https://meenews.co/post/69e2d0b4d8d5dabda396d555 Zero-calorie sweeteners could alter the genes of later generations, new study warns te 2026-04-18T00:30:44.915Z Zero-calorie sweeteners could alter the genes of later generations, new study warns Artificial sweeteners, present in everything from sugar-free snacks to diet sodas, are a staple for many trying to lose weight — but new research suggests the substances could have multigenerational effects, potentially altering metabolism in future generations even without direct consumption. The findings raise questions about the long-term biological impact of widely used sugar substitutes, particularly as consumption has surged in recent years. In a study published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, Chilean researchers found that mice given sucralose or stevia passed on changes in metabolism-related genes to their children and grandchildren — even when later generations did not consume the sweeteners. WHY YOUR SUGAR CRAVINGS WON’T GO AWAY, EVEN IF YOU STOP EATING SWEETS The findings suggest the sweeteners may have triggered changes in gut bacteria and gene activity that were then passed down across generations of the mice. While they do not prove the same thing happens in humans, the study adds to a body of research examining whether non-nutritive sweeteners really have no effect on the body, as many people believe. "When we compared generations, these effects were generally strongest in the first generation and tended to decrease in the second generation," lead author Francisca Concha Celume, of the Universidad de Chile, said in a statement. The researchers divided 47 male and female mice into three groups.  One group received plain water, another received water with sucralose and a third received water with stevia. The doses reflected amounts humans might typically consume, according to the study. After 16 weeks, the mice were bred for two generations. The later generations received only plain water, but researchers still found changes in gut bacteria, lower levels of short-chain fatty acids — beneficial compounds that support metabolism and immune health — and shifts in genes linked to inflammation and metabolism, according to the study. 'MIRACLE FRUIT' MAY HELP CANCER PATIENTS OVERCOME CHEMO SIDE EFFECT THAT CAN LEAD TO DANGEROUS WEIGHT LOSS Sucralose, a popular no-calorie sugar substitute, appeared to have a stronger and more lasting effect, the researchers found. Approximately 140 million Americans consume non-nutritive sweeteners regularly, according to survey data cited by the researchers. Male offspring of mice that consumed sucralose showed mild signs of impaired glucose regulation, while effects in females were more limited, the research said. Stevia's impact was smaller and appeared to fade sooner. Concha Celume said the goal is not to alarm consumers — but to push for more research into the long-term biological effects of these additives. THE ZERO-CALORIE SUGAR SUBSTITUTE YOU'RE USING MAY DO MORE THAN SWEETEN FOOD, STUDY SAYS "What we observed were subtle changes in how the body regulates glucose and in the activity of genes associated with inflammation and metabolic regulation," she said.  "It is possible that such changes could increase susceptibility to metabolic disturbances under certain conditions, such as a high-fat diet." Concha Celume said it's worth noting that as artificial sweeteners have grown more popular, obesity and metabolic problems haven't declined. While that doesn't mean the sweeteners are to blame, she said it raises questions about how they might affect the body. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "It may be reasonable to consider moderation in the consumption of these additives and to continue studying their long-term biological effects," she added. Even though the study was conducted in mice and its findings cannot be directly applied to humans, it is worth taking seriously, according to Kristen Kuminski, a New York-based registered dietitian nutritionist specializing in metabolic health, weight management and nutrition support for people using GLP-1 medications. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES Outside experts say the findings, while limited to mice, align with growing concerns about how artificial sweeteners may affect the body. "The mechanisms it's pointing to, specifically gut microbiome disruption and epigenetic changes, are plausible in humans and align with what we're already seeing in the broader sweetener research," Kuminski told Fox News Digital. She said it's not surprising that sucralose showed stronger effects than stevia. "Stevia is plant-derived and metabolized differently than sucralose, which passes through the gut largely unchanged and has more direct contact with gut bacteria." For consumers, the most reasonable takeaway is moderation, Kuminski agreed. "For most people, reducing sucralose specifically and leaning toward whole food sources of sweetness is a reasonable takeaway from this research," she said. "Stevia in moderation appears to be the lower-risk option if a zero-calorie sweetener is something someone relies on regularly." She added, "The multigenerational piece is the part that should give people pause, particularly anyone who is pregnant or planning to be. We don't have equivalent human data yet, but the precautionary principle applies here." The International Sweeteners Association (ISA), based in Brussels and representing suppliers and other stakeholders, said the study does not change existing safety conclusions for sweeteners such as sucralose and stevia. "Sucralose and stevia have been rigorously evaluated by food safety authorities and approved for use in food and drinks within their acceptable daily intake," the group said in a statement on its website. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ The ISA also noted that because later generations of mice were never directly given the sweeteners, it's unclear whether the changes were passed down through gut bacteria or through other biological mechanisms. "Results from animal experiments, particularly those focused on the gut microbiome, are of limited relevance to human health," the group added. Fox News Digital reached out to the ISA and the study authors for additional comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2ce6fd8d5dabda396d1b6 Skeletal remains found by hikers in Washington state woods identified as woman missing since 2024 te 2026-04-18T00:21:03.791Z Skeletal remains found by hikers in Washington state woods identified as woman missing since 2024 Washington state authorities confirmed skeletal remains recently discovered by hikers in Rose Valley belong to a missing 33-year-old woman, who disappeared nearly a year-and-a-half ago. Two young men hiking in a wooded area on Sunday discovered skeletal remains and clothing in Rose Valley and notified authorities, according to the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office. A photo of the bones was sent to a forensic anthropologist who identified them as human. The following day, the Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office coordinated with the sheriff’s office and multiple search and rescue teams to conduct an organized search of the area for additional remains. MISSING PREGNANT WOMAN FOUND DEAD AFTER MYSTERIOUS TEXAS DISAPPEARANCE One of the men who had found the bones led the search party to the area, and nearly complete skeletal remains were found, as well as multiple items of clothing and personal belongings, according to the sheriff's office. The location was in the middle of an area that a detective had identified, through investigation and interviews, as an area of interest in the disappearance of Hailey E. Athay, 33, of Cowlitz County, who was last seen by her family in Kelso, Washington, in November 2024. She was reported missing in January 2025, according to the sheriff's office. A friend of Athay said she was going mushroom picking with a man before her disappearance, local affiliate FOX 13 Seattle reported. Prior searches had been conducted near the area, but the sheriff's office said no evidence had been recovered. On Tuesday, a forensic odontologist examined the recovered skull and compared the teeth to dental records for Athay, confirming a match. Officials said Athay's cause and manner of death remain under investigation, pending an analysis by a forensic anthropologist. It is unclear if any suspects have been identified in Athay's disappearance, or if foul play is suspected. Athay’s mother, Nicole Brooks, told local outlet KPTV that Athay was a mother of three daughters. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2ce5cd8d5dabda396d1ad Prince Harry 'reembraced' royal identity to land Hollywood deals, expert claims after Australia trip te 2026-04-18T00:20:44.239Z Prince Harry 'reembraced' royal identity to land Hollywood deals, expert claims after Australia trip Prince Harry "reembraced" his royal identity to land Hollywood deals, according to a royals expert. After a keynote appearance at the InterEdge Summit on Thursday, Harry explained to Australian former politician Brendan Nelson that he didn't want to be a working royal after the death of his mother, Princess Diana. "I was like, ‘I don’t want this job. I don’t want this role — wherever this is headed, I don’t like it.' It killed my mum and I was very much against it, and I stuck my head in the sand for years and years," Harry said, according to People. "Eventually I realized, well, hang on, if there was somebody else in this position, how would they be making the most of this platform and this ability and the resources that come with it to make a difference in the world?" Harry continued, "And also, what would my mum want me to do? And that really changed my own perspective." MEGHAN MARKLE ACCUSED OF CLINGING TO ROYAL TITLE AFTER RECENT INTERVIEW: EXPERTS Also on Thursday, Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, attended the Swinburne University of Technology on the third day of their Australia trip and discussed mental health and social media with young people. While visiting the institution, Markle claimed she was "bullied and attacked" every day for 10 years online and was even the "most trolled person in the entire world," according to People. Harry chimed in and said that social media has "led to so much loneliness for so many people." He said that he has only felt better since attending therapy. "I waited until I was literally in the fetal position, much older, lying on the kitchen floor. Until I was like, okay, maybe this therapy thing — maybe I should try it," Harry said. Helena Chard, a British royal expert, told Fox News Digital that Harry wanted out of the royal life when his mother, Princess Diana, died in 1997. "When Diana died, 12-year-old Harry wanted out of royal life. The grief, the goldfish bowl, the cameras at every turn. It was overwhelming and just too much for him. Royal life felt like surveillance, not family," Chard said. She explained that he's had to maintain his royal status to land deals in Hollywood. PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLE'S HOLLYWOOD STAR POWER RAPIDLY FADING 5 YEARS AFTER ROYAL BREAK: EXPERTS "In Hollywood, his currency was his royal title. The deals hinged on the British royal family and his Prince Harry title. As Harry alone, he can’t clinch the deals. He traded palace scrutiny for Hollywood scrutiny but without institutional protection. "He has made it more than clear, he didn’t and isn’t returning to royal duty. He returned to royal identity as without it, he can’t continue media deals and commercial ventures. He rejected the Crown to heal, then reembraced it to be heard only with the goldfish bowl becoming the stage," she continued. Ian Pelham Turner, a British royal expert, said it makes sense that Harry has been so open about his emotions and how he feels about the royal family. PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLE MAKE FIRST JOINT PUBLIC APPEARANCE SINCE HIS REUNION WITH KING CHARLES LLL "Harry as it is obvious to royal experts is a much more open and emotional man compared to other members of the royal family which is why he shares this value with Diana and his outspoken nature from his grandfather, Prince Philip who he totally admired," Turner said. He continued, "In the day of Diana’s funeral when they had to walk behind the coffin when Philip going through an archway thinking he could not be seen by the cameras put his arm around the 13-year-old Harry and asked him if he was ok." Turner even noted that Harry's angst against the public eye was evident during his teenage years. PRINCE HARRY’S ‘SPARE’ CURSE HITS HOLLYWOOD AS ROYAL DRIFTS IN MEGHAN MARKLE’S SHADOW: EXPERTS "As a teenager, Harry especially hated the media and on occasions lashed out at them, blaming them for his mother's death and wishing he could be a normal person, not royal and that he could be hunted down every day by paparazzi," he said. Amanda Matta, a royal commentator, told Fox News Digital that it is clear to her that Harry believes the monarchy failed him. "I think reading between the lines, it becomes clear that Harry believes the royal system failed him on a personal level. Being thrust into the role of 'Prince' from birth left him alienated from his own future as much as the death of his mother did," she began. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "Since stepping back from royal duties, he’s consistently positioned himself as someone who has had to 'redefine purpose' outside the structure he was born into," Matta continued. "He might be discussing workplace mental health and personal resilience more broadly in other parts of the summit remarks, but here, he’s also pointing to the institution prioritizing duty, optics, and continuity over everything else." Matta also agreed with Markle's statement about being ridiculed online for a decade. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "She’s absolutely correct; the trolling and harassment has been relentless since day one of her relationship with Harry. In some corners of the internet, it’s become like a game or pastime to people," she said. "I was heartened to see how Meghan is able to speak about that experience now, but even the reaction to her making these remarks has been derisive and cruel in some spaces. I’m afraid it is just Meghan’s 'normal' mode of being a public figure now," Matta concluded. Chard, however, did not agree with Markle's remarks about being bullied and said, "Typical… Harry and Meghan visit a youth mental health group in between their commercial work and Meghan uses the visit as a platform to talk about herself yet again." "She claims she was the most trolled person in the entire world… This is nonsense. How can she quantify this? Lots of people are trolled. Again, it highlights just how she/they perpetuate the drama and continuously torch trust," Chard continued. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2cc1dd8d5dabda396d14a GOP candidates get ‘shout out’ from Trump at Turning Point rally, but no formal endorsement te 2026-04-18T00:11:09.242Z GOP candidates get ‘shout out’ from Trump at Turning Point rally, but no formal endorsement Key Points: President Donald Trump gave shout outs, not endorsements, to down ballot Republicans Elected Republicans coalesced around gubernatorial candidate U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs Remarks targeted Democrats, emphasized governor’s race and control of U.S. House President Donald Trump rallied Arizona’s conservatives in Phoenix on Friday with less than 100 days to go before several Republican hopefuls battle it out in the state’s primary election. A host of state candidates attended the “Build the Red Wall” rally hosted by Turning Point in pursuit of an endorsement from the president. Many left without any official stamp of approval.  Meanwhile, the Republican members of the state’s congressional delegation hammered home the importance of maintaining control of Arizona’s U.S. House seats to keep the conservative trifecta in Washington, D.C and further Trump’s political agenda. But the governor’s race and other down ballot contests seemed top of mind for all of Friday’s speakers. Some argued that unseating incumbent Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs should be the top priority for Arizona Republicans. “Arizona can’t trust Katie Hobbs, you cannot afford Katie Hobbs, and we cannot and must not re-elect Katie Hobbs,” Biggs told the crowd. The Friday visit marks the president’s first appearance in the state this year ahead of the midterm elections.  While Biggs, widely viewed as the frontrunner in the Republican primary for governor, secured his endorsement from the president in 2025, Trump hasn’t yet handed down endorsements in the Republican primaries for attorney general and secretary of state, and declined to do so today.  Some candidates are still working to build a coalition among Arizona Republicans, but Biggs is not one of them. Speakers and attendees offered stalwart support for his candidacy, praising his conservative bona fides and sporting “Biggs for Governor” merch.  Senate President Warren Petersen hoped to get the nod over Rodney Glassman for the attorney general’s race, while secretary of state hopeful Rep. Alex Kolodin sought a boost over Trump’s past pick for chair of the Republican Party of Arizona, Gina Swoboda.  Trump gave Petersen, Kolodin and Treasurer Kimberly Yee — who is hoping to unseat Superintendent Tom Horne — a shoutout during his remarks, but stopped short of throwing his full weight behind their campaigns. He spent roughly the same amount of time calling out professional athletes who were in attendance as he did local politicians.  Petersen acknowledged the lack of formal endorsement but said he was still honored to get a mention. “It’s a shout out,” Petersen said. “It’s amazing to have the president of the United States give you a shout out like that and say nice things.”  Congressman Paul Gosar, meanwhile, vouched for Glassman over Petersen for attorney general, producing some simultaneous groans and scattered claps from the crowd. Every member of the state’s Republican congressional delegation spoke, with the exception of Biggs’ primary challenger, U.S. Rep. David Schweikert. Biggs even took a jab at Schweikert, joking that the president would hang up the phone if the congressman attempted to call him. U.S. Reps. Juan Ciscomani, Abe Hamadeh, Eli Crane and Gosar all voiced ongoing support for Trump’s agenda but courted the most applause, or boos, when mentioning elected Democrats in statewide and federal offices.  Hobbs, Attorney General Kris Mayes, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and Sen. Ruben Gallego were frequent targets of the speakers. “Arizona has been captured by the radical left,” Hamadeh told the crowd. “Look, we have a cartel lawyer as secretary of state, we have an illegitimate climate activist parading around as an attorney general, and we’ve got a crooked disaster holding us back, Katie Hobbs.” Hamadeh hit on election integrity in his remarks and took the opportunity to once again claim the 2022 election, in which he lost his bid for attorney general to Mayes, was “stolen.” Crane called the current political climate “a spiritual war” and again pushed for control of the House and the governor’s office. “Republicans aren’t the solution to all of your problems,” Crane said. “But Democrats are pretty much the cause of all of your problems.”  Ciscomani centered his speech around the American dream and shared his story of immigrating to the U.S., becoming a citizen in 2006 and running for Congress, and winning, 16 years later.  At the same time, his colleagues spoke about controlling Arizona’s “open border” and slammed Hobbs and other Democrats for eliminating the state’s Border Coordination Task Force and voting to shut down the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  Crane deemed the governor’s office the most important race this cycle and called out the cavalry to vote for Biggs.  “I’m going to talk about the most important race coming up here in this state,” Crane said. “You guys have an opportunity to represent, in my opinion, the best candidate for governor in the entire country.” The post GOP candidates get ‘shout out’ from Trump at Turning Point rally, but no formal endorsement first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2cc04d8d5dabda396d125 Joy Reid blasts CA Dems for letting GOP contenders take lead in governor’s race te 2026-04-18T00:10:44.785Z Joy Reid blasts CA Dems for letting GOP contenders take lead in governor’s race Former MSNOW host Joy Reid said on "The Joy Reid Show" that California Democrats failed to properly vet the gubernatorial field, allowing two Republican candidates to sit at the top of the race, while broader concerns about Democratic preparedness went unaddressed. Reid framed her criticism around the stakes of the contest, warning that control of California was central to Democratic electoral success. "What we really care about out here in these streets is that California doesn’t go Republican," she said. Reid emphasized the state’s importance in presidential politics, arguing Democrats could not afford missteps in such a critical stronghold. JON STEWART BLASTS CALIFORNIA DEMS, WARNING THEIR EIGHT CANDIDATES MAY SPLIT VOTE, LEAD TO GOP VICTORY "You cannot become president as a Democrat without California," Reid said. "Do you see how many electoral college votes they have? That number is 54." The segment shifted to her concerns about Democratic strategy, as Reid questioned whether party officials had conducted sufficient vetting and opposition research during the primary. "Do y’all not have an oppo research arm inside of the Democratic Governor’s Association?" Reid asked. CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY CANCELS GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE AFTER BACKLASH FOR ALL WHITE CANDIDATES She argued that internal failures allowed "flawed" Democratic candidates to advance, while the GOP remained competitive in the race. "If you let California fall into the hands of somebody who we can’t guarantee would run a free and fair election in the state of California," Reid said. "Then you know what, Democrat, that would be on you if 2028 is cooked because you all let Eric Swalwell get to the front of the line without a simple basic oppo research vet." Reid said she had learned opposition research was being prepared by political opponents but had not yet surfaced publicly, raising questions about timing. TRUMP BACKS HILTON AHEAD OF CALIFORNIA GOP VOTE, TESTING BIANCO’S GRIP ON PARTY ENDORSEMENT "I learned over the weekend that there were people who were preparing huge amounts of oppo on the right to dump on this guy once he got closer to the primary," she said. "They were going to wait until right before the primary," Reid said. "Democratic Party. What is the plan here?" Reid reiterated the broader national implications, comparing California’s importance to Democrats with Texas for Republicans. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "In the same way that if Republicans ever lost the 40 electoral college votes in Texas, they couldn’t win an election. Same goes for Democrats and California," she said. "Y’all didn’t think maybe y’all should leak to a system and maybe there was some issues?" she asked. Fox News Digital reached out to the California Democratic Party for comment, but did not immediately hear back. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2c9dbd8d5dabda396d0e2 Scene pkg April 17 te 2026-04-18T00:01:31.726Z Scene pkg April 17 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2c9afd8d5dabda396d0b6 New campaign targets Israel anti-boycott law on First Amendment grounds te 2026-04-18T00:00:47.696Z New campaign targets Israel anti-boycott law on First Amendment grounds Key Points:  Arizona anti-boycott Israel law faces First Amendment campaign challenge Campaign seeks repeal through lawsuits, lobbying, ballot initiative  Attempts to repeal the law through legislature out of the question for majority A law prohibiting state agencies, cities, towns, counties and universities from contracting with businesses that boycott Israel is under fire for alleged First Amendment violations in a newly launched campaign.  The Right to Dissent campaign is starting small with public engagement and calls for legal challenges, but it eventually plans to build toward a citizens initiative to repeal the anti-boycott pledge and prohibit any like it from taking shape in the future.  “This is not a vanity project. We will work tirelessly to educate the public and the legislators at all levels about the constitutional laws that suppress free speech in Arizona,” said Eva Putzova, campaign lead and former Flagstaff city councilmember. “If we have to, we will reaffirm our right to the freedom of speech, which includes political boycott, through a statewide citizen initiative process.”  In 2016, Gov. Doug Ducey signed House Bill 2617, prohibiting public entities from entering into any contract with a company without a certification stating the business is not currently engaged in and agrees not to engage in a boycott of Israel.  In 2017, the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona filed a lawsuit on behalf of Mikkel Jordahl, an attorney contracting with the Coconino County Jail District to provide public legal services to incarcerated people.  Though Jordahl had personally boycotted consumer goods and services by businesses supporting Israel, he signed the boycott admonition, fearing a loss of $18,000 in yearly income from the contract. In court, Jordahl claimed the state law cornered him into choosing between his beliefs and a substantial loss of income. He asserted violations of the First and Fourteenth Amendments, claiming restriction on political expression, discrimination based on ideological beliefs and compelled speech.  A federal judge agreed to block the law on First Amendment grounds. The state appealed to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, but before any ruling, the Legislature amended the law to only apply to for-profit companies with more than ten employees on contracts exceeding $100,000.  The change made it so Jordahl no longer had standing to challenge the law, and judges dismissed the case.  In 2022, the Legislature amended the law once more to require contractors to sign the anti-boycott statement at state universities, community colleges and employee retirement funds.  Thabet Khalidi, an attorney and organizer with the Right to Dissent campaign, said with the law still in effect, businesses are still left to choose between “its values and its livelihood.” When answering why the campaign was challenging the now decade-old law, Syed Mahmud Nasir Raza, a supporter of the campaign and organizer with Progressive Actions, said, “The most important reason, I think, is there’s been a genocide in Gaza. That’s why we are all here today. That genocide must be stopped. It’s continuing today with the active support and complicity and partnership of the United States government.” He continued, “This must end, and one of the best ways to end it is through boycott.”  Khalidi added that the aim of the campaign extends far beyond the issue of Israel. “We’re not asking for the state to agree with any boycott,” Khalidi said. “We are asking the state to stop being a political enforcer.”  Moreover, Khalidi argued that in recent years lawmakers have sought to thread in additional clauses for public contracts. For instance, this session, Rep. Lupe Diaz, R-Benson, introduced House Bill 2170, which prohibits any company housed in China from participating in any state contract process. It also requires businesses to certify compliance.  Members of the coalition include Sen. Analise Ortiz, D-Phoenix, Martín Quezada, former lawmaker and attorney and civil rights director for Council on American-Islamic Relations Arizona, Jewish Voice for Peace, Palestinian business leaders, Bobby Nichols, a Democrat running for for Tempe City Council, and Kai Newkirk, a Democrat challenging Rep. Greg Stanton in Congressional District 4.  The Right to Dissent campaign aims to start the path toward repeal with public education, then lobbying efforts in the state house, a search for plaintiffs to lodge a lawsuit and eventually, a voter initiative.  Khalidi made a call for any small business owner with more than 11 employees and a contract worth more than $100,000 looking to challenge the law to get in touch. Putzova noted a ballot measure will be the final step, with efforts first put toward campaigns, legal attempts and lobbying state lawmakers.  “Legislative leadership can turn the tide, and this coalition behind me is here to support that work. We can start by repealing the 2016 law,” Ortiz said. “My job as a senator is to defend the Constitution, not weaponize state power against people’s beliefs that I may or may not agree with. I will work with this coalition until no Arizonan has to choose between their conscience and their ability to do business with their own government.” Attempts at repeal in the Legislature are likely to hit a wall, though.  In a text, Senate President Warren Petersen said “it may come as no surprise that we support Israel.”  And when asked whether legislative leadership would entertain any attempts to repeal the law, Andrew Wilder, a spokesperson for House Republicans, said “no.”  The post New campaign targets Israel anti-boycott law on First Amendment grounds first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2c77bd8d5dabda396d01a Two boys dead after illegal immigrant from Mexico allegedly drove drunk and hit them on a sidewalk te 2026-04-17T23:51:23.982Z Two boys dead after illegal immigrant from Mexico allegedly drove drunk and hit them on a sidewalk An illegal immigrant accused of driving under the influence and killing two young boys in South Carolina is now the subject of an immigration detainer, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Friday. Eri Otoniel Roblero Perez, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, allegedly veered off the road and hit Dereon James Robinson, 12, and Mikhail-Lee Smith, 9, who were riding their bikes on the sidewalk, FOX Carolina reported. Both died at the hospital. Perez is charged with two counts of felony DUI resulting in death, open container and driving without a license. ICE LODGES DETAINER FOR ILLEGAL MIGRANT CHARGED WITH STRANGLING WIFE AND DUMPING BODY NEAR OKLAHOMA HIGHWAY Dereon's mother, Megan, said during a court hearing that she was walking behind the children when the crash happened and was "almost hit" herself, WYFF reported. "I ran to my son while he bled to death," Megan told the judge. One of Dereon's brothers added, "now I have to bury my own brother who looked up to me, on his own birthday." ICE ARRESTS LATIN KINGS MEMBER AFTER NYC SANCTUARY RELEASE DESPITE ASSAULT CHARGE ON FIRST RESPONDER DHS confirmed Perez entered the country illegally at an unknown date and time. "This criminal illegal alien from Mexico had no business being in our country, and now two boys are dead because he decided to drive under the influence," said DHS acting assistant secretary Lauren Bis. "Dereon Robinson and Mikhail-Lee Smith should still be with us today," she continued. "Our prayers are with Dereon Robinson’s and Mikhail-Lee Smith’s families." Perez is being held at the Spartanburg County Detention Center and has been denied bond. