year. It is foolish, inconvenient and, in some cases, very costly. For Cities and States with Watchtowers, and hard to reach places, it costs Millions of Dollars," declared President Donald Trump in a post on his social media site Truth Social. It’s unclear whether Trump was trying to reach voters with allegiances to Jimi Hendrix or Bob Dylan when writing about "Watchtowers." But if the President has his way, the times won’t be "A Changin’," later this fall. We’d be welded to Daylight Saving Time. President Trump continued. "This is an issue that Republicans, Democrats, and Independents can unite behind. I am asking Republican Senators to release their holds, and allow the hotline to clear on the Republican side. LET’S PASS THE SUNSHINE PROTECTION ACT, ASAP," he wrote. Let’s dial things back a bit here and dissect the title of this bill: "The Sunshine Protection Act." First of all, there is a finite amount of sunshine available, period. Any time of the year. Bellingham, Wash. scores only about eight-and-a-half hours of sunlight around the winter solstice in December. And whether we’re on Daylight Saving Time or Standard Time, the sheer amount of sun doesn’t change. The only thing that differs is at what time Bellingham gets that sun. Under Standard Time (following the autumn clock shift) the earliest the sun sets in Bellingham is 4:13 p.m. in mid-December. But under permanent Daylight Saving Time, you can sing good day, sunshine at 3:13 p.m.. The problem is that the sun goes down really early in northern states in the winter under year-round Daylight Saving Time. But southern states — like Florida — benefit. The reason Congress even bothers with this issue is because Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution grants the House and Senate authority to establish the "Standard of Weights and Measures." So all Congress is doing is determining a temporal regimen. In short, if Congress says it’s 3 o’clock, it’s 3 o’clock. But if we fall back in November, then 3 o’clock is really 2 o’clock. However, leave it to Congress to create the illusion that it is safeguarding something for the voters, such as "protecting" sunshine. Or, giving everyone an "extra hour" in the winter. It’s just saying that everything would start earlier. That’s all. TRUMP URGES SENATE TO PASS BILL MAKING DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME PERMANENT AFTER OVERWHELMING HOUSE VOTE Regardless, the push to embrace Daylight Saving Time isn’t partisan. "People across New Mexico and across so many parts of the country don't want to be changing those clocks day after day," said Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M. Luján survived a stroke several years ago. He believes that a singular time, year-round, would provide health benefits. "I can speak to it from the perspective of all the neurologists that I've spoken to as well. There are more and more health concerns with moving that time change back and forth," said Lujan. And Daylight Saving Time advocates say passing the Sunshine Protection Act is more pressing than you think. "You know, that might be more important to my people back home than the SAVE America Act," said Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala. That’s a reference to the touchstone of the president’s legislative agenda which is stymied in the Senate. The SAVE America Act would require proof of citizenship in order for people to vote. But there are detractors. We heard from southern lawmakers. But many in New England fret about how little sunlight they score in the winter anyway. "You want your kid standing out on the bus stop in the dark at 10 am?" asked Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt. That’s an overstatement. The latest the sun comes up anywhere in Vermont in late December is 7:28 a.m. But shift that to permanent Daylight Saving Time and you’re still in the dark until 8:28 a.m. But you get the idea. And there’s no consensus from residents of states which are split by two time zones. A staggering 14 states feature two time zones: Alaska, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas. Eastern Time and Central Time cleaves Indiana. "Hoosiers care a lot about time," said Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind. "They also have fundamental disagreements within the state, about what time it is or should be at any given moment." And there’s the old adage that those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it. This potential toggling of the time worries Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas – who represents one of the states which falls within two time zones. HARRIS BECOMES ACCIDENTAL SAVE ACT ‘SALESWOMAN’ AS TRUMP ATTACK SPECTACULARLY BACKFIRES "Didn't we do this once before?" asked Cornyn. "In the ‘70s," I told Cornyn. "And we reversed it in six months." "Yeah, well that should be a cautionary tale," observed the Texas senator. The U.S. faced an oil shock thanks to an embargo by OPEC in the early 1970s. President Richard Nixon – and many in Congress – believed they could "save energy" by moving the U.S. to year-round Daylight Saving Time. Congress approved the move in late 1973. But the decision proved so unpopular that future Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, R-Kan., prepped a bill to undo the time change. People abhorred having less sunlight in the morning. The bill passed in August, 1974. Interestingly, had Nixon not resigned in August 1974 due to Watergate, it’s possible he would have fought the whiplash time change. In other words, if you want to blame someone for why we switch our clocks twice a year, we’ve found your culprit: Deep Throat. It was the Senate which okayed a bill to nix the biannual time change in 2022. But the House never acted. Now the House has acted. The President is engaged. But it’s up to the Senate. The Senate must take action by the end of this Congress. Time is running out. And they can’t change the clocks for that. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a831f9f2c5335ae10479cb5 Tupac Shakur murder trial kicks off as Duane 'Keffe D' Davis faces jury nearly three decades after shooting te 2026-08-17T14:50:07.965Z Tupac Shakur murder trial kicks off as Duane 'Keffe D' Davis faces jury nearly three decades after shooting Opening statements are scheduled to kick off later today in the murder trial of Duane "Keffe D" Davis, who is charged in connection with the 1996 murder of hip-hop legend Tupac Shakur in Las Vegas. Davis, 63, is not accused of pulling the trigger, but prosecutors allege he was in a white Cadillac with three other individuals during a drive-by shooting targeting Shakur and former music mogul Marion "Suge" Knight, who survived the attack and is currently in a California prison for an unrelated case. Davis allegedly detailed the shooting during a 2008 interview with detectives and in a 2019 book, "Compton Street Legend: Notorious Keffe D's Street-Level Accounts of Tupac and Biggie Murders, Death Row Origins, Suge Knight, Puffy Combs, and Crooked Cops." TUPAC SHAKUR MURDER SUSPECT TAKES CENTER STAGE AT TRIAL NEARLY 30 YEARS AFTER SHOOTING SHOCKED MUSIC WORLD In promotional material for the book on Amazon, Davis is described as a "former shot caller for the Southside Compton Crips and Kingpin of a Compton based drug operation," as well as "one of the only living witnesses to the 1996 slaying of rapper Tupac Shakur." Davis was a confidential informant for the Los Angeles Police Department during the 2008 interview, however the judge agreed with prosecutors that his remarks should be allowed at trial because of the public statements in the book. The defense has argued that Davis embellished and fictionalized claims in the book and challenged the admissibility of statements from the 2008 interview. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE Knight, another living witness, has said in recent interviews that he doesn't intend to cooperate if called to testify. His name appears on the prosecution witness list. He has not responded to messages from Fox News Digital. GOT A TIP? The assailants struck Shakur four times on Sept. 7, 1996, while he was in a BMW alongside Knight on the Las Vegas strip. He died from his injuries six days later at 25 years old. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Three other men believed to have been in the Cadillac with Davis that night have since died. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL Hours before the shooting, Shakur, Knight and others were involved in a fight at the MGM Grand with Orlando "Baby Lane" Anderson, Davis’ nephew and a member of the South Side Compton Crips. The other two were Deandrae "Freaky" Smith and Terry "Bubble Up" Brown. Fox News' Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a831f9e2c5335ae10479ca8 GOP appeals election measure ballot description to Arizona Supreme Court te 2026-08-17T14:50:06.748Z GOP appeals election measure ballot description to Arizona Supreme Court (Photo by Jim Small/Arizona Mirror) A law firm linked to President Donald Trump says that the Democratic Arizona Secretary of State’s description of a Republican ballot proposition that would make sweeping election changes is illegal, and wants the state’s highest court to order him to change it.  Representing three voters who supported Proposition 144 during the legislative process, America First Legal asked the Arizona Supreme Court on Friday to take up the case, two days after Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Adele Ponce dismissed it.  Arguing on behalf of America First Legal, attorney James Rogers wrote in the petition to the high court that Ponce made legal errors in her decision that “are an abuse of discretion and leave in place official action exceeding the authority granted” by state law. GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE The America First Legal Foundation was created by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, an architect of Project 2025 and one of President Donald Trump’s closest advisors. Rogers contends that the description of Prop. 144 set to appear on the November ballot, which Fontes’ office wrote, leaves out some of the most important provisions of the measure. Additionally, Rogers says that descriptions of what a “yes” or “no” vote would do, also written by Fontes, include “unresolved assumptions.”  Prop. 144, also known as the “Fast Accurate Secure Transparent Election Results Act,” was one of five controversial last-minute ballot referrals that the Republicans who control the Arizona Legislature approved along party lines in a marathon night of voting on the last day of the annual legislative session in June. Written by state Rep. Alexander Kolodin, a Scottsdale Republican who is running against Fontes for secretary of state, the proposition would prohibit foreign nationals from spending money to influence elections, require every voter to show government identification before casting a ballot in every election and require all polling locations to provide on-site tabulation of ballots for voters who want it. Kolodin is an attorney and election denier who was sanctioned by the Arizona State Bar in 2023 for his part in lawsuits challenging the 2020 election that made implausible and evidence-free claims of massive election fraud. He represented Trump’s campaign in the so-called “kraken” lawsuit in Arizona that was based on claims made by people with no actual knowledge of the elections. The description of Prop. 144 to be printed on November ballots reads: “Requires all voters, including voters who vote by mail, to show government-issued ID to vote in each election; makes other changes to election administration and campaign finance prohibitions.” America First Legal Foundation’s chief complaint with Fontes’ description is its failure to mention that Prop. 144 would bake into the state constitution that “only citizens may register and vote in Arizona elections,” as well as that elections “shall be decided solely by the votes of eligible citizen voters.” Arizona voters in 2004 approved a state law to require proof of citizenship when a person registers to vote and ban non-citizen voting, occurrences of which are exceedingly rare. Because it was voter-approved, that law is protected by a constitutional provision barring lawmakers from repealing or weakening it. “The title uses twenty-eight words,” Rogers wrote. “It does not mention citizenship, prohibitions on foreign funding to influence elections, or guaranteed on-site tabulation.” Ballot measure title descriptions are capped at 50 words.  Fontes argued in the trial court that Prop. 144’s backers want to force their preferred campaign arguments into the ballot description. “Plaintiffs seek to wrest control over the Ballot Language from two officials directly accountable to Arizona voters at the last minute, and instead allow themselves — three random individuals who are accountable to no one and have a one-sided position on this measure — to write the Ballot Language,” Fontes argued to the lower court. “This does not comport with Arizona law, and is entirely unworkable.” The lower court ultimately agreed with Fontes’ argument that the “Ballot Language is not false or clearly misleading, nor does it mislead via omission. It covers the principal provisions of Prop 144, and the ‘essential change in existing law’ this measure would cause.” Rogers argued that Fontes didn’t have the discretion to focus the description on changes the ballot measure would make that aren’t already requirements of state or federal law.  “(T)he descriptive title must summarize principal provisions, not merely novel provisions,” Rogers wrote.  The America First Legal Foundation argued that Fontes editorialized in the ballot description of what a “yes” vote would mean when he wrote that it would “create a new standard for judicial review of election laws under the Arizona Constitution, which may make it harder to challenge election laws.” Rogers says that because law regarding whether the measure would make challenging election laws more difficult wasn’t settled, it shouldn’t be mentioned on the ballot.  “No court has decided those issues,” he wrote. “Reasonable lawyers may debate them. The debate is precisely why the conclusion does not belong in the State’s official wording.” Rogers also took issue with “yes” vote language that described the prohibition on spending by foreign nationals as “similar to prohibitions that already exist in federal law.” America First Legal argued that the trial court erred in its decision to allow such language because Fontes’ descriptions “can reasonably be regarded as an attempt to provide necessary and appropriate information to the voting public.”  But Rogers wrote that the description did not meet Fontes’ legal responsibility when drafting ballot language.  “The duty is not merely to draft and publish some language; it is to draft and publish language possessing the content the Legislature mandated,” Rogers wrote. “Performing the shell of a statutory task while violating its substantive requirements is nonperformance, not protected discretion.” America First Legal also argued that the lower court improperly ruled that the three supporters of Prop. 144 didn’t have enough of a specific stake in the ballot measure to bring their lawsuit.  In arguments to the lower court, Fontes described the supporters as “three random individuals” who had no more interest in the ballot language than any other voter, precluding them from bringing a lawsuit based on potential harms specific to them.  Because the three supporters formally registered their support for the ballot measure in the Arizona Legislature’s system, which is publicly viewable, Rogers contends that a misleading ballot description would harm them specifically.  “The result is a government-created distortion of Petitioners’ own recorded position: anyone who compares the (legislative system) record with the State’s ballot materials is invited to understand Petitioners as supporting the measure as Respondents have described it, rather than the text Petitioners actually endorsed,” Rogers wrote.  He added that the reportedly inaccurate ballot description distorts what the supporters were actually backing when they signed in official support of Prop. 144.  “Respondents’ subsequent use of an official description that suppresses principal provisions and substitutes disputed commentary devalues the concrete governmental participation Petitioners already undertook: the proposal presented to voters through the State’s most authoritative description is materially different from the proposal Petitioners placed their names behind during the legislative process,” Rogers wrote.  But in that argument America First Legal fails to acknowledge that the version of Prop. 144, then known as House Concurrent Resolution 2001, that passed the legislature in June underwent significant edits since they formally endorsed it in late 2025 and early 2026.  The version that the three supporters endorsed would have completely eliminated the state’s active early voter list that automatically sends ballots to voters and cut off early ballot drop offs the Friday before an election, both provisions that were removed from the final version of the proposition. The Supreme Court must rule on the case by Aug. 20 so that ballot printing can begin on Aug. 21. YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a831af02c5335ae10479c2a Scottie Scheffler terrorizes Memphis, Rory McIlroy completely mails it in, and Jordan Spieth is done te 2026-08-17T14:30:08.152Z Scottie Scheffler terrorizes Memphis, Rory McIlroy completely mails it in, and Jordan Spieth is done It turns out Scottie Scheffler still remembers how to win a golf tournament. The No. 1 player in the world did No. 1 player in the world things in Memphis to not only pick up his first win since January, but also lapped the field to the tune of an eight-shot victory. It was the first 'boring' Sunday we've had on the PGA Tour in quite some time, which is the easiest tell that Scheffler was operating at a different level than everyone else. Rory McIlroy was also in Memphis. He didn't want to be there and made that widely known before Thursday's opening round, yet the mailing it in we saw from the six-time major champion was embarrassing. Yes, future Hall of Famers have bad weeks, but posting 8-over and finishing 25 shots behind the winner deserves criticism. Meanwhile, Jordan Spieth's season is done. He sure made things fun on Thursday at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, but his inconsistencies this season finally caught up to him ahead of the penultimate event on the calendar. Welcome to Par Talk, a weekly read to get you caught up on all the happenings that took place in professional golf that you need to know. You can follow Mark on X @itismarkharris and email him at mark.harris@outkick.com. We humans are reactive, and we also love building narratives, but the one many built about Scottie Scheffler in 2026 will be looked at as perhaps one of the most forced of the modern era. JON RAHM'S REPORTED EXIT FROM LIV GOLF WOULD POSE DEVASTATION TO BREAKAWAY CIRCUIT AMID UNCERTAINTIES For months now, the question of 'What's wrong with Scottie?' has been asked – sometimes legitimately and sometimes tongue-in-cheek – given that his ball-striking took a dip statistically and it felt as if he was allergic to finding the winner's circle. In the grand scheme of things, we lost the very simple plot along the way that winning golf tournaments is hard, even for the best player on Earth. With how easy Scheffler made things look in Memphis, however, the golf world as a whole needs to agree to kill the narrative that something is wrong Scottie. Yes, it's just his second win in 2026, but it was by eight shots in a FedEx Cup Playoff event, and when you couple it with his season resume, he's doing far more right than wrong. Entering the week, Scheffler had his AmEx victory in January, five second-place finishes, two third-place finishes, and a total of 11 Top 10s in 17 starts. While expectations are rightfully as high as possible, and without winning a major in 2026, the knee-jerk reaction of calling it a disappointing campaign is only natural (and maybe even a little fair), but his FedEx St. Jude Championship victory kills the narrative of something being wrong. Scheffler began Sunday's final round in Memphis with a two-shot advantage, and while there was hope for a fun battle between him and Burns in the final pairing, things turned into a snooze after just a handful of holes. Outside of a bogey on the Par 5 third hole, it was clinical from Scheffler on Sunday. Simply one of those days where a 'bad swing' resulted in him missing his target by a few feet. One blemish on Scheffler's Sunday scorecard to go along with five birdies while finishing the week leading the field in strokes gained: putting. That last statistic is a horrifying one for every player hoping to win the FedEx Cup in two weeks' time. Rory McIlroy was not the only player who teed it up at TPC Southwind who wanted to be anywhere but Memphis in mid-August, competing in 100-degree heat. Rory McIlroy is, however, seen by most as the face of the PGA Tour, and playing in the PGA Tour's three playoff events to close out the year seems like something someone in that position should show an ounce of excitement for, but that wasn't the case for McIlroy. It was assumed that McIlroy was going to skip out on Memphis, which he could easily afford to do both financially and from a FedEx Cup points perspective, yet he was a late addition to the field. Upon his arrival, he spoke of the "importance" of being there, which is a complete change in tune from the man who didn't bother teeing it up in the event last season. "So this is a good week -- obviously I want to play well, but it's also a good week to just see where my game is, do a lot of practice, or as much as I can in the heat," McIlroy told the media prior to the first round on Thursday. "Yeah, I think it's important to be here. It's the TOUR's playoffs, and I think it's important for all the players to be here. I've had some good conversations with Brian Rolapp over the last couple weeks. Yeah, I think it's important for me to be here and show support and looking forward to teeing it up." It was suddenly important for McIlroy to play in the first playoff event after some "good conversations" with the PGA Tour CEO? Got it. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Obviously, Rolapp got to McIlroy, which is a nice win for Rolapp and the Tour, but there is also the fact that he basically admitted this was going to be more or less a practice week for him, and he was not lying. McIlroy beat just two players in the 69-man field and did not post a round under par across four days as a player who was very much going through the motions at a track he wanted no part of. It's worth noting, too, that he has three Top 7 finishes at TPC Southwind in his career, so it's not like this is a place he's had zero success at, but one he wanted to treat as a warm-up for the final two playoff events. "Obviously didn't come in here with a ton of reps, almost felt like the more the week went on, the more I felt lost with my golf swing a little bit," McIlroy said following Sunday's final round. I figured it out a little bit the last few holes today, I think. Yeah, I just sort of -- yeah, swing wasn't in sync and obviously didn't do a ton of practice coming in here. "I guess nice to shake the rust off a little bit, but I'm going to have to work pretty hard between now and next Thursday to feel like I have any sort of golf game to compete next week." You can respect the honesty from McIlroy, but his admission of not practicing prior to the tournament and finishing 25 shots behind the winner isn't necessarily the ringing endorsement for the Tour or the fans in Memphis. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Sidenote: McIlroy has only made eight non-major starts this season, which is not enough to qualify him to have an official stat profile with the Tour in 2026. Sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do. That's a sentence I tell my toddler a few times a day, and it applies here, too. Man, that was a fun Thursday. Jordan Spieth fired a 65 in the opening round of the FedEx St. Jude to grab a share of the lead. The round included wayward tee shots, a port-a-potty appearance, and over 122 feet of putts made. It only turned out to be a tease, however, as he ultimately finished T-19, which put him 52nd in the FedEx Cup standings to miss out on the BMW Championship. Spieth was the only player of the 70 who qualified for the FedEx St. Jude without a single Top 10 finish on the year. It was always bound to catch up to him, but at least he gave us a day of hope on Thursday before having the final two weeks of the season decided for him. It's been over four years since Spieth's last win on the PGA Tour, and 11 years since he hoisted the FedEx Cup. If that doesn't make you feel old, I'm not sure what can. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8318962c5335ae104795f4 ‘Duck Dynasty’ stars Jep and Jessica Robertson say ‘a lot of prayer’ led them to leave Louisiana for Texas te 2026-08-17T14:20:06.452Z ‘Duck Dynasty’ stars Jep and Jessica Robertson say ‘a lot of prayer’ led them to leave Louisiana for Texas Jep and Jessica Robertson said they did a lot of praying before they made the decision to move their family from their roots in Louisiana for a new life in North Texas. "It was a lot of prayer, a lot to talking to our friends, but, you know, we love it out here," Jep Robertson told Fox News Digital. The couple will share their journey on their new Great American Media series "Jep & Jess: Beyond the Bayou," which will stream exclusively on Great American Pure Flix every Thursday starting Aug. 13. It will also be available on Great American Family and GFAM+ starting Saturday, Aug. 15 at 9 p.m. ‘SOPRANOS’ STAR JAMIE-LYNN SIGLER FLED HOLLYWOOD FOR TEXAS WHERE SHE NO LONGER FEELS ‘WATCHED’ "And actually, in this part of Texas where the ranch is, when I was a kid, I used to come out here with my dad from about 12 years old to about 16, 17, Jep explained. "Actually, my first kind of decent buck was killed in Texas not far from this ranch we’re filming the show on, and so I love this area of Texas." He said it felt like "God is just like ‘All right, guys, you know, you should try this,’ and we're like ‘OK, we'll try.'" The show follows the couple as they leave "behind the Louisiana bayous that first made them household names," to build a "new life in Texas, transforming Comanche Moon Ranch into a thriving community rooted in craftsmanship, hospitality, and legacy," according to the description of the show on Great American Family’s website. "Along the way, viewers will witness the joys and challenges of creating a place where neighbors become family, love grows deeper, and every project serves a greater purpose." WATCH HERE: ‘DUCK DYNASTY’ STARS ON BIG MOVE AWAY FROM LOUISIANA: ‘WE LOVE IT OUT HERE’ Jep noted that it has been a few years since they had been on TV, "So our family has definitely gotten a lot bigger." COUNTRY STAR TYLER HUBBARD SAYS ‘THE CHOSEN’ BROUGHT THE BIBLE TO LIFE FOR HIS FAMILY "Beyond the Bayou" will also give fans a more "in-depth" look at them, Jep said, adding that it will be "faith-forward." The first episodes, he said, show them talking to their Bible study group about "coming out here and kind of doing this whole project, and which was really cool because what most people don't know is like we didn't tell them. We were just meeting with our Bible group, and then, you know, we talked about kind of what was going on, so it's very authentic, which I thought was really cool." Jep and Jess, who are now grandparents, have been married for nearly 25 years. And while they have a strong marriage, they admit it wasn’t always easy. "I always say, the first seven, eight years were really tough being married," Jep admitted. "I was just like, man, I can't do this. WATCH HERE: ‘DUCK DYNASTY’ STAR JEP ROBERTSON SAYS NEW REALITY SERIES WILL GIVE ‘IN-DEPTH’ ‘FAITH-FORWARD’ LOOK AT THEIR LIVES JESSIE JAMES DECKER ON WHY HER MARRIAGE TO ERIC DECKER HASN'T LOST ITS SPARK AFTER FOUR KIDS The couple, however, had "so many amazing people in our lives," he said, adding that his oldest brother Alan and his wife really helped them navigate their early years as a couple. "And so, I think it's a testament to God and the people he's put in our life, you know, just not giving up," he confessed. "When people ask me about marriage advice --- it'll be 25 years in October --- and I'm like, ‘Man, I would just say, don't give up.’ I mean, that's the main thing is don't give up." It took them years, he said, but eventually they got on the "same team." "It's OK if you make a mistake. It's like, ‘Oh, I screwed up here and you just forget and move on," he said. But it takes time and wisdom to learn these things." LORENZO LAMAS FINDS HAPPINESS WITH HEATHER LOCKLEAR AFTER YEARS OF 'TRIAL AND ERROR' Jess added that "so many people say the first year of marriage is hard, but I always say the first seven because we were super young." The pair met in February, started dating in June and were married by October, "so, we really got to know each other once we were married. And I say the only reason why we're still married is because we love the Lord more than we love, you know, each other. And I think when you're always pointing to him, all the things, all the hurts, all the disappointments, any little, you know comparing you to him, my father and you to my mom, all those things, it makes it OK because you're not looking for that anymore." WATCH HERE: ‘DUCK DYNASTY' STAR JESS ROBERTSON SAYS SHE AND JEP ARE STILL TOGETHER BECAUSE THEY LOVE GOD MORE THAN EACH OTHER She added, "And I think once, like he said, we got on the same team, we knew each other, we were on the team, I know he loves the Lord, I know he has a good heart, and so all the little things that happen, I can let it go, right?" And as they build the ranch, where the public can visit, Jess said she thinks people are looking for a simpler, more community-oriented life. 'MASTERCHEF' FINALIST SAYS BUSY FAMILIES ARE LOSING SOMETHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN HOME-COOKED MEALS "I've noticed like more girls, younger girls wanting to sew and learn to sew and being very creative, learning how to, you know, raise chickens and can tomatoes and make jams," she said, adding that it was encouraging to her to see younger women wanting to learn skills that meant a lot to her growing up that she learned from her grandparents. "So, I think that that's definitely what people want," she continued. "And even if you don't have that," "Beyond the Bayou" is "a show they can watch, and it's actually some place you can actually come and experience. You don't have to actually own it, and you know live this daily. You can actually get away and have this reconnect with your family, with your friend group, family reunions." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8311912c5335ae104791c7 US awards Raytheon $22.9B Tomahawk deal as Trump dismisses weapons stockpile concerns te 2026-08-17T13:50:09.068Z US awards Raytheon $22.9B Tomahawk deal as Trump dismisses weapons stockpile concerns The Department of War announced Monday that the U.S. Navy has awarded Raytheon, an RTX business, a $22.9 billion contract to accelerate production of Tomahawk missiles, as the Pentagon moves to expand the nation’s munitions capacity and replenish critical long-range strike weapons. The news came after President Donald Trump pushed back on concerns over the strain the Iran conflict might be placing on U.S. weapons stockpiles. "What we’ve used is peanuts," Trump told Fox News’ Trey Yingst in an exclusive phone interview earlier Monday. "We have a lot of mid-level weapons." PENTAGON RACES TO BUY 10X MORE MISSILES AS IRAN WAR DWINDLES ARSENAL, THREATENS READINESS FOR CHINA AGGRESSION The massive Tomahawk award is intended to give RTX the stability needed to expand its workforce, increase manufacturing output and strengthen supply chains while speeding deliveries of the long-range cruise missile to U.S. forces, according to the department. "The Department called upon industry to expand munitions production, and RTX has answered that call," Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey wrote in a statement. "This Tomahawk award increases our ability to equip the Joint Force, ensuring our Warfighters never face a fair fight." Pentagon officials have increasingly focused on expanding the U.S. defense industrial base and shortening the time required to produce key weapons as military operations and heightened global tensions put renewed attention on the size and resilience of American weapons stockpiles. "Guaranteeing our naval and joint forces have the lethal firepower they need to deter aggression and protect the homeland is paramount," acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao wrote in a statement. "This landmark $22.9 billion investment will accelerate Tomahawk missile delivery to our warfighters at unprecedented speed. TIM SHEEHY EXPOSES A 'SCARY' SHIPBUILDING COLLAPSE THAT LEAVES THE US VULNERABLE TO CHINA "By working closely with industry to expand our munitions industrial base’s capacity, the Department is utilizing every available tool to meet the demands of our current operations, ensuring they are equipped to fight, win, and come home safe."  