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2c768d8d5dabda396d011 Recent UFC champion Carlos Ulberg says he lost title belt while celebrating the win te 2026-04-17T23:51:04.112Z Recent UFC champion Carlos Ulberg says he lost title belt while celebrating the win UFC champion Carlos Ulberg says he lost his championship belt that he just won after capturing the light heavyweight title at UCF 327. He told Fox Sports Australia Monday he misplaced his golden title belt while celebrating his victory. "I’ve lost the belt, bro," Ulberg told FOX Sports. "Initially after winning, the plan was to not have a drink. But you know how these things go, right?" he said. "First, someone gives you a champagne to celebrate. Then one thing leads to another, and you’re doing shots." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM The 35-year-old from New Zealand fought through a knee injury to defeat Jiri Prochazka in the main event at UFC 327 by knockout this weekend in Miami to become the new champion of the light heavyweight division. His injury could keep him sidelined for a year, meaning he will have to give up his champion status anyway, with UCF holding an interim title fight to take his place. But Ulberg said he’s fairly confident his belt will be found before he heads to Las Vegas to get further evaluation from doctors on his knee. He then plans to spend time at the UFC Performance Institute before returning to New Zealand to be with family. "I didn’t want to be carrying the belt around, so I think it’s still there at the apartment somewhere. One of the boys probably has it in bed with him," Ulberg said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2c740d8d5dabda396cff9 Trump’s Dispute With Pope Leo Deepens Divisions on the Right te 2026-04-17T23:50:24.079Z Trump’s Dispute With Pope Leo Deepens Divisions on the Right Sean Hannity criticized the pope. Tucker Carlson attacked Mr. Hannity. And President Trump suggested ranking MAGA figures: “good, bad, and somewhere in the middle.” Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2c4fbd8d5dabda396cf95 Virginia Democrat sparks backlash for omitting murder-suicide in post on Justin Fairfax te 2026-04-17T23:40:43.888Z Virginia Democrat sparks backlash for omitting murder-suicide in post on Justin Fairfax Former Virginia Lt. Gov Justin Fairfax fatally shot his wife, Cerina Fairfax, before killing himself in their home, according to law enforcement reports released Thursday, prompting reactions from public officials and commentators as details of the incident emerged. Authorities said the incident occurred at the couple’s residence, where officers responded to reports of gunfire and later confirmed both deaths. Officials have not indicated any additional suspects and described the case as a murder-suicide. Rep. Eugene Vindman, D-Va., reacted publicly to the deaths in a post on X, receiving criticism for omitting any reference to Fairfax as the perpetrator. "Today is a tragic day for the Commonwealth," Vindman said in the post. "I am shocked and deeply saddened by the news involving former Virginia Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax and Cerina Fairfax." TWO DEMOCRATIC REPS CALL FOR SWALWELL TO EXIT CONGRESS AS CONTROVERSY SWIRLS AROUND HIS BID FOR CA GOVERNOR "Cindy and I are holding their loved ones close in our hearts, especially their two children, as they endure this unimaginable loss." Public reaction on social media followed, with some users criticizing how Vindman framed the situation. Commentator Matt Van Swol questioned the wording used in Vindman’s post, writing, "What is ‘the news’ Vindman?????" Van Swol added, "Anyone reading this has no idea that Virginia Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax MURDERED HIS WIFE AND THEN SHOT HIMSELF." VIDEO SHOWS EX-'AMERICAN IDOL' CONTESTANT'S EMOTIONAL OUTBURST AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY KILLED HIS WIFE Another user, posting under the name "Golden Poppy," also responded to the framing of the incident. "What happened to you using the term gun violence and being concerned about child safety?" the user continued. "Why not dance on these graves to push your anti-civil rights, anti-gun agenda?" "If you read just this tweet by Eugene Vindman, you would have no idea that Justin Fairfax ***murdered his wife***," one reporter wrote. "A tad passive for what actually happened," XX-XY's Jennifer Sey wrote. RHODE ISLAND ICE RINK SHOOTING VICTIMS CONFIRMED AS SHOOTER'S DAUGHTER ALLEGES 'VENDETTA' AGAINST FAMILY Attorney Nancy Erika Smith, who previously represented Meredith Watson in sexual assault allegations against Fairfax, pointed to what she described as a pattern of behavior. "There were decades of signs of his anger and mistreatment of women and he used the court system to intimidate his victims and news outlets," Smith said. "Society must be more responsive when women report these crimes." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE An acquaintance of Fairfax, speaking anonymously, described the former lieutenant governor's personal and financial struggles in the years following the allegations. "He couldn’t find a job really," the source said. "When he couldn’t get clients, he couldn’t get work. I think that’s what started the downhill of the marriage itself." "That whole scandal, it’s been sort of downhill for Justin Fairfax ever since." Fox News Digital reached out to Vindman's office for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2c073d8d5dabda396ceb6 College student slams 'dead on arrival' strategy from Democrats in reaching young voters te 2026-04-17T23:21:23.769Z College student slams 'dead on arrival' strategy from Democrats in reaching young voters Wesleyan College student Ethan Norton argued in an op-ed for The Washington Post that Democrats were missing the point in their effort to win back young voters. "Democrats talk endlessly of courting young voters, but are losing my generation because they miss the point entirely. They don’t just have a young voter problem — they have an attention problem," he wrote, noting the finger pointing within the party after former Vice President Kamala Harris' loss. "It’s not just what they’re up against, but how they’re communicating. Crying ‘constitutional crisis’ won’t win votes — it’s hardly enough to get likes." Norton wrote that he's a college senior and said he studies media and film. The Wesleyan student wrote that he found himself scrolling past "lifeless Democratic content," and noticing conservative content that was more engaging. "It’s like eyeing your dinner companion’s unhealthy meal — you know it’s not good for you, but it looks so much better than what’s on your plate," he said. CORY BOOKER ADMITS DEMOCRATS 'FAILED IN MY GENERATION' IN SCATHING ASSESSMENT OF HIS OWN PARTY The student specifically pointed to Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and his website. "Take the website of Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, which looks frozen in the 1980s: A slow, blurry photo montage cycles through images of the New York Democrat from a podium or a news conference. At the top, a line of text: 'See where Chuck has been and what he’s been doing,'" Norton wrote. He mocked that nothing got Gen Z fired up like a weekly itinerary. "Schumer’s approach is dead on arrival. In the words of every content creator ever: bungle those first few seconds and your audience vanishes," he continued. JAMES CARVILLE SAYS DEMOCRATS MUST REALIZE YOUTH ARE NOT A STATIC VOTING BLOC The student also pointed to a headline written on Schumer's website in all caps that read, "SCHUMER SOUNDS ALARM: AS TRUMP STRIPS STAFF FROM 9/11 HEALTH PROGRAM AND REASSIGNS THEM TO ICE, SENATOR DEMANDS IMMEDIATE REVERSAL TO PROTECT 140,000 SURVIVORS." "The irony? There’s no alarm. Just too many words in all caps. It’s bureaucratic and inert. Why not create actual visual urgency? Make it scrollable with ambient noise. Layer in 15-second clips that tell human stories about survivors before anyone scrolls," Norton argued. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Schumer's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. The New York senator has been mocked several times by comedians and commentators in the last two years in his efforts to counter President Donald Trump. Norton gave some examples of Democrats who were more engaging online, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Rep. Alexandria Ocaiso-Cortez, D-N.Y., in addition to Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-VT. "Even Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) — hardly a digital native — shows up daily with YouTube videos, Instagram clips and shareable quotes," he said. Norton also called out Harris over the missed opportunity to appear on Joe Rogan's podcast during the 2024 presidential campaign. He said podcasts like Rogan's get clipped, retweeted and "memeified," therefore creating a stream of content. Norton charged that the GOP didn't have an ideological grip on younger voters, but they had their attention. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2c060d8d5dabda396cead Escaped wolf Neukgu returned to South Korean zoo after nine-day search involving thermal imaging drones te 2026-04-17T23:21:04.309Z Escaped wolf Neukgu returned to South Korean zoo after nine-day search involving thermal imaging drones A wolf who escaped a South Korean zoo nine days ago, captivating international attention, has been found and safely returned. Neukgu burrowed his way out of the O-World zoo and theme park in Daejeon, south of Seoul, on April 8. His search kept the country on edge as many worried for the 2-year-old wolf eight years after a puma named Bbo-rong was shot and killed hours after it escaped from the same zoo. Neukgu was seen several times before he was captured, including on surveillance video. CHIMPANZEE ESCAPES FROM INDIANAPOLIS ZOO ENCLOSURE, TRIGGERING EMERGENCY LOCKDOWN He was also seen near a highway nearly three miles from the zoo, a zoo official said. The animal was captured just after midnight on Friday after he was shot by a veterinarian using a tranquilizer gun. His vital signs were normal following a health check, but a fishhook was removed from his stomach, zoo officials said. CALIFORNIA 4-YEAR-OLD BOY SURVIVES ATTACK BY COYOTE THAT BIT AND TRIED TO DRAG HIM AWAY Neukgu, born in captivity in 2024, is part of a breeding program to bring up the numbers of the Korean wolf, which is considered extinct in the wild. He is of the third generation of wolves brought to South Korea from Russia to reintroduce an animal similar to the Korean wolf, which went extinct in the 1960s. Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo expressed his gratitude for those involved in the search for bring Neukgu back safely, and pledged on Facebook to "prepare measures for animal ​welfare and civil safety in the process of reorganising (the zoo)." DOG CRASHES WOMEN'S OLYMPIC TEAM SPRINT RACE, CROSSES FINISH LINE IN CHAOTIC MOMENT The extensive search included drones with thermal image cameras. Neukgu escaped an earlier attempt at capture when he evaded a perimeter set for him on a mountain near the zoo. South Koreans were enthralled by Neukgu’s escape, with some calling him an "honorary ambassador for the zoo." He even sparked an eponymous cryptocurrency meme. Fans of the wolf lit up social media after his rescue, writing, "welcome back" and "Neukgu, it’s dangerous outside the house." After Neukgu’s escape last week, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung wrote on X: "Currently, the police, fire services, and military are mobilizing their full resources to ensure a safe capture and return. I sincerely hope that no casualties occur, and I pray that Neukgu, too, returns safely and unharmed." O-World remains closed following Neukgu’s return, as it faces scrutiny following as series of animal escapes. A nearby elementary school also briefly closed after his escape for safety reasons. Lee Kwan Jong, director of O-World, said that Neukgu will be kept separate from the other animals until he has recovered. Zoo officials said they aren’t sure when O-World will reopen as they review security measures, with the director adding that Neukgu’s health will take precedence. Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2c037d8d5dabda396ce96 With Vaccines Widely Popular, Kennedy Changes Tone, but Maybe Not His Plans te 2026-04-17T23:20:23.765Z With Vaccines Widely Popular, Kennedy Changes Tone, but Maybe Not His Plans Several moves suggest Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy could revive his campaign to question the safety and effectiveness of the shots after the midterm elections. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2bdf5d8d5dabda396ce31 Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird announce they're splitting te 2026-04-17T23:10:45.060Z Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird announce they're splitting Former USWNT star Megan Rapinoe and WNBA legend Sue Bird have announced they are splitting up after nearly a decade together. According to Yahoo Sports, the two sports stars got together in 2017. But, despite having similar backgrounds and pretty similar political views, they couldn't make it work. "There really is no smooth or easy way to share this news. After a lot of thought, we’ve made the decision to separate as a couple," the now-former couple said in a joint Instagram post (It's 2026, how else would they do it?). "This hasn’t been an easy decision but it’s one we’ve made together, with so much love, respect and care for each other. We’ve shared a whole life over the last decade, through big moments and in quiet ones, and that is something we’ll always carry with us." Man, the last thing I was expecting on this beautiful Friday afternoon was to have the conscious uncoupling of sports' biggest lesbian power couple come sliding across my desk. Honestly, though, if I were expecting it, and it happened, I wouldn't be writing this. I'd be out buying Powerball tickets as we speak. Now, ‘round these parts, you’re not going to find too many Megan Rapinoe fans thanks to her, uh, "outspoken" (read: bats--t insane) nature. That said, I'm never going to cheer on someone's marital failures. That's just cool. Something like this isn't just tough on the two people involved; it's tough on their friends and family, too. You can disagree with people and still wish them pleasant personal lives. See, it's not hard, is it? So, all the best to these ladies as they move on to whatever's next. But there was one question I had as soon as I got word of this relationship's demise: what's going to happen to their podcast? The two have a podcast together where they — but let's be honest, usually Rapinoe — deliver their takes on hot-button issues like how members of the US Men's hockey team are a bunch of clowns for celebrating with Kash Patel or how the IOC got it wrong when they finally put their foot down and said, "Alright, that's enough fellas in ladies' sports." Unfortunately (especially for us here at OutKick), they said that they will no longer record on a weekly basis. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2bbb1d8d5dabda396cdb9 Bride’s sister-in-law douses her in black paint moments before ceremony in horrifying ‘revenge’ attack te 2026-04-17T23:01:05.984Z Bride’s sister-in-law douses her in black paint moments before ceremony in horrifying ‘revenge’ attack A British bride has battled depression and has been unable to work in the nearly two years since she was drenched in black paint by her spiteful sister-in-law. The attack occurred moments before she was slated to walk down the aisle to wed her childhood sweetheart — the climax of a revenge attack amid an ongoing feud. Gemma Monk, 35, a mother of two, was looking forward to marrying her now-husband, Ken Monk, in May 2024. She was walking with her father on a cream-colored carpet at the venue in Maidstone, England, when someone called out her name. Seconds later, she was splashed with black paint, she told Kent Online in an article published Friday. Realizing the attacker was her sister-in-law, Antonia Eastwood, who is married to Gemma’s older brother, Ashley, Gemma grabbed her by the hair, but Eastwood managed to get away. The bride was left distraught and in tears. JEALOUS EX-BOYFRIEND ACCUSED OF ‘VICIOUS’ ACID ATTACK THAT LEFT COLLEGE STUDENT SEVERELY BURNED: DA "This has had a dramatic impact on my life," Monk told Kent Online on Wednesday, after Eastwood was sentenced by a British court for two offenses of criminal damage. "Even while I was providing this statement at the police station, I got extremely emotional and started crying while talking about the incident. "Since the incident, if it wasn’t for my children or my family, I don’t think I would even get out of bed to care for myself," she added. "I have lost all my dignity and good habits in life. I have lost who I used to be. This has turned the most special day of my life into the worst memory — one I will never forget, and neither will my family." The attack occurred after Monk had lost significant weight during a cancer scare. Though she has since been given a clean bill of health, Monk said her sister-in-law knew about the medical struggle at the time but "still decided to ruin the most important day of my life and put me at risk." Eastwood, 49, had been banned from the wedding following a feud that stemmed from her own nuptials, during which Monk was accused of "trying to trip up" Eastwood. MICHIGAN WOMAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY STARVING, TORTURING DISABLED SISTER-IN-LAW SHE LOCKED IN BASEMENT In court, Eastwood was handed a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. She was also ordered to perform 160 hours of community service.  "This was meant to be a special day for Gemma Monk and her family. Courtesy of your conduct, it turned into a nightmare," Judge Oliver Saxby told Eastwood before imposing the sentence. Eastwood's husband, Ashley, was once Ken Monk's best friend and actually introduced him to Gemma when she was only 14. Despite the attack, Gemma scrubbed the paint from her face and body in the changing room and borrowed a dress fetched by an usher so she could marry her partner of more than 20 years.  "We had waited for that day for so long. Nothing was going to stop me," she said. "I did not think twice; I would have walked down the aisle in my knickers and with black paint over my face if I had to." However, Monk, a mental health worker, has since suffered from depression and has been unable to work. In a statement to the court, she said the incident changed her outlook on life and "made me question whether I had done something really bad, whether I had done something wrong." The couple also called off a planned honeymoon to the Maldives because Gemma "wasn't up to it." "I had a gut feeling—a bad feeling that something was wrong—when I got out of the car with my dad," Monk said. "But he said it must be nerves." "I will never accept her apology," she added. "I thought the sentence was too light. She should have received at least 23 months for the wait we have had to get this to court." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2bb89d8d5dabda396cda3 Homeland Security Expands Deportation Fleet With High-End Jets te 2026-04-17T23:00:25.710Z Homeland Security Expands Deportation Fleet With High-End Jets The contract for five planes doubles the Department of Homeland Security’s fleet of jets to expel immigrants, and includes two Gulfstream planes, according to documents and interviews. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2b96fd8d5dabda396cd69 New Arizona grants target affordable childcare for working families te 2026-04-17T22:51:27.706Z New Arizona grants target affordable childcare for working families Governor Katie Hobbs has announced a $3 million childcare grant program in Arizona to help over 2,500 children. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2b92fd8d5dabda396cd22 What Maine Voters Are Thinking About Ahead of 2026’s Senate Election te 2026-04-17T22:50:23.422Z What Maine Voters Are Thinking About Ahead of 2026’s Senate Election Our readers in the state tell us about its high-stakes Senate race. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2b72bd8d5dabda396ccdd Council clash erupts before vote on Acoma paving contract te 2026-04-17T22:41:47.697Z Council clash erupts before vote on Acoma paving contract Tensions flared at the end of Tuesday’s Lake Havasu City Council meeting as a debate over the city’s contract selection process spilled into concerns about favoritism before a vote on a $5.9 million contract to repave Acoma Boulevard. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2b717d8d5dabda396ccd4 Parrot becomes center of community debate on pet owner rights te 2026-04-17T22:41:27.703Z Parrot becomes center of community debate on pet owner rights A Lake Havasu City woman is seeking the return of a beloved parrot this week: But she may have to fight City Hall, or possibly the Western Arizona Humane Society to get it back. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2b6d5d8d5dabda396cc7d Sam Altman’s project World looks to scale its human verification empire. First stop: Tinder. te 2026-04-17T22:40:21.976Z Sam Altman’s project World looks to scale its human verification empire. First stop: Tinder. World, which has raised eyebrows (but also a lot of interest) with its Orb-centered anonymous verification project, is looking to expand its influence via a bevy of new partnerships. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2b485d8d5dabda396cba9 Man Accused of Killing Charlie Kirk Wants to Ban Cameras From Court te 2026-04-17T22:30:29.709Z Man Accused of Killing Charlie Kirk Wants to Ban Cameras From Court Lawyers for the man, Tyler Robinson, have argued that filming the court hearings threatens his right to a fair trial. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2b23cd8d5dabda396cb17 Here's what the San Diego Padres record $3.9 billion sale means for Major League Baseball te 2026-04-17T22:20:44.222Z Here's what the San Diego Padres record $3.9 billion sale means for Major League Baseball Friday morning, news broke that the San Diego Padres organization had officially been sold. And that news effectively ended much of the debate, disagreement, and complaints about the market size disparities in modern Major League Baseball. For over a decade, the Seidler family, primarily the late Peter Seidler, owned and operated the Padres. And they turned a perennially bottom-feeding franchise into a juggernaut. How? By treating a competitive sport like a competitive sport, and investing heavily in the on-field product. Now? It's been sold to billionaire José E. Feliciano and his wife Kwanza Jones, owners of the English Premier League team Chelsea. For a staggering and record-setting $3.9 billion. RELATED: San Diego Padres To Be Sold For Record $3.9 Billion Deal Nearly $4 billion for a team located in one of the smallest markets in Major League Baseball. A team that's never once won a World Series, and hasn't won the National League West in quite literally 20 years. That team sold for $4 billion. Just six years ago, Steve Cohen bought the New York Mets for $2.4 billion. The New York Mets. In New York City. The largest media market in the country. And the Padres just sold for 63% more, six years later. This is why all the whining and complaining from small market teams across the sport is manipulative nonsense. What makes this price even more stunning is that the Padres currently do not have a television deal with a regional sports network. While much of the focus and criticism of the Los Angeles Dodgers' spending habits rests on their agreement with Spectrum, Padres games are produced exclusively by MLB. Fubo and DirecTV+ carry the Padres "channel," but for most fans, they are forced into buying the team's package of games through MLB.tv. And they're still worth $3.9 billion. How can this be, when teams like the Pirates and Marlins relentlessly cry poor, despite raking in huge amounts of revenue sharing dollars? The Marlins even play in a significantly larger market than the Padres. San Diego County has roughly 3.4 million people, while the Miami metropolitan area has 6.4 million. Yet the Padres can routinely run payrolls at or above $200 million, while the Marlins spend under $100 million. Why? Because the Seidler family, particularly Peter, spent money to build a competitive product, taking advantage of the window of opportunity that the Chargers' move to LA offered. Seidler, who had serious health issues for years, invested in the team in hopes of winning a World Series before he died. They signed big name free agents like Eric Hosmer, Xander Bogaerts, and Manny Machado. They were aggressively in trades, bringing in stars like Blake Snell, Josh Hader, Mason Miller, Dylan Cease, and Juan Soto. They signed key players to extensions, like Yu Darvish, Jackson Merrill, and Fernando Tatis Jr. And what do you know, fans appreciated the effort. Petco Park is routinely sold out, and currently ranks second in average per game ticket sales with 42,395. Turns out, the old adage of spending money to make money is accurate. This sales price shows that the owners complaining about not being able to compete with big market teams are, to put it mildly, wrong. Money is pouring into the sport, and there's more to be made when teams try to win. Fans buy tickets when ownership shows they take winning seriously. Fans buy jerseys when they have star players to support. And fans will spend money to buy a package of baseball games when there's a reason to watch. Instead, we have owners like Bob Nutting in Pittsburgh, who hasn't signed a free agent to a contract longer than two years in decades. Literally decades. We have the Marlins, who have taken a community of rabid baseball fans, as the electric atmosphere at the World Baseball Classic demonstrated, and spat in their face by demonstrating a commitment to spending as little as possible. We have the Milwaukee Brewers, who, while competitive, trade every single big-name player they have as soon as possible to avoid long-term contracts. But the Padres sale demonstrates that despite the excuses and gaslighting, the fastest way MLB owners could increase their franchise values is by spending money on players. If you build it, they will come. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2b00ed8d5dabda396caa8 Newsom PAC bought thousands of memoir copies about his hardships, juicing sales te 2026-04-17T22:11:26.513Z Newsom PAC bought thousands of memoir copies about his hardships, juicing sales Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s political action committee spent more than $1.5 million buying thousands of copies of his new memoir — accounting for about two-thirds of all copies sold nationwide — according to campaign finance filings.  The PAC spending helped propel Newsom’s memoir, "Young Man in a Hurry," onto the New York Times bestseller list and is raising new scrutiny as his national profile builds ahead of a possible 2028 presidential run. In November, the Campaign for Democracy Committee launched a book campaign asking donors to contribute any amount to the PAC to receive the memoir when it was released on Feb. 24. Newsom spokesperson Nathan Click told the New York Times that the PAC bought about 67,000 copies—representing a substantial portion of the 97,400 total sold. "We were thrilled with the response," Click told the New York Times. "Our goal was to deepen the relationship between him and the millions of folks who have already expressed support for Governor Newsom’s work." TRUMP QUESTIONS NEWSOM’S FITNESS FOR WHITE HOUSE, CITING HIS DYSLEXIA The PAC made two payments totaling over $1.5 million to Porchlight Book Company, according to a FEC filing posted on Wednesday and reviewed by Fox News Digital. The governor will not receive royalties from the books sold through the campaign, the New York Times reported.  THE MOST UNUSUAL PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: NEWSOM IS DYSLEXIC, STRUGGLES WITH SPEECHES, REJECTS 'LIBERAL' LABEL  When asked about the book's ranking on the best seller list, a New York Times spokesperson explained the outlet places a dagger symbol on the list to indicate when a book's ranking has been influenced by a bulk purchase. "When The Times has reason to believe that sales of a book include a mix of organic and bulk sales, the book's best-seller ranking is accompanied by a dagger. That's what we did with the Newsom book," Nicole Taylor, spokesperson for The Times, said in a statement to Fox News Digital. Fox News Digital reached out to representatives for Newsom but did not immediately reply.  Book promotion is common among politicians, but Newsom’s PAC spending outpaces similar political committee purchases. The Republican National Committee, for example, spent about $100,000 in 2019 purchasing Donald Trump Jr.’s book, the New York Times noted in its report.   GOV GAVIN NEWSOM: FROM PRIVILEGE TO HEARTBREAK, MY LIFE BEHIND THE HEADLINES Newsom’s memoir is focused on the challenges he faced in his upbringing, addressing his battle with dyslexia and having divorced parents, as well as his political career.  Newsom's book tour, which included visiting cities across the nation, drew criticism from conservatives for the Democrat governor allegedly putting himself over leading California.  Chairwoman of the California Republican Party Corrin Rankin told Fox Digital, in response to the book campaign, she believes Newsom is trying to "rebrand his national image" while abandoning issues at home, as recent data underscores ongoing challenges in the state. Social media commenters have not shied away from mocking Newsom over the book sales, including Republican California gubernatorial candidate and former Fox News host Steve Hilton.  "Gavin Newsom’s ‘bestseller’ memoir just got the ultimate California treatment: his PAC dropped $1.56 million of donor cash to buy 67,000 free copies and mail them to anyone who donated any amount," Hilton posted to X on Thursday. "That’s two-thirds of all print sales. Nothing says ‘Young Man in a Hurry’ like rigging your own book numbers with political slush funds while California burns." Newsom is considered a top potential 2028 presidential candidate for the Democrat Party, though he has not confirmed whether he will officially throw his hat in the ring. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2affad8d5dabda396ca9f Cenk Uygur slams AOC’s ‘Kamala-like word salad’ on ex-aide endorsement te 2026-04-17T22:11:06.686Z Cenk Uygur slams AOC’s ‘Kamala-like word salad’ on ex-aide endorsement Cenk Uygur sharply criticized Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., on his show Thursday, accusing the congresswoman of giving a "Kamala-like word salad" when asked whether she would endorse her former chief of staff, Saikat Chakrabarti, in an upcoming primary. Speaking on "The Young Turks," Uygur mocked Ocasio-Cortez’s response after she was pressed by Drop Site News about backing Chakrabarti, who previously served as her chief of staff and campaign manager during her 2018 congressional victory. "What was that? That was a Kamala Harris–like word salad," Uygur said. "OK, I’m going to try to decipher it." Uygur's comments came as AOC declined to directly endorse Chakrabarti, despite his central role in her rise and his current candidacy in a high-profile primary contest. LEFT-WING HOST SAYS AOC USES ‘TRUMP-LIKE’ ATTACKS ON MEDIA CRITICS IN VOTING RECORD DISPUTE Explaining her hesitation, Ocasio-Cortez framed the decision as part of a broader political calculation. "I’m trying to think about the role that I am trying to play more broadly in these things," she said. "We’ve got 435 seats in Congress, right?… And once you go in then it’s like what about this, what about this, what about this one?… We're thinking about how much of myself I'm pouring into this." Uygur rejected that reasoning, arguing the question was straightforward given her relationship with Chakrabarti. "Yeah, but we’re not asking about 434 other seats. We’re asking about your former chief of staff," he said. Uygur also questioned the delay in endorsing Chakrabarti, suggesting it should not require extended deliberation. LEFT-WING HOST BLASTS AOC AS 'WEAK,' SAYS SHE ONLY ENGAGES CRITICS WHO ARE 100% FRIENDLY "Does your crack team have to work for six, eight months to endorse your former chief of staff?" he asked. "Don’t you know who your former chief of staff is?" "I know how much of himself [Chakrabarti] poured into your campaign... 100%. And I think it made all the difference," Uygur said. Uygur broadened his criticism of the progressive movement, arguing that leaders should more actively support allies like Chakrabarti when they run for office. "You’re supposed to put up a ladder so they could climb up, not take the ladder away or not take six months to decide," he said. POTENTIAL PELOSI SUCCESSOR PRESSED ON TRANSGENDER PEOPLE IN WOMEN'S SPACES "I’m not against AOC, she is on our side on the policies way more than the average person in Congress," Uygur said, adding that her response in this case was "bizarre" and "inexplicable." Uygur also contrasted Chakrabarti with his primary opponent, California State Sen. Scott Wiener, criticizing the California Democrat's record on Israel-related issues. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "In fact, his main opponent, Scott Wiener, is one of the most pro-Israel legislators in all of California," Uygur said, adding that Wiener has supported efforts targeting criticism of Israel in schools and on college campuses. "So it’s not like this is a hard question as to who progressives should support," he said. Fox News Digital reached out to Ocasio-Cortez for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2afe6d8d5dabda396ca96 Grieving mothers scorch Dem lawmaker after he pivots hearing to attack 'MAGA Republicans' te 2026-04-17T22:10:46.860Z Grieving mothers scorch Dem lawmaker after he pivots hearing to attack 'MAGA Republicans' A congressional hearing featuring the victims of crimes tied to illegal immigration erupted into a tense confrontation Thursday, as Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., drew fierce backlash from grieving mothers and Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, for appearing to dismiss their tragedies while pivoting to attacks on "MAGA Republicans." The fiery exchange happened during a hearing focused on "The Human Toll of Sanctuary Policies," where Johnson claimed the victims' families' comments were a "Steve Miller approved" stunt with the sole purpose of "stir[ring] up passion and prejudice against immigrants who are people of color." After offering brief condolences to the families of victims allegedly killed and critically injured by illegal immigrants, Johnson immediately pivoted to a partisan attack, arguing the committee should instead be holding hearings on the "human toll" of the "Trump MAGA tax cuts," Trump's foreign policy with Iran, or the "cover up of the Epstein files." He went on to list a string of violent crimes committed by White men, and noted the death of Renee Good, who was killed by federal authorities in January while protesting immigration enforcement. SLAIN COLLEGE STUDENT’S MOTHER VOWS ‘FIGHT FOR JUSTICE’ AFTER ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CHARGED IN CHICAGO KILLING "I'm not minimizing the tragedy that is before us today with you three women, but the other tragedies at the hands of non-immigrants are just as important," Johnson said. He also accused the Republican majority of strategically "sandwich[ing]" a Democrat witness between the victims' families for "dramatic effect." Gill fired back, calling Johnson's tirade "one of the most disgusting testimonies I have ever heard," and accused Democrat lawmakers of causing the tragedies through four years of open borders under the Biden administration. DHS SLAMS CALIFORNIA 'SANCTUARY' COUNTY AFTER MOM ALLEGEDLY MURDERED BY 2 HONDURAN NATIONALS However, the most stinging reply to Johnson's comments came from Jen Heiling, the mother of victim Brady Heiling, 18 — who was killed along with his girlfriend, Hallie Helgeson, 18, in 2025, when an illegal immigrant from Honduras was allegedly driving the wrong way on I-90 while intoxicated, crashing into the teens' car. "You can put me in whatever order, in whatever seat. My tragedy is never going to be OK," Heiling told Johnson. "Today's our day. Hear us. Leave your butts in your seat. I don't want to hear your butts." She described how her 11-year-old and 16-year-old children are still waiting for the teens to come home, noting that her garage stall remains empty because her son's car is still being held as police evidence. "We can't pick a headstone, because that makes it too real. But you can sit here and tell us about what kind of hearing this should be," Heiling said. "Renee Good is not the same as angel families. She made a choice. ... Brady and Hallie didn't get a choice ... They were living [by] American laws ... and they were stolen by somebody who doesn't care." Patricia Fox, mother of Carissa Aspnes — who was seriously injured in a hit-and-run allegedly caused by an illegal immigrant, followed Heiling's remarks by shooting back at Johnson's comments about race, noting, "I don't know if anybody has noticed, but I am not White. I wake up Brown every day." "I'm not sure what race has to do with any of this," Fox said. "There's four kids that we talked about today, and y'all can't seem to stay on topic for what — an hour of your time. ... Today, we're talking about sanctuary policies and how they have wrecked our families. Y'all come and y'all feed Carissa. You get her up from her bed using a crane, and then you tell me and lecture me what this hearing should be about." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2a905d8d5dabda396c94c WWE star Danhausen says Mets 'curse' isn't exactly lifted as team drops ninth straight game te 2026-04-17T21:41:25.577Z WWE star Danhausen says Mets 'curse' isn't exactly lifted as team drops ninth straight game WWE star Danhausen has been an eccentric delight since he joined the company and made his debut at the Elimination Chamber back in February. Danhausen has the knack for "cursing" his WWE opponents. Stars like Dominik Mysterio, Kit Wilson and The Miz have all felt the effects of Danhausen’s abilities, and it seems like the New York Mets are also suffering. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Former WWE head writer Brian Gewirtz, a long-suffering Mets fan, told Danhausen earlier this week on social media that if he could lift the "curse" on the Mets, he would "do everything in my power to get his face on the side of a (WWE production) truck." Danhausen said that Gewirtz had a deal and wanted to have his face on the truck immediately. However, it appears that deal has not come to fruition. WWE STAR KIT WILSON EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR CODY RHODES AFTER PAT MCAFEE PROMO, NO ANIMOSITY AFTER 'TOXIC' MOVE "I did un-curse the Mets. But it didn’t work because, I believe it was Brian Gewirtz who did not pay Danhausen. He did not send me my money so it did not take full effect," Danhausen told Fox News Digital on Friday morning. "Once I have the money, perhaps it will actually work because right now it’s probably about a half of an un-cursing. It’s like a layaway situation." Hours later, the Mets lost their ninth straight game to the Chicago Cubs 12-4. The Cubs dealt with the "Curse of the Billy Goat" for years before winning the World Series in 2016. It appears the Mets have to deal with the Danhausen curse, at least for now. Meanwhile, for Danhausen, he’s set for his first WrestleMania appearance in some capacity. Reports have indicated that he will have at least one segment with John Cena at WrestleMania 42. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2a8f1d8d5dabda396c943 RFK Jr. backs easier peptide access for wellness as doctors raise red flags te 2026-04-17T21:41:05.983Z RFK Jr. backs easier peptide access for wellness as doctors raise red flags → 'Anti-aging' peptides may soon be easier to get amid RFK Jr.'s push → Doctors expose ‘buffalo hump’ as potential sign of hidden health conditions → Popular weight-loss medications linked to hidden side effects → Dr. Wendy Troxel shares relationship tips for chronic snorers and their tired partners → Doctor warns wearable fitness trackers could backfire → Where you live could shape your risk of cancer mortality → Lead contamination exposed in public parks across major city → Dementia risk could be tied to your mindset and outlook on life → Americans wait overnight for access to free healthcare as costs soar → What is butt microneedling? Behind the 'desperate' procedure Kelly Ripa tried CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2a8ded8d5dabda396c93a Fox News True Crime Newsletter: Brian Hooker's release, Tyler Robinson's ATF report, DNA in Guthrie case te 2026-04-17T21:40:46.165Z Fox News True Crime Newsletter: Brian Hooker's release, Tyler Robinson's ATF report, DNA in Guthrie case QUICK EXIT: Daughter of missing American woman tears into stepdad who flees Bahamas after jail release READ THE FINDINGS: Tyler Robinson judge unseals ATF report in assassination of Charlie Kirk SECRECY FIGHT: Prosecutors lay out 4 categories of evidence stacked against suspected Kirk assassin as defense pushes delay, fights cameras THREAD BY THREAD: The FBI has received DNA data from hair sample in Nancy Guthrie case, sources say PAPER TRAIL: Newly released emails show exactly how police hunted down Kohberger's Hyundai SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER TWISTED RESPONSE: Firefighter accused of killing cheerleading coach he called second mom, torching home TRAIL GONE COLD: Realtor's murder suspect alleges major evidence blunder by investigators SEND US A TIP HERE FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X COURTROOM GRIEF: Athena Strand's mother reveals final words with slain child as jury weighs death penalty for FedEx driver LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB FAMILY'S ANGUISH: Anna Kepner's dad wants accused stepbrother in 'orange jumpsuit and handcuffs' after alleged cruise murder Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2a6add8d5dabda396c8d4 Surprise ICE detention plan scaled back from 1,500 beds to 542 te 2026-04-17T21:31:25.032Z Surprise ICE detention plan scaled back from 1,500 beds to 542 U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Georgia Democrat, in March visits a wastewater treatment facility in the city of Social Circle that the city says would be overwhelmed by plans to convert a warehouse to house up to 10,000 immigration prisoners. The city locked the facility's water meter, forcing the Department of Homeland Security to consider trucking out sewage and bringing in water. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock) Some of the Trump administration’s controversial new warehouse immigration detention centers are getting scaled back and postponed as states and cities fight back and new Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin reviews actions taken by his ousted predecessor, Kristi Noem. Some states and cities have seen more communication and compromise as Mullin takes over and the Department of Homeland Security faces a continued funding shutdown that has reached 60 days. That includes discussions about a proposed Arizona detention center where DHS agreed to scale back the number of prisoners by two-thirds and pay a city for lost taxes, and a proposed center in Maryland with a similar offer from the department. A lawsuit also is holding up work on that detention center. And in Georgia, a small city cut off the water supply to a proposed immigrant holding site. A plan to house up to 1,500 immigrants in Surprise, Arizona, starting as soon as May was scaled back to 542 detainees starting in October at the earliest, and DHS agreed to pay the city $300,000 a year for lost property taxes. The department also may offer more to help with any police costs, after negotiations with DHS under Mullin. “With the new leadership there’s been a lot of communication,” Surprise Mayor Kevin Sartor told a local radio show April 15, a contrast to the “very frustrating” experience of how the city learned from news reports in January that DHS had purchased a 418,000-square-foot distribution center for $70 million.    “We do have a different leadership style,” Mullin said in a CNBC interview April 16, comparing himself to Noem. “We want to make sure people understand that we’re here working for the people, not against you.”  In Maryland, the new DHS administration has also offered a scale-back from 1,500 detainees to 542, in a Williamsport warehouse bought for $102 million in January. An April 15 court order keeps most work on the center paused as the state continues a lawsuit claiming “impacts on the environmental, economic, and public health and safety interests of the state.” In Arizona, dozens of Democratic state lawmakers sent a letter in April asking the city of Surprise to “stop the facility from opening at all costs,” but Mayor Sartor has said he doesn’t see a legal basis for a lawsuit. The mayor’s office is nonpartisan, but Republicans predominate among registered voters in the city by almost 2-1 over Democrats.  Communities across the country are facing the results of a massive detention expansion fueled in large part by the record $45 billion approved for increased immigration detention by Congress last summer. U.S. Reps. Maxwell Frost & Darren Soto tell Kristi Noem not to open ICE facility in Central Florida Other state and local action on the plan to repurpose warehouses for detention centers include a Kansas City, Missouri, ban on nonmunicipal detention facilities passed in January, Developers halted the sale of a south Kansas City warehouse in February. Owners of an Indiana warehouse sent a letter saying they weren’t in active negotiations with for the site, which had been reported as a potential detention center and drew local opposition from the town of Merrillville. Democratic lawmakers in Florida opposed plans for a warehouse detention center near Orlando in February, while some Republican lawmakers supported it.  In Georgia, the city of Social Circle cut off water and sewer service for a $128.6 million warehouse proposed to hold 10,000 detainees, saying the town of 5,000 people did not have the capacity to serve it. “The city’s infrastructure cannot accommodate this level of demand,” according to a February statement from the city, despite a “certainly creative” solution suggested by DHS to fill a water-supply cistern at times of low demand.   Stateline reporter Tim Henderson can be reached at thenderson@stateline.org. This story was originally produced by Stateline, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Arizona Mirror, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2a697d8d5dabda396c8b4 Cheap surgery overseas may come with devastating complications, doctors warn te 2026-04-17T21:31:03.871Z Cheap surgery overseas may come with devastating complications, doctors warn More than three million people travel to undergo cosmetic surgery each year, statistics show – but the potential savings come at a cost. Most people opting to pursue this so-called "medical tourism" are chasing budget-friendly price tags.  International surgeries, such as hair transplants in Turkey, can cost as little as $4,000–$5,000 compared to $20,000–$30,000 in the U.S., but often come with extreme risks, according to board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sheila Nazarian. DOCTORS WARN OF ‘LOOKSMAXXING’ DANGERS AFTER INFLUENCER’S LIVESTREAM EMERGENCY The doctor recently joined Lisa Brady on the "The FOX News Rundown" podcast to discuss the rising trend of medical tourism. One of the biggest risks, she said, is the lack of safety regulations in popular destinations like Mexico and Turkey. As demand spikes in these medical tourism "mills," there have been reports of non-medically trained staff performing procedures like hair transplants. "I’ve heard that they [international clinics] are even recruiting people who maybe were taxi drivers and then putting them through their own training program ... to become hair transplant technicians," Nazarian shared. "That’s how high the demand has become." In the U.S., medical school graduates are granted a "physician and surgeon" license, which means doctors — including pediatricians or OB-GYNs — can legally perform cosmetic surgeries, even if they didn’t receive specialized training for those procedures during residency, Nazarian noted. WHAT IS BUTT MICRONEEDLING? BEHIND THE 'DESPERATE' PROCEDURE KELLY RIPA TRIED Instead of pinching pennies, the doctor recommends paying whatever amount is necessary to ensure quality treatment. "People think of it as, you know, going to the mall ... it’s surgery, and surgery has risks," she said. "You need to be with someone who not only can perform a beautiful surgery, but who can handle possible complications well." "You need to ask them: ‘What was your residency training in? And if you wanted to, would you be allowed to do this procedure in a hospital?’" Aftercare is another critical factor in the success and safety of a cosmetic procedure, as the doctor emphasized that 20% of a surgical result depends on post-operative care. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER This can be difficult or even impossible to manage when a doctor is in a different time zone, she cautioned, or if the clinic disappears shortly after the procedure. Nazarian also discussed the importance of addressing the psychological component of plastic surgery, noting that no procedure will fix underlying unhappiness. The doctor said she uses screening questionnaires to ensure that patients are truly seeking self-improvement rather than a "cure" for deeper issues. "If you’re not already generally very content with your life, a knife in my hand is not going to bring you there," Nazarian said. "The analogy I always give is you don't want a paisley couch – you want a neutral couch and you can put paisley pillows on it," she said, noting that a procedure should "make you look normal, God-given, athletic. And then you can change your clothes when the trends come and go." TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Dr. Samuel Golpanian, MD, a double board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, said he has also seen an increasing number of patients undergoing cosmetic procedures abroad, sometimes with "devastating consequences." "I’ve seen a wide range of complications, including infections, poor wound healing, significant scarring and tissue necrosis (skin death)," he told Fox News Digital. "These complications often lead to prolonged pain, ongoing medical problems, and significant additional costs to repair the damage." CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES Golpanian said he’s treated patients who received unsafe or non-medical-grade injectable materials, which can lead to serious long-term health issues. "I’ve also seen damage to underlying structures, asymmetry and results that are extremely difficult — sometimes impossible — to correct." "That said, I’ve also seen some good outcomes, so it’s not all bad," he noted. "The key is being extremely careful before embarking on this journey." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2a684d8d5dabda396c8ab Alito not expected to retire this term, cooling Supreme Court vacancy speculation: sources te 2026-04-17T21:30:44.154Z Alito not expected to retire this term, cooling Supreme Court vacancy speculation: sources Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito is not expected to step down this term and has already hired all four law clerks for the upcoming annual term, multiple sources said, despite speculation that the high court justice was weighing retirement. Alito "is not stepping down this term and is in the process of hiring the rest of his clerks for the next term," a source told Fox News Digital. Two other sources told Fox News that Alito is not retiring this term, which lasts until the Supreme Court's new year kicks off in October. Justices tend to hire their clerks two to three years in advance, although that process is not necessarily indicative of a justice's retirement plans. The revelation that Alito is reportedly not planning to step down comes after President Donald Trump told Fox Business' Maria Bartiromo he is "prepared" to appoint up to three Supreme Court justices if vacancies arise. Trump added that he has a shortlist of nominees in mind, though he did not mention any names. TRUMP REVEALS HE HAS MULTI-PICK SCOTUS PLAN READY AS RETIREMENT SPECULATION HEATS UP "In theory, it's two or three, they tell me — if you just read statistics — it could be two, could be three, could be one," Trump told Bartiromo. "I don't know. I'm prepared to do it. But when you mention Alito, he is a great justice." Trump said he thinks Alito, who has sided with him on most high-profile cases, is "in very good physical health" and called him "one of the great justices of our time." "Justice Alito is an unbelievable justice," Trump said. JONATHAN TURLEY: KAMALA HARRIS BACKS RADICAL PLAN TO BLOCK TRUMP SCOTUS PICKS Rumors about Alito, 76, potentially retiring have grown because of his age, his two-decade tenure on the bench and speculation that he may want to make sure a conservative successor is confirmed by the current Republican-led Senate before the upcoming midterm elections. Former President George W. Bush nominated him for the nation's highest court in 2005.  The rumors were further fueled when it was revealed Alito was treated last month for dehydration after becoming ill at a Federalist Society dinner. A Supreme Court spokesperson clarified at the time that the justice was "thoroughly checked" and quickly returned to the bench. TRUMP DISMISSES CALLS FOR ALITO, THOMAS TO STEP DOWN FROM SUPREME COURT, CALLING THEM ‘FANTASTIC' Justice Clarence Thomas, an appointee of President George H. W. Bush, has drawn less retirement speculation despite being one year older than Alito at 77 and his own lengthy tenure. Thomas has been a conservative fixture on the court for more than three decades and holds a record as the second-longest serving justice in history. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, told reporters earlier this week he would recommend Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, or Mike Lee, R-Utah, as top candidates if Alito were to retire. Grassley said he hoped Alito would not step down but said his committee is "fully prepared" to process a nominee before the midterm elections.  Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters Tuesday that the GOP majority would be able to fill a Supreme Court vacancy quickly. "That’s a contingency I think around here you always have to be prepared for. And if that were to happen, yes, we would be prepared to confirm," Thune said. Fox News' Bill Mears contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2a458d8d5dabda396c869 Cricket’s popularity in the US reflected at ASU, Arizona clubs and local youth development te 2026-04-17T21:21:28.119Z Cricket’s popularity in the US reflected at ASU, Arizona clubs and local youth development PHOENIX – On a family trip to India, 5-year-old Sanjay Krishnamurthi was introduced to his future – a size zero cricket bat his dad bought for him. When he returned to his hometown of Chandler, a friend came over and asked a seemingly innocuous question.  “What’s your favorite sport?” Krishnamurthi had never played cricket before, but that day marked the first time he picked up a bat.  “Near Desert Breeze Park in Chandler is where we started playing, just my dad and I,” Krishnamurthi said. “We continued for the next couple of years from 5 to 7, just tennis ball cricket with my dad at a local park or another grassy area near our house.” Less than two decades later, Krishnamurthi is a rising star on the USA cricket team, making his national debut in 2021. The Chandler native burst onto the international scene with an unbeaten knock of 68 against Namibia during the 2026 T20 World Cup in February that earned the 22-year-old his first Player of the Match recognition. Cricket is widely regarded as the second-most popular sport worldwide based on viewership, with an estimated international fanbase of around 2.5 billion, but its status in the West over the past 150 years precedes its global standing.  Despite the sport’s rich history in the Americas, its popularity waned in favor of baseball during the 1800s, but Krishnamurthi is just one example of cricket’s resurgence in the United States across the last half-decade.  Cricket’s history in the USA The ASU Cricket Club poses after a match in November of 2023. The club is primarily made up of international students. (Photo courtesy of Yashashwi Gautom) Cricket is a bat-and-ball sport distantly related to baseball, although the origins of cricket predate that of baseball by around 300 years and perhaps even longer.  Writings of a game called “creag” played by Prince Edward (England) trace back to 1301, but no direct evidence shows that it was related to cricket. The first mention of the sport arises from a 1598 court case over a land dispute, where John Derrick stated he played “creckett” around a half-century earlier.  Through the 17th century, the sport continued to grow, particularly in England but also globally as the British Empire expanded its conquests. Although considered an upper-class game, the sport started to pick up steam in the Americas as early as 1709, with comments from Virginia’s William Byrd about playing cricket with his friends.  Benjamin Franklin reportedly returned from England with a copy of the “1744 Laws”, then cricket’s official rule book, and anecdotal evidence of George Washington playing a similar game called “wicket” at Valley Forge exists from soldier’s recollections.  “There’s a long history, especially in the mid-1700s through about the early 1800s of cricket being popular, especially in New York and Philadelphia,” said Glen Duerr, professor of international studies at Cedarville University (Ohio). “A lot of the people were very pro-British. That changed, particularly in the 1770s … but cricket remained popular even even after independence.” Obscure to many, the first recorded international cricket match occurred in New York between the U.S. and the British territory that eventually became Canada in 1844, over 30 years before the first official test match between England and Australia, and around the same time that organized baseball was developing.  Although cricket persisted through the 1800s, a number of factors swayed the USA toward baseball. Duerr, who grew up in Kent and teaches about cricket as a part of his course on the history of the British Isles and Canada, referred to both social, logistical and nationalistic issues as reasons for cricket’s eventual decline in the USA.  “Cricket’s played in a lot of country clubs by the rich in New York and Philadelphia, it’s viewed as very British, and so people turn away from it,” Duerr said. “The Civil War expands the popularity of baseball, and then baseball becomes professional. With the growth of the National League, and later the American League and the World Series, cricket’s displaced.” Cricket matches lasted far longer than baseball games, with constant field changes and pauses for lunch, time that the average American couldn’t afford to spend on a leisure activity.  Baseball’s structure through the MLB helped it take over as America’s pastime and cricket morphed into a sport primarily played in the Eastern Hemisphere, gaining huge popularity in other countries occupied by the British including India, Pakistan, Australia, South Africa and the West Indies.  In 1961, the United States of America Cricket Association was founded, and became an associate member of the International Cricket Council in 1965. After years of turbulence between the board and the governing ICC body, USACA was expelled as a member in 2017, and replaced by USA Cricket the next year, although its replacement was suspended in 2025 for its “failure to implement a functional governance structure,” according to an ICC press release.  Rules and formats The primary objective of cricket is to score more runs than the other side. Cricket teams consist of 11 players per side, with one team batting and the other bowling in turns called innings. Runs are scored by running between the wickets on a pitch or through hitting boundaries, worth either four or six runs. The bowling team attempts to dismiss the opposition in a variety of ways, including catching a ball the batsman hit or breaking the wickets behind him (bowled).  Unlike most other sports, cricket also operates in three formats, each with distinctive lengths and playstyles: Test, One-Day Internationals (ODI) and Twenty20 (T20).  Test cricket, the most traditional format, began in 1877 and can run up to five days. ODI cricket, consisting of 50 overs with each over comprising six deliveries, began in 1971 and features a World Cup every four years in a tournament similar to soccer.  Even in a shorter format, ODI cricket necessitated around eight hours of time for both the athletes and spectators. To combat dwindling attendance and engage younger audiences, a third format called T20s was introduced in 2005.  