The Navy said the agreement also supports the Department of War’s Acquisition Transformation Strategy, which is aimed at accelerating weapons deliveries and reducing procurement lead times. The Tomahawk is one of the U.S. military’s primary long-range strike weapons and can be launched from Navy ships and submarines against targets hundreds of miles away. The Navy’s Portfolio Acquisition Executive Munitions oversees procurement and delivery of the service’s munitions and strike capabilities and is working to coordinate weapons programs with the industrial base to expand production capacity. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a830f382c5335ae1047918c Why WWE legend Dawn Marie is heading to OnlyFans at 55 te 2026-08-17T13:40:08.158Z Why WWE legend Dawn Marie is heading to OnlyFans at 55 Most pro wrestling fans who went to an Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) show in the mid-1990s or tuned into WWE programming in the early 2000s would have likely seen Dawn Marie at ringside accompanying a champion or having feuds with other divas on-screen. Marie announced a new endeavor last week when she told her followers she would be joining OnlyFans to give fans the opportunity to see her up close and personal. The 55-year-old New Jersey native, who is now making her living as a nurse, made clear in a recent interview with Fox News Digital she won’t be doing nudes or any kind of crazy collaborations. COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL "It's going to be fun. It's going to be flirty," she said. "We're not doing nudes, which I made that very clear. Just going to be Dawn Marie." Marie explained she suffered many injuries while being in the ring, taking bumps from her fellow wrestlers. She said neck injuries, specifically, have made her job as a nurse tough and that joining OnlyFans was a way to think about her children’s futures as a single mom. "I have a lot of residual issues also from being a nurse from wrestling. I choose not to be what I see on a daily basis – people my age in beds and never getting back up. It's scary. And the only difference is it happened to them and not me," she said. "These are the things that go through my head. You know, as we get older, we start thinking about these things, right? So, it just made sense. It just made sense to prepare. "And heck, if I'm able to nurse and continue to nurse and figure it out and not need the extra dollars ... Well, I guess my kids are going to have a great time after I'm gone. … I would love nothing more than to be able to, as a single mom, have my kids finish school and not have a college debt." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Marie also said she’s back doing appearances, which is forcing her to take better care of herself. She said, "Why not?" take the next step and try out OnlyFans. "I’m not trying to be the Dawn Marie of 20 years ago," she said. "I’m trying to be the Dawn Marie that’s 55 and embracing it and enjoying being what I am and what I am now. I think women are beautiful at every age." Furthermore, Marie made clear that doing OnlyFans "wasn’t about the big money grab." "This is just preparing a little extra something for my future – just in case." Marie jumped into pro wrestling in 1995, making her debut at an independent show in New Jersey managing Tony Atlas in his match against Jimmy Snuka. She would work her way up and down the East Coast before getting into ECW and later WWE (then called the World Wrestling Federation). She departed WWE in 2005 and appeared in a few other independent promotions in the late 2000s. She then made her return to WWE in 2024 at NXT Halloween Havoc as a special guest referee for a match between Jaida Parker and Lola Vice. She explained to Fox News Digital that the moment she stepped foot into the first show she knew she had made the right decision for herself. "The second I walked out that curtain and I had that moment. It was so profound," she said. "Literally, I could remember, I walk out and going ... It was weird. It was like, scary at first, but then it felt so peaceful. Like, at first, it was scary because you're like, ‘What the freak is going on, right?’ And then it was like, it just felt right." Pro wrestling fans interested in Marie can subscribe to her page for $12.95. "Keep it fun, flirty and respectful." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a830f372c5335ae1047917c Jaxson Dart's girlfriend Marissa Ayers addresses NFL's propaganda campaign, Angel Reese tries to dunk & Flair te 2026-08-17T13:40:07.460Z Jaxson Dart's girlfriend Marissa Ayers addresses NFL's propaganda campaign, Angel Reese tries to dunk & Flair Alright guys, the sun is trying to come out, the disgusting humidity is gone and now it's time to get another week of life and Monday Screencaps rolling. I'm on my eighth straight day of writing Screencaps, so if I don't use proper grammar, or I use the wrong pronoun, or you have something to complain about with sentence structure, I don't care. Save the email. You guys get what you get at this point of summer. Now that I have the disclaimer out of the way, I want to start with the NFL quarterback girlfriend theme that's going to dominate the 2026 season. Remember this name: Marissa Ayers. She's the former University of Alabama sorority girl who is now dating Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart. JAXSON DART'S GIRLFRIEND MARISSA AYERS MADE HER RUNWAY DEBUT IN A BIKINI AT MIAMI SWIM WEEK "I love the days I put on an outfit, and I think, wow, the cool girl from that 2000 show or movie that I love, would definitely wear this," Ayers said in her latest TikTok where she showed off her NFL gameday fashion while addressing last week's news of the NFL's girlfriend propaganda campaign. "Trust me, they're locked in," Ayers said of the quarterbacks who've been drawn into this NFL content strategy where they help promote current girlfriends to see if they can recreate the Taylor Swift effect across the league. I'm telling you guys right now that Ayers is going to be a content machine this year. She's going to be a throwback to the early days of the Internet when girlfriends (now wives) like Kelly Stafford would do beer bongs on camera without a care in the world. Ayers is a throwback. Don't get mad if we feature her 3-4 times a week. She's a content machine and in this business, you don't get many pageview generators like Marissa. You're damn right SeanJo and I are pumped. JUSTIN HERBERT'S BODY LANGUAGE CHANGES AS MADISON BEER CONTINUES TO PET HIM, SCHOOL SUPPLIES & YAN CELEBRATES 📩 Email: joe.kinsey@outkick.com Send photos, stories, tips, rants—whatever you've got. 📰 Screencaps Page: 👉 Read the latest Screencaps ▶️ YouTube: Screencaps with Joe Kinsey Subscribe for videos, rants, and behind-the-scenes. 🐦 Twitter/X: @JoeKinseyexp Tag me or drop a DM. LANDRY KIFFIN & HER MOM GET INTO GAME SHAPE FOR THE UPCOMING SEC SEASON, CORN BATS, PLUS A LLWS TANK 📸 Instagram: @OutKickScreencaps You guys need to start tagging me on content you're seeing. 📘 Facebook Page: Screencaps on Facebook 👥 Facebook Group: Join the Screencaps Community 📬 Mail (Thursday Night Mowing League): 27072 Carronade Dr, Unit A 155 Perrysburg, OH 43551 US FLAG FOOTBALL TEAM STUNNED BY AMERICAN SAMOA IN SHOCKING FIRST LOSS IN 14 YEARS 🗞️ Newsletter: 👉 Subscribe here Speaking of the NFL, it wouldn't be a new NFL season if its woke department didn't come up with something that just makes no sense like the "end racism" or "stop hate" end zone messages that...wait for it....didn't end racism or stop hate. Now they're taking aim at women's sports. Remember, the NFL is about to push HARD to make you care about women's flag football. They've been hinting at the flag football thing for the last 18 months or so. I assume this is the beginning of that push. Don't forget that the Little League teams you see on TV this week are travel ball teams cosplaying as humble small-town rec ball players brought together to play a wholesome Little League World Series. I had to have a conversation with my father this weekend to make sure he understood the cosplay and what ESPN is up to. Meanwhile, I can spot a future travel ball mom from a mile away. Get a job, Faith Morgan. – Travel Ball Hardo Chris B. in Houston emails: Looks like college signing day... for a 7 year old. Kinsey: This is what happens when men let their beloved sports be bastardized by Stanley-succin' mama bears. I blame the men. They're weak. Feeble. What mama bear wants, mama bear gets. If mama bear wants to start burning pumpkin spice latte candles in August because the temp triggers autumnal emotions, she burns her candles. ZHAMIRA ZAMBRANO THROWS ONE OF THE WORST CELEBRITY FIRST PITCHES EVER, MAYOR FREY DANCING & MENDOZA IS READY OK, so you pick your battles. Mama bear doesn't get to turn 7 year old Axe's baseball career into a series of UNC signing day events. And people wonder why their kids grow up to feel entitled and complainers when they can't move into a 2900 sq. ft. house upon graduating college. Guys, this garbage is on YOU. – Brandon in NW Houston says on Instagram DMs: Thought you might appreciate this as a XC dad. I think the 7th and 8th slide were especially poignant. The 8th one talks about the teamwork and it reminded me of one of the races during my sons senior season last year. It was a somewhat meaningless early race but the seniors and the fastest underclassmen sacrificed their times to pace one of the slower runners to a PR. It was pretty amazing and still chokes me up a little to think about. Kinsey: Just had the conversation this weekend that it's so refreshing to not hear parents bitching about their kids not getting the ball enough, or how some family pays more money to the athletic budget so they get more playing time. In two weeks, we'll be driving 2 hours to watch Screencaps Jr. run for 12 minutes and it will be a refreshing day. – Gen X Warren says enough is enough: Do any of you guys use the Flight Radar 24 app for fun? – Mike T. in Idaho emails: Have you this app? It’s fun to see where planes are going when you're sitting outside enjoying a beverage! Kinsey: I know Millennial Chris B. in Bowling Green tracks planes all the time. I think Canoe Kirk is another one who does it. I'll give it a try this month while I'm respecting summer. WNBA PLAYER SAYS THE LEAGUE SHOULDN'T WEAR USA 250 PATCHES FOR THE ALL-STAR GAME BECAUSE OF SLAVERY ################## And with that, let's roll. I'm fired up. Storylines are starting to take shape, including that NFL flag football push that's coming. I'm warning you guys. ESPN is about to beat you over the head with women's flag football. Watch how hard they work to create stars. Go have a great day. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a830cdf2c5335ae1047913a Taylor Sheridan's Lioness keeps fans hooked as latest episode raises the stakes in a big way te 2026-08-17T13:30:07.681Z Taylor Sheridan's Lioness keeps fans hooked as latest episode raises the stakes in a big way "Lioness" fans are absolutely hooked as season three rolls on. The hit series created by Taylor Sheridan focuses on the shadowy world of black operations in the CIA and the military. Season three started on August 2nd on Paramount+, and the season premiere was nothing short of epic. Joe and her team found themselves in Ukraine hunting a Russian agent. LIONESS SEASON 3 EPISODE 2 OPENING SCENE LEAVES FANS STUNNED WITH ITS INTENSITY ON PARAMOUNT+ That was only the start. Joe was later kidnapped and it's officially been off to the races from there. The latest episode is keeping the energy high. *NOTE: There will be spoilers below. Consider yourself warned. The major reveal in episode three of season three – "The Bear Is Infected" – focuses heavily on how deeply the infiltration efforts into the U.S. government have gone. NEW LIONESS SEASON 3 TRAILER SIGNALS TAYLOR SHERIDAN IS TAKING THE PARAMOUNT+ SERIES TO NEW HEIGHTS During an epic scene, Joe (Zoe Saldaña) and Oleksandra, who is not yet fully trusted, walk the team through the different strategies America's enemies use to get sources in the most sensitive areas of the government, military and education. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK CULTURE COVERAGE There's also an all-time great "Lioness" moment when it's revealed Joe played a role in the death of infamous terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in Iraq. That's a hat tip to the biggest fans of the SOF world. It's also revealed during the episode that at least one U.S. Senator is compromised by foreign forces. The ending scene of the episode will also chill viewers to the bone as it perfectly sets the stakes of what's coming, but I won't say more than that. LAYSLA DE OLIVEIRA TEASES ‘LIONESS’ SEASON 3 DEBUT WITH BEHIND-THE-SCENES PHOTOS Fans were also quick to hop on Reddit and share a variety of reactions and theories: Do you have an interesting theory for what's coming next on "Lioness"? Let me know at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a830a8a2c5335ae10479069 El-Sayed taunts Trump, claims he's going to make him 'main character of the midterms' te 2026-08-17T13:20:10.832Z El-Sayed taunts Trump, claims he's going to make him 'main character of the midterms' Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed taunted President Donald Trump on Saturday, predicting Trump's attacks on El-Sayed and his wife would elevate him nationally as he battles Republican Mike Rogers for a critical open Senate seat. "Come at us, bro. My wife has more strength than he has ever had. So, come at us. See what happens," El-Sayed said during "On Sunday with Jack Cocchiarella." "I mean, at the end of the day, like, he’s going to turn me into the main character of the midterms, which I’m totally cool with, because my whole argument about Mike Rogers is he’s always been an NPC," he said. "Donald Trump can’t help himself," El-Sayed said. "So, part of me is like, 'Come for me, bro. See what happens.'" An NPC is shorthand for a non-player character in video games. BIDEN-WORLD VETERAN ISSUES STARK WARNING ABOUT ABDUL EL-SAYED AS HE CROSSES PARTY LINES RNC National Press Secretary Natalie Baldassarre told Fox News Digital Sunday that El-Sayed's record would put Democrats across the country on the defensive during the midterms. "El-Sayed is a jihadi jester, and his record of supporting far-left policies, bootlicking terrorists, killing puppies, and cozying up to radicals who think America deserved 9/11 will be on full display. Democrats across the country will be forced to answer for his extreme ideology," Baldassarre said. FOX NEWS POLL: A SENATE BATTLE LOOMS IN MICHIGAN A Fox News Poll released Thursday, the first survey taken after the primary, found Rogers leading El-Sayed 51% to 47%. The contest is among one of Democrats’ most important races as the party seeks to overturn Republicans’ 53-47 Senate majority. The winner will succeed retiring Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich. Rogers, who has the president's endorsement, lost Michigan's 2024 Senate race to Democratic Sen. Elisa Slotkin by roughly 19,000 votes. El-Sayed would become the first Muslim U.S. senator if elected. HASAN PIKER TORCHED OVER PLAYBOOK TO DODGE HIS PAST CONTROVERSIES: 'BATS--- CRAZY' Trump escalated his attacks last weekend by publishing a Truth Social post juxtaposing a photograph of himself and first lady Melania Trump with one of El-Sayed and his wife, Dr. Sarah Jukaku. "Two VERY DIFFERENT America’s," Trump said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Baldassarre's reference concerned El-Sayed's campaign appearances with far-left streamer Hasan Piker, who previously said America deserved the Sept. 11 attacks. El-Sayed distanced himself from those remarks during an April appearance on "Fox & Friends." "Of course, I oppose rape. Of course, I don’t think 9/11 was justified," El-Sayed said. "Just because you appear with somebody, doesn’t mean you agree with them on everything." El-Sayed has campaigned on abolishing ICE, passing Medicare for All and providing tuition-free higher education. He has described himself as a progressive rather than a socialist. Fox News Digital reached out to El-Sayed for comment, but did not immediately receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a830a8a2c5335ae10479060 Trump can protect California avocado farmers and take a bite out of Mexican cartels, too te 2026-08-17T13:20:10.215Z Trump can protect California avocado farmers and take a bite out of Mexican cartels, too President Donald Trump has made Make America Healthy Again a national priority, with avocados at the center of his administration's new food pyramid. But America cannot promote real, healthy food while allowing the American farmers who grow it to disappear. That is exactly what is happening to California's roughly 3,000 avocado growers, who are being undercut by a surge of Mexican imports from regions where cartel activity extorts growers, seizes land and controls communities. Trump has committed to making America healthy again, putting American interests first and stopping cartel criminal activity at our border. Prioritizing California's avocado farmers does all three. California’s avocado growers, many of them small, multigenerational family farms, meet some of the world’s most rigorous labor, environmental and production standards. Yet during their March-through-October harvest season, they face surges of imported fruit from Mexico that disrupt the U.S. market, destroy the market price and threaten their future. SEC BROOKE ROLLINS: HOW TRUMP IS REVIVING THE FIBER WOVEN INTO AMERICA We know there is a meaningful difference in quality as well. California Hass avocados are left on the tree until they reach peak maturity, allowing them to develop a richer oil content that creates a creamier texture, a deeper buttery flavor and a more vibrant fruit profile. They are prized for their consistency, making them the preferred choice for everything from guacamole to sandwiches and salads. California avocados are not simply another commodity, they are among the finest avocados grown anywhere in the world. When American consumers choose California-grown fruit, they are choosing superior quality while supporting American farmers and American agriculture. This year, avocado shipments from Mexico from January through mid-July surged 32% compared to the same period in 2025, flooding the U.S. market and harming our California growers. While we continue working to reduce the regulatory burdens facing California farmers, imported avocados dumped into the market at artificially low prices undermine fair competition and threaten the long-term viability of domestic production. America cannot allow a foreign source to dominate a critical food category while U.S.-grown crops progressively disappear. Total dependency on foreign production in agriculture damages farming communities, compromises food security and ultimately harms consumers. STEVE MOORE: POLITICIANS ARE BLAMING THE WRONG VILLAIN FOR AMERICA’S RISING FOOD PRICES The surges in Mexican avocados implicate another major policy concern. Since day one of his second term, Trump has aggressively committed himself to stopping cartel criminal activity that crosses our border. Mexican avocado production belongs in that conversation. The Treasury Department has documented that cartels operating in Mexico’s avocado-producing regions extort growers, demand payments tied to harvesting and exporting, seize land and use violence to control communities. On Aug. 5, 2026, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued an alert suspending all U.S. government activities due to a threat against American interests in the Mexican state of Michoacán, which produces the vast majority of Mexico's avocados exported to the United States. The U.S. resumed those activities on Aug. 13. This is the latest confirmation that cartels exercise significant control over the region and its avocado industry. Many Mexican growers are victims of these organizations, not partners. But a system that ignores cartel coercion can still reward the conditions the cartels exploit. American farmers should not be put at risk by unchecked import surges from regions gripped by cartel exploitation and market distortions. 'NARCO-TERRORIST' FAMILY MEMBERS TARGETED IN RUBIO'S LATEST VISA CRACKDOWN While the administration continues to combat the larger cartel threat, California growers urgently need relief from these market dislocations. The answer is a carefully designed seasonal tariff-rate quota, or TRQ, on Mexican avocados. A TRQ allows a reasonable volume of imports to enter duty-free, then applies a higher tariff only after imports exceed a defined quota. This measured safeguard, which can be achieved during the ongoing USMCA review, can preserve year-round avocado supplies while giving California growers a fair chance to compete in their own market during harvest season. USDA oversight and inspector security should accompany the TRQ because fair trade flows and a food supply safe from disease and infestation are both imperative. If Mexico is unable or unwilling to provide sufficient security for USDA inspectors to perform needed orchard checks, imports should be suspended until the security issues are resolved and the inspections completed. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Farmers need a market where following American rules does not become a competitive disadvantage. Our country, our restaurants, our consumers and our families deserve U.S.-grown production and dependable, high-quality ingredients. A balanced TRQ helps deliver that. America First and Make America Healthy Again come together when we support California farms and their success. Helping American agriculture, like our local avocado growers, strengthens our food supply, sustains local communities and helps put healthy food on more American tables. Andrew Gruel is the founder of Slapfish restaurant, a Huntington Beach City councilman and chef/owner of Calico Fish House in Huntington Beach, California.  CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM ANDREW GRUEL Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a830a852c5335ae10479044 Wispr raises $280M at $2B valuation as it looks beyond dictation te 2026-08-17T13:20:05.580Z Wispr raises $280M at $2B valuation as it looks beyond dictation Wispr’s total funding is now over $361 million. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a830a832c5335ae1047903b Uber adds Zipline drones to its Eats delivery network te 2026-08-17T13:20:03.806Z Uber adds Zipline drones to its Eats delivery network Uber is also making investing in Zipline as part of the tie-up. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83082d2c5335ae10479009 As TEP plans next 15 years of power, questions raised on transparency and data centers te 2026-08-17T13:10:05.880Z As TEP plans next 15 years of power, questions raised on transparency and data centers Pima County, the city of Tucson and the Sierra Club all declined to sign a non-disclosure agreement this year with Tucson Electric Power, giving up access to the modeling data that is part of a major energy planning process rather than agree to the confidentiality terms.  The agreement is tied to TEP’s Integrated Resource Plan, or IRP, a planning document utilities file with the Arizona Corporation Commission every three years, sharing how, and how much, power they expect to provide over the next 15 years.  The process is non-binding but offers an important look into how energy decisions are made, including what electricity generation looks like in a rapidly heating region like Southern Arizona, and how controversial projects like data centers are considered in planning decisions.  It comes amid a year of community backlash over the Project Blue data center, which has left stakeholders wary of non-disclosure agreements around resource-intensive projects that obscure details from the public. Some members of the resource council who did sign the non-disclosure agreement said they have not yet received any modeling data.  AriSEIA, a trade organization representing the solar, storage, and electrification industry, said they signed an NDA in January but had not received anything by mid-August.  “The utilities are working hard to hide the ball in the open,” said the group’s executive director Autumn Johnson. “Unless you get the data, I am not sure there is anything to do with the IRP other than line a birdcage. Modeling is only as good as its inputs and assumptions and without the underlying data you can’t access that.” The scrutiny comes as the IRP process could overlap with the TEP rate case in which the company is asking the Arizona Corporation Commission for a 13% rate increase. Also moving ahead is Attorney General Kris Mayes’ case against the Arizona Corporation Commission’s decision to approve the energy agreement between TEP and Project Blue, which has an oral argument scheduled for next month.  The portfolios under consideration, which are reviewed by members of the Resource Planning Advisory Council over a year of regular meetings, include plans that would add more nuclear power or focus more on carbon-neutral resources. They also include two options that would add “high load” customers such as data centers.  An anticipated energy forecast slide shared as part of the council meetings shows that the energy load the company is currently delivering is expected to remain relatively flat, but that it sees “significant increases in load projected as a result of new large customers (primarily data centers).”  Given the ongoing local opposition to data centers, led by the No Desert Data Center Coalition, the next 15 years of energy planning are also likely to include a close watch of where this electricity goes, and an effort to stop it.  “Ultimately, no electricity should be going to hyperscale data centers in the Sonoran Desert. Just as we say not one drop for data, we say not a single megawatt,” according to a statement from the coalition, shared by spokesperson Lee Ziesche. “As we face increasing temperatures and drought, we must also conserve water and electricity, not waste it on energy guzzling hyperscale data centers.”  For the county, the outcome of the process “will affect the County’s emissions reduction goals, energy consumer costs across the community, and costs to the County for energy consumption,” Pima County Administrator Jan Lesher said in an Aug. 5 memo. “Depending on the location, type and amount of resource generation, the IRP could also impact local groundwater resources.”  Image is from a Resource Planning Advisory Council meeting on Aug. 28, 2025. Stakeholders question NDA use  To help draft the document before filing with the ACC, the company brings together a group of stakeholders to provide input on its plan.  This year, the company asked stakeholders who wanted to review modeling data to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Among the stakeholders are local governments, mining interests like Hudbay Minerals, consumer advocacy groups like Interfaith Community Services, education institutions including the University of Arizona and Tucson Unified School District, and business groups including the Chamber of Southern Arizona.  “A considerable barrier in this process is the provision of data and modeling — requiring nondisclosure agreements,” county administrator Lesher said in the August memo.  The Arizona Corporation Commission, Tucson Electric Power and city of Tucson said that using a non-disclosure agreement is standard for a process like the IRP. Tucson Electric Power also said the non-disclosure agreement is not related to data center projects.  The city of Tucson, for example, said it did not sign the non-disclosure agreement because the city could fully participate in the council process without seeing the information covered by the NDA, which was the specifics of a planning model. Both Tucson and Pima County have redesigned their non-disclosure agreement process over the past year in response to the Project Blue process.  For those who did sign a non-disclosure agreement but did not yet receive any modeling data, Tucson Electric Power said its team was working through administrative issues and the data could become available in mid-August.  The Nature Conservancy said it requested data related to the IRP process, but were still waiting for clarification on whether a non-disclosure agreement was required before the information was shared.  Western Resource Advocates, a regional nonprofit that lobbies for climate solutions, said that while non-disclosure agreements are standard in these discussions they don’t always guarantee that important data is available.  “This is especially troubling when stunningly large new data center loads are pushing to interconnect to the grid, when the cost impacts and cost allocations are unclear,” said Gwen Farnsworth, deputy director of state advocacy at Western Resource Advocates.  State regulatory commissions like the ACC, or laws passed at the state level, can define what data access and confidentiality can look like in this process, Farnsworth said. The group has advocated for more information in IRPs to be publicly available, or shared with participants.  “The ratepayers are paying for the energy selected in these IRP processes, and the process is regulated by public oversight, so the public deserves transparency when costs impact their bills,” Farnsworth said.  The group has also been critical of Arizona’s IRP process in general, saying that its process is less robust than other states because plans are acknowledged, not approved, and that the state should not require all the utilities to submit at the same time because it creates an undue burden on staff.  The Arizona Corporation Commission said the current process is that IRPs are presented to the ACC, acknowledged by the commission and filed into a docket which becomes a public record.  IRP rules are currently under review for possible revisions, which will include future stakeholder participation.  A public workshop to present the results of the 2026 Integrated Resource Plan will take place in October; the IRP itself is due Oct. 30 following an extension of several months. Stakeholders will provide comment on the plan this year, then in 2027 the utility will respond to those concerns.  Image is from a Resource Planning Advisory Council meeting on June 4, 2026. Data centers, affordability at stake An administrative law judge is expected to issue a recommendation and order in October on TEP’s rate increase request, and the commission could vote in November. If so, new rates would go into effect in December.  Affordability of energy in Southern Arizona amid increasingly hot summers is among the reasons stakeholders are watching the IRP process.  Tucson’s 2023 IRP promised to accelerate its clean energy expansion, continue to retire coal plants and bring new wind, solar and storage projects online. The company celebrated the expansion of its battery energy storage in southeast Tucson this week, boasting of the 400 megawatts of storage that could power nearly 85,000 homes for four hours.  But the landscape has changed since 2023, with public outrage over the Project Blue data center, along with a national push to build more data centers, stoking public concern about how future energy generation is being planned.  TEP spokesperson Joe Barrios said TEP will continue to meet growing energy needs with a mix of solar, wind and natural gas systems. Data centers would pay for the cost of serving their operations, Barrios said. “Large industrial customers pay rates designed to recover the full cost of serving them, including infrastructure and energy resources,” he said. The No Desert Data Center Coalition, which has been at the forefront of organizing the opposition to a data center in Southern Arizona, said they remain concerned about what any data center projects mean for the region.  “We’re deeply concerned that TEP is continuing to build new, expensive fracked gas generation to power data center demand over the next 15 years that will drive up our monthly bills and contribute to the climate crisis,” according to the No Desert Data Center Coalition statement shared by Ziesche. “TEP’s owners, Fortis, told investors that making money off of new generation for data centers will be a big part of their business moving forward. TEP only makes money one way, through our electric bills.”  Image is from a Resource Planning Advisory Council meeting on Jan. 27, 2026. The post As TEP plans next 15 years of power, questions raised on transparency and data centers appeared first on AZ Luminaria. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a83082b2c5335ae10478ffc Crypto hardware wallet owners face fresh security risks after recent spate of personal data thefts te 2026-08-17T13:10:03.924Z Crypto hardware wallet owners face fresh security risks after recent spate of personal data thefts The hacks at shipping companies used to mail out hardware wallets puts crypto owners at greater risk of real-world attacks. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8301272c5335ae10478ebb Meet Kandi Krush – the former Olympic hopeful who is rising through the ranks in Women of Wrestling te 2026-08-17T12:40:07.677Z Meet Kandi Krush – the former Olympic hopeful who is rising through the ranks in Women of Wrestling Kandi Krush is one of the most fearsome competitors on the Women of Wrestling (WOW) roster. Krush, Coach Campanelli and Gloria Glitter (the group known as Top Tier) once held the WOW World Trios Championship. But as with everything else in pro wrestling, Krush and Campanelli turned on Glitter and kicked her out of Top Tier. Krush’s rise in professional wrestling was far from smooth. COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL The powerful puncher was once an Olympic hopeful in synchronized swimming. But injuries and what she described in a recent interview with Fox News Digital as a "toxic environment" left her dreams of a gold medal drowned. "My dreams were essentially kind of stripped from me," she said. "But at the same time, I took control over my own future and decided to just pivot. Anytime something bad has happened in my life or, you know, ‘bad’ because, really, it's just like a lesson and maybe like a sign to switch gears, but I pivoted. I pivoted to boxing." Krush said she was able to tap into her work ethic to go undefeated in professional boxing. But not long after she put on gloves, another obstacle was thrown in her way – COVID-19. "I worked my way up in boxing, turned pro, undefeated as a pro and then COVID hit and like it hit all of us like a like a punch from Mike Tyson," she said. "It shut down all the boxing gyms and so it gave me a lot of time to reflect and like what do I want to do? I love being under the bright lights on the big stage which is why I turned pro in the first place for boxing. I love to put on a good show. The crowd's energy just invigorates me, excites me, and I just want to go harder." Krush was inspired by a movie with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and thought pro wrestling was an avenue she could pursue. She said she was going to put her whole heart into the endeavor, despite never watching pro wrestling when she was younger. She saw an advertisement for a pro wrestling tryout with WOW and decided to put her time and energy into making it in the squared circle despite the real possibility she may never make it to a match. "Even if they call me to tell me that I'm cut, like not to show up the next day, I'm going to show up. Like, you can't tell me no. Tell me I can't, I'll show you I can. And so, I was the first one there. I was there before (WOW co-founder) David McLane even showed up at tryouts. I was the first one in, last one out. And that's my mentality. And I think that's why I've made it so far and been able to like rise the ranks in WOW so quickly. And, of course, I went back and did my due diligence and studied wrestling from the past and I had to kind of download the whole encyclopedia into my brain and body, but I never looked back. I love it." Krush said she cultivated her resilience from her never-say-die attitude and the desire to prove people wrong as well as what her mother instilled in her throughout her life. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "Failure is part of the journey, but in general, I don't like to lose by quitting," Krush told Fox News Digital. "I will never do that. You fail, you learn. No losses, only lessons. That's what we say in boxing. And I hold that true in everything I do. So, I learn, I get better, I move on, and I move up." Now, "The Heavy Hitter" is determined to keep inspiring those who are watching her compete in the ring. She recalled having a title shot early in her career at WOW and knew she probably wasn’t ready to carry the belt. However, she saw a girl in the stands begging for her to get up off the canvas to continue her fight. "I had that shot and I remember laying on the canvas with my arm essentially broken. She had just been going hard on my arm so that I couldn't knock her out with my KO Krusher. And I remember laying on the canvas looking out into the crowd and there was a little girl that said, ‘Get up, Kandi Krush. You can do it. You can win,’" she said. "It makes me emotional thinking about it right now, honestly. And I was like, you know what? I can do it. And this is why I do it. She believes in me. I gave her a reason to believe. And if she sees me get up and keep moving forward, then she'll remember that too, that moment, and somewhere down the line when she's essentially laying on the canvas in life, she'll hopefully find the strength to get up and keep fighting. "And so that's why I do what I do. I've always, you know, hoped for a platform where I can inspire the world to move mountains, one person at a time, even. And so, it means everything to me. This has been what I've worked towards. I didn't do it in the Olympics. I'm doing it now through wrestling, through WOW. So, I'm blessed. I'm thankful." Los Angeles Lakers minority owner Jeanie Buss co-founded and co-owns WOW. Each episode streams on Tubi and Vice TV. The shows were taking place in Las Vegas, but Buss recently announced that Season 5 will take place at L.A. Live in Los Angeles. "Season 5 is personal for me in a new way," she told Variety. "I’m taking on a bigger, more visible role, and fans are going to see a side of WOW they haven’t seen before. I’ve spent my career fighting for women to be seen and respected in spaces that weren’t built for us, and WOW exists to give women that platform, in the ring and beyond. Women’s sports are having a real moment, and this season delivers on everything we’ve been building toward." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8301272c5335ae10478eb2 Charlie Kirk’s murder sends shockwaves through Christian academy in hit Fox Nation series te 2026-08-17T12:40:07.017Z Charlie Kirk’s murder sends shockwaves through Christian academy in hit Fox Nation series Almost one year after the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk, Fox Nation is taking a look back at how the harrowing event impacted a Christian private high school in Louisiana. Pastor and Evangel Christian Academy head football coach Denny Duron guides his team through Kirk's killing in season 3 of the hit reality television series, "God. Family. Football."  While dealing with the pressures and challenges of competing during the 2025 season, Duron pays tribute to the killed Turning Point USA leader, as shown in episode two. "That young man was a young man I admired," he says in the episode. "I have used football as my platform to be able to speak the name of Jesus to the world, but he used politics."  ACCUSED CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSIN TYLER ROBINSON ASKS JUDGE TO TAKE POTENTIAL DEATH PENALTY OFF TABLE During one practice after Kirk's death, Duron encourages his players not to give in to hate by transforming anger into violence. "There is a spirit of anger in the world today," he says. "And there is no reason for you ever to be angry and commit a sin. If Jesus forgave you, for everything that he forgave you for and forgave me for, then you can not hold anything against anybody for any reason. That's what Christianity is all about." Duron then holds a moment of silence for Kirk and asks the team to "pray for peace on Earth." KELSEY GRAMMER WARNS OF CHILLING DANGER FACING AMERICANS WHO FORGET NATION'S FOUNDING HISTORY The tribute to Kirk continues off the field in the academy's classrooms. Offensive coordinator Kramer Hagan, also a civics teacher at the school, holds an open discussion with his students about the conservative leader's killing.  "I'm excited just to hear their thoughts and see how this younger generation is reacting," he says.  "You cannot allow yourself to be dehumanizing towards other people's beliefs," Hagan adds. "Jesus doesn't teach us to be that way. He wants you to fight and argue and defend your beliefs, but you can never lose your humanity in the process." JACK STORY SKIPPED HIS HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION TO GO BASS FISHING AND WALKED AWAY WITH $100K Navigating the tense political environment was one of the many challenges the team faced throughout the season. In the first three episodes, the team prepares for tough district opponents and grapples with a battle with leukemia and a Parkinson's disease diagnosis. To uncover more about the Evangel Christian Academy football team's inspiring season, tune in to the first three episodes of season 3 of "God. Family. Football." streaming now exclusively on Fox Nation. Fox Nation programs are viewable on demand and from your mobile device app but only for FOX Nation subscribers. Go to Fox Nation to start a free trial and watch the extensive library of your favorite FOX Nation personalities. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82fed22c5335ae10478e7e Trump confirms IRGC backchannel, but calls for Iran's 'white flag of surrender' te 2026-08-17T12:30:10.208Z Trump confirms IRGC backchannel, but calls for Iran's 'white flag of surrender' The 60-day ceasefire deadline is expiring Monday, but President Donald Trump's resolve on ending Iran's nuclear weapons aspirations is not, he told Fox News on Monday morning, where he confirmed there is a backchannel for peace talks with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. "They should put up the white flag of surrender," Trump said in a phone interview, confirming reports of the IRGC backchannel talks that bypass mediators and Iranian political officials. While the 60-day ceasefire expires Monday, Trump said there is still time for peace and Iran's relenting to Trump's primary demand: "The number one Goal is, and always will be, that Iran cannot have, in any way, shape, or form, a Nuclear Weapon," as he wrote on Truth Social around the time of the exclusive call with Fox News' Trey Yingst. TRUMP SEEKS $672M TO STOP IRANIAN NUKES AS NEGOTIATORS WEIGH FATE OF URANIUM STOCKPILE "I have no time schedule," Trump told Yingst. "I'm not in a hurry." While Trump has long lamented reaching peace with a fractured Iranian regime that has had multiple levels of leadership killed in past strikes, he confirmed U.S. officials are communicating directly through a backchannel with IRGC officials. "They’re good poker players, but they’re dying," Trump said. While speculation swirls Iran is engaging in its decades-long strategy of running out the political clock on Trump, before the midterms, if not 2028, Trump rejected the suggestion that politics is guiding his military strategy as commander in chief. TRUMP REVEALS THE LINE IRAN HAS TO CROSS FOR US TO RESTART OFFENSIVE MILITARY CAMPAIGN "Midterms have nothing to do with my thinking," he told Yingst. Trump also issued an extraordinary warning to Oman when asked about the Gulf nation’s role in talks involving Iran. "If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the s--- out of them," Trump said. The president then turned to Israel, where he said he believes it would be most appropriate for him to remain on the sidelines of the country’s elections — while simultaneously leaving open the possibility that he could back a candidate. NETANYAHU'S ISRAEL GRAPPLES WITH TRUMP-IRAN DEAL AS DETAILS REMAIN UNCLEAR "I think it’s most appropriate for me to stay out of Israeli elections, but I may endorse somebody," Trump said. Trump also said Israel should not be carrying out strikes in Gaza, as efforts continue to advance the next phase of a plan that would include the disarmament of Hamas. "We have our own relationship with Hamas," Trump said. "They are giving up their guns." Despite Israel's rejection of trusting the Hamas terrorist group, Trump suggested he could work peace both with a disarming Hamas and Israel. NETANYAHU REJECTS BOARD OF PEACE'S GAZA PLAN: NO 'WITHDRAWAL UNTIL HAMAS IS GENUINELY DISARMED' "They fight well with us," Trump reiterated to Yingst. Trump also pushed back on concerns over the strain the conflict might be placing on U.S. weapons stockpiles, playing down the amount of American firepower used so far. "What we’ve used is peanuts," Trump said. "We have a lot of mid-level weapons." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82fed12c5335ae10478e75 Robot learns to dismantle broken machines te 2026-08-17T12:30:09.522Z Robot learns to dismantle broken machines Robots have spent decades helping build the products around us. Now researchers are teaching them another skill that could become increasingly important: taking those products apart when something goes wrong. More than 4.6 million industrial robots are already operating worldwide. Meanwhile, demand for industrial robots continues to grow as manufacturers automate more production. That creates an obvious question. What happens to all those machines and other complex products when parts wear out or fail? FOREIGN ROBOT BAN TARGETS CHINA OVER SECURITY FEARS Researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany have developed a robotic disassembly system designed to tackle that problem. Instead of assuming every screw and component will behave perfectly, the system plans for the messy reality of old machines. A screw may be stuck. A component may already be missing. The machine may no longer match the original design. The robot can figure that out as it works and change its plan along the way. New! Free live CyberGuy class: Protect Your Money From Today’s Biggest Threats Join us Saturday, August 29, at 10 AM ET for a free CyberGuy LIVE class covering five simple steps to help defend yourself against AI scams, fraud, identity theft and financial hacks. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson will explain how to set up bank alerts, strengthen your account logins, protect your phone number, freeze your credit and help secure your retirement savings against unauthorized transfers. No technical experience is needed. You’ll also receive our financial protection checklist, and every registrant will get a link to the class recording afterward. Reserve your free spot today at CyberGuyLive.com. Building something in a factory can be incredibly predictable. A robot knows which part comes next. It knows where the screws belong. Every movement can follow a carefully programmed sequence. Taking an old machine apart is a very different job. Years of use can leave parts corroded or damaged. Previous repairs can also change how a product fits together. That uncertainty creates a huge problem for traditional automation because one unexpected obstacle can derail the entire disassembly sequence. Researcher Jan Baumgärtner puts the challenge in practical terms. When assembling something new, the steps are clear. When dismantling something broken, many things can go wrong. That means a robot needs more than instructions. It needs some ability to reconsider what it believes is happening. The system starts with a CAD model showing how the product should be constructed. From there, the robot examines how individual parts actually behave. It can check whether a component moves the way the model predicts. If the movement looks wrong, the system updates its understanding of the machine. For example, a screw should behave in a very specific way. If the system discovers that a screw moves differently than expected, it can factor that new information into its next decision. The researchers use a probabilistic planning approach known as a Partially Observable Markov Decision Process, or POMDP. That complicated name describes a fairly relatable idea. The robot knows it does not have perfect information. So, rather than committing to one rigid plan, it assigns probabilities to what might be wrong and keeps updating those assumptions as new information arrives. The research combines that approach with CAD data, inspection information and the capabilities of the robot itself. HUMANOID ROBOT VIDEOS SHOW MACHINES LASHING OUT Here is where this gets interesting. In one physical experiment, the researchers simulated a stuck screw in an electric motor. The robotic system initially tried the expected approach by unscrewing the fasteners. When it discovered that one screw would not cooperate, the robot changed course. Instead of continuing to fight with that screw, the system chose a milling tool to remove material and gain access to the part it wanted. In another test involving an angle grinder, the robot recognized that a screw was already missing and avoided wasting time looking for it. That adaptability is important because the researchers found that traditional deterministic planning works well when everything behaves exactly as expected. Once uncertainty enters the picture, the probabilistic system can perform better when another disassembly route is available. In the experiments, both approaches performed similarly on new components. As the likelihood of stuck parts increased, the probabilistic planner produced faster disassembly times in scenarios where the robot had another way to reach the target component. The research was presented at the 2026 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation in Vienna. There is an important distinction here. The researchers are developing technology for robotic disassembly, but the physical demonstrations in this research focused on electric motors and an angle grinder. They did not demonstrate an automated factory where robots dismantle complete industrial robots. Still, the broader concept could eventually apply to much larger systems. Baumgärtner envisions scaling the technology into facilities with multiple robotic arms equipped with different tools. One machine might handle screws while another tackles parts that require a more aggressive removal method. The long-term vision looks almost like an assembly line running backward. Could robots eventually make repairs cheaper? This may be the part you should watch. Baumgärtner says one goal is creating a more circular economy where manufacturers recover useful components from older products instead of discarding the entire device. The system can even prioritize certain components during disassembly. If a manufacturer says a particular part has significant value, the robot can adjust its strategy to improve the chances of preserving that component. Eventually, the researchers envision an automated process that could extract a bad component, replace it and rebuild the product. Their ultimate economic goal is ambitious: make automated repair inexpensive enough that fixing an electronic device can cost less than producing another one. That remains a goal rather than something the system can deliver commercially today. WOULD YOU TRUST A TINY DENTAL ROBOT? You probably will not see one of these robotic repair stations at your neighborhood electronics shop anytime soon. However, this research points toward a different way manufacturers could think about products once they break. Today, many electronics become e-waste because recovering individual components can take too much labor or money. Automation could change some of that math. If robotic systems become good enough at dealing with damaged products, manufacturers could recover more high-value parts. Refurbishing equipment could also become more economical in some industries. There is another potential benefit. A machine that can intelligently preserve useful components may reduce the amount of perfectly good hardware that gets discarded because one part failed. The big question will be whether manufacturers design future products with automated disassembly in mind. Repair becomes much easier when engineers think about how something will eventually come apart while they are deciding how to build it. What catches my attention here is the robot's ability to deal with uncertainty. Factory robots have traditionally thrived in carefully controlled environments where every component arrives in the right place. Broken products refuse to cooperate like that. Teaching machines to recognize when reality no longer matches the blueprint could unlock far more useful applications for robotics. Repair and recycling are especially interesting because the economics often determine whether something gets a second life or lands in the scrap pile. We are still looking at research rather than a repair revolution you can use today. Yet the idea behind it feels important. The smarter robots become at taking products apart, the more realistic it becomes to recover expensive components instead of throwing away an entire machine because one piece failed. If robots could make repairing your electronics cheaper than replacing them, would that change how long you keep your devices, or do you think manufacturers will always have an incentive to sell you something new? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82fc772c5335ae10478dc3 Dangerous rabid beavers attack 2 teens, with 1 airlifted and popular park partially closed te 2026-08-17T12:20:07.949Z Dangerous rabid beavers attack 2 teens, with 1 airlifted and popular park partially closed A popular state park in Maryland is now partially closed after two recent attacks by rabid beavers. The first beaver attack at Cunningham Falls State Park in Frederick County, Maryland, by the town of Thurmont, involved a 13-year-old swimmer on July 26. The teenage boy, who had injuries to his hands and chest, was airlifted to Johns Hopkins Hospital, according to WJLA in Washington, D.C. BISON VICTIM SPEAKS OUT AFTER WILD ATTACK: 'THEY MOVE FASTER THAN YOU COULD EVER IMAGINE' Following the attack, the beaver was euthanized. It tested positive for rabies the following day, a press release from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) noted. Swimming access to Hunting Creek Lake at the park was closed soon afterward. The more recent incident took place on August 5, when a 19-year-old fisherman was bitten in the ankle by a beaver. The young man took himself to Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown for examination. He received treatment and a tetanus shot. This beaver was subsequently euthanized and tested positive for rabies. ELITE ROCK CLIMBER'S CAUSE OF DEATH REVEALED AFTER HORRIFIC ACCIDENT AT NATIONAL PARK The incidents have prompted partial park closures.  "Currently at Cunningham Falls State Park, day-use areas around Hunting Creek Lake will remain closed until wildlife experts and park management determine it is safe to reopen them to the public," Joe Zimmermann, public information officer for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, told Fox News Digital.  Other areas of Cunningham Falls State Park remain open for camping and hiking. "Maryland Department of Natural Resources staff, including wildlife specialists and park staff, are working to ensure the safety of the area and confirm that there are no additional beavers present," said Zimmermann.  He noted that in addition to traps, which have been set up since the first incident, wildlife staff are conducting nighttime surveys of the lake area with thermal imaging. During this time, staff have checked the surrounding area for signs of beavers, and workers remain vigilant throughout the entire park, he said. NATIONAL PARK DEATH EXPOSES REPEATED RULE VIOLATIONS AS TOURISTS TAKE DANGEROUS RISKS Cunningham Falls State Parks has many visitors in the summer. The park welcomed more than 455,000 visitors in 2025, according to the park’s spokesperson. Rabies is most commonly transmitted from contact — usually a bite or scratch — with an infected animal, Dr. Roy Gulick, chief of Infectious Disease at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian, told Fox News Digital. (Gulick has not treated and does not know either of the individuals attacked by the rabid beavers.) Globally, up to 99% of human rabies cases come from transmission by infected dogs, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). "In the U.S., canine rabies was largely eliminated by the 1970s — but bats, foxes, raccoons and skunks have been known to transmit rabies," said Gulick. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS Just like humans, dogs can get rabies from contact with infected wildlife, according to Brian Labus, an infectious disease epidemiologist and associate professor at the UNLV School of Public Health in Las Vegas, Nevada. "The virus can be found in the saliva of infected animals," Labus said.  It's important to exercise caution around wild animals and avoid close exposure, said Dr. Cheyenne Falat, associate medical director, Adult Emergency Department, University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Gulick, Falat and Labus all indicated there are clear warning signs. If a beaver shows unusual aggressive behavior by approaching or charging humans or domestic animals, parkgoers are urged to be cautious. The doctors said beavers typically avoid people. But the virus affects their brains and can cause them to lose fear. Beavers can become disoriented or uncoordinated. Rabid nocturnal animals can display uncharacteristic daytime exposure. They may exhibit excess salivation, abnormal coordination or abnormal vocalization, the doctors said. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Experts say that if people are bitten or scratched by a wild animal, they should move to safety to avoid being bitten again, wash their wound with soap and water for 10 to 15 minutes, and seek medical attention immediately. Medical treatment includes receiving a series of rabies vaccines.  Individuals should not try to catch the animal themselves, but instead should report the sighting to animal control or health authorities, experts said.  If bitten by a beaver, an individual should go to a hospital immediately for a rabies shot, as rabies can be fatal if left untreated, the doctors said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82fc772c5335ae10478dba Why WWE legend Dawn Marie is heading to OnlyFans at 55 te 2026-08-17T12:20:07.289Z Why WWE legend Dawn Marie is heading to OnlyFans at 55 Most pro wrestling fans who went to an Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) show in the mid-1990s or tuned into WWE programming in the early 2000s would have likely seen Dawn Marie at ringside accompanying a champion or having feuds with other divas on-screen. Marie announced a new endeavor last week when she told her followers she would be joining OnlyFans to give fans the opportunity to see her up close and personal. The 55-year-old New Jersey native, who is now making her living as a nurse, made clear in a recent interview with Fox News Digital she won’t be doing nudes or any kind of crazy collaborations. COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL "It's going to be fun. It's going to be flirty," she said. "We're not doing nudes, which I made that very clear. Just going to be Dawn Marie." Marie explained she suffered many injuries while being in the ring, taking bumps from her fellow wrestlers. She said neck injuries, specifically, have made her job as a nurse tough and that joining OnlyFans was a way to think about her children’s futures as a single mom. "I have a lot of residual issues also from being a nurse from wrestling. I choose not to be what I see on a daily basis – people my age in beds and never getting back up. It's scary. And the only difference is it happened to them and not me," she said. "These are the things that go through my head. You know, as we get older, we start thinking about these things, right? So, it just made sense. It just made sense to prepare. "And heck, if I'm able to nurse and continue to nurse and figure it out and not need the extra dollars ... Well, I guess my kids are going to have a great time after I'm gone. … I would love nothing more than to be able to, as a single mom, have my kids finish school and not have a college debt." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Marie also said she’s back doing appearances, which is forcing her to take better care of herself. She said, "Why not?" take the next step and try out OnlyFans. "I’m not trying to be the Dawn Marie of 20 years ago," she said. "I’m trying to be the Dawn Marie that’s 55 and embracing it and enjoying being what I am and what I am now. I think women are beautiful at every age." Furthermore, Marie made clear that doing OnlyFans "wasn’t about the big money grab." "This is just preparing a little extra something for my future – just in case." Marie jumped into pro wrestling in 1995, making her debut at an independent show in New Jersey managing Tony Atlas in his match against Jimmy Snuka. She would work her way up and down the East Coast before getting into ECW and later WWE (then called the World Wrestling Federation). She departed WWE in 2005 and appeared in a few other independent promotions in the late 2000s. She then made her return to WWE in 2024 at NXT Halloween Havoc as a special guest referee for a match between Jaida Parker and Lola Vice. She explained to Fox News Digital that the moment she stepped foot into the first show she knew she had made the right decision for herself. "The second I walked out that curtain and I had that moment. It was so profound," she said. "Literally, I could remember, I walk out and going ... It was weird. It was like, scary at first, but then it felt so peaceful. Like, at first, it was scary because you're like, ‘What the freak is going on, right?’ And then it was like, it just felt right." Pro wrestling fans interested in Marie can subscribe to her page for $12.95. "Keep it fun, flirty and respectful." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82fa202c5335ae10478d7d NASCAR star compared to Trump, tells nasty fans to quit 'b----in,' while race wife dusts off her Daisy Dukes te 2026-08-17T12:10:08.324Z NASCAR star compared to Trump, tells nasty fans to quit 'b----in,' while race wife dusts off her Daisy Dukes Monday Morning Pit-Stop is a weekly NASCAR column that runs on OutKick.com and Fox News Digital. If you're looking for a normal NASCAR recap, go check out insufferable ESPN ... assuming they still know NASCAR exists. Felt good to be back under the lights at Richmond, didn't it? It hasn't been the best summer for NASCAR, if you ask me. There's been some good, but, generally, it's just been sort of blah. That's not unusual, of course. I've seen this movie before. Nothing epitomizes 'Dog Days of Summer' quite like NASCAR. It's a grind. There's one off week, the playoffs (Chase, whatever) are forever away, and the tracks aren't great. At least back in the day, we used to get Daytona in July and Bristol in August to break it up a bit! Now, we basically have to pray the Atlanta race is good, or the rest of the summer is cooked. HAS NASCAR LOST THE SOUTH? EX-DRIVER UNLOADS AFTER SEEING "100,000 EMPTY SEATS" Anyway, all that to say .... Richmond was decent! Not the best race you've ever seen, but better than a lot of what we've seen the past few months. I still think NASCAR has killed the short track racing with this new car, but I don't feel like beating a dead horse today. I don't have the energy for it. Joey Logano won, somehow. He's good again, somehow. We'll talk about it. We're also gonna dive right into Kyle Larson's insane night, because folks, it was worthy of a breakdown. Goodness gracious. What a driver. What a champion. I've also got Sam Busch talking about Bristol and Kyle Busch, and Natalie Decker having a pretty dominant Richmond weekend. Off the track, of course. Never on it. You know the drill. Four tires, a splash of Sunoco racin' fuel, and maybe a nice, long nap for Kyle Larson ... Monday Morning Pit-Stop — the "Trump, Taylor & Kyle Larson, Oh My!" edition — is LIVE! Look, it was a fine Cup race, but if you think I'm starting today's class with Joey Logano and not Kyle Larson, you're crazy. I follow the news and the #content, and the news was all about Kyle Larson Saturday night. For those who A) forgot the race was on (me for the first 50 laps), B) didn't care, or C) couldn't find it on the TV (that's a bunch of you, I'm sure), Kyle Larson finished sixth at Richmond, sprinted out of the track, drove to the airport, flew to Iowa, got a POLICE ESCORT to the track, and then promptly won the Knoxville Nationals. KYLE LARSON RELIVES ATTEMPTS AT 'THE DOUBLE' AS HE CONTEMPLATES TRYING IT AGAIN IN THE FUTURE He didn't think he'd be able to make it to Knoxville because the weather forecast, which was supposed to be bad, turned out to be wrong. Stunner! The weatherman is almost never wrong. "When I woke up (Saturday) morning, the weather here looked really bad, like I won’t need a contingency plan. I’ll be able to come here tomorrow and race Sunday. Then the weather was getting better, the forecast was getting better throughout the day," he said. "I was a bit like bummed at that point because I was really happy about the forecast when I woke up. Then I was like, no it’s fine." The Knoxville Nationals, for those who don't follow sprint car racing, are (in)arguably the the biggest, most prestigious sprint car events in the world. It's a four-day tournament, essentially, that takes place every August in Iowa. It's a big deal in the racing world. Larson showed up at the buzzer, and won — hours after finishing sixth in Richmond. Amazing. Sure, it's a little ... odd? ... to hear a crew chief give his driver updates about another race — and another series — during the actual race, but Cliff Daniels and Kyle Larson have won a billion races together at this point. I don't think he cares. Nor should he. Frankly, neither should Kyle. KEVIN HARVICK SHOVES STEPHEN A. SMITH IN A LOCKER FOR SAYING NASCAR DRIVERS AREN’T ATHLETES A lot of folks hate this stuff, you know? True story. There is a section of NASCAR fans today that are annoyed that Kyle Larson won the Knoxville race. "He needs to focus more on winning at his actual job!" Lordy. The internet never ceases to amaze me. Piss alllllllllll the way off. Kyle Larson is the best NASCAR driver on the planet and has been for about six years now. His plane was the most tracked plane in THE WORLD Saturday night. That's a fact. That's a real stat. Race fans love Larson, especially the grass root, local track, lifelong fans who have been buying Busch Lights and corn dogs at the local backroad track every Saturday night since 1975. He appeals to them, and that's important. So quit your b—-ing and moaning! "According to FlightAware, your flight here with the most tracked flight in the entire world." "Well, it's kinda cool that that's stat, because I figured somebody would be tracking Donald Trump or Taylor Swift," Larson said. "I hope all the fans that were b----ing and moaning about running the prelim night, now understand why. Anybody watching at home, on the internet, in the stands, I hope you realize this was best case scenario." ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! They don't, Kyle! But it's OK. Maybe just win at New Hampshire this week to at least get on the board this NASCAR Cup season? That would go a long way. Speaking of NASCAR ... let's not forget about Richmond! Joey Logano won again, and he's now gone from bubble Chase driver to ... Championship favorite? It's not a crazy thought: "The Mickey Mouse ears look good on the trophies either way." Hand up, I'd love to see Logano win a championship this season. Everyone and their mother FREAKED out when he won the title in 2024, and the (fake) outrage was so loud, that NASCAR literally revamped the entire playoff format. I thought it was silly then, and I still think it's silly today. So, yes, I'd love to see Logano shove another championship down everyone's throats in a few months. Bottom's up! Next? We've got Bristol in a few weeks, which is stupid because it should really be this coming weekend but NASCAR can't stop making dumb decisions. Anyway, Bristol was arguably Kyle Busch's favorite track, which means next month's race is gonna be a big one: "Bristol wasn't just another race to him," Samantha Busch said during a (very clearly) emotional narration. "He loved everything about that place. Some of the greatest moments in his career happened on that track, in the yellow M&Ms car." Lordy. What a scene that'll be, huh? And how about the pressure on young Ty Gibbs? We haven't seen that iconic car in years. Ever since Mars left NASCAR, and Rowdy left for RCR. Go get 'em, kid! Man, I miss Kyle. OK, that's it for today. Good work, everyone. Solid job all around. Here's Natalie Decker in her daisy dukes cheering on her husband at Richmond to take us into another big week. See y'all at New Hampshire. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82fa1f2c5335ae10478d74 Hayden Panettiere: A life in pictures te 2026-08-17T12:10:07.584Z Hayden Panettiere: A life in pictures Hayden Panettiere is survived by her daughter Kaya, who was born in 2014, with Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko. Panettiere's younger brother, Jansen, who was also an actor, died of a heart condition in 2023 at age 28. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82f0c02c5335ae104786b9 Actress Hayden Panettiere dies suddenly at age 36 and more top headlines te 2026-08-17T11:30:08.250Z Actress Hayden Panettiere dies suddenly at age 36 and more top headlines 1. 'Nashville' actress Hayden Panettiere dies suddenly at age 36  2. Defeated Michigan Dem demands Hasan Piker be cut loose 3. Historic Smithsonian museum exhibit goes all-in on woke displays FULL FOCUS — Trump declares his 'number one goal' in negotiations with Iran as ceasefire set to expire. Continue reading … CUTTING COSTS — Trump orders major scale back to military drills as North Korea ramps up missile tests. Continue reading … KILLER COMMUTE — Man allegedly props dead wife in passenger seat for drive across multiple states. Continue reading … DEADLY ENCOUNTER — NYPD fatally shoots man armed with butcher knife inside Lower East Side building: police. Continue reading … 'NEVER FORGET YOU' — MLB great Tommy John, whose elbow operation revolutionized pitching, dies at 83. Continue reading … -- TURF TALK — Trump blames vandals for dead grass on National Mall where he hosted 4th of July celebration. Continue reading … SOVEREIGNTY TEST — How President Teddy Roosevelt handed Trump's border plans a big legal victory. Continue reading … 'FIGHTERS' — Russell Fry endorses ex-rival Darline Graham after failing to advance to special GOP US Senate primary runoff. Continue reading … UNDER MICROSCOPE — Federal investigators target organization bankrolling anti-Israel activists: report. Continue reading … Click here for more cartoons…   INSIDER CONFESSION — Former ABC correspondent says network lacked 'viewpoint diversity.' Continue reading … DOESN'T ADD UP — Progressive 'test-blind' policies in California proving disastrous, professor admits. Continue reading … LAW & DISORDER — NY lawmaker calls stealing soap a 'biological need' and experts aren't having it. Continue reading … POWER STRUGGLE — Confirmed 50-49, Trump's top lawyer faces Republican revolt over department autonomy. Continue reading … TED JENKIN — Why Washington's rosy economic pitch could blow up at the ballot box. Continue reading … JOHN ARNOLD — Governors hitting pause on data centers could cost communities a fortune. Continue reading … -- FULL CIRCLE — Von Miller heads back home to Dallas as he signs with Cowboys for Year 15 in NFL. Continue reading … GRACIOUS GRATUITIES — Americans are tipping electronically and noticing one common courtesy has disappeared. Continue reading … END OF AN ERA — Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, believes this will be his final year playing soccer. Continue reading … AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ – Test yourself on summer splurges and basketball brilliance. Take the quiz here … Tune in as Republican and Democratic Party leaders are confronting challenges that could determine control of Congress. Listen to more on Castbox.   What’s it looking like in your neighborhood? Continue reading… Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter LinkedIn      Fox News First Fox News Opinion Fox News Lifestyle Fox News Entertainment (FOX411) Fox Business Fox Weather Fox Sports Tubi Fox News Go Thank you for making us your first choice in the morning! We’ll see you in your inbox first thing Tuesday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82ee692c5335ae1047867a Far-left politicians still using ActBlue as 88-year-old disputes donating nearly $150,000 to fundraising giant te 2026-08-17T11:20:09.925Z Far-left politicians still using ActBlue as 88-year-old disputes donating nearly $150,000 to fundraising giant Several prominent progressives—including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Michigan Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed—continue raising campaign cash through the embattled fundraising platform ActBlue despite congressional investigations into allegations it failed to stop illegal foreign donations from entering U.S. political campaigns. The fundraising behemoth has been thrust back into the spotlight after a recent viral video showed an 88-year-old Michigan woman disputing nearly $150,000 in political donations attributed to her in federal campaign finance records. She acknowledged using ActBlue to make political donations, but disputed nearly the amount attributed to her. Federal Election Commission records attribute more than 15,000 contributions by the woman over a six-year period. ActBlue says it has processed more than $19 billion in donations since it was founded in 2004, making it one of the largest online fundraising platforms serving mostly Democratic candidates, party committees and progressive organizations. It brands itself as a grassroots fundraising platform that is a "counterweight to the dark money special interests that dominate our politics." FIRST ON FOX: ACTBLUE BOARD MEMBERS IN HOT SEAT AS GOP PROBES 'SERIOUS' MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS Republicans argue the platform has become vulnerable to fraud and illegal foreign donations. Since 2023, House committees have conducted an ongoing investigation into ActBlue's fraud-prevention practices and whether its safeguards adequately prevented illegal foreign and fraudulent contributions. ActBlue denies the allegations and any wrongdoing. An April 2025 interim staff report also cited internal ActBlue records showing the platform detected 237 donations from foreign IP addresses using domestic prepaid cards during a 30-day period in late 2024, a pattern the committees described as a leading indicator of fraud. The congressional investigation remains ongoing, and ActBlue has not been found to have violated campaign finance laws or been prohibited from processing political donations. KEY HOUSE COMMITTEE SCHEDULES HEARING WITH EMBATTLED ACTBLUE CEO: 'NEEDS TO COME CLEAN' ActBlue has evolved from a simple donation processor into one of the Democratic Party's most powerful fundraising platforms. According to its website, ActBlue provides fundraising, organizing, campaign websites, voter outreach and other digital tools for thousands of Democratic candidates and progressive organizations, describing its mission as creating technology to "fuel Democratic wins." ActBlue continues to process donations for some of the Democratic Party's highest-profile campaigns, including El-Sayed, who has been endorsed by Sanders, I-Vt. Sanders' campaign website also directs supporters to ActBlue to donate to El-Sayed's campaign. The platform also processes donations for the Democratic National Committee, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and thousands of other Democratic campaigns and progressive organizations. Its "Trending Campaigns" page currently highlights El-Sayed alongside Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., Texas state Rep. James Talarico, Maine Senate candidate Troy Jackson and former Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown. Other prominent progressives who continue using ActBlue include Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., Wisconsin state Rep. Francesca Hong, who is running for governor, and former Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., who is running to return to Congress. Beyond candidate campaigns, ActBlue has become a central fundraising platform for thousands of Democratic committees, progressive organizations and advocacy groups. MICHIGAN SENATE CANDIDATE ABDUL EL-SAYED DODGES QUESTION ON WHETHER HE STILL SUPPORTS DEFUNDING THE POLICE The Republican National Committee says Democratic candidates should explain why they continue relying on ActBlue despite the congressional investigation and allegations from donors who say contributions were made in their names without their knowledge. "Democrats claim to oppose special interests with one exception: their own. They defend fraud and schemes like ActBlue because they know cheating the system is the only way for their corrupt campaigns to raise money," Ally Triolo, the RNC's election integrity communications director, told Fox News Digital. ActBlue has denied wrongdoing and the ongoing congressional investigation has not resulted in any finding that the platform engaged in fraud or violated campaign finance laws. One of the cases fueling the renewed scrutiny involves 88-year-old Milan, Michigan, resident Elizabeth Waffle, who acknowledged making donations through ActBlue but disputed donating nearly $150,000 attributed to her in a now-viral interview with the Michigan Enjoyer. Fox News Digital independently reviewed Federal Election Commission records attributing more than 16,000 political contributions totaling nearly $150,000 between September 2020 and June 2026 to an Elizabeth Waffle of Milan, Michigan. During the interview, a reporter presented Waffle with what he said were Federal Election Commission records documenting those contributions. Waffle disputed the nearly $150,000 in political donations attributed to her in those records after a reporter arrived unannounced at her trailer and presented her with records he said were from the Federal Election Commission during the interview "One hundred and fifty thousand? Hell no. I don't have that kind of money," Waffle said. "I don't see $150,000. That's very abnormal and I think it's wrong. I think there's something in there that's off." Federal Election Commission records reviewed by Fox News Digital attribute 47 ActBlue contributions totaling about $518 to an Elizabeth Waffle of Milan, Michigan for El-Sayed's campaign between October 2025 and July 2026. Waffle was not asked about those specific contributions during the interview. She did, however, acknowledge using ActBlue to make political donations while disputing the nearly $150,000 in political contributions attributed to her in records presented during the interview. "Everything goes through ActBlue. ActBlue is like the bank," Waffle said. Waffle was interviewed outside the trailer where she said she has lived since her home burned down two years earlier. During the interview, she said her phone was not getting internet service as she attempted to demonstrate how she used ActBlue to make political donations. El-Sayed, who has pledged to reject corporate PAC money and campaigned on reducing the influence of money in politics, continues to raise campaign funds through ActBlue, which remains under congressional investigation. His campaign did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment on its continued use of ActBlue or the allegations raised by Elizabeth Waffle. ActBlue, meanwhile, has rejected the allegations against it as politically motivated. "For three years, ActBlue has been targeted by MAGA Republicans because of who we are and what we stand for, not because of any unlawful conduct," the organization told Fox News Digital. The organization also said it has "zero tolerance for fraud or other illegal activity" and that its fraud-prevention measures meet or exceed legal requirements. A spokesman for House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil, who launched the investigation in 2023, confirmed to Fox News Digital that the committee is examining Waffle's case as part of its broader investigation into ActBlue. "ActBlue employees have repeatedly refused to answer questions under oath about fraud and illegal foreign donations on their platform," Steil said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Our investigation will continue and I will continue to demand answers for the American people." During a June hearing, Steil said current and former ActBlue employees invoked the Fifth Amendment 146 times during congressional interviews, including CEO Regina Wallace-Jones, who declined to answer lawmakers' questions about ActBlue's fraud-prevention practices and the handling of potentially fraudulent donations. Wallace-Jones has not been charged with or accused of any crime and invoking the Fifth Amendment is not evidence of wrongdoing. The congressional investigation remains ongoing. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82ee692c5335ae10478671 Prince Harry’s ‘The Wasp’ rival stepping down but may remain 'a voice in the king’s ear': expert te 2026-08-17T11:20:09.315Z Prince Harry’s ‘The Wasp’ rival stepping down but may remain 'a voice in the king’s ear': expert King Charles’ right-hand man is stepping down next year, but his departure may not end his influence behind palace doors. Royal experts told Fox News Digital that "The Wasp" could remain "a voice in the king’s ear" as Charles continues to navigate his fractured relationship with Prince Harry. Sir Clive Alderton will step down as principal private secretary next year, People magazine reported. His departure will coincide with his 60th birthday after 20 years of service to the royal household. In his 2023 memoir, "Spare," Harry gave three powerful royal household staffers pointed insect nicknames. Alderton is widely believed to have been "The Wasp" — a fiercely loyal operator and uncompromising defender of the crown. QUEEN ELIZABETH’S AIDE, NICKNAMED 'AK-47,' CLASHED WITH PRINCE HARRY IN EXPLOSIVE ‘TIARAGATE’: EXPERTS "Though Alderton is stepping away from his formal role, courtiers often retain a channel of influence at the palace long after their formal departure," royal commentator Amanda Matta told Fox News Digital. "It’s possible that ‘The Wasp,’ or others like him, could remain a voice in the king’s ear regardless of their employment status," Matta said. "I think their hesitancy with Harry is rooted in not wanting to perpetuate any perceived chaos or scandal within the royal fold. After years of dealing with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and the fallout from Harry and Meghan’s departure for the U.S., it doesn’t really matter what Harry’s intentions are. He might be seen as a threat by the king’s aides on principle." WATCH: PRINCE HARRY BELIEVED ROYAL FAMILY COULD HAVE ALLOWED A HYBRID ROLE: AUTHOR "These truly are power brokers at the palace — the people who decide on access, influence and narratives long before the public hears about them," Matta added. On July 10, King Charles reunited privately with Harry and his family at Highgrove House as they continued efforts to repair a rift that has persisted since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from royal life. Harry’s portrait of "The Wasp" came with plenty of sting. "The Wasp was lanky, charming, arrogant, a ball of jazzy energy," he wrote, as quoted by People magazine. "He was great at pretending to be polite, even servile. You’d assert a fact, something seemingly incontrovertible — I believe the sun rises in the mornings — and he’d stammer that perchance you might consider for a comment the possibility that you’d been misinformed: ‘Well, heh-heh, I don’t know about that, Your Royal Highness, you see, it all depends what you mean by mornings, sir.’" "Because he seemed so weedy, so self-effacing, you might be tempted to push back, insist on your point, and that was when he’d put you on his list," Harry continued. "A short time later, without warning, he’d give you such a stab with his outsized stinger that you’d cry in confusion. ‘Where the f--- did that come from?’" "Harry has long reserved choice words for palace aides whom he has seen as adding to familial tensions," Matta explained. "So he likely does feel a degree of frustration with his father’s entire circle, and that of his grandmother's, the late Queen Elizabeth II, who he previously noted were ‘blocking’ his access to the queen. But it’s clear that Alderton, in particular, got under his skin with his outwardly self-effacing manner that could turn treacherous once you walked away." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Matta noted that in 2022, Harry said in a televised interview that he was "just making sure that she’s protected and got the right people around her," referring to the queen. Matta said that comment was taken as "an early dig" at her advisors, including Alderton. "Alderton was said to have unprecedented access to the queen in her later years, briefing her on both official and family matters," she claimed. People magazine reported Alderton sits on RAVEC, a 10-person committee that determines official protective security for public figures in the U.K. After stepping back as a senior royal in 2020, Harry lost his publicly funded police protection in his home country and is fighting to have it reinstated. People reported that a review of the Duke of Sussex’s security arrangements by RAVEC had yet to conclude as of late June. Harry’s representatives told the outlet that RAVEC’s own terms of reference call for a Risk Management Board review at least once a year. They argued that Harry’s last review was conducted nearly seven years ago. In May 2025, Harry suggested in an interview with the BBC that he believed his father, as king, could influence RAVEC’s decision. Buckingham Palace has consistently denied that the king can reinstate Harry’s security. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS According to the U.K. government’s website, Alderton joined the Foreign Office in 1986 and served in various diplomatic posts. He joined the royal household in 2006 as a deputy private secretary to Charles and Camilla before becoming their private secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. People reported that he served as the queen’s ambassador to Morocco and non-resident ambassador to Mauritania from 2012 to 2015 before becoming Charles and Camilla's principal private secretary. Several royal experts told Fox News Digital that Alderton harbors no ill will toward the king’s younger son, saying his priority has always been shielding the crown from scandal. "Sir Clive Alderton is unquestionably one of the most influential figures in King Charles’ orbit," Kinsey Schofield, host of "Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered," told Fox News Digital. "The private secretary is effectively the gatekeeper to the sovereign, manages access, information and the logistics surrounding the monarch. Harry would have understood perfectly well that Alderton was not simply another anonymous man in a suit. But I also think Harry tends to attribute enormous power to courtiers when he dislikes the outcome of a situation." "These people can advise, warn and facilitate, but they do not overrule the king," she said. "Alderton’s influence ultimately derives from the confidence Charles places in him. As for ‘The Wasp’ nickname, it’s a jarring personal description. I think it tells you almost as much about Harry’s resentment toward the palace establishment as it does about Alderton." Harry has been at odds with his family since he and his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, stepped back as senior royals and moved to California in 2020. They cited intrusions by the British press and a lack of support from the palace as reasons for their royal exit. They aired their grievances in interviews and documentaries. Harry’s memoir further strained his relationship with his family. Harry has repeatedly suggested that senior courtiers can exert significant influence over the sovereign. He was particularly explicit about the late queen and her advisors. "Courtiers matter because access matters," Schofield explained. "They control diaries, facilitate conversations, manage competing demands and advise the monarch on potential risks. When relationships within the family are already strained, those functions become even more significant. But I would push back against the idea that courtiers somehow stand between a helpless Harry and a helpless Charles." That issue of access surfaced days before Harry’s July 10 reunion with his father. Harry and royal officials publicly disputed an offer for him to stay at Buckingham Palace. Palace sources said Harry missed the deadline to accept the accommodation, while Harry’s spokesperson said the offer was withdrawn after he formally accepted it. "Charles is the king," said Schofield. "His private secretary works for him, not the other way around. Harry’s frustrations with courtiers sometimes appear to overlook that uncomfortable reality. When an aide delivers a decision Harry dislikes, the easiest person to blame is the messenger. Sometimes the message may actually reflect the wishes or priorities of the monarch." British royal expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital that Alderton’s departure has fueled speculation that the king wants to be "more open to Harry," with the longtime aide stepping down at a relatively young age for the role. PRINCE WILLIAM, KATE MIDDLETON COULD SEEK 'GENTLEMAN'S AGREEMENT' TO PROTECT PRINCE GEORGE AT ETON: EXPERTS "From all accounts, from those who know him, Sir Alderton is a stalwart supporter of the monarchy," said Fordwich. "Given his position, he was an obvious target for Harry, who singled him out, no doubt due to knowing how traditional the role has always been." "Palace aides like Alderton have been labeled the ‘Men in Grey’ for their bureaucratic, ubiquitous nature," said Matta. "But Prince Harry’s characterization of Clive Alderton as ‘The Wasp’ certainly gives a new perspective to how seriously they take their role. ... This would, sometimes, mean taking a hard line even between the monarch and family members if the aide believes that was the best course of action to uphold the interests of the monarchy." "Even now, King Charles funnels all of his communications, official and personal alike, through his staff — he doesn't have a mobile phone — and so they really are a formidable ‘line of defense’ for Harry getting one-on-one time with his father." British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital that Alderton’s influence on the monarchy will undoubtedly endure long after his departure. "Colleagues describe Sir Alderton as ‘the ringmaster,’ the person who could control complex, chaotic situations without drama," she explained. "He was valued for candor. He did not simply agree. He advised, and he did so with the institution at the center of every decision.  "His relationship with Prince Harry was notably difficult. From the palace perspective, Sir Clive acted as a constitutional safeguard, ensuring that personal appeals did not override the advice and structures that protect the monarchy." People reported that the palace is recruiting Alderton’s successor, who is expected to start in the spring or summer of 2027. Alderton's replacement will also take his spot on RAVEC. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82ee682c5335ae10478668 CEO says doing business in state ‘sucks’ as company heads to Texas amid California exodus te 2026-08-17T11:20:08.722Z CEO says doing business in state ‘sucks’ as company heads to Texas amid California exodus "Doing business in the state of California sucks," Hil Davis, a California businessman, bluntly told Fox News Digital. That frustration ultimately drove Davis, CEO of Digital Brands Group, more than 1,300 miles to Texas. The apparel and e-commerce company relocated its headquarters to Round Rock, just north of Austin, leasing roughly 70,000 square feet of warehouse and office space as it expands its collegiate sports apparel business. Davis said the sprawling Texas facility costs roughly the same as the company’s former space in Vernon, California, about five miles south of Los Angeles. And rent was only part of the equation. BILLIONS IN TAXPAYER INCOME ARE LEAVING TWO ICONIC STATES — AS A NEW ECONOMIC MAP EMERGES Davis pointed to California’s high cost of living, long employee commutes and the rising cost of doing business, including defending against lawsuits. "You start to add all those things up," he said. "It doesn’t work. It doesn’t make sense. It’s too hard." The relocation comes as California wrestles with a much bigger question about whether the state’s costs, taxes and regulations are driving away the businesses and wealthy residents it relies on. That debate has intensified around a proposed one-time tax of up to 5% on Californians worth more than $1 billion. Supporters say the billionaire tax could raise billions for health care and other public programs by asking the state’s wealthiest residents to pay more. Opponents warn it could instead send major taxpayers packing — and take future tax revenue with them. California is already seeing taxpayers and their income move elsewhere. Los Angeles County led the nation in taxpayer losses in the latest IRS data, with a net 17,496 tax filers leaving for other states and taking nearly $1.9 billion in income with them. THE ONLY MAP YOU NEED TO SEE AS CALIFORNIA'S BILLIONAIRE TAX FIGHT HEATS UP The losses extended beyond Los Angeles. Orange County recorded a net loss of 11,618 tax filers, followed by San Diego County with 9,401, Riverside County with 8,968 and San Bernardino County with 8,462. Those departures can carry fiscal consequences. When taxpayers move, the income they take with them can shrink the state and local tax base that helps fund schools, public safety and infrastructure. Davis does not predict a sudden stampede out of California. He expects a slow drip. "I don’t know if there’ll be, like, an explosion," he said. "I just think it’ll be a constant leak." California still has powerful anchors. Silicon Valley remains a magnet for technology talent and capital, while Los Angeles has a deep bench of creative workers. Davis acknowledged those industry "centers of gravity" are difficult to replicate elsewhere. THE RED STATES RACING AHEAD IN AMERICA’S POWERFUL WEALTH BOOM — AND THE STATES FALLING BEHIND Digital Brands Group will keep some production operations in Los Angeles after moving its headquarters to Texas. But Round Rock offered Davis a different equation with lower operating costs, a central shipping location for a company serving universities across the country and access to Austin’s creative workforce. He said permitting for the new facility also moved quickly. Employees now have their own choice to make. Some are eager to follow the company to Texas, Davis said. Others have deep roots in California and may stay behind. Digital Brands Group has already made its choice. And as California debates how to tax its wealthiest residents, Davis says the real story is still unfolding, one company at a time. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82ee682c5335ae1047865f Brad Pitt says he can drink in ‘restrained manner’ after 7 sober years, but expert raises red flag te 2026-08-17T11:20:08.131Z Brad Pitt says he can drink in ‘restrained manner’ after 7 sober years, but expert raises red flag After seven years of sobriety, Brad Pitt has revealed that he resumed drinking alcohol in moderation — an approach that has raised concerns among some addiction experts. In an Esquire interview published on Aug. 10, the actor said, "I was sober for seven years. And then I got back off the wagon." Pitt shared that he now drinks "in a more restrained manner," saying that he doesn’t consume "big quantities" of alcohol. BRAD PITT ADMITS HE BEGAN DRINKING AGAIN AFTER YEARS OF SOBRIETY "I got overconfident a couple times, went, ‘Yep, nope, not good for me,’" he acknowledged. "I have to be professional about it." Pitt once spoke about his sobriety in a 2019 New York Times interview, disclosing that he’d spent 18 months in Alcoholics Anonymous. "I had taken things as far as I could take it, so I removed my drinking privileges," he said. BEER, WINE OR LIQUOR? MASSIVE STUDY REVEALS WHICH WAS LINKED TO LOWER DEATH RISK Jessica Steinman, a Los Angeles addiction specialist and chief clinical officer for No Matter What Recovery, generally advises against people returning to alcohol after a problematic relationship with it, warning that "testing the waters" can potentially be "dangerous." The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines alcohol use disorder (AUD) as an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational or health consequences. The condition can range from mild to severe. "There are people who struggle with substances and take a very large break, have a long period of sobriety and recovery, and they may choose to integrate it back into their lives," Steinman, who was not diagnosing Pitt with AUD, told Fox News Digital. "As an addiction professional, as someone who's been in this field for a very long time, I don’t see a whole lot of success with that." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER Although some people do successfully return to substances after needing to stop, Steinman considers them "anomalies and exceptions to the rule." "People think, ‘Oh, I've gone this long. I think I'm going to be able to manage it – I have the skills now. I have tools,’" she said. Addiction can alter the brain’s reward system, she said, making it highly responsive to the dopamine release associated with drinking or substance use. "And that doesn't go away – it lays dormant," Steinman said, comparing it to a bear in hibernation. "If you wake that bear … life can quickly become unmanageable. So they want to be very mindful of that happening." The NIAAA notes that alcohol addiction involves changes across multiple brain systems related to rewards, stress, decision-making and learned responses to alcohol-related cues, and that some of those changes can continue even after drinking stops. For those struggling with substance use issues and mental health issues, it's a "lifelong issue" that must be managed like any other chronic illness, according to Steinman. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "I liken it to diabetes or heart disease – you have to manage this health issue," she said. "And it's the same thing for alcoholism and substance use issues." While NIAAA acknowledges that alcohol addiction can leave some people vulnerable to relapse, the agency notes that each recovery trajectory is unique. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES For someone who has returned to drinking after a period of sobriety, Steinman said there are certain warning signs that can indicate the return of problematic patterns. Those might include escalating consumption, erratic behavior, drinking alone, secretly drinking and drinking during the day. Moderation can also mean different things to different people, she noted. "Is it one drink a day? Is it a drink at dinner only? I've had people try out moderation by not having liquor at all and just sticking to beer and wine," Steinman said. "So it's all these different trials that they're doing when someone starts seeing an escalation." Anyone who is noticing problematic behaviors with alcohol or drug consumption should speak with an addiction counselor, she advised. For people with alcohol use disorder, the NIAAA says it is generally recommended to abstain from drinking for the "greatest chance of long-term success." However, the agency also notes that some people can return to occasional drinking without resuming problematic use, and says specific treatment goals should be decided between the patient and a doctor or addiction specialist. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82ee672c5335ae10478656 AOC froze her eggs at 36. Here’s what my generation got wrong about motherhood te 2026-08-17T11:20:07.540Z AOC froze her eggs at 36. Here’s what my generation got wrong about motherhood Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recently announced that, at 36, she is freezing her eggs. She has chosen to make the deeply personal process public, describing the decision as one that has given her a greater sense of control over her life and left her feeling empowered. I don’t begrudge her that decision. I hope she gets the family she wants, when she wants it. But her announcement made me think about the message my generation of women received about motherhood — and the one we are now passing down to future generations of girls. AOC DOCUMENTS EGG-FREEZING JOURNEY, TAKES AIM AT TRUMP ADMIN OVER WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE CHOICES When did postponing motherhood become a symbol of female empowerment? AOC and I are essentially the same age. We came of age during the rise of the "girl boss," when female empowerment was increasingly defined by independence, achievement and personal fulfillment. Travel. Build yourself. Establish yourself. Prove yourself. The message was relentlessly centered on the self: What do I want? What makes me happy? What life do I want to build? Put yourself first. Everything else can come later. Motherhood doesn’t fit neatly into a "me first" culture. Children require sacrifice and rearrange our priorities around someone other than ourselves. No wonder a generation taught to prioritize the self learned to see children as something that might get in the way. ERIKA KIRK HITS BACK AT NY TIMES NEWSLETTER ABOUT MARRIAGE AND KIDS, ACCUSES WRITER OF MISSING THE POINT I believed it. I believed it so deeply that, for years, I wasn’t even sure I wanted children. I wasn’t a 25-year-old woman desperately longing for babies but forcing myself to wait. I was a woman who had absorbed a culture that made motherhood look limiting. Children seemed like something that might interrupt the exciting life I was supposed to be building. We didn’t just teach women to delay motherhood. We taught some women not to want it at all. Then God changed my heart. I became a mother, and so much of what I thought I understood about fulfillment was turned upside down. The children I once feared might hold me back became the greatest blessing of my life. But by the time I understood that, I was racing the clock. I’m 37 now, just a few months older than AOC, and I gave birth to my third child earlier this year at 36. I had three children back-to-back-to-back because once I realized how much I wanted a larger family, I knew I did not have unlimited time. I would do it all over again. My regret is that I waited so long to understand what I was missing. OUR KIDS ARE GROWING UP DISPLAYED ONLINE. HERE’S HOW MOMS CAN ANCHOR THEM IN FAITH Starting younger might have meant having more children. But even more than that, I think about the years I could have had with the children I already have. More birthdays. More Christmas mornings. More bedtime stories and ordinary Tuesdays. And, God willing, I want to be there when my daughters become mothers and my son becomes a father — to have the energy to help them and the years to know my grandchildren and watch them grow. But I don’t just wish I had more years with them. I wish I had become their mother sooner because of what motherhood did to me. Having children reordered my priorities without erasing my ambitions. The work I do, the causes I fight for, my faith and the future of this country became more personal because I’m no longer thinking only about the world I live in, but also the world my children will inherit. My life is more chaotic now, but it is also richer, more purposeful and better. Motherhood didn’t make my world smaller. It made it bigger. BIRTH ORDER LINKED TO 150 HEALTH CONDITIONS IN STUDY OF 10 MILLION AMERICAN SIBLINGS You don’t think about those years when you’re 25 and the world is telling you that you have plenty of time. But time matters, and my story is part of a much larger trend. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently documented what it calls "The Rising Age of Motherhood in the United States." Women are becoming mothers later, and between 2016 and 2023, first births among women 35 and older increased 25 percent. Of course, not every woman who becomes a mother later chose to wait. Finding the right person matters. Infertility is real. Life doesn’t always unfold according to our plans, and this isn’t about judging women for circumstances beyond their control. But reproductive technology can make postponing motherhood feel less consequential than it is. Having more options later is not the same as having a guarantee. Children aren’t products we manufacture when life finally becomes convenient. Motherhood is a gift, not something women should be taught to postpone until everything else comes first. Why have we defined female freedom in a way that so often requires putting motherhood off? When delaying it is celebrated as progress, younger women hear the same message my generation heard: There will always be time later. There may not be. This isn’t an argument that women should abandon their ambitions. I certainly haven’t. I have a career I care deeply about, and women are doing consequential work while raising families. Karoline Leavitt was pregnant while serving as White House press secretary. Fox News' Rachel Campos-Duffy built a major television career while raising nine children. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna became a mother while serving in Congress. And my friend Erika Kirk is leading one of the most influential conservative organizations in the country while beautifully raising two young children after losing her husband. CLINT BLACK AND LISA HARTMAN BLACK'S ONE RULE THAT HAS KEPT THEIR MARRIAGE STRONG FOR NEARLY 35 YEARS Some women will stay home with their children. Some will build major careers. Some will move between the two. That’s not the debate. The question is why we’ve spent a generation telling women to postpone motherhood in the first place, treating family and ambition as competing forces. What if we have that backward? Motherhood didn’t diminish my ambition. It gave much of that ambition a deeper purpose. There is no perfect time to start a family. After the next promotion, after we make more money, after we travel, after we buy the house — there will always be another reason to wait. ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ SHRUGS OFF PAST 'DEFUND THE POLICE' COMMENTS, JOKING 'WOKE 1 WAS CRAZY' AOC has millions of young women watching her. There is nothing empowering about teaching another generation to put motherhood last. We spent decades treating motherhood like something women needed to escape. Now we celebrate our ability to postpone it. Motherhood is not something women need to be liberated from. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION If I could speak to my younger self, I wouldn’t tell her to abandon her dreams. I’d tell her to dream bigger. Marriage and children aren’t consolation prizes after you’ve accomplished everything important. They may be among the most important things you ever build. So I’ll tell young women what I wish someone had told me: Don’t wait because the culture convinced you motherhood will hold you back. Build the career. Chase the dream. Take the trip. But don’t be afraid to build the family, too. It’s a life worth living. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM JILLIAN ANDERSON KING Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82ee662c5335ae1047864d Enes Kanter Freedom roasts Angel Reese over late miss, then turns his fire on NBA vet Paul George te 2026-08-17T11:20:06.916Z Enes Kanter Freedom roasts Angel Reese over late miss, then turns his fire on NBA vet Paul George Enes Kanter Freedom turned Angel Reese's latest crunch-time miss into fresh ammo Sunday, roasting the Atlanta Dream star while somehow dragging Paul George into his ongoing WNBA campaign. Reese bricked a crucial layup late in Atlanta's 95-91 overtime loss to Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, and Freedom wasted no time pouncing. He took to X: CAITLIN CLARK DROPS 32-POINT DOUBLE-DOUBLE IN TAYLOR SWIFT NIKES AS FEVER SURVIVE STUNNING SKY COMEBACK IN OT "Sis! Once I go No. 1 pick in the 2027 @WNBA Draft, the first player I’m dunking on is Angel Reese. She’s the Paul George of the WNBA. Just lean into the podcast already." Reese finished with 15 points, 14 rebounds and six assists, but her biggest miss came with three seconds left in regulation. With the game tied, she missed a point-blank putback that could have won it for Atlanta. Freedom mocked Reese's game, but she wasn't the only one catching heat. WNBPA ISSUES STATEMENT EMBRACING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AMID TRANS ATHLETE DEBATE IN WOMEN'S SPORTS Calling Reese "the Paul George of the WNBA" and telling her to "lean into the podcast" was a dig at George's "Podcast P," which launched in 2023. The nine-time All-Star isn't exactly putting up prime PG numbers these days, either. He averaged 17.3 points last season, a steep drop from his career-best 28.0 in 2018-19. The George jab also circled back to the bigger fight Freedom has been pushing for weeks. The 11-year NBA veteran has been challenging the league's trans eligibility policies by threatening to declare for the 2027 draft himself. Former NBA forward Royce White has since joined the push. THE WNBA HAS LIMITED OPTIONS AFTER TWO MEN DECLARED FOR THE DRAFT, AND THOSE OPTIONS AREN'T GREAT Freedom laid out his WNBA game plan during an interview with former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl. "By their rules, if I step on that court and identify as a woman, I am allowed to play," Kanter told Pearl. "Next spring, I'm going to take my talents and join the WNBA." He even envisioned joining forces with Clark in Indiana. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "Me and Caitlin will be modern Kobe and Shaq," he said. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82ec0e2c5335ae10478618 ESPN turns Angel Reese’s 49 ‘mebounds’ into proof that she’s a legendary WNBA rebounder te 2026-08-17T11:10:06.758Z ESPN turns Angel Reese’s 49 ‘mebounds’ into proof that she’s a legendary WNBA rebounder ESPN really, really wants you to know how good Angel Reese is at rebounding. The network published a lengthy feature Saturday about the "secrets" behind Reese’s "legendary" work on the glass. CHINEY OGWUMIKE CLAIMING THAT A'JA WILSON IS 'GREATER' THAN TOM BRADY EXPOSES ESPN'S WNBA CREDIBILITY PROBLEM Then it spent Sunday’s Fever-Dream game broadcast selling viewers on the article. Ryan Ruocco brought it up during the first quarter and praised ESPN writer Katie Barnes for writing such a terrific article. Late in the second quarter, Ruocco tossed to Holly Rowe for another plug. "You talked about Katie Barnes’ great article about Angel Reese and her rebounding acumen," Rowe said before discussing her favorite part of the story. She then closed with "Great article, Katie Barnes." So, by halftime, ESPN had promoted its own Angel Reese profile twice during a live WNBA game. That's fine. It's called cross-promotion and executives love that kind of stuff. They call it "corporate synergy." But there's a big difference between mentioning a timely feature and turning a regular-season broadcast into a promotional tour for your colleague’s work. Especially when the story is working awfully hard to convince readers that Reese is not just a great rebounder, but some sort of basketball clairvoyant. ANGEL REESE’S LATEST WNBA CONTROVERSY SHOWS HOW VICTIMHOOD BECAME CENTRAL TO HER BRAND Let me be clear: I read the article so you don't have to. You're welcome. Sometimes I feel like readers don't appreciate all the things I do for them, so I felt it necessary to give myself some credit. Anyway, the article compares Reese to Dennis Rodman and Charles Barkley. Seriously. But it gets better. It invokes magnets in her palms, rebounding DNA, a crystal ball, geometry, physics and something "beyond human understanding." Reese herself offers a simpler explanation. "I just know," she says. Alrighty, then. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Reese is a great rebounder. She reached 1,000 career rebounds in 79 games, 10 games faster than Tina Charles. She leads the WNBA in rebounds per game and her production on the glass is historically good. But context matters. The story includes a section titled "The ‘mebound’ phenomenon." That's where Barnes reports that Reese has recorded 49 "mebounds" this season, or rebounds she grabbed after missing her own shot. That's 25 more than the next-highest player in the league. The same article reports that 148 of Reese’s points this season have come on second-chance opportunities, 30% of her total, and that she is shooting 46.0% in the paint, worst among the 27 WNBA players with at least 175 paint attempts. Barnes puts the numbers in the story. Then she asks readers to view all of it as proof Reese has basketball magnets in her palms. Come on. Missing a layup and retrieving it is not a supernatural power. ANGEL REESE GOT A BARBIE DOLL, SIGNATURE SHOE AND WNBA THEME NIGHT, THEN PLAYED VICTIM AGAIN The ESPN broadcast also praised Angel Reese at every opportunity, even in spots that didn't make sense. She shot 3 of 10 from the field in the first half and even described her own first-half performance by saying she "played like s---" for most of the half. At one point, the commentators described her as "versatile enough to bring the ball up the floor." She dribbled the ball into the frontcourt and then handed it to a teammate. That's not exactly quarterbacking the offense. Then, of course, there were the multiple story plugs. Ruocco praised Barnes’ story in the first quarter, noting that it was about how great Reese is at basketball. Then Rowe came back before halftime to call it a "great article" and discuss her favorite part. They even added a third reference in overtime, which only happened because Reese missed a layup with less than five seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. ESPN made the same pitch all afternoon: Angel Reese isn’t just a great rebounder. She’s legendary. But the numbers and the eye test say she’s a limited offensive player who misses plenty around the basket and creates a chunk of her rebounds by chasing those misses. ESPN took those numbers and sold Angel Reese as a cross between Dennis Rodman and Charles Barkley. Corporate synergy, baby. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82e9ba2c5335ae104785e4 Mom and daughter told to cover up XX-XY T-shirts, say they were threatened with ejection at Fever-Dream game te 2026-08-17T11:00:10.910Z Mom and daughter told to cover up XX-XY T-shirts, say they were threatened with ejection at Fever-Dream game The Indiana Fever visited the Atlanta Dream Sunday evening. It was a thrilling game between two of the WNBA’s most exciting teams, but what happened to a mother and daughter in the stands, just feet away from the court, was the biggest story of the night. Georgia locals, Kasey Thomason, and her daughter, Annie, bought tickets just two rows back from courtside. They each wore an XX-XY Athletics T-shirt to support Sophie Cunningham and the ongoing fight to keep women’s sports and spaces female. Kasey wore an XX-XY shirt with the letters in stars and stripes, while Annie wore a Riley Gaines collaborative piece with "XX" on the front and "For the Girls" on the back. They were able to wear their shirts with no hassle or issue, until overtime when a security guard approached them. WNBA FAN SUBREDDIT BANS POSTERS FROM USING SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM'S NAME AFTER DEFENSE OF WOMEN'S SPORTS About halfway through the five minute overtime period, a security guard tried to get Kasey and Annie to leave their seats to talk to him. They were unsure why they were specifically being targeted at that moment, so Kasey asked him, "[Is it] about our shirts?" Then things took an insane turn. The security guard told them that a fan(s) were offended by their shirts, so they had the choice to wear the provided Atlanta Dream "Wellness & Health Night" shirts, or they would be escorted out of the building. To this, Kasey responded by saying, "Biology and science is offensive?", before reluctantly agreeing to put the shirts on so they didn’t miss the last two minutes of overtime, where the Indiana Fever eventually secured a 95-91 victory. With about two and a half minutes left in overtime, the Thomasons are seen on the ESPN broadcast with the tan Dream shirts in hand. They can be seen talking to fans around them, who they said loved their shirts and showed support for them and Cunningham throughout the game. At about 1:30 remaining, both Kasey and Annie had put the shirts on. According to the State Farm Arena prohibited items list, "Clothing, garments or signs displaying explicit language, profanity or derogatory characterization towards any person(s)" is strictly prohibited. The NBA Fan Code of Conduct states, "Obscene or indecent messages on signs or clothing will not be permitted." ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! If State Farm Arena and the Atlanta Dream were really trying to claim the shirts worn by the Thomasons were a "derogatory characterization" or "indecent messages" on clothing, that would be an arbitrary way of enforcing their rules, at best. Discrimination, at the worst. But the fact remains, the security guard didn’t claim any of these things from the prohibited items list or the Fan Code of Conduct. He just said the shirts were "offensive." Kasey told Fox News Digital/OutKick that she assumes a woman sitting courtside in a "Protect Trans Rights" t-shirt, who was featured on the video board earlier in the game, made a fuss with security, who then sided with that fan, which led to the threat of ejection from the game. While speaking to a conservative YouTuber, Adam Francisco, Annie said, "She was the one that told on us." They told me that the same woman mockingly said, "I like your shirt" once they were in the tan Atlanta Dream "Wellness Night" shirts. The Thomasons are unsure if security held that woman to the same standard with her t-shirt, though they did see her jacket was zipped up late in the game, no longer displaying the trans messaging. SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM TAKES VICIOUS ELBOW TO FACE, AND FANS FUME AT WHAT REFS DID NEXT This whole situation is discriminatory, disgusting, and quite frankly, Orwellian. In no shape, manner, or form, is a shirt that displays four prominent letters, representing a biological truth that women have XX chromosomes and men have XY chromosomes, "offensive." What's even crazier and ironic, is Sunday's "Wellness and Health Night" in Atlanta is a supposed to "use the power of sport to improve health outcomes for women and girls across Georgia," according to the Dream's website and messaging during the game. They also claim, "The Atlanta Dream and Emory Healthcare believe sports can become one of the most powerful vehicles for improving women's health." Fox News Digital/OutKick reached out to the Dream for comment. I'll tell you this, Atlanta Dream, the mental health of these two women, is not better off after the way they were treated. They were targeted, threatened with ejection, and embarrassed for no good reason. You held a night for women's health, while mistreating the very women who are working tirelessly to keep women's sports and spaces female. You're actions speak louder than your words. This situation is less than a month removed from two teenagers who were verbally attacked by a co-owner of the Seattle Storm, Celeste Keaton, for simply wearing XX-XY T-shirts courtside, causing one of them to cry. Keaton was eventually suspended for five games and fined an undisclosed amount for her actions. For all the talk about fighting hate and vitriol from the WNBA, it seems like the hate, discrimination, and unsportsmanlike conduct is coming from a specific side of the aisle. We’re at a boiling point, and it’s way past time the league did something about this. The problem is not the women rallying outside of every Fever game across the country for the last month in support of Sophie Cunningham, and it certainly isn’t teenagers and their moms wearing XX-XY t-shirts. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82e9ba2c5335ae104785db 'The Odyssey' streaming scam could steal your bank info te 2026-08-17T11:00:10.158Z 'The Odyssey' streaming scam could steal your bank info Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is one of the biggest movie releases of the summer. You have been hearing about it for months, but maybe you have not made it to the theater yet. Then an ad pops up promising you can watch The Odyssey online for free. The site looks polished. Reviews make it appear legitimate. Better yet, you can supposedly start watching within minutes. There is one catch. You need to create an account. Then the supposedly free service asks for your credit card information to activate a trial. Enter those details, and you could soon discover there was never a movie waiting for you. The real purpose of the site was to get your financial information. CHEAP TV BOXES MAY SECRETLY CLICK ADS FOR FRAUD Security researchers say scammers are taking advantage of the enormous interest surrounding The Odyssey, which Universal Pictures released in U.S. theaters in July. Here's how these fake streaming traps work and what you can do to avoid getting caught in one. New! Free live CyberGuy class: Protect Your Money From Today’s Biggest Threats Join us Saturday, August 29, at 10 AM ET for a free CyberGuy LIVE class covering five simple steps to help defend yourself against AI scams, fraud, identity theft and financial hacks. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson will explain how to set up bank alerts, strengthen your account logins, protect your phone number, freeze your credit and help secure your retirement savings against unauthorized transfers. No technical experience is needed. You’ll also receive our financial protection checklist, and every registrant will get a link to the class recording afterward. Reserve your free spot today at CyberGuyLive.com. Cybercriminals have created fake websites that claim to let you stream The Odyssey online for free. Some sites appear through online ads or search results. Others can be reached through questionable streaming and piracy sites. The pages can look surprisingly convincing. According to reports citing Kaspersky researchers, scammers have created versions in different languages. Some even advertise dubbed versions based on the visitor's location. Fake reviews and ratings help make the service look trustworthy. When you try to play the movie, the website asks you to register. You may first be asked for your name and email address. Eventually, the site requests your bank card information. It claims the information is needed to activate a free trial. There is no free movie. Instead, you have handed sensitive information to people who may use it for fraudulent transactions or other scams. The Federal Trade Commission has specifically warned that websites offering free movies and TV shows can infect computers with malware. The agency says criminals use malware to steal personal information and commit fraud. That can include login information for online accounts. The FTC also warns that malware can steal usernames and passwords as well as bank account numbers. That makes a fake movie site more than an annoyance. Clicking the wrong download or following a bogus instruction could put information stored on your device at risk. We've seen this playbook before when we previously reported on how hackers use free streaming movies to lure people toward malware. We also covered how illegal movie downloads can hide dangerous malware. Scammers keep recycling the same strategy whenever a major release creates enough interest. There is another reason to be careful when searching for copies of The Odyssey online. Cybersecurity company Malwarebytes found scams targeting people searching for pirated copies within hours of the movie's release. Researchers found cloned piracy sites displaying fake browser warnings. Other scams offered movie downloads that were actually Windows executable files disguised as video files. One fake warning claimed the browser was missing a component and encouraged visitors to click a button to fix it. There was no missing browser component. According to Malwarebytes, clicking the button could push visitors into a malvertising network. Where they ended up could vary depending on the advertising campaign running at that moment. Researchers also found a supposed Odyssey movie download ending in .exe. That is a huge warning sign. An .exe file is a Windows program, not a video. If a website says you need to install software or fix your browser before watching a movie, leave the site. Criminals understand timing. When a movie becomes a cultural event, millions of people start searching for it. Some want to know when it will arrive on streaming. Others hope they can find a free copy. That creates an opening for scammers. A fake website does not have to convince everyone. It only needs to catch the person who is excited enough to click before checking where the movie is actually available. Fake reviews make that easier. So does a professional-looking video player. We saw a similar tactic during the Barbie craze. CyberGuy reported on scammers using the movie's popularity to steal bank information from moviegoers. The next bait could be whichever movie or show everybody is talking about next. IMAX CEO DESCRIBES 'FRENZY' AFTER CHRISTOPHER NOLAN'S 'THE ODYSSEY' SHATTERS RECORDS A slick website does not prove you are dealing with a legitimate streaming service. Start with availability. If a movie has only recently arrived in theaters, be suspicious when an unfamiliar website suddenly claims you can stream it for free. Universal Pictures currently lists The Odyssey as a theatrical release. Next, look closely at the website address. A scammer may use a domain that resembles a familiar streaming service. A small spelling change or an unusual domain ending can be easy to miss when you are moving quickly. Do not rely on reviews posted on the streaming site itself either. Reports about the Odyssey scam say fake ratings and reviews were used to make fraudulent pages appear legitimate. You should also be wary when a website promises something for free but suddenly needs your credit card. Legitimate companies can require payment information for free trials. The difference is that you should already know and trust the service before handing over your card. We reached out to Universal Pictures for comment about the fraudulent sites targeting The Odyssey but did not hear back before our deadline. A few extra seconds of checking can save you from a much bigger headache later. Strong antivirus software can help detect malicious downloads and warn you about dangerous websites. That protection becomes particularly valuable when a scam starts with an innocent-looking search or advertisement. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com Use established streaming platforms or check the movie studio's official website to see where a film is available. If you have never heard of the streaming service, investigate it before creating an account. Do not enter payment information simply because the page says it needs to verify your account. Open a new browser tab and research the service independently. Look carefully at the domain before entering personal information. Do not assume the first search result or a sponsored result is automatically legitimate. A streaming site should not require you to install an unfamiliar program to watch a movie. Be especially careful with .exe files. Malwarebytes found one being disguised as a supposed Odyssey movie download. If you create an account on a fraudulent website and reuse a password from another service, scammers may try those credentials elsewhere. Use a password managerto create and store a unique password for every important account. Then turn on multi-factor authentication wherever it is available. FBI HELPS TAKE DOWN AI PHISHING RING I think movie scams work so well because they arrive at exactly the moment we are looking for something. You already want to see the film. Then somebody puts a shortcut in front of you. That is where a little skepticism pays off. The Odyssey may be the bait this summer, but criminals can use the same idea around the next blockbuster. A few minutes of entertainment are never worth giving a stranger access to your credit card or computer. I would much rather wait for a movie to reach an official streaming service than spend the next few weeks disputing charges or changing compromised passwords. When "free" entertainment asks for your financial information, the price can become very real. Would a professional-looking streaming site with convincing reviews ever persuade you to enter your credit card for a movie you have been dying to see, or are you now too suspicious to take that chance? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82de002c5335ae10478439 Russell Fry endorses ex-rival Darline Graham after failing to advance to special GOP US Senate primary runoff te 2026-08-17T10:10:08.517Z Russell Fry endorses ex-rival Darline Graham after failing to advance to special GOP US Senate primary runoff Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C., the candidate who placed third in the Aug. 11 South Carolina special Republican U.S. Senate primary, has endorsed top-finisher Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C. "President Trump needs fighters and allies in the Senate who will show up every day and get results. I believe Darline Graham will be exactly that," Fry said in part of a Friday post on X. "Darline knows what it means to struggle, persevere, and keep fighting when life deals you a difficult hand. Those experiences shaped her, and I believe they give her a real understanding of the challenges families across South Carolina face," he continued. MARK LYNCH ENDORSES RALPH NORMAN AS CONGRESSMAN HEADS INTO RUNOFF AGAINST DARLINE GRAHAM "On August 25, I’m asking everyone who supported our campaign to join me in supporting Darline Graham for the United States Senate. Campaigns are temporary. The cause is bigger than any one candidate. Now let’s get it done," he noted. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., who placed second in the South Carolina special GOP U.S. Senate primary, will face Graham in the Aug. 25 runoff. SOUTH CAROLINA GOP SENATE SHOWDOWN HEADS TO RUNOFF IN RACE TO SUCCEED LINDSEY GRAHAM Last month, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham, the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, to serve the remainder of her brother's term. President Donald Trump, who backed Graham ahead of the special primary contest, is continuing to support her for the runoff. DARLINE GRAHAM DETAILS HOW SHE'D FORGE OWN PATH IN SENATE WHILE CARRYING ON BROTHER LINDSEY'S LEGACY "SOUTH CAROLINA: GET OUT AND VOTE FOR DARLINE GRAHAM ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 25TH. DARLINE HAS MY COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT — SHE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!" he wrote in a Friday Truth Social post, which included an image of Fry's post on X endorsing Graham. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82ddff2c5335ae10478430 Tipping screen puts customers on the spot as experts reveal when it's OK to hit 'no tip' te 2026-08-17T10:10:07.912Z Tipping screen puts customers on the spot as experts reveal when it's OK to hit 'no tip' Tipping prompts have become commonplace at checkout counters and kiosks, but should customers who leave a digital gratuity expect a "thank you" in return? The question came up during a recent discussion on "Fox & Friends" about a viral video involving a Shake Shack customer who selected "no tip" at an airport kiosk. "Do you notice when you tip people electronically, they never say thank you?" co-host Brian Kilmeade said. "If you physically give somebody a tip like at Starbucks or, you know, they'll say thanks, but there must be something that doesn't register when you actually do it electronically because you never get a thank you." SHAKE SHACK CUSTOMER HITS 'NO TIP' AT KIOSK, THEN WATCHES PRICES JUMP IN VIRAL VIDEO Etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore, founder of the Protocol School of Palm Beach in Florida, told Fox News Digital that employees shouldn't necessarily distinguish between customers who leave a tip and those who don't. "I think it's good customer service for an employee to thank a customer each and every time, whether they give a tip or not," Whitmore said. "They're thanking the customer for coming in. They're thanking the customer for being loyal to their business. So, regardless of whether that person chooses to give a tip or not, I think good customer [service] calls for a thank you each and every time." Robert Mahon, managing partner of New York-based Mahon Hospitality Group, said his company's expectations for employees are similar. AMERICANS SAY TIPPING PRACTICES 'HAVE BECOME RIDICULOUS' AS DIGITAL PROMPTS PUSH HIGHER GRATUITIES "We encourage every member of our team to welcome our guests warmly and thank them as they leave, regardless of the amount of gratuity left," Mahon told Fox News Digital. "It is very rare that a guest leaves no tip at all, and more often than not, our team receives gratuities of 20% or more. We believe the generosity of the vast majority of our guests more than makes up for the very occasional instance where no gratuity is left." Whitmore said there isn't much difference, from an etiquette standpoint, between specifically acknowledging a tip and simply thanking someone for patronizing the business. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS "A 'thank you' is a 'thank you,'" she said. "Just looking someone in the eye and saying, 'Thank you very much. Have a nice day. Come back and see us.' It's just good customer service." The proliferation of digital tip prompts, however, can create another etiquette dilemma: Customers may feel pressured to leave a gratuity when an employee is standing nearby and can potentially see what they select. "I want to remind everyone, tipping is optional," she said. "TIP: To Insure Proper Service." Whitmore said customers shouldn't feel obligated simply because a checkout screen asks them for money. "You don't need to expect to pay a certain percentage just because a machine is requesting it," she said. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Whitmore said tipping etiquette also depends on the type of service being provided. At a restaurant where employees bring food to the table, refill drinks, provide condiments and clean up afterward, she said leaving a few extra dollars can be appropriate. "But in instances where you go in, you grab and go, I don't recommend that you tip at all because you really, in many instances, don't even have face-to-face interaction with a human being," she said. Both experts suggested the amount a customer tips shouldn't determine the level of courtesy he or she receives. "I don't think that money should be a motivator for employees to treat their customers better or worse," Whitmore said. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ It's dependent upon management to establish that expectation, Mahon said. "Management sets the culture of a business. Our goal is simple: we want every customer to become a repeat customer," he said. "We do our best to train our teams to approach every guest interaction with that mindset. Ultimately, hospitality is not just a food and beverage business. More importantly, it is a people business." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82ddff2c5335ae10478427 Massachusetts teen accused of killing mom, brother in affluent suburb after disturbing ChatGPT activity: DA te 2026-08-17T10:10:07.338Z Massachusetts teen accused of killing mom, brother in affluent suburb after disturbing ChatGPT activity: DA A 17-year-old Massachusetts boy who allegedly used ChatGPT to explore fantasies about killing his family is accused of murdering his mother and younger brother inside the family's home in an affluent Boston suburb, and was ordered held without bail Thursday as prosecutors revealed new details about the violent scene. Arjun Aravind, of Acton, was arraigned Thursday in Concord District Court on two counts of murder, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and two counts of assault and battery, the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office confirmed to Fox News Digital. He was charged as an adult under Massachusetts law and he pleaded not guilty, the DA’s office said. Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said Wednesday that investigators uncovered what she characterized as "concerning behavior" by Aravind in the period before the deaths, including internet activity and the use of ChatGPT to explore theoretical or fictional scenarios involving the killing of his family. DISPATCH AUDIO RELEASED IN MICHIGAN FAMILY MURDER-SUICIDE AS TROUBLED FAMILY'S SECRETS EMERGE Ryan said Aravind allegedly used the artificial intelligence chatbot to "make searches including for theoretical ideas or fantasies regarding killing his family." The teen is accused of murdering his mother, Sudha Venkatesan, 45, and his 14-year-old brother, Siddharth Aravind, who were found dead Tuesday evening inside the family’s Martha Lane home. Acton is an affluent community about 30 miles northwest of Boston and the family had recently moved to the town in part for its schools and a support system for the children, Aravind’s defense attorney, Debra DeWitt, told CBS News Boston following Thursday’s hearing. Authorities were called to the home shortly after 6:30 p.m. Tuesday after Aravind’s father requested a well-being check. The father had been at work and was worried after a tutor who arrived at the house was unable to get inside, according to authorities. After repeated attempts to contact his family went unanswered, he contacted police. GET BREAKING NEWS ALERTS MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING TWO TEENS CLAIMED HE WAS CARJACKED — HIS OWN DASHCAM FOOTAGE SHOWS OTHERWISE: COPS Responding officers entered the home and found Siddharth dead on the first floor. Venkatesan was subsequently found dead in the finished basement, authorities said. Prosecutors said Thursday that investigators encountered evidence of a violent physical struggle inside the home and that preliminary evidence indicated both victims suffered blunt-force trauma. The official causes of death remain pending determinations by the medical examiner. CLICK HERE FOR MORE U.S. NEWS Venkatesan was last seen alive at about 7 a.m. Tuesday, when her husband left for work, according to Ryan. Siddharth went to a recreational facility around 9 a.m. and returned home shortly after noon. FOLLOW US ON X Investigators quickly discovered that Venkatesan’s green Honda Accord was also missing from the residence. TEEN SUSPECT IN MURDER OF TWO BANK EMPLOYEES IN KENTUCKY LEADS POLICE ON WILD 130 MPH CHASE Aravind was located at approximately 3:40 a.m. Wednesday inside his mother’s vehicle in a parking lot in nearby Wayland, Massachusetts, and was taken into custody without incident. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Prosecutors said Thursday that investigators recovered several items from the car that they believe corresponded with evidence from the scene, though officials have not publicly identified those items. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS Court documents also indicate Aravind’s father had become concerned about his son’s recent behavior and internet use and had begun hiding knives inside the home, CBS News Boston reported. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE Aravind received medical treatment for injuries to his hand before Thursday’s appearance and was medically cleared to attend court, prosecutors said. SEND US A TIP His attorney requested that he receive a mental health evaluation. When the judge asked whether the request concerned Aravind’s competency to stand trial or his potential criminal responsibility, DeWitt said that had not yet been determined. GOT A TIP? Aravind is due back in court Sept. 11 for a probable cause hearing. Fox News Digital has reached out to OpenAI for comment. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82ddfe2c5335ae1047841e New York socialist lawmaker takes heat after saying shoplifting results from 'biological need' te 2026-08-17T10:10:06.704Z New York socialist lawmaker takes heat after saying shoplifting results from 'biological need' A New York democratic socialist lawmaker's referral to shoplifting being the result of a "biological need" is getting swift blowback. New York state Assemblywoman Emily Gallagher suggested this week that aggressive prosecution of theft of items like soap and toothpaste was wrongheaded, saying the "true crime is that there is such incredible wealth disparity in this city that there are people who can be thrown in jail simply for having a biological need." "This is exactly the wrong way to talk about crime and poverty. Poverty can help explain why someone commits an offense," former Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg told Fox News Digital. "It should matter when prosecutors decide how to handle a case. But poverty is not a permission slip to steal." Aronberg, who now leads his own law firm, rejected the suggestion that prosecution necessarily means incarceration and pointed to alternatives available for first-time offenders. SOROS NETWORK REBUILDS PROGRESSIVE PROSECUTOR PUSH AFTER STRING OF ELECTION LOSSES "Suggesting that someone who steals toothpaste for the first time is automatically being thrown in jail creates a false picture of how the system actually works. Prosecution does not have to mean incarceration," Aronberg said. "There are diversion programs, treatment, conditional dispositions and other ways to impose accountability without ruining someone’s life." Retired New York Police Department Sgt. Joe Imperatrice, founder of Blue Lives Matter NYC and a retired NYPD supervisor with more than 20 years of law enforcement experience, said politicians should focus on crime victims rather than make excuses for offenders. He also defended the policing strategy Gallagher wants New York City to abandon. "Broken Windows is a proven theory which holds people accountable for their actions and rightfully so," Imperatrice said. "The tides are turning and everyday New Yorkers are getting sick and tired of this reckless narrative." "In the very near future we will thank all of these ridiculous so-called ‘leaders’ for pushing the needle so far left that the great days of the late 90's and early 2000's will be resurrected better than ever before," he added. CHICAGO POL SAYS WALGREENS SHOULD BE CHARGED WITH 'FIRST-DEGREE CORPORATE ABANDONMENT' OVER CLOSURE OVER THEFT Gallagher, who represents Greenpoint and Williamsburg in Brooklyn, made the remarks Thursday outside Manhattan Criminal Court during a news conference with Court Watch NYC and other lawmakers. She described misdemeanor theft cases involving basic necessities as "crimes of poverty." "People who are stealing things like toothpaste, people who were stealing things like, you know, soap. And that means if you’re stealing those things, you need them," Gallagher said. Gallagher contrasted struggling New Yorkers with large drugstore chains and argued that wealth inequality was the greater offense. "And we are choosing to protect billion-dollar companies, like CVS and Walgreens, over the people who are struggling to get by," she said.  Organizers said Court Watch NYC monitored 360 arraignments over four days and found more than half involved misdemeanor offenses. CRIME IS FALLING, OFFICIALS SAY — VICTIMS CLAIM REPORTING ISN’T WORTH IT Gallagher and her allies also urged Mayor Zohran Mamdani to end "broken windows policing." Mamdani entered office promising to shift some responses to homelessness, mental illness and low-level disorder away from police while maintaining enforcement against serious violent crime. The NYPD reported retail theft declined 16.3% citywide during the first half of 2026 compared with the same period last year. The department attributed the decline to analyzing crime patterns, deploying officers at high-theft locations and conducting sustained investigations. Aronberg also warned that Gallagher’s argument could damage the Democratic Party politically by allowing Republicans to portray the party as unconcerned about crime. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "Democrats should reject the idea that enforcing laws against theft is somehow incompatible with caring about poverty. That is bad policy, and politically it is a gift to Republicans who want to portray Democrats as indifferent to public safety," Aronberg said. Fox News Digital reached out to Gallagher for further comment, but did not immediately receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82dbac2c5335ae104783da More Than Hair: How the Back-to-School Haircut Impacts Confidence te 2026-08-17T10:00:12.414Z More Than Hair: How the Back-to-School Haircut Impacts Confidence Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82dbab2c5335ae104783d1 More Than Hair: How the Back-to-School Haircut Impacts Confidence te 2026-08-17T10:00:11.692Z More Than Hair: How the Back-to-School Haircut Impacts Confidence Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82dbaa2c5335ae104783c8 4 hábitos diarios para mantener un cerebro sano y mejorar la función cognitive te 2026-08-17T10:00:10.684Z 4 hábitos diarios para mantener un cerebro sano y mejorar la función cognitive Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82dba92c5335ae104783bf 4 hábitos diarios para mantener un cerebro sano y mejorar la función cognitive te 2026-08-17T10:00:09.755Z 4 hábitos diarios para mantener un cerebro sano y mejorar la función cognitive Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82dba82c5335ae104783b6 Qué buscar al considerar un préstamo personal con garantía de auto te 2026-08-17T10:00:08.850Z Qué buscar al considerar un préstamo personal con garantía de auto Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82d6fa2c5335ae10478337 IN PICTURES: Historic Smithsonian museum packed with woke political messaging on race and gender te 2026-08-17T09:40:10.725Z IN PICTURES: Historic Smithsonian museum packed with woke political messaging on race and gender As the Smithsonian Institution continues to face scrutiny over its leftward drift, a Fox News Digital tour of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History revealed exhibits that present the nation's past through the lens of oppression of minority groups. Perhaps nowhere in the museum was that more apparent than the popular Entertainment Nation Exhibit. The series of installations, focused mainly on sports, television and music, is a ubiquitous hotbed of woke history. One display focuses on the 2010 "Los Suns" protest, which features a special basketball jersey worn by a Phoenix Sun's player during the protest. SMITHSONIAN AMERICA 250 EXHIBIT FEATURES 3X MORE LIBERAL ITEMS THAN CONSERVATIVE ONES "In solidarity with the Latinx community, the Phoenix Suns basketball team challenged Arizona’s new immigration law on the court," says the headline of a placard explaining the display. "In 2010 Arizona empowered police to question anyone on their immigration status, in effect targeting any Spanish-speaking person with brown skin," the placard says, adding that the professional team described the state's new law as a violation of "our basic principles of equal rights and protection under the law." A mannequin head displays the hijab worn by the first Muslim woman to win a major ice skating competition while wearing the religious head covering. Another display links a 2014 "X-Men" movie to the Black Lives Matter movement, which sparked during the summer of that year. "As #BlackLivesMatter went viral in the summer of 2014, one of the first Black woman superheroes was fighting discrimination on the big screen," says the headline in the placard for that display. DESCENDANT OF SLAVES SHAMES SMITHSONIAN’S WOKE ‘INDOCTRINATION’ AGAINST THE ‘GREATEST NATION ON EARTH’ The writing describes the main characters in the fantasy the film faced discrimination for "being different," Halle Berry was the lead actress in the film, and her costume is featured in the museum. The exhibit also pays homage to the massively successful mid-2010's show "Glee," which ran for eight seasons. Its placard says the show "celebrated the arts, and, most importantly, humanity." "The television series Glee told the story of a fictional high school glee club comprised of a diverse group of students: Black, white, Asian, straight, LGBTQ+, disabled, brassy, rebellious, shy, and geeky. Even as they grappled with navigating interpersonal conflicts and developing their identities as young adults, they came together to support each other and sing as one—exemplifying the motto on a plaque in their school auditorium: 'See the world not as it is, but as it should be,'" says the placard. Another exhibit display, focused on the 1960s and 70s, mentions NBA legend Bill Russell's greatness on the court, but rather than solely highlight his accomplishments in sports, the placard focuses on his racial activism. SEN TIM SCOTT: MY FAMILY'S JOURNEY SHOWS AMERICA'S FOUNDING PROMISE IS ALIVE AND STRONG "Bill Russell was a defensive powerhouse on the court who played offense against racism," the title says. "Bill Russell redefined defensive play, blocking shots and capturing rebounds. The five-time MVP led the Boston Celtics to 11 championships as he championed civil rights," says the placard. "In 1961 Russell led Black teammates in a protest against racial discrimination, staging the first NBA game boycott." Yet another display features a massive gold chain, a crew neck sweatshirt and a notepad with hand-written song lyrics belonging to rapper Nipsey Hussle, a proud Rollin' 60s Crip gang affiliate who rapped about violence and drugs. His real name was Ermias Asghedom. "Nipsey Hussle’s political ethos was as strong as his rap," the placard says. CHARLES BARKLEY ADMONISHES SOCIETY FOR BEING HOMOPHOBIC IN VIRTUE-SIGNALING RANT ABOUT JASON COLLINS' DEATH "Raised in the Crenshaw District of Los Angeles, Grammy Award-winning rapper Nipsey Hussle made his mark through music, activism, and business savvy," it continues. "As an artist, Hussle’s lyrics painted vivid pictures of West Coast life filled with insights well beyond his years. As an activist, he mentored and inspired a generation to become politically engaged. And as an entrepreneur, he chose to reinvest millions into the streets that raised him. Despite his untimely passing, his spirit of dedication, self-reliance, and community empowerment continues to resonate." The nondescript "untimely passing" refers to the rapper's murder after he confronted a Rollin' 60s gang member, Eric Holder Jr., and accused of of "snitching" to law enforcement. An enraged Holder produced a handgun, shooting and killing Asghedom and wounding several others. Also on display are a jersey worn by the first active and openly gay NBA player, Jason Collins, the hat worn by Dr. Anthony Fauci when he threw the ceremonial first pitch at Washington Nationals game when the team league restarted after COVID-19 shutdowns and a skateboard highlighting the struggles of female skateboarders to break into the male-dominated sport. Fox News Digital reached out to the Smithsonian for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82d6f62c5335ae10478328 Qué buscar al considerar un préstamo personal con garantía de auto te 2026-08-17T09:40:06.493Z Qué buscar al considerar un préstamo personal con garantía de auto Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82d24b2c5335ae104782c8 From New York to Texas, states should respect local control on data centers te 2026-08-17T09:20:11.068Z From New York to Texas, states should respect local control on data centers There are already nearly 4,600 data centers in the United States, and thousands more in the works. In 2025, companies spent almost $400 billion on U.S.-based data centers, with spending trending even higher this year. From New York to Texas, the backlash is growing. "Leading the nation" read a sign on the podium as New York Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced a statewide moratorium on hyperscale data centers. Texas followed on Aug. 3, when Republican Gov. Greg Abbott announced a pause on new data center grid connections until state agencies can audit the projects. At least 14 other states are considering similar actions, including Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and even Virginia, whose northern suburbs are the data center capital of the world. These misguided efforts seek to protect residents from data centers by ensuring they miss out on the benefits. Communities that excluded canals and railroads in the 19th century often found themselves bypassed by new economic activity. TEXAS GOV. GREG ABBOTT EFFECTIVELY PAUSES NEW DATA CENTER PROJECTS PENDING STATEWIDE GRID AUDIT States that make it hard to build artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure risk a similar mistake. Compute can be accessed remotely, but the communities that permit the necessary physical infrastructure – like data centers – will still attract capital, expand their tax base and create jobs and other opportunities that other areas may miss out on. The resistance does not come from nowhere. The biggest worry is that data centers will drive up local prices for power. Overall, however, this just hasn’t happened. When the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory explored why retail electricity prices rose above inflation from 2019-2024, it offered seven explanations, none having to do with data centers. Still, it’s fair for people to worry that data centers’ voracious need for power will stress the grid and squeeze consumers. Policymakers and the hyperscalers, major cloud computing and data center providers, themselves are taking steps to minimize this risk. Utilities in 19 states, for example, have imposed "large load tariffs," in which big power consumers pay for new generation and transmission (and sometimes more). The White House announced in late July that Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, Oracle, xAI and more than 200 other players have agreed to pay for 100% of the power infrastructure required by data centers. FOUR WAYS TO HARDEN AMERICA'S POWER GRID BEFORE OUR GLOBAL ENEMIES STRIKE Once the power problem is sorted, the remaining issues, such as noise and traffic, are local. So are the potential benefits, such as tax revenue and construction jobs. Communities should therefore have the right to decide whether the benefits are worth the disruption. This is a version of the Coase Theorem, an economic theory that holds that private parties (in this case, one side being a community) can negotiate solutions to externalities on their own without heavy government intervention. And localities are indeed proving themselves willing and able to negotiate good deals for their residents. Lancaster, Pa., for example, secured commitments that will limit noise and water usage, along with $20 million for the city’s economic development and sustainability efforts. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, struck a community betterment agreement with Google and QTS that included job and wage guarantees. Teachers in Richland Parish, La., received bonus checks of as much as $51,000 thanks to higher local sales tax revenues generated by the construction of a nearby massive data center. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION State-level restrictions also carry a whiff of luxury belief, with people who don't live in areas where data centers could be built imposing their preferences on those who do. Many struggling communities with more land than prosperity would love the chance to negotiate with a hyperscaler. AMERICA'S AI BOOM IS A JOBS OPPORTUNITY, NOT AN EXCUSE FOR UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME To be sure, the principle cuts both ways. Just as states should not enact blanket bans, they should not force projects on unwilling towns or counties. States and communities also should not rush to offer tax benefits or other incentives to hyperscalers that have proven willing to invest massive sums on compute. At the very least, the public should always know exactly, and beforehand, what kind of incentives are being offered. AI will become an ever-greater part of our economy, whether the data center is near or far. What can be done is to embrace the opportunity, while limiting the potential harm. When it comes to data centers, that balance is best struck by those who will live near them. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82d24a2c5335ae104782bf It’s not the economy, stupid. Americans vote based on their personal economy te 2026-08-17T09:20:10.500Z It’s not the economy, stupid. Americans vote based on their personal economy Every election season, politicians suddenly become economists. They start talking about GDP, inflation rates, job creation, trade deficits and economic growth. They point to charts showing why the economy is doing better or worse depending on which party is holding the microphone. But there’s one problem. Most Americans don't live their lives on a government spreadsheet, job reports, GDP data or CPI Index information. FOX NEWS POLL: MOST RATE THE ECONOMY NEGATIVELY, INCLUDING HALF OF REPUBLICANS They live at the grocery store. They live at the gas pump. They live with when the mortgage payment comes out of their checking account. They live with the credit card bill. And they live it when their kid asks, "Can we afford that?" In Bill Clinton’s successful 1992 presidential campaign, strategist James Carville famously posted the message, "It’s the economy, stupid," as a reminder to keep the campaign focused on what mattered to voters. More than three decades later, I think that famous line needs an update. JAMES CARVILLE BREAKS WITH FAMOUS ‘IT’S THE ECONOMY, STUPID’ SLOGAN BECAUSE OF TRUMP It’s not the economy, stupid. It’s your personal economy that matters. And we will see this front and center as the runaway No. 1 issue in the midterms. Because when Americans walk into the voting booth, they aren't carrying a copy of the latest GDP report. They're carrying around 365 days of financial experience. Can I afford groceries? Can I afford my house? Can my kid afford a house? Is my paycheck keeping up with my bills? Can I afford health insurance? Can I fill up my SUV without wondering whether I should have bought a bicycle? Those questions may ultimately matter more politically than any economic statistic Washington can produce. FOX NEWS POLL: ECONOMIC GLOOM, TRUMP RATINGS SIGNAL TOUGH GOP MIDTERM PATH Here’s the disconnect politicians often miss and the Republicans may miss as a whole. The economy can look good on paper while your personal economy feels terrible. The stock market can hit records, but that doesn't help much when your rent just went up $200 a month. Unemployment can look relatively low, but that doesn't make you feel better if you're worried about losing your job. Inflation can cool, but "cooling inflation" doesn't mean prices went back down. It means they're generally rising more slowly. DAVID MARCUS: WHY RISING PRICES MAY NOT COST REPUBLICANS AS MUCH AS YOU THINK Try explaining that distinction to somebody staring at a $250 grocery bill. And this is where politicians in both parties make a huge mistake. You don't get to tell people how their wallet feels. You can tell Americans inflation is improving. You can tell them wages are growing. You can tell them the stock market is booming. You can put an economist on television with 17 charts explaining why Americans should feel better. THE SURPRISING HIDDEN COST QUIETLY ADDING NEARLY $132K TO NEW HOME PRICES REVEALED But if a family has $200 less left over at the end of every month, their personal economy isn't improving. And that is exactly what matters to voters. If a first-time homebuyer can't afford the monthly payment on a starter home, their personal economy isn't working. If filling the family SUV, buying groceries and paying the electric bill takes a bigger bite out of the paycheck, no government statistic is going to convince that family they're financially thriving. You don't get to tell people how their wallet feels. Their bank account already did that. Housing may be the ultimate example. For many young Americans, the question isn't whether they can negotiate another quarter-point off their mortgage rate. It's whether homeownership is becoming financially impossible altogether. I have three kids in their 20s who all have good jobs and are wondering how they can afford their first homes. That's your personal economy. Then there's gasoline. Politicians can debate why gas prices rise. Including war, oil markets, geopolitics, refinery capacity, regulation, taxes or supply disruptions. The person standing at Pump No. 7 doesn't care one iota about the political PowerPoint. They see the number spinning at the tank. $40. $60. $80. That number is the economy to them. What do my eyes tell me? 100 DAY SPRINT TO THE MIDTERMS KICKS OFF AS REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS CLASH FOR CONTROL ACROSS THE COUNTRY This is why politicians heading into election season should be very careful about telling Americans how good or how bad the economy is right now. Republicans can point fingers at Democrats. Democrats can point fingers at Republicans. Both sides will cherry-pick statistics that make their economic record look better. But voters will perform a much simpler calculation: Am I financially better off right now than I was two years ago? Do I have more breathing room than I did a few years ago? Can my paycheck buy more or less? Do I feel like I'm getting ahead or falling behind? That's the economic report card that ultimately matters. Elections may be fought over immigration, foreign policy, taxes, abortion, crime and dozens of other deeply important issues. But money has a funny way of cutting through political noise. Because you can turn off a campaign commercial. You can scroll past a political argument on social media. You can even ignore Washington entirely. But you can't ignore your mortgage payment. You can't unsubscribe from the grocery store. And eventually, you have to fill up the car. Carville was onto something in 1992. But in 2026, I'd change the message. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION It’s not the economy, stupid. It’s your personal economy that matters most. And Washington would be wise to remember one simple rule: You don't get to tell Americans how their wallet feels. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM TED JENKIN Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82d2492c5335ae104782b6 America’s broken permitting system is quietly raising your cost of living te 2026-08-17T09:20:09.947Z America’s broken permitting system is quietly raising your cost of living Permitting reform isn't simply an energy issue or an environmental issue. It is an affordability issue. The economics are straightforward. In a market economy, prices are determined by supply and demand. When the supply of housing, energy or manufactured goods increases, prices tend to fall. When supply is constrained, prices rise. If policymakers are serious about lowering costs for American families, they should focus on making it easier — not harder — to increase supply. That begins with fixing America's broken permitting system. THE SURPRISING HIDDEN COST QUIETLY ADDING NEARLY $132K TO NEW HOME PRICES REVEALED America does not suffer from a shortage of entrepreneurs willing to invest, workers eager to build or capital ready to finance new projects. But the permitting system fails to produce timely, predictable government decisions. Today, major housing developments, energy infrastructure and even manufacturing facilities routinely spend years navigating overlapping federal reviews, duplicative agency requirements and prolonged litigation. Time becomes a hidden tax. Every year a project sits in regulatory limbo, financing costs rise, construction expenses increase, investors demand higher returns and uncertainty discourages future investment. Those costs are ultimately paid by consumers through higher rents, home prices, utility bills and costlier goods. Much of this dysfunction stems from decades of expanding procedural requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Enacted in 1970, NEPA was designed to ensure informed environmental decision-making. Over time, it has evolved into a procedural maze that too often delays projects without producing better environmental outcomes. Endless rounds of paperwork, overlapping agency reviews and years of litigation have become commonplace, even after exhaustive environmental analysis is completed. The resulting delays impede new supply. TRUMP-APPROVED ENERGY PROJECTS AT RISK OF SUDDEN DEATH BY NEXT HOSTILE PRESIDENT The Mountain Valley Pipeline illustrates the problem. First proposed in 2014, the project did not begin operating until nearly a decade later despite extensive environmental review, public comment and regulatory oversight. Repeated litigation under NEPA, the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act delayed construction and increased costs. It took an act of Congress to finally complete the project and deliver natural gas to households and businesses. af Housing faces similar obstacles. Following the closure of the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in California in 1996, planners envisioned a vibrant mixed-use community with thousands of new homes. Decades later, significant portions of the property remain unavailable because environmental remediation and overlapping federal oversight still delay redevelopment. Years of delays mean fewer homes entering the market and higher housing costs. The cumulative impact of these delays extends far beyond individual projects. Delayed housing means higher home prices and rents for families already struggling to afford them. Delayed transmission lines and pipelines mean more expensive and less reliable electricity. Delayed factories send investment—and jobs—to countries with more predictable regulatory systems. Fixing this does not require sacrificing environmental protection. America should continue to maintain high environmental standards. Clean air, water and responsible stewardship of public lands remain essential public priorities. But protecting the environment and requiring government agencies to make timely decisions are not mutually exclusive. Endless procedural delays rarely produce cleaner air or healthier ecosystems. More often, they discourage investment, inflate costs and leave communities waiting years for needed projects. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Congress has an opportunity to modernize the permitting system while preserving core environmental protections. Reasonable deadlines for agency decisions, better coordination among federal regulators, narrower opportunities for duplicative litigation after agencies have completed their work and greater regulatory certainty would all make it easier to build without weakening environmental safeguards. Several proposals already before Congress — including the SPEED Act , the FREEDOM Act and the PERMIT Act —offer practical frameworks for accomplishing those goals. Permitting reform should not be viewed through a partisan lens. Whether the goal is more affordable housing, lower energy prices, stronger domestic manufacturing or greater economic competitiveness, the solution begins with allowing projects to move from blueprint to construction in a reasonable amount of time. In today's polarized Congress, achieving bipartisan agreement on major legislation can seem nearly impossible. Yet permitting reform has proven to be the exception. The SPEED Act, the FREEDOM Act and the PERMIT Act have all attracted bipartisan support. This rare consensus reflects a fundamental truth: Permitting delays are not a partisan problem, but a practical one that hampers economic growth and competitiveness regardless of which party is in power. If Congress can leverage this rare bipartisan agreement to modernize America's permitting system, it would demonstrate that gridlock isn't inevitable, and it would deliver real results for American families seeking affordable housing, a stronger economy and enhanced global competitiveness. Making it easier to build America again is not simply good regulatory policy — it’s one of the most effective affordability policies available. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82d2482c5335ae104782a5 Best Bets: Monday, Aug. 17, 2026 te 2026-08-17T09:20:08.653Z Best Bets: Monday, Aug. 17, 2026 Coming Up Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82d2472c5335ae1047829c Davis Dam releases for Aug. 17 te 2026-08-17T09:20:07.847Z Davis Dam releases for Aug. 17 Monday Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82d2472c5335ae10478293 Gas prices Aug 17 te 2026-08-17T09:20:07.190Z Gas prices Aug 17 National average: $4.07 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82d2462c5335ae1047828a Our View: Parents should decide what their children read te 2026-08-17T09:20:06.443Z Our View: Parents should decide what their children read The debate over what children can find at a public library can quickly turn into a fight over books, censorship and competing values. Mohave County has a better option: Give parents the tools to make those decisions for their own… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82cfeb2c5335ae1047823a Democratic Socialists Look for Upsets in Hostile Territory: Florida te 2026-08-17T09:10:03.917Z Democratic Socialists Look for Upsets in Hostile Territory: Florida Three primaries for the House and the Senate on Tuesday pose a fresh test for the left, this time in a conservative-leaning state where socialism is often seen as a dirty word. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82cd9d2c5335ae10478208 Federal Government Adds $432 Billion To Deficit In July, Shortfall Nears $1.8 Trillion te 2026-08-17T09:00:13.712Z Federal Government Adds $432 Billion To Deficit In July, Shortfall Nears $1.8 Trillion By Ethan Faverino | The federal government ran a $432.308 billion deficit in July, marking the largest monthly deficit since March 2021, according to the Joint Economic Committee’s latest Monthly Fiscal Update. The July deficit brought the federal government’s total deficit for the fiscal year through July to $1.799 trillion. The figure is 10.46% higher than the $1.629 trillion deficit recorded during the comparable period in FY25. The federal government has spent $1.40 for every $1 it has collected in revenue so far in FY26, with 28.62% of total outlays not covered by federal receipts. For comparison, the federal government recorded a total deficit of $1.775 trillion during fiscal year 2025. In July, the Fed gov ran a deficit of $432.308B, the largest monthly deficit since March 2021. FY2026-July, deficits were $1.799T. This means 28.62% of outlays in FY2026 were not paid for by revenues & for every dollar the Fed gov received in revenue, it spent $1.40.… — Joint Economic Committee Republicans (@JECRepublicans) August 13, 2026 The Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) most recent 10-year budget projections estimate that the federal deficit will reach $1.853 trillion in FY26, followed by $1.887 trillion in FY27 and $2.080 trillion in FY28. Federal net outlays totaled $766.318 billion in July, bringing total net outlays for the fiscal year through July to $6.284 trillion. That represents a 5.17% increase compared to the $5.975 trillion in net outlays recorded during the same period in FY25. Total federal outlays reached $7.010 trillion during FY25. The largest categories of federal spending so far in FY26 have been Social Security, Medicare, income security and veterans benefits, net interest on the national debt, defense, and Medicaid. Social security accounted for $1.384 trillion in spending through July, or approximately 22% of all federal outlays. Medicare accounted for $954.52 billion, or 15.2%. Income security and veterans benefits accounted for another $968.31 billion (15.4%), while net interest on the federal debt totaled $931.36 billion (14.8%). Defense spending totaled $764.71 billion through July, representing 12.2% of federal outlays, while Medicaid spending reached $598.21 billion (9.5%). In July alone, Medicare accounted for $174.25 billion in federal spending, followed by Social Security at $140.68 billion, income security and veterans benefits at $119.28 billion, net interest at $104.15 billion, defense at $86.05 billion, and Medicaid at $58.30 billion. The CBO currently projects total federal net outlays of $7.449 trillion for FY26, increasing to $7.772 trillion in FY27 and $8.151 trillion in FY28. Federal spending has continued to exceed revenue despite receipts also increasing compared to the same period last fiscal year. The federal government collected $334.010 billion in net receipts during July. For the fiscal year through July, total net receipts reached $4.485 trillion. That is a 3.19% increase from the $4.437 trillion collected during the comparable period in FY25. Total federal receipts reached $5.235 trillion durning FY25. Individual income taxes remain the largest source of federal revenue, generating $2.369 trillion through July, or 52.8% of all federal receipts. Social insurance and retirement taxes generated another $1.523 trillion, accounting for 33.9% of receipts. Corporation income taxes have generated $292.91 billion so far in FY26, representing 6.5% of total receipts. Customs duties have brought in $154.47 billion (3.4%), while all other receipts accounted for $146.22 billion (3.3%). In July, individual income taxes generated $173.27 billion, while social insurance and retirement taxes generated $139.07 billion. Corporation income taxes generated $13.57 billion during the month. Customs duties recorded a negative $8.55 billion in July, compared with $135.69 billion collected during the comparable period of FY25. Despite the July figure, customs duties have generated $154.47 billion for the fiscal year to date. The CBO projects federal receipts will total $5.596 trillion in FY26, $5.885 trillion in FY27 and $6.071 trillion in FY28. While federal receipts have increased 3.19% compared with the same point in FY25, net outlays have increased by 5.17% The difference between federal spending and revenue has contributed to the $1.799 trillion deficit accumulated through July. The federal government’s fiscal year ends September 30, meaning the July figures cover 10 months of FY26. Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link. The post Federal Government Adds $432 Billion To Deficit In July, Shortfall Nears $1.8 Trillion first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82cd9b2c5335ae104781ff Amish Shah Faces Scrutiny Over Support For D.C. Statehood te 2026-08-17T09:00:11.965Z Amish Shah Faces Scrutiny Over Support For D.C. Statehood By Matthew Holloway | The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) is targeting Democratic congressional nominee Amish Shah over his documented support for admitting Washington, D.C., as the 51st state. The criticism comes as Arizona’s competitive First Congressional District race moves into the general election. The NRCC said Thursday that Shah supported the proposal on multiple occasions while serving in the Arizona House of Representatives and characterized statehood as an effort to expand Democratic power in Congress. The committee cited a 2021 letter signed by Shah and a 2023 concurrent resolution listing him among its sponsors. The D.C. Statehood Compact, an organization supporting admission, lists Shah among 33 Democratic Arizona lawmakers who signed the 2021 letter. The lawmakers wrote that “the State of Arizona supports admitting Washington, D.C. into the Union” and urged the state’s congressional delegation to support federal statehood legislation. Two years later, Shah joined more than two dozen Arizona House members and eight state senators sponsoring House Concurrent Resolution 2034. The measure, which died in committee without receiving a floor vote, would have proclaimed support for admitting Washington, D.C., as a state and enacting federal legislation granting statehood to its residents. The resolution argued that District residents pay federal taxes, serve in the military, and remain without full voting representation in Congress. It also cited the 2016 districtwide referendum in which approximately 86 percent of voters supported statehood. Federal statehood legislation would preserve a smaller federal district containing the White House, Capitol, Supreme Court and other federal buildings while admitting the residential and commercial portions of Washington as the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth. The proposed state would elect two senators and initially one voting member of the House. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton and Sen. Chris Van Hollen reintroduced companion measures in January 2025. Republicans have argued that admission would produce two reliably Democratic Senate seats and an additional Democratic vote in the House. District voters have supported the Democratic presidential nominee in every election since they first participated in 1964. Former Vice President Kamala Harris received 90.28 percent of the District’s vote in 2024, while President Donald Trump received 6.47 percent. NRCC spokesman Ben Petersen linked Shah’s statehood position to the committee’s broader criticism of his policy record. ALERT: Arizona Democrat Socialist @DrAmishShah pushed for making Washington D.C. 🟦 the 51st state — a Democrat power grab Uncovered docs revealed Socialist Shah wanted to create two new Democrat-held U.S. Senate seats and a Democrat U.S. House seat 🟦🟦🟦 Shah showed he's a… pic.twitter.com/tSJ3rWFnBr — Ben Petersen (@bennpetersen) August 13, 2026 In a post to X, Petersen wrote, “Arizona Democrat Socialist @DrAmishShah pushed for making Washington D.C. the 51st state — a Democrat power grab. Uncovered docs revealed Socialist Shah wanted to create two new Democrat-held U.S. Senate seats and a Democrat U.S. House seat.” “Socialist Amish Shah demonstrated he’s a partisan Democrat obsessed with seizing power to force unpopular far-left tax hikes on Arizonans,” Petersen said, adding, “Arizona families can’t afford Socialist Shah rubber-stamping a radical left agenda in Congress.” Shah’s campaign describes him as an independent voice who worked across party lines during his five years in the state Legislature. His campaign says his congressional priorities include lowering costs, protecting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and defending abortion rights. The new attack follows a contentious Democratic primary in which Shah openly criticized national party leaders. In May, Shah accused the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee of interfering in the race after it endorsed former television journalist Marlene Galán-Woods. Shah said the committee had previously assured candidates that it would remain out of the primary and described its intervention as “hubris.” Shah defeated Galán-Woods and two other candidates in July and will face Republican nominee Jay Feely in November. Feely, a former Arizona Cardinals kicker, received Trump’s endorsement during the Republican primary. The open district includes Scottsdale, northeast Phoenix, Fountain Hills, and Paradise Valley and is expected to help determine control of the U.S. House. The NRCC has also focused on remarks Shah made about taxes and the Democratic Party’s progressive wing. During a Democratic forum this year, Shah called Trump’s tax cuts “abominable” and said he would use his platform to “prosecute” Trump and congressional Republicans “as vigorously as I can.”   During a 2018 appearance that resurfaced in the 2024 campaign, Shah said the country’s economic system was unfair, blamed Reagan-era tax reductions for contributing to inequality and welcomed what he called a “huge progressive movement” within the Democratic Party. Shah also said during the 2024 campaign that he opposed extending the Trump tax cuts because many of their beneficiaries were wealthy. Shah previously won the district’s Democratic nomination in 2024 and lost to Republican Rep. David Schweikert by approximately four percentage points Schweikert left the seat open after forgoing reelection to run unsuccessfully for governor. Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com. The post Amish Shah Faces Scrutiny Over Support For D.C. Statehood first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82cd9a2c5335ae104781f6 Arizona Governor, Secretary Of State, Attorney General Accused Of Straw Donor Scheme te 2026-08-17T09:00:10.188Z Arizona Governor, Secretary Of State, Attorney General Accused Of Straw Donor Scheme By Staff Reporter | A new complaint filed this week alleges that Arizona’s governor, secretary of state, and attorney general may have participated in a straw donor scheme. The complainant, San Tan Valley resident Gary DeBerge, has asked Arizona District Attorney Timothy Courchaine and Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell to look into what he says are “mysterious and unexplained” irregularities in the campaigns of Gov. Katie Hobbs, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, and Attorney General Kris Mayes.  A copy of the complaint obtained by AZ Free News alleges that recent filings by one of the campaigns reflect “repeatedly altered reported receipts by millions of dollars” due to alleged eliminations of prior reported contributions.  Elect Katie Hobbs, the governor’s reelection campaign account, issued 10 amended reports for the 2026 Quarter 2 report, several of which varied by millions of dollars.  Exempt small contributions amounting to less than $100 totaled more than $1.4 million in the original filing and the first amended report, dropped to $0 in the second and third amended reports, then rose to nearly $400,000 in subsequent amended reports.   Total receipts amounted to more than $2.6 million in the original filing, but jumped to $3.1 million in the first amended report, then dropped below $1.7 million in the second amended report, then rose again to more than $2.2 million in the third amended report, and then rose again, back to more than $2.6 million in subsequent amended reports.  Donations under $100 are considered eligible for aggregate rather than individual reporting. Elect Katie Hobbs 2026 Quarter 2 Reported Contributions Total ReceiptsSmall ContributionsCash Balance Original Filing (ID: 385354)$2,642,060$1,426,552$2,378,206 First Amended Filing (ID: 408467)$3,105,230$1,426,552$2,841,375  Second Amended Filing (ID: 409125)$1,678,677$0 $1,414,823 Third Amended Filing (ID: 419576)$2,257,740$0 $1,993,885 Fourth Amended Filing (ID: 421346)$2,652,525$394,785$2,388,670 Fifth Amended Filing (ID: 421347)$2,649,025$394,785$2,385,170 Sixth Amended Filing (ID: 421760)$2,649,020$394,785$2,385,165 Seventh Amended Filing (ID: 421761)$2,648,520$394,785$2,384,665 Eighth Amended Filing (ID: 421762)$2,648,267$394,785$2,384,412 Ninth Amended Filing (ID: 421763)$2,648,259$394,784$2,384,404 Tenth Amended Filing (ID: 421765)$2,648,276$394,802$2,384,421 The complaint petitioned investigators to determine whether the millions moved around in amended filings reflected “a calculated attempt to obscure the true source and disposition” of the funds.  As noted by the complaint, Hobbs’ campaign reported much smaller totals of exempt small contributions throughout 2025 and the first quarter of 2026. Exempt small contributions across five quarters amounted to $600,000 in total. Then, in the second quarter of this year, the campaign reported a surge in exempt small contributions that amounted to more than double what the campaign pulled for an entire year and a quarter.  “Elect Katie Hobbs has reported approximately $1.4 million in exempt contributions and then later reported that those same contributions never existed,” stated the complaint. “This should immediately raise questions regarding the accuracy of one, if not all, of the recent filings made by this committee.”  The Trump administration and Republican leaders in Congress have initiated investigatory efforts into straw donor schemes by online fundraising platforms.  An example of this was illustrated prominently in the media earlier this year, when investigative reporters discovered that ActBlue, the primary fundraising platform for Democrats, allegedly misattributed around $100,000 in donations across thousands of individual political contributions over five years to one Elizabeth Waffle, an 88-year-old woman in Michigan living in a trailer with limited income. ActBlue allegedly misattributed more than 13,000 donations that occurred once or multiple times on a daily basis.  The complaint also questioned the number of contributors listed as “not employed” across the three campaigns’ 2026 filings to date. Below are the total number of instances in which individual contributors were listed as “not employed” for the three report filings due so far this year and the four report filings made in 2025. These instances exclude retirees and may include individuals who contributed more than once. Candidate“Not Employed” or “Unemployed” in 2026 Filings“Not Employed” or “Unemployed” in 2025 Filings Katie Hobbs46,33526,643 Andy Biggs2621 Kris Mayes17,53013,162 Warren Petersen00 Adrian Fontes12,6403,294 Alexander Kolodin21 AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link. The post Arizona Governor, Secretary Of State, Attorney General Accused Of Straw Donor Scheme first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82c1de2c5335ae1047809d Arizona warns feds of 'catastrophic' harm from Colorado River plan te 2026-08-17T08:10:06.874Z Arizona warns feds of 'catastrophic' harm from Colorado River plan Arizona continues pressing its case against potentially “catastrophic” cuts in its water supply, asserting that the federal government’s developing plan for the Colorado River ignores critical legal requirements to deliver water to the Southwest. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82c1de2c5335ae10478094 Lake Havasu City secures federal land rights for second bridge te 2026-08-17T08:10:06.116Z Lake Havasu City secures federal land rights for second bridge Lake Havasu City has secured federal land rights needed for the second bridge project, clearing another hurdle as the city moves toward construction. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82c1dd2c5335ae1047808b Western Arizona state parks draw loyal visitors as attendance shifts from pandemic highs te 2026-08-17T08:10:05.195Z Western Arizona state parks draw loyal visitors as attendance shifts from pandemic highs Arizona state parks in Mohave and La Paz counties are keeping a remarkably loyal base of visitors, even as attendance at some of the region’s parks remains below the levels seen around the COVID-19 pandemic. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a82b8802c5335ae10477b66 Australia sets launch for sweeping gun buyback after Bondi Beach terror attack: 'Sensible gun reform' te 2026-08-17T07:30:08.727Z Australia sets launch for sweeping gun buyback after Bondi Beach terror attack: 'Sensible gun reform' New South Wales in Australia is slated to begin a gun buyback scheme in November, the first state in the nation to kick-off the program as part of the national response to a shooting spree that killed 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration in the state capital of Sydney, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Sunday. Albanese and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said the scheme would start on November 2. People who return eligible firearms under the first phase would receive fixed compensation ranging from $450 to $1,000 per firearm, depending on the type. A second phase will provide a valuation pathway for certain higher-value firearms, capped at $10,000 per firearm. Albanese's center-left government adopted new gun-control laws in January in the aftermath of the December 14 attack at a Bondi Beach Hanukkah celebration, including the gun buyback program and tighter firearms measures. New South Wales separately passed tighter state firearms laws in December, while the federal government also strengthened laws targeting hate speech and extremism. The pair of alleged gunmen used firearms that were obtained legally. Australia's government said there were a record 4.1 million firearms in the country last year, including more than 1.1 million in New South Wales, its most populous state. AUSTRALIA VOWS TO STRENGTHEN HATE SPEECH LAWS, GUN CONTROL IN WAKE OF BONDI BEACH ATTACK "We must do everything we can to make sure the antisemitic terrorist attack in Bondi doesn’t happen again. That includes meaningful nationwide gun reform," Albanese said in a statement. The initiative is set to be Australia's largest buyback since a similar effort following the 1996 massacre in Tasmania's Port Arthur, when a gunman killed 35 people. "Australians are quite rightly proud of our gun laws, but the fact is there are more guns in Australia today than there were at the time of dealing with the Port Arthur gun buyback ," Albanese said. New South Wales generally limits individual firearm ownership to four guns under restrictions sparked by the Bondi Beach attack, with exemptions allowingcertain licence holders, including some primary producers, sport shooters and others with specified genuine reasons, to possess more firearms. It estimates that up to 274,000 registered firearms — about 24% of the total number of registered firearms in New South Wales — and about 50,000 license holders are affected by the new limits on gun ownership and reclassification of some types of firearms. VIRGINIA GUN SALES SPIKE AHEAD OF JULY 1 ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN SIGNED BY GOV. SPANBERGER "After Bondi, we promised the people of New South Wales we would introduce the toughest gun laws in the country, and that’s exactly what we did," Minns said. "The next step is getting the guns that are no longer permitted under those laws out of circulation and permanently off our streets." "There are potentially hundreds of thousands of firearms affected by these changes," Minns added. "We want those guns handed in, compensated for and safely destroyed. This is a big undertaking, but the principle behind it is simple: fewer dangerous guns in our community means a safer New South Wales." The attack was allegedly carried out by a father and son who police believe were inspired by the Islamic State. The 50-year-old father, Sajid Akram, was shot and killed by police at the scene, while the surviving suspect, Naveed Akram, 24, has not yet entered pleas on a slew of charges, including 15 counts of murder. Authorities have charged him with 59 offenses in total, including committing a terrorist act and 15 counts of murder. A man identified as Ahmed al Ahmed has been praised as a hero for tackling and disarming one of the gunmen. He suffered gunshot wounds in the incident and is still recovering. "After the tragedy at Bondi, we committed to dealing with the motive and the method," Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke said. "Since then, we have strengthened our hate crimes and hate speech laws, which are now the strongest in our country’s history." "Today we continue the proud Australian tradition of sensible gun reform designed to protect our community from weapons which have no utility other than to cause harm." he added. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a829eb72c5335ae1047729d Trump blames vandals for dead grass on National Mall where he hosted 4th of July celebration te 2026-08-17T05:40:07.506Z Trump blames vandals for dead grass on National Mall where he hosted 4th of July celebration President Donald Trump is blaming vandals for large spots of dead grass on the National Mall near the World War II Memorial, the same area where the president hosted crowds for a 4th of July celebration. Trump made the claim without providing evidence or explaining why he believes vandals damaged the grass. He shared a photo showing an area by the World War II Memorial with patches of brown and dead grass across much of the sprawling turf that was previously full of green grass. "Look what VANDALS did to the grass connecting the vandalized World War II Monument and the vandalized Reflecting Pool, which will be opened again, and better than ever, shortly," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Anybody who thinks the Reflecting Pool wasn’t vandalized should go back to Law School!" he continued. TRUMP URGES JEANINE PIRRO TO REVISIT DROPPED LINCOLN MEMORIAL REFLECTING POOL VANDALISM CASE Trump had a large stage built and invited crowds to the same lawn for his Independence Day celebration last month. He is now blaming vandals for the grass damage. Crowds gathered to hear from the president and watch fireworks to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary. Photos from the celebration show a large bandstand and seating areas covering nearly the entire lawn Trump now says was damaged by vandals. Photos from subsequent days showed workers removing the structures, revealing brown and damaged grass underneath. The photographs show that event infrastructure occupied much of the affected lawn, but do not by themselves establish what caused all of the grass damage. Trump has repeatedly blamed vandals for damage to his renovation projects in Washington, D.C., often without evidence and contradicting accounts from his officials. Earlier this month, Trump criticized U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro after her office moved to dismiss the vandalism case after newly disclosed evidence showed widespread liner damage stemming from a flawed installation and the rush to complete the project ahead of Independence Day events, undermining the case against the defendant. On Friday, an arrest was made in connection with vandalism at the World War II Memorial after the words "Clean hands dirty $" were found painted on the monument and bubbles filled a fountain. Felony charges in that case are being brought against Melissa Farris, according to Pirro. Charging documents in that case do not mention the once-grassy area Trump referred to in his new social media post. Authorities said Farris was previously arrested for camping on federal property a few blocks from the World War II Memorial, but not the spot referenced by Trump. OBAMA JUDGE HANDS PROGRESSIVES A WIN OVER ANTI-TRUMP '86 47' MESSAGE AMID RISING THREATS On Aug. 1, Trump posted a different photo of the same area of dead that appears to show the numbers "86 47," which federal officials argue is a threat against Trump. The numbers are not visible in the photo Trump shared on Sunday. Trump cited that image as evidence against Pirro's conclusion, describing it as "a pure case of VANDALISM, that included the grass." "There may have been some contractor difficulty, but the major damage was caused by VANDALS!" he wrote. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8280402c5335ae10476e29 NYPD officers fatally shoot man armed with butcher knife after he advanced toward cops: police te 2026-08-17T03:30:08.199Z NYPD officers fatally shoot man armed with butcher knife after he advanced toward cops: police NYPD officers fatally shot a 54-year-old man Sunday afternoon after police said he advanced toward them with a large butcher knife inside a Lower East Side apartment building. The shooting happened shortly after 4 p.m. at 126 Ludlow Street, where officers were responding to multiple 911 calls reporting an assault in progress. When officers entered the building, they found a trail of blood leading up a staircase, NYPD Assistant Chief Melissa Eger said during a Sunday evening news conference. As officers headed upstairs, they encountered 54-year-old Wei Chan coming down the staircase while armed with what police described as a large butcher knife. LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY PARK SHOOTING KILLS 1, INJURES 4 DURING LIVE BAND PERFORMANCE "Officers repeated multiple commands for the male to show his hands in an effort for him to drop the weapon," Eger said. "As officers issued repeated commands, the male continued to advance towards the officers armed with the large butcher knife." The officers then opened fire, striking Chan. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. "He has no known criminal history with our department. However, he does have a documented mental health history with the department," Eger said. POLICE REVEAL NEW DETAILS ABOUT GUNMAN, 5 VICTIMS KILLED IN RURAL MICHIGAN SHOOTING RAMPAGE Officers also found Wei Chan's 75-year-old father, Cheung Chan, suffering from a laceration to the head. Investigators said Wei Chan had injured his father before police arrived. He was also taken to the hospital and is expected to survive. The responding officers were also taken to a hospital for evaluation, police said. "Their actions are a reminder of how officers run towards danger and not away from it," Eger said. VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SHOOTING SUSPECT FOUND HIDING IN DORM CLOSET ARRESTED Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Sunday that he had been briefed on the shooting and that the incident would undergo an internal investigation. "As with every incident in which NYPD officers discharge their weapons, there will be an internal investigation, and body-worn camera footage of the incident will be released," Mamdani wrote on X. The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a827de72c5335ae104767e1 Hayden Panettiere dead at 36 te 2026-08-17T03:20:07.825Z Hayden Panettiere dead at 36 "Nashville" actress Hayden Panettiere died, her representative confirmed to Fox News Digital. She was 36. Circumstances surrounding her death were not immediately made available. "It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her – and to the millions who watched her onscreen," her rep said in a statement provided to ABC. Fox News Digital's Christina Dugan Ramirez contributed to this report.  This is a developing story. Check back here for updates. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8272302c5335ae10476287 Von Miller signs with Cowboys in homecoming move for 2-time Super Bowl champion: 'Let's make this one special' te 2026-08-17T02:30:08.577Z Von Miller signs with Cowboys in homecoming move for 2-time Super Bowl champion: 'Let's make this one special' Von Miller, the eight-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion, is heading to Jerry’s World for his 15th NFL season. Miller announced he is signing with the Dallas Cowboys, though the specifics of the deal were not disclosed. "Dallas ! Let’s make this one Special !" Miller wrote on X with a photoshopped picture of himself in a Cowboys uniform. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Cowboys legend Demarcus Ware, who also won a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos alongside Miller, also posted a FaceTime screenshot of the two of them smiling together with the a smiling emoji and "#CowboysNation." Miller also won SB 50 MVP during that game against the Carolina Panthers as well. Miller is coming off a nine-sack season for the Washington Commanders, where he also collected 26 combined tackles across 17 games with his fourth NFL franchise in his career. QUINNEN WILLIAMS AGRESS TO $105.9M CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH COWBOYS, LOCKING HIM IN THROUGH 2030 SEASON Now, Miller will be facing off against the Commanders, and other NFC East foes, with the Cowboys. COWBOYS LEGEND RELISHES IN CALEB DOWNS PICK AS RIVAL TEAM MISSES OUT ON FILLING SECONDARY HOLE Miller is a future Hall of Fame defensive end who has two first team All-Pro nods under his many accolades. He also heads into the 2026 NFL season tied ninth all-time in sacks alongside Ware with 138.5 for his career. This is also a full-circle moment for Miller, who returns home. The DeSoto, Texas native starred at DeSoto High School before earning national recognition during his time with the Texas A&M Aggies. The Broncos ended up taking Miller second overall in the 2011 NFL Draft, but now he heads to Dallas, which is less than an hour away from where he grew up. For the Cowboys, the addition of Miller runs with the theme they’ve had since trading away Micah Parsons one year ago. They have been trying to find that skilled pass rusher since Parsons landed with the Green Bay Packers. Last season, the Cowboys had just 31 sacks, which was in the bottom third of the league. Of course, sacks are not the only statistic that matters, but as a defense, Dallas allowed the third-most yards (377.0) and the most points (30.1) per game of any team in the league. COWBOYS LOCK IN GEORGE PICKENS WITH $27.3M FRANCHISE TAG DESPITE FAILING TO REACH LONG-TERM CONTRACT The Cowboys have tried to shore up their defense this offseason, including the addition of Parsons’ old Packers teammate, outside linebacker Rashan Gary, ex-Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Otito Ogbonnia, and ex-San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters while using two first-round draft choices on defensive players — Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and UCF linebacker Malachi Lawrence. Finally, with new defensive coordinator Christian Parker in place, the Cowboys want to see their defense keep opponents out of the end zone, while their offense continues to find it like they did at a high rate last season. The Cowboys had the second-best offense in terms of yards in 2025. Can Miller be that much of a difference, though? Can he fill the sack void left when Parsons packed for Green Bay? He had a solid performance in 2025, and perhaps the homecoming will add some extra juice for the future Hall of Famer as he joins his new team. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8264202c5335ae1047611c Louisiana man accused of killing wife, propping her body up for multistate drive te 2026-08-17T01:30:08.422Z Louisiana man accused of killing wife, propping her body up for multistate drive A Louisiana man is accused of killing his wife and propping her body up in the passenger seat of his car and driving through multiple states before he was arrested in Tennessee, according to authorities. Tyronne Brazille, 50, was pulled over by police in Memphis for a traffic violation on Thursday when officers found the lifeless body of his wife, Lanessa Bradford, 50, in the passenger seat of his vehicle with a gunshot wound, WREG reported. A longtime friend of the woman, Shelicka Decker, told the outlet that the couple had been married for years and Bradford was planning to leave Brazille. NEW JERSEY MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING WIFE WITH BARBELL ALLEGEDLY CONFESSED IN MESSAGES TO RELATIVES: REPORT "She had the money saved up. She had come up with a plan, and she was going to just vanish. That was the only way she would be able to get away from him," Decker said. "She was going to leave her car, she was going to leave all the things behind, and she had been in touch with her family that was out of town, and that’s how she was going to make this move to get away." But before Bradford had the chance to leave, investigators allege Brazille shot and killed her during an argument at Independence Community Park in Baton Rouge, according to investigators, WREG reported. Investigators said Brazille drove through several states with his wife's body in the vehicle before he was stopped in Memphis. He was taken into custody in Memphis as a fugitive. "I have so many questions, like, what were you doing in the car with her that amount of time while she was deceased," Decker said. "Where was his mind at during that ride? It’s so crazy and heartbreaking." DATING-APP CHARMER ACCUSED OF MURDER AFTER HISTORY OF DOMESTIC ARRESTS INVOLVING WOMEN HE MET ONLINE Decker said Bradford had told her that Brazille threatened to kill himself or Bradford when she discussed leaving him, but Decker said she never believed he would actually follow through. "He never put his hands on her up until recently, like maybe like two or three months ago," Decker said. "It wouldn’t have surprised me if someone had called and said that he killed himself because he always says this. It surprised me that he killed her." Decker said Bradford worked at an elementary school in Baton Rouge, and the school asked police to conduct a welfare check at her home after she missed a few days of work. "It’s such an unfortunate situation, like everybody, she was such a good person. Everybody, she uplifted a lot of people, a lot of parents," Decker said. "My prayers are with her family and friends as well as his, because we were all friends. We all, you know, hung around each other, and this is just not the same person that we grew up with." Brazille is scheduled to appear in court on Monday as he awaits extradition to Louisiana. Police said Brazille is expected to face a murder charge after extradition in connection with Bradford’s death. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a825f6f2c5335ae104760af Todd Blanche backs Jeanine Pirro after Lincoln Memorial pool vandalism case dismissal te 2026-08-17T01:10:07.796Z Todd Blanche backs Jeanine Pirro after Lincoln Memorial pool vandalism case dismissal U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche on Sunday said he supports U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro after her office moved to dismiss the vandalism case involving the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Federal prosecutors on July 31 moved to drop the case against Olympic canoeist David Hearn, who was accused of damaging the $14 million project after cracks, algae growth and peeling sealant were discovered. Prosecutors cited evidence indicating the damage may have stemmed from a botched renovation rather than vandalism. Blanche said he and President Donald Trump both support Pirro, but acknowledged that he could not fault the president for his reaction to the case dismissal, as "potential vandalism" may still be involved. "I absolutely support U.S. Attorney Pirro, as does President Trump," he said on NBC’s "Meet the Press." TRUMP URGES JEANINE PIRRO TO REVISIT DROPPED LINCOLN MEMORIAL REFLECTING POOL VANDALISM CASE "Now, that’s different than whether the president is extraordinarily frustrated at what happened in that case. And I don’t in any way fault him for that." Blanche clarified that the court filings did not conclude that all of the damage was caused by faulty construction, noting that a witness reportedly claimed to have seen Hearn vandalizing the reflecting pool. However, he acknowledged that witness accounts alone are not sufficient evidence to prove the case. "Well, there’s a witness that said, ‘I observed the defendant vandalizing the reflecting pool.’ Now, that’s different than whether ultimately we have the proof." Hearn has maintained his innocence.  TRUMP DOUBLES DOWN ON REFLECTING POOL VANDALISM ALLEGATIONS, CITES NEW WITNESS ACCOUNT Despite the evidentiary issues surrounding the case, Blanche said Pirro is doing a "phenomenal job" prosecuting vandalism involving memorials and monuments.  His comments came after Pirro’s office pursued a separate $1,000 property-destruction case involving a veterans memorial last Thursday. A female suspect, Melissa L. Farris, allegedly spray-painted the words "clean hands, diary money" in bright pink paint and dumped bubble soap into the memorial’s fountain. "U.S. Attorney Pirro is doing a phenomenal job enforcing that, going after anybody who’s doing it. And I think judging her on a single case because of the evidence that we had is not fair," he said. Blanche also said he would also consider last Thursday’s White House request asking the Justice Department to explore whether a new misdemeanor prosecution could be brought against Hearn after Pirro’s office dropped the original vandalism case. WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL ON NATIONAL MALL VANDALIZED WITH PINK SPRAY PAINT; FOUNTAIN OVERFLOWING WITH BUBBLES "Will I take the President of the United States’s view on something into consideration? Yes, of course," he said. "That’s certainly something that I listen to." The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a825f6f2c5335ae104760a6 Mercury coach blasts WNBA narratives but ignores Fever coach Stephanie White’s role in the mess te 2026-08-17T01:10:07.152Z Mercury coach blasts WNBA narratives but ignores Fever coach Stephanie White’s role in the mess Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts lit up his media session Saturday, taking dead aim at the endless noise surrounding the WNBA. But instead of addressing why players like Sophie Cunningham and Caitlin Clark keep taking hits from activists and mainstream outlets, Tibbetts rushed to the defense of Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White. "It really pisses me off. It's disappointing," Tibbetts said regarding the narrative around the league. "This is a great league. We've got great players. There's great stories, great rookies, great teams. We just spend so much time talking about the wrong stuff. I don't know why that happens in our league. It's disappointing. I don't know who can help change the narrative. Is it the coaches? Is it the players? Is it the media? There's outside sources that are trying to create division, and at times it's not a lot of fun." TEXAS LAWMAKER SAYS WNBA RESPONSE ON CAITLIN CLARK ‘FALLS SHORT,’ KEEPS ‘EVERY OPTION ON THE TABLE’ Tibbetts singled out the backlash directed at White after her limp reaction to a hard foul on Cunningham. "We make it about basketball, but some of the things that Steph has to go through, that's wrong," Tibbetts added. "There's no other coach in any professional sport that has to go through the stuff that she does, and I think of her a lot. It's not fair. It's not fair. She's hired to coach basketball. They got a great team and they're just dealing with stuff that doesn't really matter. So that still pisses me off." White has been criticized for being too passive in protecting her players, notably after DiJonai Carrington slammed Sophie Cunningham across the neck. Cunningham was already a target in the media for daring to speak out about protecting women's sports regarding transgender athletes. FEVER COACH STEPHANIE WHITE DODGES QUESTION ON GOP LETTER ABOUT CAITLIN CLARK’S TREATMENT IN WNBA Instead of standing up for her player, Stephanie White ducked behind a wall of corporate word salad. White insisted Carrington had no bad intent, brushed it off as a routine hard foul, and apparently hoped everyone would just move along. White's spineless refusal to defend Cunningham or acknowledge the targeted hostility toward players like Clark is what actually drives the outrage. When activists and media hacks attack your locker room, a head coach cannot just sit on the fence. Tibbetts wants fans to blame outside agitators for ruining the league's momentum. In reality, his impassioned defense of White is basic WNBA brand protection. WNBA SUDDENLY WANTS TO STICK TO BASKETBALL AFTER YEARS OF MAKING POLITICS PART OF THE PRODUCT The WNBA would rather circle the wagons around its own establishment than back players who dare to express their views on matters like protecting women's sports. Until coaches like White stop playing it safe and start defending their players, Tibbetts can complain about the narrative all he wants. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a825d1a2c5335ae1047605c Rob Schneider leans on faith, holds hope for reconciliation with estranged daughter Elle King te 2026-08-17T01:00:10.350Z Rob Schneider leans on faith, holds hope for reconciliation with estranged daughter Elle King Rob Schneider's relationship with estranged daughter Elle King may be strained, but he has hope for the future. Schneider, 62, admitted on Andrew Gold's "Heretics" podcast that he'll always be there for the "very talented" country singer despite challenges with the past. The "Grown Ups" actor recalled a previous public appearance where he admitted he "wasn't the dad" that his daughter needed. KELSEY GRAMMER URGES AMERICANS TO LOOK TO FOUNDING FATHERS FOR GUIDANCE AS NATION FACES DEEP DIVISIONS "I wasn't prepared emotionally for the outpouring of what I received after that," Schneider said. "There's an endemic – and I don't know if in other cultures, but in the United States – an endemic of kids who went off to college and came back and said, 'My daughter doesn't want to have a relationship with me anymore,' or, 'I can't see my grandkids.'" "It's an attack on the culture in a way that the culture is vulnerable." In 2024, King shared insight into her at-times "toxic" childhood during an appearance on BunnieXO's "Dumb Blonde" podcast. King confessed that her dad was "just not nice" and would go "four or five years without talking" to her. "I put out my record and people finally started asking about my dad," she said. "My dad called me, and was like, ‘Don’t f---ing talk about me in the press.'" DENISE RICHARDS SAYS SAMI 'STANDS UP' TO DAD CHARLIE SHEEN AND THAT HE NEEDS IT She remembered, "If I would ever spend a summer with my dad, it would be on a movie set. I would just get lost in the shuffle. If I ever messed up a shot, if I ever was talking, like, I would get in f---ing trouble." "He also didn't have a very good reputation. I don't want to be associated with him. He's just not nice. You can want someone to change so much; you can't control anyone else's actions. You can't control people's feelings. All you can control is how you react and what you do with your feelings, and sometimes I f---ing boil up, and I boil over and I f---ing bust my lid." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER King added, "You try every different angle. I would try letters. I would try soft. I would try yelling … my dad forgot about every single birthday. I spent my 18th birthday in a summer school, and they brought me cupcakes, and I came home and my dad forgot my birthday." Schneider later apologized for the past, and admitted he wasn't sure if his daughter accepted his words. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "The door's open, and I would say, you know, I love you and ... I'm there when you want," he said. "We had an exchange, and I'll leave it at that. The thing about, as a parent, you just have to love and be available and be an open door. My door's always open." He added, "The second she needs me, I'll be there. That's all you can do, and the idea that I'm going to somehow ... that I need something, that I can force my way or force ... no. It has to be something that ... an openness." Schneider conveyed the importance of recognizing a "higher power" to help guide him through difficult times. "When things get taken away, and if that's everything – your fame and your attachment to this stuff – if that gets taken from you, and that's all you have, then you have nothing," he said. "But if you realize there is something higher than all of that and your connection to that, then at that point there's nothing that anybody could do to you." He added, "The thing about Christianity, it's really … it's love others, and it's really about forgiveness. And forgiveness isn't something you give to somebody else. It's a gift you give to yourself. You can't carry stuff. You have to let go." King's representatives did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a825abf2c5335ae10476013 Todd Blanche rejects NBC anchor’s DOJ independence pledge, says Trump would never cross ‘legal line’ te 2026-08-17T00:50:07.539Z Todd Blanche rejects NBC anchor’s DOJ independence pledge, says Trump would never cross ‘legal line’ Newly confirmed Attorney General Todd Blanche rejected NBC host Kristen Welker's request Sunday on "Meet the Press" that he pledge the Justice Department (DOJ) would always act independently of the White House, arguing the agency must remain able to carry out lawful presidential policy priorities. "No, I’m not going to pledge that. And no attorney general should ever pledge that," Blanche said. Blanche used President Donald Trump’s directive to target violent criminals to distinguish lawful presidential direction from political interference in an individual case. TRUMP’S DC LAW-AND-ORDER BLITZ MARKS ONE YEAR WITH EYE-POPPING HAUL OF SUSPECTS "If President Trump says, ‘I want the Department of Justice to go after every violent criminal in this country,’ which is what he has said, what you’re saying to me is I should say, ‘No, sir, I’m not going to do it,’" Blanche said. According to the Justice Manual, the department's own rules draw the distinction Blanche described. They permit coordination between the White House and DOJ on policy matters unrelated to pending cases, while limiting contacts about cases to senior officials to protect enforcement decisions from partisan or improper influence. Blanche also gave a similar answer when Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., asked whether the Justice Department was independent from the White House during his confirmation hearing in July. "The Department of Justice, like every single Department in the executive [branch], is part of the executive," Blanche said. BLANCHE SURVIVES REPUBLICAN DEFECTORS AS TRUMP GETS HIS NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL The Justice Department pointed Fox News Digital on Sunday to a post from Emily Covington, director of DOJ’s Office of Public Affairs, in response to questions about Welker’s exchange with Blanche. NBC News and the White House did not immediately respond. "DOJ is part of the executive branch. Are you suggesting that the focus of the Department should not align with the policy goals of the President, who was elected by the American people? Elected because the people voted for the priorities of that President," Covington said. Welker followed Blanche's explanation by asking whether he would comply if Trump directed him to cross an ethical or legal line. Blanche rejected the premise and pointed to his constitutional oath. "He never has. He never will," Blanche said. "I swore to the Constitution of the United States like every cabinet secretary has done and like every attorney general before me has done." DOZEN GOP REBELS FAIL TO PERMANENTLY KILL TRUMP'S CONTROVERSIAL $2B FUND DOJ separately told Fox News Digital that Blanche had addressed the issue publicly and raised the Biden-era investigation into classified records at Mar-a-Lago. "The AG has addressed this at length publicly," a DOJ spokesperson said. FBI records released by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley showed officials in the Washington Field Office said they had not established probable cause for a search warrant and favored seeking Trump’s cooperation through a consensual search. The DOJ’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section maintained that probable cause existed and pressed forward with the warrant. A federal magistrate approved the warrant before the August 2022 search. A separate May 2022 FBI communication showed coordination among DOJ, the White House Counsel’s Office and the National Archives during the classified-records investigation. Plans to interview Trump aide Walt Nauta depended on the timing of a Biden briefing and coordination between White House Counsel and DOJ. The publicly reported excerpt concerned the Nauta interview and executive-privilege questions, rather than an explicit White House directive to conduct the later search. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE The National Archives said the White House transmitted a DOJ-backed statutory request for the FBI to access 15 boxes Trump had returned, but distinguished that process from the later search and said NARA had no prior knowledge of or involvement in it. Blanche later said he would consider Trump's views on an individual prosecution but would stand up for what he believed was right. He also denied that the president directs him to prosecute specific people. Blanche's confirmation faced opposition as some Senate Republicans demanded that he rescind a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund and narrow IRS audit protections for Trump and his family. Senators Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, ultimately joined every Senate Democrat in opposing his nomination. "Mr. Blanche has taken several actions that have further eroded the Department’s independence, and that is the basis for my vote to oppose his confirmation," Collins said. Blanche sought to reassure DOJ employees during his first workforce address as attorney general Thursday by promising fair and impartial enforcement. "I promise you that I will lead this department with integrity," Blanche said. "I promise you that I will focus on our core mission, which is to uphold the rule of law fairly and impartially." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a825abe2c5335ae1047600a Iran war thrusts Diego Garcia into spotlight as official calls US military base ‘integral’ te 2026-08-17T00:50:06.895Z Iran war thrusts Diego Garcia into spotlight as official calls US military base ‘integral’ An official with the self-described Chagossian government-in-exile said Sunday that the war with Iran has underscored Diego Garcia’s strategic importance to U.S. forces and Middle East regional stability, with the Pentagon shifting logistics to the remote U.K.-U.S. base in the Indian Ocean after an Iranian strike on a major American installation in Bahrain. The base, in the southern Chagos Archipelago, has reportedly supported carrier strike groups including the USS Abraham Lincoln, whose forces have conducted air operations and helped enforce the blockade of Iranian ports. The U.S. military’s wartime logistics network now stretches across a roughly 2,200-mile maritime supply route to Diego Garcia, allowing forces to avoid coastal facilities vulnerable to Iranian attacks but requiring longer shuttle runs and slower replenishment, according to The New York Times. "That is an inconvenience, but it shows the importance of the base," James Tumbridge, an international lawyer who serves as attorney general for the Chagossian government-in-exile, told Fox News Digital. UK DEFENSE SHORTFALLS HIGHLIGHTED AS BRITAIN AVOIDS IRAN OFFENSIVE ROLE AMID TRUMP CRITICISM "The base is integral to regional security for the U.K., U.S. and our allies. This latest news emphasizes it." "Bahrain is a far easier target, so the U.S. change of supply arrangement makes sense," Tumbridge said, adding, "Hopefully the new British PM will not deny the U.S. this change of use." "It shows the importance of the base and asking a third country for permission is not what the U.S. will want, and so I hope this means Trump will still oppose the handover," Tumbridge went on to say, referring to a proposed agreement that would transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. In 2025, the U.K. and Mauritius signed a treaty that would recognize Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago while allowing the U.K. to retain control of Diego Garcia for an initial 99-year period. The British government later put implementation of the agreement on hold amid renewed U.S. concerns over the sovereignty transfer. STARMER IN 'SEISMIC' CRISIS, UK DEFENSE CHIEF QUITS BEFORE HIGH-STAKES TRUMP NATO SUMMIT Reports emerged in June that U.S. officials had drafted a proposal to bypass Britain and strike a deal to take control of Diego Garcia, one of several alternatives to then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer's plan to transfer sovereignty to Mauritius. The first minister of the self-described Chagossian government-in-exile responded that month and said the Chagos Islands were not for sale or "for stealing either," but argued that he "can’t blame" Trump for "looking to secure the military base." "Trump cannot buy the islands. That suggestion made by some is unhelpful to us all. Only the U.K. can sell the islands, as only the U.K. owns them," Tumbridge also said on Sunday. "The arguments over sovereignty do not get fixed via a sale, and Mauritius cannot sell them unless the U.K. first gives them away," he added. "It is not in the U.K.’s interest to sell them. Whether we keep them and continue our support for the U.S. base or we cede them to Mauritius is the choice — my desire is the former." Mauritius has long claimed sovereignty over the archipelago, a position backed by a 2019 advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice and subsequent U.N. action. The U.K. government, however, permitted the U.S. to use Diego Garcia for limited defensive operations targeting Iranian missile capabilities in March after initially withholding approval for offensive strikes. GULF COUNTRIES STRONGLY CONDEMN IRAN'S DRONE ATTACK ON BAHRAIN AS RISING TENSIONS THREATEN MOU "The U.S. wanted to use Chagos Diego Garcia for air strikes at the very beginning. The U.K. consulted Mauritius and refused — hence Trump finally appreciating why sovereignty transfer was a problem," Tumbridge said. "After the attacks on Cyprus, the U.K. allowed certain so-called defense uses, and Iran did fire at Diego Garcia, but they missed." On March 20, Reuters reported that Iran had fired two ballistic missiles toward Diego Garcia. One missile failed in flight, while a U.S. warship fired an interceptor at the other, though it was initially unclear whether the interception succeeded. British officials later said one missile fell short and the other was intercepted. "No serious concerns have been shared — the earlier attempt showed a lack of range and targeting ability," Tumbridge said. "The British Government and the Commissioner for the Territory have already tried to say the last attack makes the islands unsafe. No one seriously believes that Iran would try to target the outer islands that presently only have a population of six people." PENTAGON RACES TO BUY 10X MORE MISSILES AS IRAN WAR DWINDLES ARSENAL, THREATENS READINESS FOR CHINA AGGRESSION The reported U.S. logistical strains and renewed focus on Diego Garcia came as the USS Abraham Lincoln approached nine months of continuous deployment in the region. Speaking at Joint Base Andrews on Aug. 14, Trump said a new aircraft carrier was heading to the Middle East to replace it. "That ship is moving," Trump said when reporters asked about the carrier. Meanwhile, Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, also met with service members aboard the carrier, which is expected to be relieved amid concerns raised by families over the extended deployment. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Pentagon for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8256132c5335ae10475f93 Haley Stevens urges El-Sayed to ditch Hasan Piker affiliation after Michigan primary te 2026-08-17T00:30:11.025Z Haley Stevens urges El-Sayed to ditch Hasan Piker affiliation after Michigan primary Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., urged Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, who defeated her in Michigan's fierce Democratic primary election, to sever ties with controversial, far-left streamer Hasan Piker on "The Sunday Briefing," saying the party's nominee should now turn his attention toward Michigan voters as he pivots to the general election. Stevens maintained her primary-season criticism of Piker even while backing El-Sayed, describing herself as still committed to the party. "It certainly makes sense to get rid of this Hasan Piker affiliation," she said, also asserting that the Democratic plans for healthcare, democracy and Black-owned businesses are better than those of Republican Mike Rogers, who will oppose El-Sayed in the Senate race. Asked whether El-Sayed had said or done anything other than winning the Democratic nomination to earn the support and assuage the concerns of groups that voted for Stevens, such as Jewish voters, Black voters or Reagan-era Democrats, Stevens pointed to her own good performance with those demographics, identifying herself as a Zionist Democrat and asserting that her party had room for all those communities. HASAN PIKER TORCHED OVER PLAYBOOK TO DODGE HIS PAST CONTROVERSIES: 'BATS--- CRAZY' DSA BRAND ON TRIAL AS EL-SAYED STRUGGLES WHERE DEMS CAN LEAST AFFORD IT "I came really close [to winning the primary] and I'm still a Democrat. I'm still out here talking about my views and values. I want the people who share my views and values to feel safe and to feel heard in the Democratic Party." The face-off to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters, who backed Stevens, is a must-win contest for Democrats and one of roughly a dozen general election Senate races expected to determine whether Republicans retain their narrow majority. A new Fox News poll indicates that the progressive El-Sayed trails Republican candidate Mike Rogers by four points in the general election race, and that he is underperforming with Black voters, women and suburban voters compared with former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Rogers and El-Sayed are set to face off in the swing state's Senate election on Nov. 3. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a8256112c5335ae10475f8a Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese rivalry gets a new chapter in Fever-Dream overtime thriller te 2026-08-17T00:30:09.732Z Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese rivalry gets a new chapter in Fever-Dream overtime thriller Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese gave the WNBA an overtime thriller Sunday evening at State Farm Arena. Clark scored 26 points, hit two enormous free throws late in overtime and grabbed the game-sealing rebound as the Indiana Fever beat Reese and the Atlanta Dream, 95-91. ANGEL REESE’S LATEST WNBA CONTROVERSY SHOWS HOW VICTIMHOOD BECAME CENTRAL TO HER BRAND It was a real team win for the Fever. But Clark and Reese were right in the middle of the biggest moments, including Reese’s missed layup at the end of regulation that sent the game to overtime. Indiana had to earn it, too. The Fever trailed by eight after Atlanta scored 28 points in the third quarter to open a 72-64 advantage. But for a team known for its offensive firepower, it was Indiana’s defense that made the clutch plays down the stretch. The Fever held the Dream to nine points in the fourth, outscored Atlanta 17-9 and forced overtime. It was the lowest fourth-quarter scoring output for the Dream this season. But it almost didn't matter. The Dream had the ball in the final seconds of regulation with the score tied 81-81. Rhyne Howard missed a 3 with 5.5 seconds left, but Reese grabbed the offensive rebound and had a clean look at the basket. She clanked the layup attempt off the backboard and then the front of the rim. Naz Hillmon collected the rebound and threw up a desperation shot before time expired, but she also missed and the game went to overtime. Reese opened the extra period with a basket off a teammate’s miss, but Indiana scored the next eight points. Kelsey Mitchell’s layup with 13.6 seconds left stretched the Fever’s lead to 93-88 and gave her 20 points, extending her streak to 19 consecutive 20-point games. Then came the wild finish. A controversial foul call on Clark with 10 seconds remaining sent Howard to the line for three free throws. Indiana challenged the call and ESPN broadcasters said they thought the call would be overturned. Instead, officials upheld the call. Howard made all three, cutting Indiana’s lead to 93-91. WNBA SILENT AFTER CAITLIN CLARK SAYS LEAGUES SHOULD DETERMINE WHO SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN WOMEN'S SPORTS Atlanta had no choice but to foul Clark on the other end. She calmly made both free throws to essentially seal the victory. The Dream missed their final shot, Clark grabbed the rebound and alertly heaved the ball to the other end of the court to run out the remaining few seconds. Clark finished with 26 points and nine assists, though she needed 20 shots to get there and committed five turnovers. Still, she was there when Indiana needed her most, both at the line and on the glass. Mitchell added 20 points on 9-for-22 shooting. Makayla Timpson was terrific with 20 points on 9-for-13 shooting, including six points in OT. Aliyah Boston posted 18 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, five steals and three blocks. Sophie Cunningham had just three points, but they came on a clutch and-1 to give the Fever a 78-77 lead with 3:35 left in the fourth quarter. Reese put together another active stat line with 15 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. But she shot just 5 for 16 from the field, committed four turnovers and had five fouls. Allisha Gray carried Atlanta offensively with 32 points, while Howard added 17. The Dream made nearly everything at the foul line, going 25-for-26. It still wasn’t enough. Clark and Reese have played in plenty of big games before. Sunday’s game had a little of everything: early runs, a late defensive stand, a missed shot at the buzzer, overtime drama and Clark sealing it at the line. That’s a pretty good new chapter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/home