T20 cricket only involved 20 overs and operated in a timeframe comparable to the NFL and NBA.  In 2007, the first ICC T20 World Cup was created and the Indian Premier League originated a year later, following the franchise model of western leagues.  “That’s allowed us to commercialize,” USA Cricket broadcaster Aaman Patel said. “I think that it’s a hard sell for any person, no matter what the new sport is, to say, ‘This lasts over a period of a couple days’ right? … It’s not unaccustomed for the Western audience to watch multiple days but T20 allows them to get their foot in the door.” Continued growth in the US Increased interest stemmed from the United States’ shocking upset over Pakistan in a thrilling Super Over during the 2024 T20 World Cup co-hosted by the U.S. and West Indies, the first time the U.S. was partaking in the tournament’s 17-year existence.  “I remember the New York Times was dominated by the USA beating Pakistan for a whole week,” Patel said. “You go on to Instagram, and you’re scrolling through, and you see ‘USA just completed the greatest upset story ever.’ You see more eyes with these major tournaments.” Cricket is also making its highly anticipated comeback in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, following its first and only appearance in 1900 at the Paris Games. Although just six teams will qualify for the event, and the U.S. currently ranks 15th in the T20 International standings, its status as the host country will allow it to gain entry.  Trying to emulate the IPL’s financial and entertainment success, Major League Cricket originated in 2023 as the USA’s first professional T20 league. The organization has six teams, one of them the San Francisco Unicorns that Krishnamurthi plays for, but is set to expand to eight by 2027.  Cricket in Arizona Cricket Phoenix operates a women’s league as part of its five yearly tournaments. (Photo courtesy of Santohsh Bugatha) In 2024, following the T20 World Cup, more than 400 cricket leagues were operating around the country, according to USA Cricket.  Arizona’s cricket history dates back to 1989 with the formation of its first league: the Arizona Cricket Association. Other leagues have subsequently followed, with popularity on the rise in recent years.  One such club is Cricket Phoenix, a nonprofit officially founded and run by Santohsh Bugatha in 2019. An immigrant from India, Bugatha moved to Phoenix in 2008 and started playing within the ACA before branching out to create a separate organization.  Beginning with four teams in its early stages, Cricket Phoenix has now ballooned to sixty teams across six tiers delegated on competitiveness, timeliness, a code of conduct and other variables.  With the number of teams surging, finding dedicated grounds to play was another obstacle. Bugatha submitted grants and funding to the city of Phoenix to create cricket-specific facilities, resulting in five 360-degree Astroturf grounds being built in locations such as Turtle Rock Basin near 12th Street and Bell Road.  “Besides California and Texas, no one has seven turf grounds for cricket,” Bugatha said. “The city is supporting. … We have live streaming going on for the (Phoenix Premier League) that shares the competitiveness so interest has grown at least 300-400 times.” The club holds five 20-over tennis ball tournaments throughout the year: summer, winter, a competitive PPL, a Master’s League for enthusiasts over 40 and a women’s league.  In addition to promoting women’s cricket, Cricket Phoenix has hosted several collaborations in local communities to grow the sport with children and adults. The club showcased the sport in a Gilbert Parks and Recreation outreach event in 2022, supports local youth coaching groups and is working with the city of Phoenix to provide free coaching at the Mountain View Community Center in Scottsdale.  Cricket Phoenix also partnered with the Chandler Unified School District, Washington Elementary School District and Deer Valley Unified School District to conduct free “summer outreach programs” for nearly 200 kids, according to Bugatha.  “Maintaining that interest and support from the community is not there,” Bugatha said. “That has to change, and I see that change from parents, but we need to see the change from teams and clubs.” The college scene has picked up in tandem with the local progress. ASU harbors a cricket club that functions under the National Collegiate Cricket Association and was named national champions in 2022 and Pacific Regional champions the following three years.  Even with the sport’s recent ascension, the club is primarily made up of international students. Yashashwi Gautom, a senior studying computer science, was raised in Arizona and is one of just two players on the team that has lived in the U.S. for a majority of their lives.  Gautom joined the club as a sophomore before taking over as captain this past season, where he’s looked to attract more people to the team.  In preparation for the competitive tournaments throughout the year, Gautom expressed hope that more students who’ve had experience with cricket would try out for the team but recognized the importance of amplifying opportunities for those unaware of the sport.  “Next year, our plan is to make a league where it’s more recreational and not as competitive, just so we can have more people playing the sport and enjoying it,” Gautom said.  As the sport’s appeal has expanded, so has the infrastructure, although it is still catching up to California and Texas. The club practices on a cricket ground in Tempe but also accesses seven indoor nets at a facility in Chandler.  Broadening cricket’s horizons to a larger audience disconnected from the sport continues to be the biggest goal for clubs in Arizona. Beyond the entertainment value, the financial upside of increasing American fans, mirroring what the IPL has done in India, is nearly unmatched.  While national leagues like the MLC and local leagues like Cricket Phoenix pursue those ambitions, the youth ultimately hold the keys to cricket’s future in the USA.  For a young Krishnamurthi, India’s 2011 ODI World Cup victory was the catalyst for his cricket journey. Watching them lift that trophy felt “as cool and far away in (his) head as the Jedis from Star Wars.” But for a child interested in the sport in 2026, watching the U.S. take down a former World Cup-winning nation in Pakistan, a new reality for American cricket exists.  “That is a moment that a lot of young kids would have seen and thought I want to play for America, whereas when I saw (India’s win), I was like, ‘OK, I want to play for India,’” Krishnamurthi said. “(It’s) definitely a big step in the right direction.” The post Cricket’s popularity in the US reflected at ASU, Arizona clubs and local youth development appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2a42bd8d5dabda396c829 Alec Baldwin ordered to face civil trial over fatal 'Rust' shooting: report te 2026-04-17T21:20:43.160Z Alec Baldwin ordered to face civil trial over fatal 'Rust' shooting: report Alec Baldwin is going back to court. Variety and People reported Friday that a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge has ruled a civil lawsuit filed by a "Rust" crew member can proceed to trial. Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins died in October 2021 after a gun Baldwin was holding fired. "A reasonable jury could find that Mr. Baldwin recklessly disregarded the probability that pointing a gun in the direction of someone, with the finger on the trigger, would cause emotional distress," the judge wrote in the filing, obtained by Variety. Fox News Digital reached out to Baldwin's representatives for comment. ALEC BALDWIN ADMITS HE 'DOESN’T WANT TO WORK ANYMORE' AFTER 'RUST' SHOOTING DEATH: 'I WANT TO RETIRE' While the "30 Rock" actor originally faced criminal charges, a Santa Fe judge dismissed Baldwin's involuntary manslaughter charge with prejudice in July 2024. Serge Svetnoy initially sued Baldwin back in 2021, less than a month after Hutchins' death. "Simply put, there was no reason for a live bullet to be placed in that .45 Colt revolver or to be present anywhere on the Rust set, and the presence of a bullet in a revolver posed a lethal threat to everyone in its vicinity," his lawsuit read at the time. Svetnoy was standing behind the monitor and about six to seven feet away as Baldwin rehearsed the scene the crew was about to film. Baldwin had been practicing a cross-draw maneuver when the gun fired. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Svetnoy, the film's gaffer, spent the next 20 to 30 minutes rendering aid to Hutchins after realizing the cinematographer had been shot. It wasn't until after the paramedics took over that Svetnoy understood the gravity of the situation. "He realized that he had been squarely in the zone of danger posed by the loaded weapon in Defendant Baldwin’s hand, and what he felt pass by him from the discharge of the Colt Revolver was not mere pressurized air," the civil lawsuit read. "But for an inch or two, possibly less, that bullet could have ended his life." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER According to Svetnoy's lawsuit, Baldwin was not supposed to be firing a gun in the scene they filmed on that fateful October day. "The scene did not call for Defendant Baldwin to shoot the Colt Revolver, which should not have contained any live ammunition," the lawsuit said. Baldwin has maintained in multiple interviews he did not pull the trigger of the gun. The actor described the moment the gun was discharged during a TV appearance in December 2021, months after the fatal shooting. Svetnoy was not injured in the shooting. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2a1fad8d5dabda396c7b6 Ex-USWNT star Megan Rapinoe and WNBA great Sue Bird announce shocking split after 10 years te 2026-04-17T21:11:22.456Z Ex-USWNT star Megan Rapinoe and WNBA great Sue Bird announce shocking split after 10 years WNBA legend Sue Bird and former U.S. women's soccer star Megan Rapinoe announced they have broken up after 10 years. The couple, who got engaged in 2020 but never married, delivered the stunning news in a statement on social media on Friday. "There really is no smooth or easy way to share this news. After a lot of thought, we’ve made the decision to separate as a couple," their joint statement read. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "This hasn’t been an easy decision, but it’s one we’ve made together, with so much love, respect, and care for each other. We’ve shared a whole life over the last decade, through big moments and in quiet ones, and that is something we’ll always carry with us." Rapinoe, 40, and Bird, 45, shared a podcast together, called "A Touch More," that will end alongside their relationship. "We are so grateful to this incredible community that has held us up, welcomed us in, and supported us exactly as we are. So many of you have reminded us, again and again, why loving out loud matters," the statement read. "Getting to create A Touch More: The Podcast and build a network around it has been a tremendous joy. The conversations, the laughter, the connection - it means more than we can put into words. While this chapter of doing the podcast together is ending, what we’ve built with you isn’t." MEGAN RAPINOE SAYS GENO AURIEMMA HAS 'ADDED RESPONSIBILITY' OF POSITIVE REPRESENTATION BECAUSE HE IS WHITE They said they are doing six more special episodes as a farewell to the audience in a video posted Friday to the podcast's YouTube channel. Rapinoe and Bird were not together in the video, but were in separate spaces. Bird already has her own podcast, "Bird's Eye View," that she said will be continuing. Rapinoe said she will be launching her own podcast later in the summer. They launched the podcast in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pair met during the 2016 Rio Olympics, with Rapinoe playing with the U.S. women's soccer team and Bird playing for the U.S. women's basketball team at the time. They went public with their relationship in 2017. Bird retired from the WNBA in the 2022 season following a 21-year career. Rapinoe retired from the U.S. women's national soccer team in 2023. "Thank you for being with us through all of it…it means the world to us," the statement said. "With so much love, Megan and Sue." 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/69e2a1e6d8d5dabda396c7ad FIFA says NJ Transit fare hikes for World Cup will have 'chilling effect,' again rips NJ Gov Sherrill te 2026-04-17T21:11:02.772Z FIFA says NJ Transit fare hikes for World Cup will have 'chilling effect,' again rips NJ Gov Sherrill FIFA is not fond of the NJ Transit plan for the World Cup. The public transportation system, along with the FIFA New York New Jersey Host Committee, released their "Regional Stadium Mobility Plan" on Friday, which includes $150 train tickets and an $80 shuttle bus from New York to MetLife Stadium, limited rideshare opportunities, and Penn Station closures to non-gameday commuters. With the plan now officially in place, FIFA World Cup COO Heimo Schirgi issued the following statement exclusively to Fox News Digital: CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "Ever since the host city agreements were signed in 2018, FIFA has worked in collaboration with the Host Committees and their partners to develop a transportation plan that provides efficient and accessible mass transit options for ticketed fans attending the eight matches at NY NJ Stadium. The goal is to minimize congestion, reduce reliance on private vehicles, and ensure the fan experience is positive and memorable defined by the action on pitch, not delays on the roads. "The NJ Transit current pricing model will have a chilling effect. Elevated fares inevitably push fans toward alternative transportation options. This increases concerns of congestion, late arrivals, and creates broader ripple effects that ultimately diminish the economic benefit and lasting legacy the entire region stands to gain from hosting the World Cup." New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has implored FIFA to foot the bill for those going to games, a request that Schirgi criticized. FIFA FIRES BACK AT NEW JERSEY GOV MIKIE SHERRILL OVER DEMAND TO PAY FOR WORLD CUP TRANSIT TICKETS "Furthermore, to arbitrarily set elevated prices and demand FIFA absorb these costs is unprecedented. No other global event, concert or major sporting promoter has faced such a demand. While FIFA is projected to generate approximately $11 billion in revenue, not profit, as the Governor incorrectly claims, FIFA has always been a not-for-profit organization as per our statutes. Revenues from the FIFA World Cup are reinvested into developing the game of football, particularly for youth and women, worldwide. "Lastly, we applaud our host city partners across the country who embraced this opportunity to showcase their region to visitors by providing low cost and often unchanged rates for mass transit to and from match venues, FIFA Fan Festival locations, airports and other areas critical to a positive fan experience. One Host City lists a mass rail ticket for $1.25, ultimately costing ticketed fans $2.50 for roundtrip transportation to a FIFA World Cup 2026 match." A normal train ticket from Penn Station to MetLife Stadium is $12.90, making this increase roughly a dozen times higher than what it normally is. NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri said the prices had to be increased, given the $48 million cost to NJ Transit and to avoid regular commuters subsidizing the cost in the future. MetLife Stadium will host eight matches, beginning on June 13 and ending with the July 19 final. 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/69e2a1bed8d5dabda396c790 Mark Kelly: Pentagon can’t cite a single case supporting Hegseth’s effort to strip his rank te 2026-04-17T21:10:22.292Z Mark Kelly: Pentagon can’t cite a single case supporting Hegseth’s effort to strip his rank Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e29d61d8d5dabda396c6cd Grand Canyon National Park gradually easing back water conservation measures on Friday te 2026-04-17T20:51:45.943Z Grand Canyon National Park gradually easing back water conservation measures on Friday The reductions comes as progress has been made on repairing the water pipeline and pumping to the South Rim. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e29d4ed8d5dabda396c6c4 LOCAL ROUNDUP: Flagstaff beach volleyball enters state tournament as top seed te 2026-04-17T20:51:26.008Z LOCAL ROUNDUP: Flagstaff beach volleyball enters state tournament as top seed Finishing the regular season with a perfect 13-0 record and losing just one of 65 individual matches, the Flagstaff Eagles enter the Division II beach volleyball state tournament as the No. 1 seed. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e29d23d8d5dabda396c696 Video shows teen snatched at bus stop – but victim slips SOS at gas station to escape repeat offender suspect te 2026-04-17T20:50:43.383Z Video shows teen snatched at bus stop – but victim slips SOS at gas station to escape repeat offender suspect Harrowing surveillance video captured the moment a Michigan teenager was allegedly kidnapped at gunpoint by a three-time repeat offender as she and her classmates waited for their school bus earlier this week.  The alleged abduction unfolded just after 7 a.m. on Monday, April 13, when police say a 16-year-old student was waiting to board her school bus near the area of Edwinand Brombach streets in Hamtramck, authorities said in a news release.  While she was standing at the bus stop, surveillance video shows the moment a man allegedly approached her, held a handgun to her back and forced her into a van.  ATHENA STRAND’S KILLER SEARCHED ‘MISSING GIRL,’ FEDEX TRUCK CAMERAS AFTER KIDNAPPING, EXPERT TESTIFIES Another student who witnessed the incident immediately contacted authorities, and officers worked with students at the school who were tracking the victim’s cellphone location. GOT A TIP? The victim was tracked to a nearby gas station, where she had signaled to a cashier that she was in danger after the suspect sent her inside to purchase cigarettes.  Officers subsequently arrived on the scene and took the suspect, later identified as 48-year-old Donald James Joseph Arthur Fields, into custody, authorities said. FOLLOW US ON X Surveillance video from the gas station shows the moment authorities confronted Fields, according to FOX 2.  "You’re being detained right now," the officer can be heard saying. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL "For what?" Fields asked.  "We’ll tell you in a second," the officer replied. CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS The investigation also revealed the victim had allegedly been sexually assaulted by Fields before authorities were able to intervene, according to authorities.  Fields is charged as a third-time habitual offender with kidnapping, two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, felonious assault, three counts of felony firearm and felon in possession of a firearm. He is currently being held at the Wayne County Jail after the judge deemed him the "ultimate" risk to the community, according to FOX 2.  "Our young survivor in this case was simply walking in broad daylight when she was viciously attacked and sexually assaulted," Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement. "Despite what she had just gone through, her quick thinking and mental toughness saved her life. We cannot reverse what happened to her, but we can work hard to bring justice to her."  Fox News Digital's Bonny Chu contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e29ab4d8d5dabda396c5e8 Kevin Weil and Bill Peebles exit OpenAI as company continues to shed ‘side quests’ te 2026-04-17T20:40:20.914Z Kevin Weil and Bill Peebles exit OpenAI as company continues to shed ‘side quests’ Kevin Weil and Bill Peebles are leaving OpenAI as the company shuts down Sora and folds its science team, signaling a sharp pivot away from consumer moonshots toward enterprise AI. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e29852d8d5dabda396c597 Boebert fires back at Dave Chapelle over 'weaponized' transgender jokes te 2026-04-17T20:30:10.814Z Boebert fires back at Dave Chapelle over 'weaponized' transgender jokes Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., lashed back at accusations she "weaponized" a social media post with Dave Chappelle, arguing the comedian had already waded into the political debate over transgender issues. "Dave Chappelle can have his little counseling session with NPR," Boebert told Fox News Digital, referring to an interview Chappelle gave earlier this week when he criticized a post of the two of them together at the U.S. Capitol. "That's fine. You know, I took a photo with 50 Cent, a lot of people and posted about them. And none of them cried over it," Boebert said. Boebert snapped a picture with Chappelle in November 2023 and posted the image to Twitter with the caption: "Just three people who understand that there’s only two genders." DETRANSITIONER CHLOE COLE ACCUSES MEDIA OF ‘TRYING TO SUPPRESS’ COVERAGE OF TRANSGENDER SHOOTERS The original tweet, which also included Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., has since been deleted. The incident resurfaced earlier this week when Chappelle told interviewers he resented the moment. "I was on Capitol Hill and everybody ran up to take pictures with me from every congressional office. I didn’t ask how they vote or what their voting record is. And then here comes Lauren Boebert," Chappelle recalled. "And she said ‘can I get a picture?’ And I had already taken 40 pictures, I didn’t want to say no in front of everybody… She instantly weaponized it — or politicized it. You should never do that to a person like me." CHLOE COLE ACT AIMED AT BLOCKING MINORS FROM UNDERGOING LIFE-ALTERING TRANSGENDER SURGERIES, GOP LAWMAKER SAYS Chappelle has repeatedly tackled transgender issues in his Netflix specials, including "Sticks & Stones," "Equanimity" and "The Closer" — material that has drawn both backlash and support and put him at the center of the broader cultural debate he now says Boebert pulled him into. COLORADO TRIED TO SILENCE ME FOR HELPING GENDER-CONFUSED KIDS. THE SUPREME COURT JUST RULED 8-1 IN MY FAVOR Boebert noted as much, suggesting Chappelle has already inserted himself into these national conversations through his comedy. "I think he's done that quite a bit, has he not?" Boebert said. When asked if she believed she had politicized the moment with Chappelle, Boebert said she believes the gravity of the issue merits political discourse. "They're castrating our children and destroying them, absolutely ruining their lives over it. In Colorado ... We castrate bulls not baby boys. Okay? And that's what it should be," Boebert said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e29852d8d5dabda396c58e Texas AG sues Houston mayor and city council over new sanctuary city ordinance limiting ICE cooperation te 2026-04-17T20:30:10.467Z Texas AG sues Houston mayor and city council over new sanctuary city ordinance limiting ICE cooperation Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing Houston city officials over the adoption of a "sanctuary" ordinance designed to limit cooperation between local authorities and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The ordinance, passed by a 12-5 vote last week, ended a Houston police policy that required officers to wait at least 30 minutes for ICE to arrive if a suspect had an immigration warrant.  The lawsuit names Houston Mayor John Whitmire, the city's 16 council members, and Houston Police Chief J. Noe Diaz as defendants. Paxton argued the ordinance violates Senate Bill 4, a state law passed in 2017 that prevents local governments from adopting, enforcing, or endorsing policies that prohibit or materially limit the enforcement of federal immigration laws. EXCLUSIVE: NYC OFFICIALS REFUSE ICE HOLD FOR ILLEGAL ALIEN ACCUSED IN ARSON THAT KILLED 4 AND INJURED 7: DHS "I will not allow any local official to push sanctuary policies that make our communities less safe," Paxton said in a statement. "Under my watch, no Texas city will be a safe harbor for illegals. "The Texas Legislature passed strong legislation that specifically stops the type of lawless ordinance that Houston adopted," he added. "Houston has no authority to ignore the Constitution and the laws duly enacted by the Legislature. I’m calling on Houston to immediately repeal this ordinance." LOUISIANA AG URGES NOPD TO COOPERATE FULLY WITH FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES In a statement, Whitmire said it was "unfortunate that so much time and resources are being spent on an issue that should not be partisan." He added, "It interferes with our responsibility to keep Houston safe and protect all residents." Houston City Council member Alejandra Salinas urged the city to defend the ordinance in court. BOSTON POLICE IGNORED 100% OF ICE DETAINER REQUESTS IN 2025, CITING SANCTUARY LAW "It’s no longer a question about whether the City should go to court," she wrote on X. "We’re already there. The Mayor and City Council must vigorously defend the law we voted for and that the City Attorney deemed legal. I stand ready to work with my colleagues to defend our laws and protect Houstonians’ constitutional rights." Fox News Digital has reached out to several city council members for comment. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has also threatened to freeze public safety funding if Houston moves forward with the ordinance. "Houston received more than $100 million from the state based on a written agreement that they will comply with immigration enforcement," Abbott wrote on X in a Tuesday post. "If they refuse to comply, they better get out their checkbook. It will be costly if they refuse to keep their streets safe." A special City Council meeting scheduled for Friday was pushed back after Abbott extended the deadline for the city to respond to his funding freeze threat. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e29852d8d5dabda396c585 Wisconsin sheriff explains why he's suing for $1M after woman allegedly faked ICE detention at a hotel te 2026-04-17T20:30:10.105Z Wisconsin sheriff explains why he's suing for $1M after woman allegedly faked ICE detention at a hotel A Wisconsin sheriff is fighting back against what he calls an "outlandish" story, filing a lawsuit against a woman who claimed she was illegally detained in his jail but was actually staying at a hotel. Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt announced a civil lawsuit against the woman involved and a local politician he says helped spread the story. Schmidt is seeking $1 million in damages, but says he’s doing this for "accountability."   "They came after the wrong sheriff," Schmidt said Thursday on "The Will Cain Show." "When I find evidence to prove that you are telling a lie about my agency, especially when you're calling my correctional officers liars, you better believe it: I’m going to come back after you," he added. TPUSA REPORTER ATTACKED AT ICE PROTEST WARNS A DARK NEW LINE HAS BEEN CROSSED IN AMERICA’S POLITICAL WARS The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office says Sundas "Sunny" Naqvi lied about being held by federal authorities for nearly two days. While Naqvi claimed she was moved across state lines to the Dodge County jail, federal authorities say she was briefly pulled aside at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport for less than 90 minutes before being released. "She was out getting spa treatments. She was getting DoorDash. She was doing everything but being in custody of DHS or the Dodge County Sheriff's Office," Schmidt said. MINNESOTA PROSECUTOR CHARGES ICE AGENT IN GUN INCIDENT AS SAVANAH HERNANDEZ CASE REMAINS UNCHARGED Schmidt’s office says records and surveillance video show Naqvi checking into a Hampton Inn during the time she claimed to have been in custody. The evidence allegedly shows her making multiple transactions at the hotel while she was supposedly incarcerated. MINNESOTA PROSECUTOR CHARGES ICE AGENT IN GUN INCIDENT AS SAVANAH HERNANDEZ CASE REMAINS UNCHARGED "Could you imagine having an organization that does things the right way and having somebody come in and just lie through her teeth about being in your facility?" Schmidt said. "My only recourse is to ensure some kind of accountability through a civil lawsuit." In addition to Naqvi, Schmidt is suing Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, who he said held a press conference regarding the alleged incident. Schmidt also suggested that others, including potential media outlets, could be added to the suit. "He's complicit in this as well. I don't know for sure if he knew at the time, but I'm leaning toward yes, he did," Schmidt said. "He's running for Congress at the time and going out and doing a huge press conference, gets nationwide coverage for this girl who's scammed other law enforcement agencies in the past, and what a huge scam it is," he added. Fox News Digital reached out to Commissioner Morrison for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e29851d8d5dabda396c57c Utah leaders launch probe into Supreme Court justice over alleged relationship with redistricting lawyer te 2026-04-17T20:30:09.758Z Utah leaders launch probe into Supreme Court justice over alleged relationship with redistricting lawyer Republican Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and top state lawmakers ordered an independent investigation Friday into a state Supreme Court justice over allegations she had an unethical relationship with an attorney who worked on a high-stakes redistricting case. Justice Diana Hagen, who was appointed by Cox, stands accused by her ex-husband of sending what he described as "inappropriate" text messages to an attorney who helped challenge a Republican-friendly map that maintained four red congressional seats in Utah. Hagen joined a unanimous decision to toss out Republicans' redistricting plan in July 2024, a ruling that led to one of the seats flipping blue in time for the 2026 midterms. The revelation of a possible relationship between Hagen and the attorney, David Reymann, who worked on behalf of progressive voting rights groups in the case, stemmed from a complaint that a lawyer for Hagen's husband submitted to Chief Justice Matthew Durrant and the Judicial Conduct Commission, according to local outlet KSL. Hagen and Reymann have both denied the allegations. Fox News Digital reached out to a Utah Supreme Court representative and Reymann for comment. FEDERAL JUDGE SCORCHES DEMS FOR PANDERING TO LATINOS WITH CALIFORNIA MAP IN FIERY DISSENT The Judicial Conduct Commission, described on its website as an independent body comprising several state lawmakers, judges and members of the public, conducted a preliminary investigation based on the complaint and chose not to pursue the matter further, the outlet reported. Fox News Digital reached out to the Judicial Conduct Commission for comment. The Utah Supreme Court issued a public statement on behalf of Hagen Friday afternoon in which she said she never had a conflict of interest. SUPREME COURT SIDES WITH NEW YORK REPUBLICAN IN CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING FIGHT "My last involvement in the redistricting case was October 2024," Hagen said. "I voluntarily recused myself from all cases involving Mr. Reymann in May 2025, and my recusal was reflected in the Court’s September 15, 2025 opinion in League of Women Voters. I took prompt, prudent, and transparent steps in response to the allegations made by my ex-husband, including reporting them myself to the Judicial Conduct Commission and submitting a sworn statement. The Judicial Conduct Commission recently reviewed the matter, dismissed the complaint, and closed the case. I remain committed to upholding the highest standards of judicial ethics, integrity, and impartiality." The complaint and interviews conducted by the Judicial Conduct Commission found that Hagen and her husband began discussing divorce in September 2024, had interacted together with Reymann toward the end of that year and that Hagen did not meet one-on-one with Reymann until 2025, according to KSL. Cox, along with Senate President Stuart Adams and House Speaker Mike Schultz, who joined the governor in launching the new investigation, said in a joint statement that more "transparency" was needed on the matter, signaling that the public's trust in the state's highest court was at stake, especially after a polarizing decision in a redistricting case set to affect the midterms. "An initial review by the Judicial Conduct Commission and the court left important questions unresolved," they said. "Allegations of this nature, especially involving public officials, must be examined with transparency and accountability to establish the facts and to maintain public confidence." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e29851d8d5dabda396c573 Texans star defender becomes highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history with $150M deal: reports te 2026-04-17T20:30:09.408Z Texans star defender becomes highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history with $150M deal: reports Houston Texans star defensive end Will Anderson Jr. reportedly agreed to a Texas-sized contract extension on Friday. The Texans and Anderson reportedly agreed to a three-year, $150 million extension, making the 24-year-old the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, according to multiple reports. The deal includes $134 million in guaranteed money. The Texans exercised Anderson’s fifth-year option in April. With the reported extension, Anderson is under team control for five years and will be paid $177 million overall across those seasons. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM The Texans selected Anderson with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Alabama, and the Georgia native has been a star from the moment he touched the field. Anderson made the Pro Bowl and was named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2023 when he recorded seven sacks and 45 tackles in 15 games. In his second season, he ramped up his production, recording 11 sacks and 37 combined tackles in 14 games. RAVENS STAR ZAY FLOWERS SAYS JOHN HARBAUGH MADE PRACTICE TOO HARD: 'THE LOAD WAS HEAVY' Last year, Anderson was a centerpiece of the Texans' excellent defense, which limited opponents to just 17.3 points per game, which was second in the NFL and allowed the fewest yards per game in the league at 279. In 17 games, he had 12 sacks, 54 tackles and three forced fumbles, earning his second career Pro Bowl selection and finishing second in voting for the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year behind Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett. Green Bay Packers star Micah Parsons had the prior record for the highest-paid non-quarterback contract in NFL history when he signed a four-year, $188 million contract extension last season. 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/69e2984fd8d5dabda396c557 Kelly, Gallego urge DHS to halt planned ICE detention facilities in Surprise & Marana te 2026-04-17T20:30:07.543Z Kelly, Gallego urge DHS to halt planned ICE detention facilities in Surprise & Marana Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e29683d8d5dabda396c525 ICE opening a new office in Flagstaff: Residents worry about tactics, tourism and terror te 2026-04-17T20:22:27.903Z ICE opening a new office in Flagstaff: Residents worry about tactics, tourism and terror FLAGSTAFF – Surrounded by boxes of information packets, a Keep Flagstaff Together volunteer kneeled in front of a young boy in a parking lot in the afternoon on April 8. She sounded out words and repeated a phrase with him. “We have a packet of information in case of ICE,” she said in broken Spanish.  Another volunteer crouched nearby and laid out maps for other volunteers to follow. These community members were spurred into action by news that an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement office would be opening in Flagstaff.  Of the volunteers gathered under the late afternoon shade in front of the Literacy Center in the Sunnyslope neighborhood, only one was fluent in Spanish. The volunteers split up to cover more ground. Their goal was to knock on as many doors in the neighborhood as possible to draw attention to the announcement. If no one was home, they slid the information into a clear plastic bag and  hung it on the front door.  Inside the packet are instructions for families to create an action plan in the event that a member is detained by ICE and detailed information on which documents to carry with them. It also includes the contact information of local immigration attorneys and the Flagstaff Police Department’s policies regarding immigration enforcement. Jermaine Barkley crouches and organizes maps for other Flagstaff volunteers to follow on April 8, 2026. (Dermont Stevenson/Cronkite News) On April 9, the city of Flagstaff and its Police Department confirmed ICE signed a lease for an office space at 1585 S. Plaza Way. The offices will be used by the agency’s Enforcement and Removal Operations division. Other federal offices are housed nearby, including the Department of Agriculture Rural Development and Farm Services Administration. Flagstaff is not the first city in Arizona to have stationed ICE agents. Phoenix and Tucson have seen ICE operations, including two visits from former Department of Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem. The expansion of DHS facilities in Marana and Surprise have led to protests by some residents, while others cheered the arrival of ICE into their towns. Some Flagstaff residents rallied against  the presence and practices of ICE, along with people in cities across the country, after two protesters in Minnesota were killed by federal agents in January. The reaction to the announcement of an ICE office there has been more subdued. Maria Castillo Rincon is a member of Keep Flagstaff Together and organized the information packets. She’s campaigned on behalf of immigrants in Flagstaff for years and said she’s unsure why ICE would want an office there. Rincon said she’s grown angry and frustrated with the City Council’s lack of response to immigration enforcement. “I don’t believe any of you,” Rincon said. “Because you all have used the same excuse of not poking this bear, and look at this bear coming in.” Keep Flagstaff Together formed in 2017  in response to President Donald Trump’s child detention policy in his first term. In the last nine years, Rincon said she’s seen immigration enforcement escalate in scale and severity.  Now, she said members of the immigrant community are too afraid to protest. “People that have protested back in the East, you know, they have been taken, they have been arrested, they have been hurt, and our immigrant community doesn’t want to do that,” Rincon said. “They’re afraid.” ICE operations are relatively common in Phoenix and other parts of the state but rare in Flagstaff. Since the start of Trump’s second term, Rincon has received numerous false tips about ICE raids in the city. She has regular communications with the Flagstaff chief of police, who she calls to confirm whether or not the tip is real before passing the information around to the immigrant community in the area.  “The uncertainty that, if I go to work today, will I be able to come home? The children, if they are at school, will they? Will those areas be respected and ICE try to come in and pick up kids there? You know, all of that, all of that it plays into your psyche,” Rincon said. ‘Underfunded and undermanned’  Other Flagstaff residents said the federal presence will help local police departments lower crime in the area.  Neila Cretti, a 37-year resident of Flagstaff, looks forward to ICE setting up their office in town.  “I have watched our Police Department being eroded, in the sense of we are so underfunded, undermanned here,” Cretti said. “They can’t keep up with the influx of people that have come into Flagstaff.” Law enforcement and government officials in the area have assured residents that they are not working with ICE. The property being leased is under private ownership. The city said in a statement that “no request has been made for the use of City property for any ICE-related operations.”   City Hall sits in the center of downtown Flagstaff. The city released a statement that ICE cannot use city property without approval. (Dermont Stevenson/Cronkite News) While the Coconino County Sheriff’s and Flagstaff Police Department both are not currently working with ICE, Cretti said she would welcome the partnership. “I think it just makes sense. They’re just another branch of law enforcement there to serve and protect the community,” Cretti said. “And if there’s criminals harming the community, I don’t understand why they would not partner up.” Cretti said she lives on a street with two sheriff’s deputies and a Flagstaff police officer and said she isn’t the only one looking forward to ICE moving in.  “I’ve spoken to my neighbors and they can’t wait for them to be in our neighborhoods. They can’t wait for this [crime] to stop,” Cretti said.  Flagstaff is a commercial hub for people across northern Arizona to shop and access services that may not be available in more rural parts of the state. The city of roughly 75,000 sits at the crossroads of I-17 and I-40, which link Phoenix, Las Vegas and Albuquerque. Laura Carter, chair of the Coconino County Democrats, said that many residents feel that having an ICE office may be “off putting” to people passing through the town. “We don’t have a problem with illegal immigration creating havoc and crime in our city,” Carter said. “It is not an issue and to any extent that it is, our local enforcement agencies can take care of that. We have a really good, strong Police Department. We have the county sheriff and his whole department. We are not at risk.” Carter said the  Coconino County Democrats have been preparing for an increase in ICE presence since the 2024 election and are working with local community groups to distribute information.  “This ICE presence in other cities and other municipalities has been to instill fear,” Carter said. “Fear is not healthy. When you have school children breaking out into a run and yelling, ‘ICE is here.’ This is not healthy. This is not how we want to raise our children.” The ICE office is located on 1585 S. Plaza Drive and is less than a mile west of Northern Arizona University. (Dermont Stevenson/Cronkite News) Carter said she believes that an ICE office isn’t a good use of taxpayer money and other issues such as housing, education, water and wildfire management are more important to the people of northern Arizona. “We don’t want a community where children don’t want to go to school because they’re afraid they’ll come home to an empty house,” Carter said. “This threat of a presence has already gotten the community riled up.” ‘People are going to feel unsafe’ The new ICE office is located less than a mile west of the Northern Arizona University campus. Students voiced their concerns about student safety and enrollment with the office being so close. Adam Pruzhanovsky, a sophomore studying political science, said that not only students but community members are going to feel uneasy.  “People are going to feel unsafe, and it’s going to have a negative impact on our tourism, our small businesses. But the bottom line is our families, our communities,” Pruzhanovsky said. “It’s not going to do anything productive, and I’m sure that a lot of other people feel the same about it.” Pruzhanovsky said Flagstaff police work fairly well with the community, releasing information as it becomes available.  “They provided two separate press releases, one that talked about them opening an office and one where they talked about ICE presence in the area,” Pruzhanovsky said. “But I do think that the law enforcement presence is doing an ample job right now, maybe not in all areas, definitely, but with the ICE response, it’s not as exacerbated as it could have been.” Ainslee May, a junior studying politics and government, shared worries about federal agents and how it could affect students on campus. “With NAU being a big part of Flagstaff’s community and economy, it will harm enrollment, which will harm our community and our economy. And with NAU claiming to be a Hispanic Serving Institution, yeah, this is going to be a detriment to those students.” NAU has been an HSI since 2021, earning the status after keeping 25% or more total undergraduate Hispanic full-time students enrollment annually.  The current Department of Education notified HSIs that they would end funding to “racially discriminatory discretionary grant programs at minority-serving institutions.”   Funds allocated to support minority serving programs  – $350 million – was canceled. “These funds will be reprogrammed into programs that do not include discriminatory racial and ethnic quotas and that advance Administration priorities,” the department stated. May doesn’t think that Flagstaff residents will be happy with ICE moving in. “With the Flock out of Flag movement that just happened last December, we can see that people are definitely not receptive to ICE having any of our data,” May said. “I don’t think that they’re going to be very receptive to ICE being in the city.”  Jermaine Barkley walks door-to-door to hand out ICE encounter information packets on April 8, 2026. (Dermont Stevenson/Cronkite News) Flagstaff residents organized to cancel a contract between the city and Flock Safety, an automated license plate recognition system in December 2025. Concerns over privacy and who would have access to the data led residents to pressure the city to cancel the contract.  The response to ICE moving into Flagstaff was already underway a few hours later on Wednesday night. Keep Flagstaff Together volunteers split into two groups, one led by Rincon and the other by Jermaine Barkley.  The groups headed in opposite directions, knocking on doors, talking amongst themselves. Barkley knocked on a door. The homeowner opened his kitchen window, asking who they were and what they were up to.  In response, Barkley reached into a bright blue tote bag and pulled out an information packet. “Hey, don’t worry, we’re not selling anything,” Barkley said. “We’re just walking around the neighborhood handing out information in case you encounter ICE.” The post ICE opening a new office in Flagstaff: Residents worry about tactics, tourism and terror appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e29656d8d5dabda396c4e7 America 250 events taking place this summer called 'once-in-a-lifetime' travel opportunities te 2026-04-17T20:21:42.871Z America 250 events taking place this summer called 'once-in-a-lifetime' travel opportunities As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Americans all over the country are preparing for the major kickoff this summer of a nationwide celebration that's been years in the making. One of the largest celebrations to take place on the East and Gulf Coasts will be Sail250, running May 28 through July 16. International fleets of tall ships and Navy vessels will dock in New Orleans; Norfolk, Virginia; Baltimore, Maryland; New York City and New Jersey; and Boston — bringing parades, tours, fireworks and much more. "A fleet of majestic tall ships from more than 20 nations, each a symbol of tradition, adventure and international goodwill, will fill the harbor in maritime celebration," notes one of the Sail250 websites. "The Port of New York and New Jersey will once again welcome the world." STEAK ‘N SHAKE’S $2.50 STATUE OF LIBERTY MILKSHAKE GOES VIRAL: ‘ROLLING THE DICE ON DAIRY’ In Washington, D.C., the National Mall will transform into the biggest "state fair," featuring vendors from all 50 states across 16 days. The Great American State Fair will take place from June 25 to July 10. "From Maine lobster rolls to Hawaii’s shimmering hula stage, Texas-sized steaks to Alaska’s towering ice carvings, all 50 states, territories, and federal agencies showcase their food, culture and pride to one unforgettable, coast-to-coast celebration," the Freedom250 website says. "As our nation prepares to celebrate 250 years of freedom and opportunity, the National Mall will once again serve as the stage for telling our nation’s story," said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum in a release. "Thanks to President Donald J. Trump’s leadership, the Great American State Fair will bring all 50 states and six territories together in one place, showcasing the people, landscapes and traditions that define this country." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER On the eve of July 4th, Mount Rushmore will host a "spectacular Independence Day celebration in partnership with the State of South Dakota," according to the National Parks Service (NPS) website. The evening will feature educational programs, patriotic tributes and musical entertainment to mark the occasion. An Interior Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital, "Under President Donald J. Trump, America’s 250th birthday will be marked by a once-in-a-lifetime celebration that encapsulates the American spirit — including a spectacular fireworks display at Mount Rushmore that honors our history at the monument that symbolizes those who built it." CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES "Unlike the prior administration," the spokesperson added, "the Department of the Interior is excited to be part of such an incredible event that, through careful planning and coordination, celebrates and honors the founding of the United States." One of the major sporting events that will take place in D.C. this summer is the Freedom 250 Grand Prix. IndyCar drivers will go around the National Mall with the U.S. Capitol as the backdrop for the event. The races will go down 3rd Street and turn down Pennsylvania Avenue to start. The drivers will zoom past the National Archives, the National Gallery of Art, the Hirshhorn Museum and the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum before going back onto 3rd Street. The event is set to take place from August 21 to August 23. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Rosie Rios, chair of the America250 commission, previously told Fox News Digital, "It's important for people to see themselves in this commemoration and important for them to feel inspired for our country's future." Congress created The U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission in 2016 to plan and orchestrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Rios is a former treasurer of the U.S. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e29643d8d5dabda396c4de Chicago mayor links restaurant industry to ‘slavery’ as tipped wage fight intensifies te 2026-04-17T20:21:23.163Z Chicago mayor links restaurant industry to ‘slavery’ as tipped wage fight intensifies Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson linked the restaurant industry to "slavery" Wednesday as he defended his push to eliminate the tipped wage, doubling down after surviving a City Council effort to block the policy. Johnson’s remarks came after the Chicago City Council failed to override his veto of a measure that would have halted the city’s phaseout of the subminimum wage for tipped workers — a policy set to raise base pay to the full minimum wage by 2028 that is opposed by restaurant owners who warn it could drive up prices and cut jobs. He called on Chicagoans to "challenge city council not to do stuff like take wages away from Black and Brown people," claiming that minorities living in Chicago primarily work in service industry jobs reliant on tips. "You just watched the entire city council in transparency try to take wages away from the very people who are part of an industry that has its ties to slavery is hiding from that," Johnson said. "I am boldly declaring that we need reparations in this city, and that's why I'm funding it." RESTAURANTS WARN TIPPED WAGE CHANGES COULD RAISE PRICES, CUT JOBS, RESHAPE DINING EXPERIENCE City aldermen voted last month to end the wage increase for tipped workers, but Johnson vetoed it. Restaurant owners and associations have pushed back on the city's phaseout of the subminimum wage, saying it will shrink their already tight profit margins. Chicago's City Council failed to meet the 34-vote requirement to overturn the phaseout. Johnson's comments came in response to a question from a person who claimed that Johnson's Reparations Task Force was not in compliance with Illinois state law, which mandates that all public bodies hold public meetings. Johnson denied the assertion that his task force, which he launched in June 2024, was not being transparent with the public. AMERICANS ARE FED UP WITH TIPPING CULTURE AS NEARLY 9 IN 10 SAY IT'S COMPLETELY 'OUT OF CONTROL' "I'm a black man in America calling for the reparations of black people," Johnson said. "There is no hiding or escaping that. I'm taking a bold statement here." Johnson allotted $500,000 to the task force in 2024. On Thursday, the task force and city kicked off a bus tour as part of "Repair Chicago," a community engagement effort created to explore firsthand the "impacts of systemic harm faced by Black Chicagoans." A spokesperson from Johnson's office doubled down on Johnson linking tipped wages to slavery, suggesting that it became common practice for "white employers in the South" following the Emancipation. "Today, many Black workers, particularly women, continue to rely on tips and subminimum wages to support themselves and their families," the spokesperson said in a statement. "The institutionalized reliance on tipping remains a uniquely American phenomenon, and Mayor Johnson is proud to be a leader in the movement to ensure working people across the country receive the dignity and respect they deserve in the workplace, and have the ability to support themselves and their loved ones in a system that has historically denied them fair and stable wages." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2962fd8d5dabda396c4d5 White House meets AI firm Anthropic amid political tensions, Pentagon dispute te 2026-04-17T20:21:03.289Z White House meets AI firm Anthropic amid political tensions, Pentagon dispute One month after President Donald Trump ordered a government-wide halt on artificial intelligence firm Anthropic’s technology following a clash with the Pentagon, the company’s CEO is back at the White House for high-level talks — as officials reconsider whether a system they sidelined over national security and political concerns may be too important to ignore. A source familiar with the meeting told Fox News White House chief of staff Susie Wiles met with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei Friday.  Anthropic’s new artificial intelligence model, Mythos Preview, is considered so advanced that the company has restricted its release, limiting access to a small group of partners over concerns about potential misuse. The meeting signals a rapid reversal inside the Trump administration, as officials weigh whether a system previously flagged as a national security risk could also be critical to defending U.S. infrastructure — exposing a growing internal tension over how to handle powerful AI tools with both defensive and offensive potential. The talks come despite a recent clash inside the Trump administration, as officials reconsider a company the Pentagon flagged as a supply chain risk. Its ties to former Biden officials and past criticism of Trump by its CEO have added a political dimension to the debate over whether its technology should return to government use. MADURO RAID QUESTIONS TRIGGER PENTAGON REVIEW OF TOP AI FIRM AS POTENTIAL ‘SUPPLY CHAIN RISK’ That potential and the risks that come with it already have triggered tensions inside the U.S. government. The meeting comes after a sharp break between Anthropic and the Pentagon earlier in 2026.   Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth designated the company a national security "supply chain risk," effectively cutting it out of military systems and barring contractors from using its technology. Anthropic is now challenging the designation in court, after filing multiple lawsuits against the Pentagon and other federal agencies arguing the "supply chain risk" label is unlawful and retaliatory.  The designation, which effectively bars contractors from using Anthropic’s technology and has been compared to measures typically reserved for foreign adversaries, already has faced conflicting rulings in federal court, with one judge temporarily blocking parts of the policy while an appeals court declined to halt its enforcement. The legal fight is ongoing, leaving contractors and agencies navigating uncertainty over whether and how Anthropic’s systems can be used. The move followed a dispute over how the Pentagon could use Anthropic’s AI.  The company declined to grant open-ended authorization for "all lawful purposes," instead insisting its systems not be used for mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons. While Pentagon officials said they do not rely on AI for either purpose, they rejected being constrained by a private company’s restrictions. Trump then directed federal agencies to stop using Anthropic’s models altogether, escalating the standoff beyond the Defense Department into a government-wide halt. Now, just weeks later, the company is back in high-level talks with the White House as officials weigh whether its new Mythos system — despite the earlier ban — could shift the balance of cyber defense and attack. The dispute has also taken on a political dimension. Amodei has previously drawn attention for his criticism of Trump, at one point likening him to a "feudal warlord" in a pre-election Facebook post, according to a Wall Street Journal report. In an internal message posted on Anthropic’s Slack platform and later leaked to The Information, Amodei suggested the Trump administration’s dispute with the company was driven in part by its refusal to offer what he described as "dictator-style praise."  The message, written during a rapid escalation of tensions in early March, was later cited by the Wall Street Journal and other outlets. Amodei subsequently apologized for the tone, saying the post did not reflect his considered views. FEDERAL APPEALS COURT REJECTS ANTHROPIC BID TO BLOCK PENTAGON BLACKLIST IN AI DISPUTE When asked about Anthropic’s governance, hiring and broader political ties, a White House official said the administration "continues to proactively engage across government and industry to protect the United States and Americans," including "working with frontier AI labs to ensure their models help secure critical software vulnerabilities." The official added that "any new technology that would potentially be used or deployed by the federal government requires a technical period of evaluation for fidelity and security," and said "the collective effort of all involved will ultimately benefit industry, and our country, as a whole." Beyond the immediate dispute, the company’s broader ties to Washington also have drawn attention. Anthropic’s governance structure has also drawn attention as the administration weighs closer engagement. The company is overseen in part by an independent "Long-Term Benefit Trust," an unusual mechanism designed to give nonfinancial stakeholders influence over corporate decisions.  The trust holds special voting shares that allow it to appoint and eventually control a majority of the company’s board, with members drawn from national security, public policy and global development backgrounds. Current trustees include figures such as Clinton Health Access Initiative CEO Neil Buddy Shah, Carnegie Endowment president Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar and Center for a New American Security CEO Richard Fontaine — a mix of policy and national security leaders that underscores the company’s deep ties to Washington and global policy circles. Anthropic’s backers also have placed it at the center of overlapping tech, policy and political networks.  Early funding for the company included investments from figures such as Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, both longtime Democratic donors, and a major early investment from Sam Bankman-Fried’s FTX. At the same time, the company has since attracted a broad range of major institutional investors — including Amazon, Google and Microsoft — reflecting its growing role in the global AI race and complicating efforts to characterize it along purely political lines. The company also has brought on several officials from the Biden administration into key policy roles, further embedding Anthropic in Washington’s AI policy ecosystem. Among them is Tarun Chhabra, a former National Security Council official who now leads the company’s national security policy work, as well as other advisers and staff with experience shaping federal AI and technology strategy. Anthropic also has sought to build ties across party lines as it expands its presence in Washington.  The company employs policy staff with Republican backgrounds, including legislative analyst Benjamin Merkel and lobbyist Mary Croghan, and in February added Chris Liddell — a former deputy White House chief of staff under Trump — to its board. It has contributed $20 million to Public First Action, a bipartisan group that backs candidates from both parties who support AI regulation. The company has also faced criticism from within the Trump administration.  White House AI adviser David Sacks has accused Anthropic of pursuing a "regulatory capture" strategy, arguing the firm is using concerns about AI safety to push rules that could benefit its own position while slowing competitors.  Anthropic has pushed back on those claims, saying its approach reflects genuine concerns about the risks posed by advanced AI systems. Anthropic declined to comment on the White House meeting and questions about its political ties. JUDGE FREEZES TRUMP ADMIN MOVE AGAINST AI FIRM, FUELING BATTLE OVER SECURITY AUTHORITY The new technology could help developers identify and fix long-standing security flaws, but it could also give hackers a powerful new tool to target U.S. businesses and government systems. "Given the rate of AI progress, it will not be long before such capabilities proliferate, potentially beyond actors who are committed to deploying them safely," Anthropic said in its announcement. "The fallout — for economies, public safety, and national security — could be severe." Anthropic has not released Mythos publicly, instead limiting access through a program called Project Glasswing, where a select group of companies use the model to scan critical systems for vulnerabilities. The company says the system has already uncovered thousands of previously unknown flaws — some decades old — underscoring both its defensive value and the risk it could be used to accelerate cyberattacks if the technology spreads. Fox Business' Edward Lawrence contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e29605d8d5dabda396c4a6 Man who hacked US Supreme Court filing system sentenced to probation te 2026-04-17T20:20:21.104Z Man who hacked US Supreme Court filing system sentenced to probation Nicholas Moore hacked into three U.S. government networks using stolen credentials, and then bragged about it and posted victims' personal data on Instagram under the handle @ihackedthegovernment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e293c6d8d5dabda396c45a Maryland high school employee arrested on accusations of filming female students in dressing room te 2026-04-17T20:10:46.321Z Maryland high school employee arrested on accusations of filming female students in dressing room A Maryland high school employee has been arrested after being accused of filming students undressing in the girls' changing room. James Mulhern III, a media services technician at Walter Johnson High School in Montgomery County, was filmed placing a camera in the girls' changing room in the school theater shortly before several teenage girls went in to change before a performance, according to WUSA 9. School employees called the police on Wednesday after two students discovered the camera in the theater's control booth and alerted the principal. The video showed recordings of girls undressing in the changing room. The memory card on the camera also recorded a man placing the camera in the room before the students went in to change, according to a news release by the Montgomery County Department of Police. Detectives said they recovered several items of evidence at the high school and after searching Mulhern's home. FLORIDA TEACHER ACCUSED OF SEX WITH STUDENT WHOSE PARENTS TRACKED HIS LOCATION Mulhern was arrested and charged with sex abuse of a minor, police said. He was sent to a detention center, where he is awaiting a bond hearing. Court documents obtained by WUSA say that Mulhern initially denied to police he had recorded students but later admitted to "having [an] inappropriate attraction to multiple students" while working at the high school. Montgomery County Public Schools shared a letter with Fox News Digital that was sent to parents, students and staff on Thursday by Walter Johnson High School Principal Nicole J. Morgan. In the letter, Morgan said the employee had been placed on leave without pay while the investigation was underway. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "School administrators were made aware of an incident on Wednesday, April 15, and immediately reported it to MCPD. This is an MCPS staff personnel matter and a police investigation; therefore, the information that can be shared is very limited," the letter said. Morgan said school counselors, psychologists and social workers would be available to provide support to students. A Montgomery County Public Schools spokesperson told Fox News Digital, "We are fully cooperating with law enforcement in their ongoing investigation. Because this involves a confidential personnel matter, we are unable to disclose further details at this time." Walter Johnson High School student Gage Familant told WUSA9 that students were disgusted after learning the news. "People are calling it disgusting. That's what it is, heartbreaking," Familant said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e291a7d8d5dabda396c3e7 Committee to Protect Journalists demands Kuwait release American reporter Ahmed Shihab-Eldin te 2026-04-17T20:01:43.503Z Committee to Protect Journalists demands Kuwait release American reporter Ahmed Shihab-Eldin The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is calling for the immediate release of Kuwaiti-American journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, who is currently being detained in Kuwait under new security and misinformation laws.  The CPJ believes that Shihab-Eldin was arrested on March 3 and the journalist, who is typically an avid user of social media, has not posted anything online or been seen in public in Kuwait where he was visiting relatives, since March 2. Friends and family went public about the case this week with the hope awareness would help secure his release.  The specific charges that Shihab-Eldin faces have not been revealed, but the CPJ understands he faced charges related to "spreading false information, harming national security, and misusing his mobile phone" – which the nonprofit designed to promote press freedoms called "vague and overly broad accusations that are routinely used to silence independent journalists." TRUMP SAYS STRAIT OF HORMUZ 'COMPLETELY OPEN' AS US BLOCKADE ON IRANIAN PORTS CONTINUES "We call on Kuwait to release Ahmed Shihab-Eldin and drop all charges against him," CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah said in a statement. "Journalism is not a crime," Qudah continued. "And Shihab-Eldin’s case reflects a broader pattern of using national security laws to stifle scrutiny and control the narrative." The CPJ has emphasized that Shihab-Eldin’s plight comes as Middle Eastern countries have cracked down on press freedoms since the beginning of the Iran war.  On March 2, Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior posted a chilling message warning against photographs or information related to missiles or relevant locations. Khalid Ibrahim, Executive Director of the Gulf Centre for Human Rights, told CPJ that dozens have been arrested since the war began in cases related to freedom of expression. Kuwait has since issued a decree stipulating up to 10 years in jail for anyone who undermines "the prestige of the military or deliberately work toward eroding public trust in them," according to the Kuwait Times.  Shihab-Eldin, who is known for work at The New York Times, HuffPost, BBC, Al Jazeera, Vice News and other outlets, posted video of a U.S. fighter jet crash near a U.S. base in Kuwait shortly before he was detained.  US HAS ‘UNPRECEDENTED LEVERAGE’ OVER IRAN, FORMER DEPUTY NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR SAYS CNN Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward reported that Shihab-Eldin didn’t offer any commentary, and she believes the video he posted shouldn’t have resulted in detention.  "What this speaks to is these kind of draconian security restrictions that we have seen here in the Gulf since this war began," Ward said.  While it’s highly suspected, it’s unclear if posting the jet crash footage was the specific reason for Shihab-Eldin’s detention. Many have pointed out that the video was already public domain and had been shared by CNN.  Journalist Caroline Modarressy-Tehrani, who considers Shihab-Eldin a longtime friend, believes it’s critical that Shihab-Eldin is set free.  "I worked with Ahmed at HuffPost Live and was immediately struck by his thoughtful and compassionate reporting, particularly to amplify underserved communities and people. His detention in Kuwait is an alarming reminder of how vulnerable journalists are in this current moment," Modarressy-Tehrani told Fox News Digital.  "Journalism is not a crime," she continued. "Ahmed should be released immediately."  IRANIAN-AMERICAN DOCTOR SENDS FIERY MESSAGE TO HOLLYWOOD ACTRESS AS IRAN PREPARES TO EXECUTE FEMALE PROTESTER Luke Wahl, another one of Shihab-Eldin’s former colleagues, echoed those thoughts.  "Ahmed is loved by so many, because his kindness and decency shines through. He has committed no crime, and every American should be calling for his immediate release," Wahl told Fox News Digital.  A State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the Trump Administration "has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans" and they are aware of reports of Shihab-Eldin’s detention in Kuwait. "Whenever an American is detained abroad, the Department works to provide consular assistance in accordance with our authorities under U.S. and international law," the State Department spokesperson added.  The State Department declined further comment, citing privacy and other considerations.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE The CPJ is monitoring press freedom violations related to the U.S. war with Iran, and its spillover across the Middle East, including Kuwait. The group has documented the killing of nine journalists, along with seven others who have been injured and 16 others who have been targeted, threatened or harassed. The CPJ is asking Americans to keep Shihab-Eldin’s situation visible by signing a petition and posting about his detention with the hashtags #freeahmed and #freeahmedeldin and #journalismisnotacrime.  Many others have taken to social media to call for Shihab-Eldin’s release. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e29193d8d5dabda396c3de One million bees swarm highway after crash shuts down interstate ramp for hours te 2026-04-17T20:01:23.952Z One million bees swarm highway after crash shuts down interstate ramp for hours A swarm of one million bees shut down part of a highway for hours as authorities quickly moved to address the situation. Around 11 a.m. Friday, a pickup truck transporting the bees crashed on Interstate 40 in Knoxville, Tennessee, heading toward the Henley Street exit and unleashing the bees, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). Authorities did not say how many hives were being transported, but large-scale bee shipments are commonly used by commercial beekeepers to support agriculture and pollination efforts across the country. Drivers stuck near the crash were told to stay inside their cars as bees filled the air around the highway ramp. Beekeepers in protective suits worked alongside crews to regain control of the swarm, which had clustered around the wreckage and nearby roadway. HIKER STUNG MORE THAN 100 TIMES BY BEES NEAR ARIZONA MOUNTAIN SUMMIT, AIRLIFTED IN CRITICAL CONDITION Mark Nagi, a spokesperson for TDOT, provided a series of updates on X. "The ramp from I-40 East to Henley Street is currently closed," his first post began. "A truck carrying a load of bees crashed, and now the bees have escaped and are swarming the area." The affected part of the highway later reopened as the truck driver and beekeepers worked to contain the swarm. HIGHWAY SHUT DOWN AFTER WASTE TRUCK CARRYING DEAD BIRD FLU DUCKS CRASHES IN NORTHERN INDIANA "The ramp from I-40 East to Henley Street is back open but the truck is destroyed and the bees are… well… buzzing," one of Nagi's follow-up posts read. "Unless you are dressed in this outfit please stay in your vehicles in this area," he wrote alongside a photo of man in a beekeeper's outfit. In a statement to Fox News Digital Nagi, confirmed that there were no injuries reported as a result of the crash. "Fortunately, there were no injuries. The truck was removed, and the bees were safely moved out of the area," he wrote. Similar incidents involving escaped bees have occurred in the past, including a crash involving a semitrailer that released millions of bees onto an interstate, underscoring the risks tied to transporting large numbers of hives. Officials did not say what caused the crash, but said the bees were eventually contained and removed, bringing an unusual highway shutdown to an end. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e29180d8d5dabda396c3d5 FIFA Host Committee, NJ Transit say plan for World Cup at MetLife Stadium will be a success amid $150 trains te 2026-04-17T20:01:04.361Z FIFA Host Committee, NJ Transit say plan for World Cup at MetLife Stadium will be a success amid $150 trains As fans may have to pay $150 to travel to World Cup games at MetLife Stadium this summer, FIFA believes NJ Transit's "Regional Stadium Mobility Plan" will be a success. The FIFA World Cup 2026 New York New Jersey Host Committee and NJ Transit announced the plan on Friday, with the price of getting to MetLife Stadium being the hottest topic, along with bans on parking at the stadium. But Alex Lasry, the CEO of the Host Committee, said the plan is "built with safety and responsibility at its core." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "(We are) ensuring that every fan, worker, and resident can move throughout the region securely during the tournament. It reflects years of planning and coordination across our transportation partners, and we’re incredibly grateful for their collaboration," Lasry said in a release. "Our focus is on delivering a clear, reliable experience for matchgoers while minimizing disruption and helping residents navigate the increased demand the tournament will bring. We want to ensure the World Cup is an enjoyable experience across our entire region, while showing the world everything New York New Jersey has to offer."  New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill and FIFA exchanged blows about the ticket prices, with Sherrill imploring FIFA to pay for fans to attend the games. "Our administration inherited an agreement where FIFA is providing $0 for transportation to the World Cup — zero. That leaves New Jersey Transit with a $48 million bill to safely get 40,000 fans to and from every game," Sherrill said in a video. "At the same time, FIFA is making $11 billion off of this World Cup and charging fans up to $10,000 for a single ticket for the final." FIFA FIRES BACK AT NEW JERSEY GOV MIKIE SHERRILL OVER DEMAND TO PAY FOR WORLD CUP TRANSIT TICKETS "I won't stick New Jersey's commuters with that tab for years to come — that's not fair. So here's the bottom line: FIFA should pay for the rides, but if they don't, I'm not going to let New Jersey commuters get taken for one." FIFA said it was "quite surprised" at Sherrill's unprecedented "approach." "FIFA World Cup will bring millions of fans to North America along with related economic impact. Many fans will travel to NYNJ to enjoy the eight matches scheduled. FIFA is not aware of any other major event previously held at NYNJ Stadium, including other major sports, global concert tours, etc., where organizers were required to pay for fan transportation," it said. The first game played at MetLife Stadium will be June 13, and it will host eight matches, including the final on July 19. Under the section "What Fans Should Expect" in its release, NJ Transit and the Host Committee said that "travel will look different from a typical day," and those not attending games should avoid nonessential travel on match days. Some won't have a choice, as service out of New York Penn Station to New Jersey will be halted on match days beginning four hours before game time. The World Cup begins on June 12 in Los Angeles on FOX. 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/69e29158d8d5dabda396c3ba Forest Service plan to close research stations stokes fear as wildfire season approaches te 2026-04-17T20:00:24.045Z Forest Service plan to close research stations stokes fear as wildfire season approaches Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e28f29d8d5dabda396c36e Arizona’s next economic chapter depends on moving what we build te 2026-04-17T19:51:05.042Z Arizona’s next economic chapter depends on moving what we build Tony Lydon For more than three decades working in industrial real estate and supply chain logistics, I have seen one principle hold true in every successful market: strong economies are built on the ability to move goods efficiently. That sounds simple. It is not. Every product we rely on — building materials for homes, components for advanced manufacturing, goods on store shelves — depends on a system that works quietly in the background. When that system is strong, growth follows. When it is strained, everything becomes more expensive, less reliable and harder to sustain. Arizona is approaching that inflection point. Our state has spent decades making deliberate decisions to build a competitive economy. We have invested in higher education and embraced pro-growth policies. Arizona now competes nationally for advanced manufacturing, logistics and investment. But success creates pressure. Today, metro Phoenix has become a major hub for manufacturing and distribution in the western United States. Companies that once clustered in California are expanding here. Supply chains increasingly run through Arizona. That growth is not theoretical; it is already happening. And it is placing strain on how we move freight. We can debate individual projects. We can discuss location and community impacts. Those are fair conversations. But Arizona’s logistics network is running nearly at capacity. Standing still carries real consequences for a growing state like ours. If freight demand accelerates without corresponding investment in infrastructure, the consequences are predictable. More trucks on already burdened highways. Higher transportation costs embedded in housing and groceries. And a gradual erosion of the advantages that have made Arizona competitive. That is the context in which projects like BNSF’s Logistics Park Phoenix in the West Valley should be evaluated. From a supply chain perspective, facilities of this scale are foundational. They connect regions to national and global trade networks and give manufacturers confidence that goods can move reliably and cost-effectively. There is a reason similar facilities in places like Chicago, Kansas City, and Dallas-Fort Worth have attracted billions in investment. They expand capacity, improve efficiency and signal that a region is serious about competing. Arizona now has a similar opportunity – one equivalent to the economic impact of seven Super Bowls annually. That does not mean concerns about traffic, infrastructure or community impact should be dismissed. Large-scale projects require planning, transparency and enforceable commitments. Success depends on getting those details right, particularly around roads, utilities and the impacts on surrounding communities. But those are challenges to solve, not reasons to stand still. Throughout my career, I have worked with companies making location decisions across North America. One factor consistently rises to the top: confidence in infrastructure. If a region fails to show it can move goods efficiently today and into the future, it becomes harder to attract employers that create high-quality jobs and sustained growth. Regions that recognize the importance of opportunities like this benefit for generations. Those that hesitate often find themselves trying to catch up. The conversation in the West Valley should not be framed as growth versus no growth. Arizona will continue to grow. Goods will continue to move. The real choice is whether our growth is supported by modern, efficient infrastructure or constrained by a system which cannot meet demand. From where I sit, the path forward is clear. If Arizona intends to remain competitive and continue attracting investment, we need to ensure our logistics infrastructure keeps pace with our ambitions. That is not about one company or one project. It is about whether we are prepared to build the next chapter of Arizona’s economy or allow it to be defined by the limits of yesterday’s infrastructure. Tony Lydon has spent more than 30 years advising industrial users, developers, and investors on supply chain strategy and logistics-driven economic growth. The post Arizona’s next economic chapter depends on moving what we build first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e28efed8d5dabda396c336 How Republicans in Congress could fully fund ICE for years to come — and maybe do more te 2026-04-17T19:50:22.555Z How Republicans in Congress could fully fund ICE for years to come — and maybe do more Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e28ca7d8d5dabda396c2c6 Arizona Republicans want to give individual legislators power to order arrests te 2026-04-17T19:40:23.412Z Arizona Republicans want to give individual legislators power to order arrests Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e288abd8d5dabda396c1ff White House reviewing cases of missing, dead scientists for possible links as 11th person identified te 2026-04-17T19:23:23.088Z White House reviewing cases of missing, dead scientists for possible links as 11th person identified White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Friday that the Trump administration is working with federal agencies and the FBI to review a growing number of cases involving American scientists who have gone missing or died and to determine whether any of the cases may be connected. "In light of the recent and legitimate questions about these troubling cases, and President Trump’s commitment to the truth, the White House is actively working with all relevant agencies and the FBI to holistically review all of the cases together and identify any potential commonalities that may exist," Leavitt said in a post on X. "No stone will be unturned in this effort, and the White House will provide updates when we have them." Leavitt’s statement came after a Wednesday exchange with Fox News' Peter Doocy, who asked whether federal authorities were investigating reports that scientists with access to sensitive U.S. research had gone missing or died. MOST SHOCKING EXAMPLES OF CHINESE ESPIONAGE UNCOVERED BY THE US THIS YEAR: 'JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG' "There are now 10 American scientists who have either gone missing or died since mid-2024," Doocy said. "They all reportedly had access to classified nuclear or aerospace material. Is anybody investigating this to see if these things are connected?" Leavitt said at the time that she had seen the reports but had not yet spoken with the relevant agencies. "I've seen the report, Peter. I haven't spoken to our relevant agencies about it," she said Wednesday. "I will certainly do that and we'll get you an answer. If true, of course, that's definitely something I think this government and administration would deem worth looking into." The number of cases has since grown, with an 11th scientist now included among the deaths and disappearances involving people tied to U.S. military, nuclear and aerospace research. Amy Eskridge, a Huntsville, Alabama-based researcher who died in 2022 at age 34, is now being included in the list, Fox News Digital has reported. Her death has drawn renewed attention as at least 10 other recent cases involving people tied to advanced research fields have raised questions about whether there may be a pattern. CHINESE RESEARCHER ON US VISA CHARGED WITH SMUGGLING E. COLI INTO THE COUNTRY, FBI DIRECTOR KASH PATEL SAYS President Donald Trump said Thursday he had "just left a meeting" on the issue and vowed answers within days, calling the situation "pretty serious." "I hope it’s random, but we’re going to know in the next week and a half," Trump said. The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration said it is aware of the reports and is looking into the matter. "NNSA is aware of reports related to employees of our labs, plants, and sites and is looking into the matter," the agency said in a statement. Officials have not confirmed any connection between the cases. But the timing of the deaths and disappearances, along with the individuals’ ties to advanced research fields, has drawn public attention and speculation. There is no publicly available evidence linking Eskridge’s death to the other cases, and authorities have not indicated any tie between her work and the circumstances of her death. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e28897d8d5dabda396c1f6 Former NYPD officer who fatally threw cooler at fleeing suspect granted bail during appeal of conviction te 2026-04-17T19:23:03.634Z Former NYPD officer who fatally threw cooler at fleeing suspect granted bail during appeal of conviction A former New York City police officer, sentenced to three to nine years in prison for fatally throwing a cooler at a fleeing suspect, will be released from prison while he appeals his conviction. Erik Duran was granted $300,000 bail by a state appeals court in a ruling on Friday, the New York Post reported. "I am very pleased to announce that the SBA’s team of attorneys has secured bail for Erik Duran, and he will be released from prison and remain free throughout his appeal," Sergeants Benevolent Association president Vincent Vallelong said in a statement. "This is a major win for Erik and his family and for law enforcement officers around the country!" Vallelong added. GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE VOWS TO PARDON COP CONVICTED OF MANSLAUGHTER IN DEATH OF FLEEING SUSPECT Duran's attorney, Arthur Aidala, told Fox Digital that it was no surprise that their client was released. "We are very pleased but not surprised that the Appellate Division found that there are legitimate appellate issues in Sgt Duran's case," Aidala said. "It was obvious to the Court that he is not a flight risk nor a danger to the community and was entitled to be at home with his family during pendency of the appeal." Duran, 38, a married father of three, was convicted of manslaughter in February for the August 2023 death of Eric Duprey. Duprey was attempting to flee arrest on a moped during an undercover drug sting in the Bronx when Duran chucked an Igloo cooler at him, causing him to crash onto the pavement. He died instantly. Duran maintained he was trying to protect other officers from Duprey, who was operating the motorized bike on a sidewalk. During sentencing, Bronx Judge Guy Mitchell said the punishment would serve as a "general deterrent" to other officers from acting recklessly. He rejected Duran’s defense that his actions were justified, concluding that the former officer threw the cooler because he was upset that Duprey was fleeing. "They had enough to investigate and catch him on a different day," Mitchell said of the police. "The distinction is that the deceased will no longer be seen again by his family." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e28884d8d5dabda396c1ed Greg Olsen's advice for NFL Draft first-round picks on handling high expectations te 2026-04-17T19:22:44.081Z Greg Olsen's advice for NFL Draft first-round picks on handling high expectations The 2026 NFL Draft is less than a week away, and prospects from all over are hoping to hear their names called, especially on Thursday night in the first round. Having the "first-round pick" tag next to your name in the NFL is a rite of passage – teams believed you were worthy enough for their top slot, hoping you can be an immediate impact player for the franchise. But that pick also comes with high expectations – the player is expected to perform right away and do so with Pro Bowl and All-Pro nods along the way. It can be hard for those rookies, as they’re trying to get acclimated to the speed and physicality the NFL has compared to college football. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Greg Olsen, the three-time Pro Bowl tight end and FOX Sports NFL analyst, was once in that position being the 31st overall pick of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. And while he knows that each situation is different depending on the franchise the prospect lands with, the expectations are the same – fans want to see you perform. So, how does one deal with that? NFL ROOKIES BROUGHT TO TEARS AFTER SURPRISE VIDEOS, SIGNED JERSEYS FROM TOM BRADY AND OTHER FOOTBALL LEGENDS "Handle your business, be a great teammate," Olsen told Fox News Digital, while also discussing how he’s taking his analyst duties to the next level with NFL IQ. "Earn the trust of your teammates, earn the trust of your coaches first and foremost. Because, at the end of the day, if you play well and the guys in that locker room believe in you and you continue to get opportunities, the fan support will come. As the team wins and you play well, all of that takes care of itself." For Olsen, he recalled thinking perhaps the New York Jets or Carolina Panthers would take him in the first round after a successful career at Miami. But, when the Jets traded up to nab first-ballot Hall of Famer Darrelle Revis, and the Panthers later selected his Hurricanes teammate, linebacker Jon Beason, he didn’t know what was happening. That’s the beauty of the NFL Draft, though, as the Bears took him despite Olsen not really interacting with their staff during the pre-draft process. In today’s NFL Draft world, Olsen understands the information these prospects have is much more vast. In turn, fans have the same knowledge given the world of social media, and how reports, mock drafts and expert analysis shapes their understanding of how front offices think during this exciting time of the football season. With that, comes a challenge Olsen knows he didn’t have to deal with as a rookie, but these first-round picks next week will have to weather that storm. "In today’s day and age where everyone is so worried about outside opinion, they’re so worried about articles being written and social media and what’s being posted, you could lose track of, ‘Well, while you’re worried about that, you’re not taking care of home base.’ I think it’s more challenging today than 20 years ago when I came into the league, but I think that’s something guys have to hunker down and understand it’s not easy, but you control you and typically things fall into place," Olsen said. Olsen added it will be a "very complex, stressful day" for all those involved next week, but first-round pick or not, it’s the fulfillment of a life-long dream. That’s all that matters. "You hear your name get called and a life-long dream, something you’re excited to embark on, became real. I got drafted by one of the premier franchises in all of football, coming off a Super Bowl appearance a couple months earlier. It was a really great place to start my NFL career," he said. INSIDE THE FRONT OFFICE MIND While Olsen enjoyed 14 years in the NFL, his next chapter of the game is providing keen analysis for FOX Sports broadcasts during the year. To help him do that in the offseason while looking at the NFL Draft and free agency pickups by each franchise, Olsen has been using NFL IQ, the new interactive hub created by the league and AWS (Amazon Web Services), powered by Amazon Quick. Ahead of the draft, NFL IQ transformed raw data from the NFL Combine, as well as team needs, free agency moves made and more, for this hub that provides fans access to key insights and puts them in the shoes of front office decision makers. Whether it’s the casual fan or a top analyst like Olsen, NFL IQ is an easy-to-use way to deepen football knowledge, especially at a crucial roster-building time like the draft is. "This is the most educated fan base in NFL history, and I think that’s a good thing," Olsen said. "Fans actually have a way to access the exact same data, the exact same information that the teams and everyone are using for their own interest, whether it’s something casual or for people who really want to dive into the nitty gritty. I think it’s a really fun set of tools for the wide array of people who touch the NFL space. I know firsthand as a fan, and now a professional in the industry, it’s a huge part of my interaction of the game." 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/69e28870d8d5dabda396c1e4 Daughter of missing American in Bahamas says Brian Hooker using mother's illness as 'excuse' to leave country te 2026-04-17T19:22:24.211Z Daughter of missing American in Bahamas says Brian Hooker using mother's illness as 'excuse' to leave country The daughter of the American woman missing in The Bahamas says she thinks Brian Hooker is using his mother's illness as an "excuse" to leave the island nation after he spent five days in a Freeport jail. Karli Aylesworth told Fox News Digital on Friday that Hooker's mother has been "terminally ill for a while." Hooker abruptly left The Bahamas on Wednesday after saying he would remain in the country to search for his missing wife, Aylesworth's mother, Lynette. He was released from a Bahamian jail on Monday night after five days behind bars, and made that promise in interviews with news outlets on Tuesday morning. "He wants to continue with the search for his wife, because that is his main focus," his attorney, Terrel Butler, told Fox News Digital on Tuesday. "So as long as he can remain in the Bahamas, he'll remain in the Bahamas." FRIEND OF BRIAN HOOKER SPEAKS OUT, QUESTIONS DISAPPEARANCE OF WOMAN IN BAHAMAS MYSTERY But about 24 hours later, Hooker changed his mind. "Following his release from custody without charge, Mr. Hooker is now facing another emergency. In addition to the trauma of his wife of 25 years being missing, Mr. Hooker has received urgent word of his mother’s grave illness," Butler told NBC News on Wednesday afternoon. "He has traveled to [the] United States of America to be at her bedside during this critical time." Butler did not say where in the U.S. Hooker was going, but a source familiar with the case told Fox News Digital he landed in Atlanta. COAST GUARD OPENS CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION INTO MISSING WOMAN LAST SEEN IN BAHAMAS Aylesworth, who arrived in The Bahamas on Thursday, has been critical of her stepfather since her mother Lynette went missing. "I think it shows his character. He somehow lost my mom at sea and cries on camera saying he’ll never stop searching, then leaves the next day," Aylesworth told the New York Post upon her arrival to the town of Marsh Harbour, close to where her mother went missing. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB Hooker abandoned the couple's 40-foot sailboat, called "Soulmate," anchored near a marina in Marsh Harbour. The New York Post snapped close-up photos of the idle boat. Immediately following Lynette's disappearance, Aylesworth told Fox News Digital she was aware of "prior issues" with Brian's behavior. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X "There have been prior issues brought to my attention, which may be important for any thorough investigation. If this truly was an accident, I can understand and live with it," Aylesworth said. "However, there needs to be an intensive review of the facts and circumstances of this tragic incident before that can be determined." SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER She also told "Fox and Friends" that something "doesn't add up" with her mother's disappearance, and accused Brian of having a "history of domestic violence" and anger issues. Hooker says Lynette's disappearance was an accident caused by high wind and rough seas. The pair left The Abaco Inn bar on Elbow Cay in their dinghy at dusk on April 4, headed to their anchored sailboat just off the cay's western coast. The ride was a short one, but Brian said Lynette fell overboard in the choppy waters. He has always maintained that he is innocent of wrongdoing, and has not been charged with a crime. He spent five days in jail — the maximum allowable under Bahamian law — while police investigated. That investigation remains ongoing despite his release. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e28848d8d5dabda396c1d3 Optimism Rises for Iran Talks, but Hard Work Awaits te 2026-04-17T19:21:44.109Z Optimism Rises for Iran Talks, but Hard Work Awaits President Trump said the process of clinching a final peace deal with Iran would now “go very quickly.” But analysts called that unlikely. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e28834d8d5dabda396c1ca Federal Appeals Court Opens Door to Moving Trans Inmates Under Trump Gender Order te 2026-04-17T19:21:24.330Z Federal Appeals Court Opens Door to Moving Trans Inmates Under Trump Gender Order A three-judge panel gave a group of 17 transgender women a few weeks to seek further recourse in court before their transfer to men’s facilities could take effect. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e28820d8d5dabda396c1c1 Prosecutor Withdraws From Trump Team’s Investigation of Ex-CIA Director John O. Brennan te 2026-04-17T19:21:04.527Z Prosecutor Withdraws From Trump Team’s Investigation of Ex-CIA Director John O. Brennan A career Justice Department lawyer, Maria Medetis Long, in Miami is said to have raised concerns about whether the evidence justified moving forward with a bid to prosecute John O. Brennan. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2880cd8d5dabda396c1b4 Katie Hobbs sitting on $7.2M war chest, outraising both GOP challengers combined six to one te 2026-04-17T19:20:44.717Z Katie Hobbs sitting on $7.2M war chest, outraising both GOP challengers combined six to one Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e287f4d8d5dabda396c198 Sources: Cursor in talks to raise $2B+ at $50B valuation as enterprise growth surges te 2026-04-17T19:20:20.451Z Sources: Cursor in talks to raise $2B+ at $50B valuation as enterprise growth surges Returning backers a16z and Thrive are expected to lead the round. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2858cd8d5dabda396c136 Green card holders at risk as feds seek deportation shortcut at SCOTUS te 2026-04-17T19:10:04.449Z Green card holders at risk as feds seek deportation shortcut at SCOTUS Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2835bd8d5dabda396c0c3 Garret Anderson, who helped lead Angels to their lone World Series title, dead at 53 te 2026-04-17T19:00:43.229Z Garret Anderson, who helped lead Angels to their lone World Series title, dead at 53 The Los Angeles Angels announced that their former star outfielder Garret Anderson has died at the age of 53. A three-time All-Star, Anderson is in the conversation for the greatest Angel in franchise history, nearing the top of the leaderboard in many stats. "Garret will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Angels fans for his professionalism, class, and loyalty throughout his career and beyond," the team said in a social media post. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to the entire Anderson family." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Anderson made his MLB debut with the California Angels in 1994 and finished second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting the following season. He earned his first All-Star nod in 2002, the same year as the Angels' lone title. From 2002 to 2005, Anderson was named to all three of his All-Star Games, leading the majors with 56 doubles in 2002 and the American League in that same category with 49. That 2002 season was his best, as he hit .304 with an .871 OPS to finish fourth in the AL MVP vote behind Miguel Tejada, Alex Rodriguez, and Alfonso Soriano. MIKE TROUT'S TORRID ANGELS SERIES VS YANKEES ENDS IN HISTORIC FASHION AFTER HE BLASTS FIFTH HOME RUN Anderson stayed with the Angels until the 2008 season before spending the 2009 season with the Atlanta Braves. He returned to Southern California in 2010 but with the Dodgers. Anderson was a career .293 hitter with a .785 OPS in his 17-year career. He racked up 2,529 hits, 287 home runs, and 1,365 RBIs. He recorded at least one hit in each game of their seven-game Fall Classic victory against the San Francisco Giants and hit .300 throughout that entire postseason. Perhaps the biggest hit of his career was his three-run double in Game 7 of that World Series, which made the score 4-1 Angels in the bottom of the third inning. That score would be the final. He won the Home Run Derby in 2003 and was named that midsummer classic's Most Valuable Player. He is the franchise leader in hits, RBIs, doubles, and games played. His .296 average with the team is also the third-highest behind Vladimir Guerrero and Rod Carew, and he is second in runs with 1,024, behind only Mike Trout. Anderson was twice named a Silver Slugger and was inducted into the team's Hall of Fame in 2016. 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/69e2818fd8d5dabda396c07a Coconino County confirms two more measles cases, bringing total to four te 2026-04-17T18:53:03.726Z Coconino County confirms two more measles cases, bringing total to four Anyone who may have been exposed should watch for symptoms developing for 21 days after the exposure. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e28168d8d5dabda396c06b ‘Independent’ candidate for governor survives legal challenges te 2026-04-17T18:52:24.019Z ‘Independent’ candidate for governor survives legal challenges Key Points:  No Labels candidate Hugh Lytle survives legal challenge, secures spot on ballot Litigation over signatures and petition circulators, incorrect address fail Lytle must now make it through primary to face off against Hobbs and a GOP candidate for governor Hugh Lytle has survived several legal challenges to his candidacy and his party’s name, meaning Arizonans may soon have a chance to vote for an independent candidate for governor. Lytle, a health care executive who entered the race in January, is running as a No Labels party — formerly the Arizona Independent Party — candidate, and said he’s ready to focus on the road ahead now that he will officially appear on the ballot. “We feel like common sense prevailed,” Lytle said of the legal challenges to his candidacy. “We’ve had to take a lot of daggers to get here, and we’re finally here. So now I’m ready to get going and compete.” Lytle faced two challenges to his candidacy, with one headed to the Arizona Supreme Court on appeal.  One lawsuit asserts Lytle’s decision to put down a business address on his petition sheets, as opposed to his actual residential address, was fatal to his candidacy. Another sought to strike him from the ballot over failure to secure enough signatures.  Lytle faced a claim from elector Craig Beckman, represented by Austin Yost and Bo Dul of Coppersmith Brockelman, a law firm with past work for Gov. Katie Hobbs.  State law requires candidates to put down their actual residence address. Alternatively, if a person does not have an actual address, they can provide a description and post office address. And if a candidates’ address is protected under state law, they can include a post office box or private mailbox address.  Yost argued Lytle failed to comply with state law by listing his business address.  In arguments on April 13, Yost argued that by doing so, Lytle deprived voters of information, and, if Judge Michael Mandell let the address switch slide, it would “eviscerate the framework the legislature has created.”  “He has a $7 million Scottsdale mansion, and he tried to hide that from voters,” Yost said. “Our position is that he was misleading electors by doing that and by verifying under penalty of perjury that that information was accurate when it wasn’t.” Mandell asked if it would matter if he had a $300,000 house instead. Yost said no, but added that the information still mattered to the voters and the Legislature.  “A candidate for statewide office could pluck any Arizona address out of the air and place that on their nomination paper and nomination petition sheets,” Yost said. “That cannot be the law because it would turn these requirements into a dead letter.”  Andrew Pappas, representing Lytle, stressed the address he used had been his private mailbox for 12 years, and he argued the Legislature truly aimed to ensure a candidate lives in the jurisdiction they seek to represent.  “Mr. Lytle, undisputedly, has resided in Arizona for 29 years. He is seeking statewide office. He has lived in Scottsdale throughout the entire relevant period,” Pappas said.  Mandell determined that, although Lytle should have included his residential address, he did not substantially mislead voters.  “No evidence in the record suggests that signers were confused about who was seeking nomination or about whether he had met the residency requirements for Governor,” Mandell wrote.  The case is now heading to the Arizona Supreme Court for final say. Yost and Dul, on behalf of Beckman, filed a notice of appeal on April 16.  Teri Hourihan, Lytle’s gubernatorial primary opponent, also sued, claiming 4,748 of the 6,013 signatures he submitted failed given invalid signatures and the use of circulators with past felony convictions. But at an evidentiary hearing, Hourihan could not prove circulators alleged to be felons had any criminal record severe enough to discount the signatures collected.  She primarily relied on TruthFinder, an online database of public records, to support her allegations, but Hourihan could not prove arrest or criminal charges resulting in felony conviction.  “Lots of people are arrested for many different things,” Mandell said. “It doesn’t mean they were convicted of a felony.” James Smith, attorney for Lytle, declined to put up a defense, claiming Hourihan had failed to meet her burden. “My client has spent an incredible amount of money to chase down ghosts,” Smith said. In addition to the legal challenges to Lytle’s candidacy, the Arizona Republican and Democratic Parties successfully sued to force his party, the Arizona Independent Party, to change its name back to the No Labels Party. Lytle maintains that the party should be able to call itself whatever it wants, but that the name change kerfuffle won’t negatively impact his candidacy. “My candidacy is not defined by a label or party name, it’s ironically, No Labels,” Lytle said.  In his first campaign finance report of his candidacy, Lytle reported over $36,000 in individual contributions. He also contributed $1 million of his own funds to the campaign.  “I’ve got a lot of interest and a lot of support in the community, but … I’m not someone who feels right asking people for contributions if I’m not officially on the ballot,” Lytle said of his quarter one fundraising numbers.  Hourihan, meanwhile, is close to $6,000 in debt. In the first quarter, she raised about $17,772, though $17,500 came from her own pocket. She spent $26,105.  For comparison, Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs brought in over $2 million in donations in quarter one. Congressman Andy Biggs, who is widely-viewed as the frontrunner in the Republican primary for governor, raised around $855,000 during the first few months of the year.  Lytle and Hourihan will face off in the No Labels primary on July 21. The winner will take on Hobbs and the winner of the Republican gubernatorial primary.  “This is the way it should be,” Lytle said. “We should be competitive and not have parties blocking people out and doing maneuvers and using courts and so forth to discourage what is an already big task and hard thing to step in and lead and do. So I mean, I look forward to that challenge.” The post ‘Independent’ candidate for governor survives legal challenges first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e28151d8d5dabda396c047 Dana White's boxing outfit makes splash Conor Benn signing in Las Vegas amid WrestleMania week te 2026-04-17T18:52:01.320Z Dana White's boxing outfit makes splash Conor Benn signing in Las Vegas amid WrestleMania week Dana White’s boxing outfit made a splash signing on Friday in the midst of WrestleMania week in Las Vegas. Conor Benn agreed to a multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing just days after appearing on Netflix against Regis Prograis as part of the co-main event with Tyson Fury and Arslanbek Makhmudov. Benn defeated Prograis via unanimous decision and moved to 24-1 in his career. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Benn suggested that UFC President Dana White and WWE President Nick Khan were big reasons why he decided to join Zuffa Boxing. UFC, WWE and Zuffa Boxing are properties under TKO Group Holdings. "When you look at what he’s done with UFC and what Nick Khan has done with WWE, it’s absolutely phenomenal," he said. "I plan on taking over and it’s absolutely a privilege for me to be a part of that journey." Benn is the mandatory challenger for Ryan Garcia’s WBC welterweight title. The two have been speculated to fight at some point during the summer. WWE'S WRESTLEMANIA 41 GENERATED HISTORIC ECONOMIC NUMBERS FOR LAS VEGAS, TKO GROUP SAYS "Ultimately, you want to give the fans the biggest fight, the biggest night, that’s possible," he told Fox News Digital. An American audience may want to get ready for Benn’s rise to the top. He vowed that he will be the reason why fight fans will get the biggest bang for their buck. "Conor Benn is an exciting boxer, who likes to give people value for their money," he said. Benn’s only loss came against Chris Eubank Jr. last April, via unanimous decision. But he got revenge on Eubank in November with his own unanimous decision win. Benn has 14 knockout victories under his belt and will certainly be looking for more. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2813dd8d5dabda396c03e WNBA team's public relations staff shuts down reporter's question about players' relationship te 2026-04-17T18:51:41.356Z WNBA team's public relations staff shuts down reporter's question about players' relationship One year after selecting Paige Bueckers with the first overall pick, the Dallas Wings had the No. 1 pick again in this week's WNBA Draft, and they selected fellow UConn alum Azzi Fudd. The selection is much more than just an on-court improvement, however — last summer, Bueckers confirmed that she and Fudd were a couple. The two have been relatively quiet about their relationship, prompting Kevin Sherrington, a Dallas Morning News columnist, to ask Fudd in her introductory press conference if they were still an item. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM On the precipice of that question, Sherrington also asked Fudd if she and Bueckers would talk to "other couples in the league about how they negotiate that dynamic as pro teammates." Fudd was not given a chance to answer, as a staffer for the Wings public relations team butted in. "I understand why you have to ask that question, but we're going to respectfully decline from commenting on players' personal lives," the staffer said. Sherrington placed blame on the Wings in a column. SPARKS STAR CAMERON BRINK SHOWS OFF TONED ABS AT COACHELLA AHEAD OF HIGHLY ANTICIPATED WNBA SEASON "Refusing to acknowledge whether players are still in a relationship after one of them went public about it a year ago suggests they’ve done something wrong, feeding an ugly narrative. What are we afraid of here? What are we saying when we try to hide something already out in the open?" he wrote. "If anyone’s at fault here, it’s the Wings, who invited the obvious question by drafting Fudd when they had other options, then acted as if they were covering for something that didn’t need hiding. Bueckers and Fudd didn’t deserve this. No matter what their status from here on out, I wish them better luck." Players in the WNBA have dated each other as both teammates and opponents. Notably, Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley got married while playing with the Chicago Sky. It's unknown how long Fudd and Bueckers have, or had, been dating, but at the very least, they were teammates from 2021 up until last April, when Bueckers was drafted. But they have now reunited. The duo played in two national championship games together, winning last year's — Bueckers joined the school one year prior to Fudd. 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/69e28129d8d5dabda396c035 UPS plane aborts landing in near miss at same airport where November crash killed 15 te 2026-04-17T18:51:21.901Z UPS plane aborts landing in near miss at same airport where November crash killed 15 A UPS cargo jet aborted its landing Tuesday at a Kentucky airport to avoid another aircraft on the runway, according to reports, marking a close call at the same airport where a deadly crash occurred months earlier. An air traffic controller could be heard shouting, "What are you doing?" in audio of the incident, according to FOX 43. The Boeing 767, identified as UPS Flight 1303, was arriving from Atlanta when it was ordered to perform a go-around at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport early Tuesday morning while a smaller aircraft was on the runway, the outlet reported. Audio of the exchange captures the controller urgently instructing the smaller aircraft, identified as Skylab 25, to stop before directing the UPS jet to go around. SOUTHWEST PILOT ABORTS HOLLYWOOD BURBANK LANDING BECAUSE RUNWAY 'WASN'T QUITE CLEAR': REPORT "Two-Five, stop!" the controller yelled, according to FOX 43. "SkyLab Two-Five, what are you doing?" A UPS spokesperson told WHAS11 the aircraft "safely conducted a go around" during its approach and that there was no operational impact or injuries. UPS spokesperson Michelle Polk said the maneuver — in which a plane discontinues its descent and circles back for another landing attempt — was carried out in line with standard procedure. Flight tracking data from FlightRadar24 shows the aircraft descending to around 500 feet before climbing back to approximately 1,500 feet within a short span, FOX 43 reported. Louisville's UPS Worldport is the company's largest package handling facility in the world. The 5.2 million-square-foot hub serves as the center of UPS’ global air network. NEW IMAGES SHOW FIRE ON DOOMED UPS PLANE DURING TAKEOFF, NTSB REPORT REVEALS HOW ENGINE RIPPED OFF Fox News Digital has reached out to UPS and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for comment. The close call comes just months after a UPS cargo crash at the same airport that killed 15 people. In November 2025, a UPS MD-11 crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all three crew members and 12 people on the ground. National Transportation Safety Board investigators said the plane’s left engine separated shortly after takeoff and caught fire. The aircraft reached only about 30 feet above ground before crashing. Surveillance footage showed the engine detaching from the wing before impact. Investigators found structural cracks in the engine mount that likely led to failure. UPS grounded its fleet of McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft following the crash, while the FAA ordered inspections and repairs for the model. In a separate incident Thursday near Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, a small propeller plane landed in a field. Both people aboard were uninjured, according to WKYT. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e28116d8d5dabda396c02c WATCH: Illegal street racing 'takeover' explodes as hundreds swarm streets and suspects bolt te 2026-04-17T18:51:02.448Z WATCH: Illegal street racing 'takeover' explodes as hundreds swarm streets and suspects bolt Chaotic video shows the moment hordes of young street racers descended upon a Georgia intersection in the middle of the night last weekend, wreaking havoc and disturbing neighbors in the latest illegal "takeover" plaguing communities across the country.  Officers with the Atlanta Police Department were dispatched to the intersection of James Jackson Parkway and Bolton Road around 1:30 a.m. Sunday over reports of street racers "driving recklessly, blocking the roadway from citizen motorists, laying drag and performing illegal drifting maneuvers, also known as ‘donuts,’" authorities said in a statement.  Upon arriving on scene, officers discovered a "large gathering" of approximately 200 individuals gathered in the intersection. VIDEO SHOWS AFTERMATH OF VIOLENT NEIGHBORHOOD STREET TAKEOVER THAT LEFT COUPLE BATTERED IN 'PLANNED ATTACK' Surveillance video shared by the department shows various cars speeding by as the massive crowd gathered in the street to record the chaos on their cellphones.  GOT A TIP? As officers attempted to break up the event, several individuals fled the scene on foot and in vehicles. FOLLOW US ON X  Body camera video revealed the moment officers pursued one individual on foot, as additional officers conducted traffic stops involving two vehicles nearby, the department said.  "You better stop before I Tase you," the officer can be heard yelling as the suspect ran into a neighboring residential area. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL The individual was subsequently detained and taken into custody.  Following the incident, 18 individuals between the ages of 17 and 25 were arrested, according to authorities. A 15-year-old juvenile was also issued multiple citations stemming from the alleged street racing. CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS Authorities also recovered multiple firearms in the search, and both vehicles involved in the traffic stop were impounded.  "The Atlanta Police Department extends its appreciation to the Georgia State Patrol for their continued partnership and assistance," the department said in a statement. "Illegal street racing will not be tolerated in the City of Atlanta; Individuals engaging in this activity will be arrested, charged, and have their vehicles impounded." The Atlanta Police Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e280ecd8d5dabda396c005 “Tokenmaxxing” is making developers less productive than they think te 2026-04-17T18:50:20.530Z “Tokenmaxxing” is making developers less productive than they think There's a lot more code—but it's a lot more expensive and requires a lot more rewriting. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e27c98d8d5dabda396bf7a Cardinals enter pivotal draft with Ossenfort, LaFleur shaping roster’s future te 2026-04-17T18:31:52.170Z Cardinals enter pivotal draft with Ossenfort, LaFleur shaping roster’s future TEMPE – As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort and first-year coach Mike LaFleur find themselves preparing from two different vantage points.  Since arriving in 2023, Ossenfort’s draft selections have produced mixed results. Players such as Paris Johnson Jr. and Garrett Williams have emerged as foundational pieces, while players such as BJ Ojulari and Darius Robinson have dealt with injuries and inconsistency early in their careers. Marvin Harrison Jr. still hasn’t developed into the game-breaking receiver many envisioned. The uneven production has drawn outside scrutiny as the Cardinals have finished 4-13, 8-9 and 3-14 under Ossenfort, but Arizona remains committed to a long-term roster building approach.  The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, making it a crucial year for Ossenfort coming off of a disappointing season that led to the dismissal of coach Jonathan Gannon and the decision to release quarterback Kyler Murray.  While Ossenfort enters his fourth draft cycle with Arizona, LaFleur is navigating his first year with the franchise. Even with numerous changes over the offseason, Ossenfort said the process has remained consistent. “I think every draft is different,” Ossenfort said. “The players are different, the evaluations are different. But really, the work and the process that we go through … that doesn’t change much.” That consistency has helped guide a front office that has spent more than a year preparing for the draft. Ossenfort credited multiple departments, from college scouting to pro personnel, for laying the groundwork. Still, he acknowledged the uncertainty that defines draft week, including the possibility of dealing picks and moving up or down in a particular round. “A lot of those (trade) discussions don’t happen until Thursday, Friday, Saturday,” Ossenfort said. “Right now, everything is just an idea.” Arizona made the decision earlier this offseason to move on from Murray, who had been the team’s starter for seven seasons, signaling a new direction for the offense. The current quarterback room now includes veterans Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew, offering experience but not necessarily a long-term solution. Holding the No. 3 overall pick gives Arizona several options, whether it’s selecting an elite prospect at that spot or fielding trade offers to move down. But it’s the 34th pick that has gained attention. The Cardinals have been increasingly linked to drafting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. Simpson is a prospect with only 15 starts under his belt but thought to have major upside, as he is coming off of a season with 28 touchdown passes and five interceptions.  Arizona still has a plethora of needs on both sides of the ball, as pass rush and the offensive line are areas where they have consistently struggled. Defensive prospects such as Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese and Texas Tech defensive end David Bailey have been linked to the Cardinals in various mock drafts, aligning with the team’s needs to add speed and physicality to the defensive front. Bailey ended the 2025 college football season tied with Nadame Tucker of the Western Michigan Broncos for the most sacks in the FBS with 14.5. LaFleur has been deeply involved in the evaluation process while simultaneously installing a new offensive system. He said juggling both responsibilities has been a challenge, but emphasized that the organization’s alignment has made the transition smoother. “We’ve had great communication,” LaFleur said. “You’re always part of the draft process as a coach, but now it’s just been double duty.” When it comes to player evaluation, both Ossenfort and LaFleur stressed that traits like competitiveness, intelligence and passion for the game often outweigh measurables or positional value. “You can never go wrong taking the best player,” Ossenfort said. “Who fits this team? Who is about what we’re about?” LaFleur echoed that sentiment, noting that a player’s love for football is often evident both on tape and in conversation. “There’s guys that love the game and guys that just kind of like football,” LaFleur said. The quarterback position remains a focal point, though Ossenfort made it clear the team is comfortable with its current group while remaining open to additions. “Player acquisition never ends,” Ossenfort said. “We’re going to always look to improve every room.” LaFleur added that experience matters, but ultimately, performance will dictate playing time. “If we believe that young guy gives you the best chance, then you’re going to throw him out there,” LaFleur said. As for draft strategy, Ossenfort emphasized adaptability. Whether trading up, trading down, or standing pat, the key is understanding value and being prepared for numerous scenarios. “There’s a lot that goes into it,” Ossenfort said. “If we move back, are we comfortable with the player there? If we move up, what’s the cost?” With preparation nearly complete, both leaders are eager for the process to play out. For LaFleur, one moment still stands above the rest. “You’re changing a dude’s life,” LaFleur said. “That’ll never get old.” The post Cardinals enter pivotal draft with Ossenfort, LaFleur shaping roster’s future appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e27c6dd8d5dabda396bf58 Arizona’s growth is accelerating; zoning clarity needs to keep pace te 2026-04-17T18:31:09.333Z Arizona’s growth is accelerating; zoning clarity needs to keep pace Ali Fakih Phoenix had an estimated 1.67 million residents in 2025, reinforcing its position as the fifth-largest city in the United States and a major driver of regional economic growth.  However, there’s a challenge: Arizona’s increasing population and building needs are moving faster than the systems that approve development. Here’s why this matters, and how zoning clarity can resolve costly issues before they arise. Why zoning clarity matters before a project even begins The nature of the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry is complex, involving many stakeholders and numerous steps. All too often, developers buy land before they’re able to confirm whether the project they’re envisioning will be approved. This happens for a variety of reasons. One is timing. Projects typically must complete an entitlement process that can take six months to a year (or longer), before construction permits can even be requested. In the meantime, developers are evaluating site feasibility and digging into zoning rules that determine what can be built. These early decisions carry significant weight. Developers must assess whether land can support a grocery store, housing development, logistics facility, or another type of project long before they can receive definitive answers from local planning departments. When zoning information is difficult to access or interpret, those early decisions become far more uncertain than they need to be. Development teams are often trying to answer very basic questions early in the process. Is the intended use even permitted on this parcel? How long might a rezoning take? What conditions could affect the project before construction even begins? When those answers are difficult to obtain, teams are forced to make uninformed decisions. Answers often arrive too late in the development process In order to minimize risk, development teams need answers quickly. But there are constraints that make this difficult. While the municipalities do excellent work with the resources available to them, planning departments are facing growing pressure from rising development demand. This is true in Arizona and across the country. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates about 3,400 openings for urban and regional planners each year, many created by retirements or turnover. Local governments broadly report staffing shortages that affect their ability to deliver services such as permitting and development review. With staffing gaps, growing demand for development reviews and extreme regulatory complexity, it’s no wonder that cities are stretched thin. Planning teams are working to balance community oversight, economic development and regulatory compliance, all while responding to a steady stream of new project proposals.  At the same time, development proposals themselves are becoming more complex. Mixed-use projects, infrastructure coordination and community input all add additional layers to the review process. Even well-resourced planning departments are working within systems that were not designed for the pace of growth many cities are experiencing today. The challenge affects far more than developers. Brokers, architects, engineers, lenders and municipal staff all rely on the same information to move projects forward efficiently. Uncertainty creates risk for developers and cities alike This deeply entrenched system, while designed for a reason, creates significant risk for developers. Land has to be purchased, before it is fully clear whether a project will receive approval. Developers have to hire planners, architects, engineers and attorneys, long before the final outcome is known. In some cases, developers may spend substantial time and resources moving a project through early planning and entitlement stages only to learn that zoning limitations prevent the project from moving forward as originally envisioned. Those early investments are rarely small. Engineering studies, architectural plans, legal reviews and feasibility analyses all take time and money. By the time those efforts are complete, a development team may have already committed significant resources simply to determine whether a project can progress. The uncertainty also affects other stakeholders involved in the process, including brokers, lenders and planning staff. When early answers are difficult to obtain, everyone involved spends more time navigating questions that could potentially be resolved much earlier. Upfront insight allows developers to make go or no-go decisions before significant resources are committed. Looking ahead Arizona’s growth is unlikely to slow in the coming years. As new residents arrive and businesses continue expanding in the region, the need for housing, retail, infrastructure and services will only increase. Improving access to zoning information can help everyone involved in the development process make better decisions earlier. When developers understand site feasibility sooner, they can move forward with greater confidence. When planning departments receive clearer proposals from the outset, they can focus their time on reviewing projects that are more likely to succeed. As Arizona continues to grow, clearer pathways from site selection to approval will help ensure that development keeps pace with opportunity. Ali Fakih is a Phoenix-based civil engineer and the CEO of SEG and AIAEC.  The post Arizona’s growth is accelerating; zoning clarity needs to keep pace first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e27c57d8d5dabda396bf31 Democratic lawmaker rages against Trump over war, yells 'f--- his a--!' te 2026-04-17T18:30:47.090Z Democratic lawmaker rages against Trump over war, yells 'f--- his a--!' Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Calif., unloaded on President Donald Trump when asked about the war in Iran, saying "f--- his a--." Kamlager-Dove spoke to Pablo Manríquez — also known as PabloReports on X — of MeidasTouch, about whether she was concerned about the war's impact on the national debt. "Stevie Wonder can even see how much this war is costing us," Kamlager-Dove said. "So, gas prices are going up. It’s almost $10 in California. And fertilizer’s going up. I mean, you name it, prices have gone up. And this dude, Dr. Jesus, OK, is wanting to spend $2 billion of your money every single day rather than help you get healthcare." She then added, "F--- his a--!" HOUSE DEM REVEALS WHY HIS PARTY SHOULD CHALLENGE TRUMP ON IRAN AS GAS PRICES SOAR $1 PER GALLON Late-night host Stephen Colbert showed the clip of Kamlager-Dove during his show on Thursday, and it was met with loud applause. The liberal lawmaker doubled down on the comments on social media, in response to a post that said she had said "f--- him." She wrote, "Correction: I said 'f--- his a--!" Some House Democrats have launched an impeachment effort against Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and have called for invoking the 25th Amendment against Trump over the war. CALIFORNIA CONGRESSWOMAN SURPRISES CNN ANCHOR WITH TAKE ABOUT LA FIRES: 'LOT OF CONSPIRACIES OUT THERE' Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, Trump announced on Thursday, saying the deal was reached following conversations he had with Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel initially said the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran did not apply to Lebanon, and Israeli forces had continued striking Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorists. The U.S. military has continued to enforce a blockade on Iranian ports. U.S. Central Command said Thursday that after the first 72 hours of the blockade, 14 ships turned around to comply with it at the direction of American forces. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE The U.S. is currently in a ceasefire with Iran during Operation Epic Fury, which was launched on Feb. 28. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e27a3bd8d5dabda396bebf Judge warned of 'very concerning' Justin Fairfax behavior weeks before Dem gunned down wife te 2026-04-17T18:21:47.380Z Judge warned of 'very concerning' Justin Fairfax behavior weeks before Dem gunned down wife A Virginia judge expressed concern over the mental state of former Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax while ruling on a child custody case involving two teenage children, commenting on his behavior and isolation. Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge Timothy J. McEvoy detailed these concerns in a March 30 court order involving Fairfax, his estranged wife, and their two children, writing that Fairfax’s "isolation, drinking and lack of participation in family life are manifestations of what seems to be a sense of fatalism and hopelessness," WTOP reported. Fairfax killed his wife, Dr. Cerina Fairfax, and then himself in a shocking murder-suicide early Thursday morning. The two were living under the same roof during ongoing divorce proceedings. The split followed sexual assault allegations made against Fairfax in 2019. HAUNTING NOTE ON VEGAS HOTEL DOOR HINTED AT TRAGEDY BEFORE CHEER MOM, DAUGHTER FOUND DEAD "At that time, [Fairfax] was the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia and was an ascendant political figure who was eyeing a run for Governor. The assault allegations deeply affected [him] and appear to have put an end to those plans," court documents state. Fairfax served as lieutenant governor from 2018 to 2022. In 2019, two women accused him of sexually assaulting them while they were students at Duke University. The killing occurred just days before an April 21 divorce hearing and an April 30 court-ordered deadline for Fairfax to move out of the couple's home. Authorities confirmed that Fairfax had recently been served with paperwork related to the upcoming court hearing. EX-BIDEN STAFFER CLAIMS ACCIDENTAL SHOT KILLED GIRLFRIEND AS DAD BLASTS TOXIC, ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP: REPORT McEvoy's order detailed a 2022 incident in which Fairfax purchased a handgun, which he possessed during a "kind of adverse psychological event." The gun was allegedly purchased with money intended for his children’s horseback riding lessons. At one point, he left his home with the weapon and was found by relatives in a nearby public park "after frantic searching." Fairfax's brother eventually called a mental health professional after being "unable to calm him down over the course of several hours," the judge wrote. According to the New York Post, Fairfax was drinking so heavily that he would lock himself in his home office, living among "empty wine bottles, trash and piles of dirty laundry." The documents allege he would only emerge "long enough to get food or smoke cigarettes." McEvoy noted there was no evidence that Fairfax had sought professional help, but did not order psychological therapy. The judge described the tension in the couple's home life as "extremely high for an extended period of time," noting that their living arrangements were exacerbating the situation. He had ordered Fairfax to move out of the home in Annandale, located outside Washington, D.C. Authorities believe the acrimonious divorce likely played a role in Fairfax's decision to kill his wife before taking his own life. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e27a27d8d5dabda396beb6 State of emergency declared as US warns travelers to reconsider visiting popular getaway te 2026-04-17T18:21:27.852Z State of emergency declared as US warns travelers to reconsider visiting popular getaway Americans are being warned to rethink travel to a sunny Caribbean destination as crime and concerns about terrorism rise.  The U.S. Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago announced Thursday that the U.S. Department of State had updated its travel advisory regarding American tourists. The advisory cautions that Americans should "reconsider travel to Trinidad and Tobago due to crime," citing a "heightened risk of terrorism." 5 DANGEROUS CRUISE PORTS THAT TRAVELERS SHOULD RESEARCH BEFORE BOOKING EXCURSIONS The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service is authorized to search and enter private and public properties while the State of Emergency (SOE), which was declared March 2, remains in effect. Bail is suspended during this time, meaning that anyone arrested for crimes in the country will be unable to leave local custody. Authorities say the order is due to "a spike in violent criminal activity that could threaten public safety." The embassy said that "although violent crime in Trinidad and Tobago has dropped greatly since 2024 due to security efforts started during the previous state of emergencies, crime remains a challenge throughout the country" — adding that crime rates are lower in Tobago than in Trinidad. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ The advisory also states that U.S. government employees are prohibited from entering certain areas of the capital city, Port of Spain, including Laventille, Piccadilly Street and Besson Street. Travelers are advised against entering Beetham, Sea Lots, Cocorite and the interior of Queen's Park Savannah, as well as certain parts of Charlotte Street. At night, Americans are also discouraged from going to any of the beaches in Port of Spain as well as its downtown district, Fort George and Queen's Park Savannah. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Trinidad and Tobago are distinct islands that were merged into a single colony in 1889, during British rule. They stayed unified when they declared independence in 1962. The islands are known for their diving and snorkeling opportunities, as well as their beaches. Trinidad is especially known for its high-energy carnival celebrations. Officials are also advising tourists to exercise increased caution in rural areas due to health risks and limited healthcare access. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES The advisory was discussed in a recent Reddit forum about Trinidad and Tobago, with some locals voicing alarm about the crime situation. "My heart actually feels broken, and I feel a bit hopeless about crime in T&T," one Reddit user wrote. "I am seriously worried about my close family, as it [crime] can hit anyone now." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e27a00d8d5dabda396bea7 How Obama Became a Main Character in Virginia’s Gerrymandering Battle te 2026-04-17T18:20:48.429Z How Obama Became a Main Character in Virginia’s Gerrymandering Battle Democrats may win a vote to give their party more House seats, but they are growing anxious — in part because of dueling TV ads that might confuse voters about where the former president stands. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e279ecd8d5dabda396be9e Standoff Ends Over Teachers’ Union Push to Cancel Class for May Day te 2026-04-17T18:20:28.888Z Standoff Ends Over Teachers’ Union Push to Cancel Class for May Day Chicago schools will be open on May 1, and schools may take field trips to demonstrations for International Workers’ Day. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e277a8d8d5dabda396be52 Bipartisan disappointment over school safety fund prompts call for change te 2026-04-17T18:10:48.191Z Bipartisan disappointment over school safety fund prompts call for change Key Points: Lawmakers unhappy with school safety fund’s effectiveness $26 million allocated for communication systems since 2019 Auditors found most agencies did not follow procurement requirements Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike are unhappy with a school safety fund established more than a half-decade ago, but the two parties remain split over how to fix the problem.  The Joint Legislative Audit Committee met April 16 to examine interoperable communication systems established between schools and law enforcement agencies in the state. Lawmakers in 2019 established the school safety interoperability fund, which has allocated $26 million to law enforcement agencies for improved communications systems between schools and law enforcement during emergency situations. In a December report, the Auditor General’s Office found the state’s funding of the communication systems has not gone in accordance with statute. Law enforcement agencies have used state funds to purchase systems from three vendors: Mutualink, Motorola Solutions and Navigate360. Mutualink had contracts with sheriffs offices from nine counties, according to the report. “Our interoperability policies in place are not as strong as they should be,” House Education Committee Chairman Matt Gress, R-Phoenix, said April 14. “There’s a lot of confusion in that area.” The House on April 14 discussed Senate Bill 1315, a measure drafted to fix issues with the interoperability fund by following advice from the auditor general’s report. The bill has not received a vote on the House floor yet, but it would give the Arizona Department of Education statutory responsibility to create guidelines and best practices for the communication systems. Democrats have opposed the measure and called it a vendor bill designed to hand out state-funded contracts to specific companies. Auditors also determined most law enforcement agencies did not follow procurement requirements when they acquired interoperable communication systems. “This bill probably wants to do the right thing, but it falls very short,” House Minority Assistant Leader Nancy Gutierrez, D-Tucson, said. The sponsor of SB 1315, Sen. Kevin Payne, R-Peoria, said during Thursday’s audit hearing that he believes state auditors were looking in the wrong direction.  “I think the auditor team is an outstanding team, but they were looking at it from a financial standpoint, not a standpoint of whether it worked or not,” Payne said.  Payne helped start the interoperability program in 2019, and he invited his colleagues to see what Mutualink has done in Yavapai County. “I want badly for this program to work and I love what I saw with the Mutualink system in Yavapai County,” Payne said. Gutierrez told the Arizona Capitol Times that the measure lacked both input from public schools on what kind of communication systems would be helpful for them and provisions that would require law enforcement agencies to look for other bids or alternative vendors when acquiring a communication system.  She also suggested establishing a study committee after session to further examine the interoperability fund or pursue House Bill 2142, a bill by Gress that would establish a school safety center within the education department that would act as a centralized location for schools to go to in an emergency situation. HB2142 passed the Senate Education Committee in March, although Democrats have been attempting to workshop the bill throughout session over disagreements of how a council would be formed under the bill tasked with administering the program. There was another appropriations bill earlier this session that proposed giving $3.2 million across nine counties that have contracted with Mutualink since 2019. Before it was struck, Senate Bill 1582 proposed distributing hundreds of thousands of dollars to nine sheriff`s offices for their interoperability programs. Each county in the bill was one of the counties that auditors said contracted with Mutualink. Gutierrez said even though the original SB1582 has been struck, it could be considered in budget negotiations.  “We will see that as a Republican ask and we will fight against having that in the budget,” she said. Gress on April 14 pushed back against vendor bill allegations for SB1315. He also said he’s unhappy with the program’s results from the auditor general’s report and said in January that he wouldn’t support a vendor bill.  “That could not be further from the truth,” Gress said of the vendor bill allegations. “This bill says that ADE establishes the criteria for an interoperability system.” During a March 24 House Education Committee hearing on SB1315, ADE Director of School Safety Mike Kurtenbach supported the bill and said he wouldn’t support a vendor bill either.  “There could be a dozen vendors that are available to do it right now and in the space I work in, I surmise that there are many others,” Kurtenbach said. Gutierrez also had other issues with the interoperability bill. She said she doesn’t believe the language is tight enough to actually require schools to have a real interoperability plan and just settle on calling police with a cell phone and she said the bill allows law enforcement agencies to pick which schools they set up communications systems with if they don’t have funds for every school in their service area.  But the bill does require a secure transmission from schools to law enforcement, which Gress said cannot be done from a cell phone, although he acknowledged that law enforcement would have to prioritize schools. “There is a finite amount of resources,” he said. “We want to get to every school, but you’ve got to start somewhere and these law enforcement agencies need to be engaged in that conversation. That’s why I think this bill is a good start and we’ll continue to have discussions about what additional policy changes we can make in the future.” The post Bipartisan disappointment over school safety fund prompts call for change first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e275a0d8d5dabda396bdec APS settles with attorney general over alleged heat-related death te 2026-04-17T18:02:08.018Z APS settles with attorney general over alleged heat-related death Key Points:  Attorney General Kris Mayes secures settlement with APS after heat death Agreement requires temperature-based disconnection rules, customer assistance Mayes urges statewide reforms, clashes with ACC  on oversight failures Attorney General Kris Mayes is calling on the Arizona Corporation Commission and the Legislature to make utility disconnection policies permanent after announcing a settlement with Arizona Public Service following a customer’s heat-related death. Mayes accused the commission of not doing enough to investigate Katherine Korman’s 2024 death and APS’ disconnection policies. Both the commission and APS took issue with the attorney general’s claims about the May 13, 2024, disconnection of service that allegedly contributed to Korman’s death. The settlement announced by Mayes on April 15 ensures APS abides by both a temperature and seasonal shut-off system, improves customer notification and safety net programs and pays $800,000 to cover costs for customers facing service termination this year.  “Utilities have an obligation to, at a minimum, keep their customers alive,” Mayes said.  Under ACC rules, utility companies in Arizona cannot disconnect electric service during periods of extreme weather. The ACC gives companies two options for complying with those rules. Companies can either impose a disconnection moratorium between June 1 through October 15 or they can forgo disconnections if the temperature is above 95 degrees or below 32 degrees.  At the time of Korman’s death, APS had opted for the disconnection moratorium option and had recently ended its voluntary participation in the temperature-based disconnection moratorium. Under the settlement agreement, APS will now implement both disconnection holds to ensure customers do not lose power when extreme temperatures occur outside of the typical summer months.  APS will also be charged with updating its notification process for informing customers of past-due bills or potential disconnections. In a statement, APS disputed Mayes’ characterization of its policies and denied any wrongdoing.  “While we have chosen to resolve this matter by adopting enhancements that benefit our customers, APS rejects the Attorney General’s assertions regarding our existing disconnection policies and customer communications, which already meet or exceed all applicable state laws and regulations,” the statement read.  Now, Mayes is urging the ACC to update its disconnection rules to subject the rest of the state’s public power utilities, like Tucson Electric Power and UNS Electric, to the higher disconnection standards APS has agreed to. She’s also urging the Legislature to codify those standards, since the current disconnection rules could be repealed by the commission at any time.  “This is a gap in oversight that should not exist, and it should not persist,” Mayes said. “The Commission has the authority to make temperature based disconnection protections permanent and universal across every utility in this state, the legislature has the authority to write them into law.” In a statement, the commission’s Executive Director Doug Clark disagreed with Mayes’ claim that commissioners did not investigate the disconnection that led to Korman’s death. “It is notable that nothing in the consent agreement contradicts the Commission’s own findings. We have investigated this matter and found no rule violation,” Clark said. “If APS wants to spend additional shareholder funds, it is free to do so. The consent agreement makes it clear that this payment is outside the regulatory framework and will not be passed on to ratepayers.” Additionally, the all-Republican members of the commission seemed uninterested in revisiting the disconnection rules when Korman’s death made headlines last year. Commission Chair Nick Myers went so far as to get into an online spat with Korman’s sons, telling them they “failed to protect your own mother.” “I refuse to tell utilities that they have to provide power to people that do not pay their bills,” Myers wrote in one post in April 2025. “To be honest, I’m not even happy about many of the programs that they have in place to help, but I understand the need for them.” Still, Mayes sees a failure to act.  “Protecting Arizonans from having their power cut off in life-threatening heat is not a novel or complicated idea,” Mayes said. “It is a basic obligation of utility regulation, and yet here we are with my office having to step in through a consumer fraud investigation to secure protections that the Commission and the Legislature could have mandated years ago.” On May 10, 2024, APS discontinued its policy to keep services on for customers when temperatures eclipsed 95 degrees. On May 13, APS disconnected services to Korman’s residence due to nonpayment. Temperatures reached a high of 99 degrees. Six days later, with electricity still disconnected, Korman was found dead. Mayes alleged APS’s decision to discontinue its 95-degree policy and its failure to inform Korman and customers like her of more economical utility rate plans violated the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act.  In a resulting settlement, APS admitted no wrongdoing or liability for Korman’s death.  But the utility agreed to a list of monetary and policy stipulations.  APS is now required to reinstate the voluntary 95-degree hold on power disconnections and agree not to disconnect services when temperatures fall below 32 degrees due to nonpayment. The company must also encourage other utilities to do the same.  And APS must expand upon its Safety Net Program, in which a friend or family member receives alerts for any bills due. The settlement directs APS to make sure its program functions as an emergency notification system to third parties on past-due notices, disconnection warnings and outage notifications.  As far as financials, APS pledged to funnel $1 million into the Arizona Consumer Assistance and Education Program, with at least $800,000 applied directly to bill credits for customers facing service shut-offs before September 1.  The company must pay $3.4 million to improve consumer outreach, with a requirement for customer notification by text messages.  And, finally, APS owes the Attorney General’s Office $2.75 million in shareholder funds to be put to the state’s Consumer Protection Consumer Fraud Revolving Fund and to cover up to $250,000 in attorneys’ fees.  The settlement announcement comes amid a period of tension between Mayes and the commissioners. The Attorney General’s Office is challenging several recent commission decisions, either in court or at the commission itself. Mayes’ office is also participating as an intervenor in APS’s ongoing rate case, in which she argues the company’s request for a 14% rate increase for customers could be whittled down to a 3% increase.  The post APS settles with attorney general over alleged heat-related death first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2758ad8d5dabda396bdc7 Your favorite snacks could be quietly wrecking your knees, new research suggests te 2026-04-17T18:01:46.090Z Your favorite snacks could be quietly wrecking your knees, new research suggests You might want to drop the bacon, because it might be the reason behind your bad knees, recent research suggests. Ultraprocessed foods have been studied extensively for their negative health effects, and now a new study has linked them to an increased risk of arthritis in the knees. Foods in this category are designed for longer shelf life, strong flavor appeal and convenience. Common examples include breakfast cereals, bacon, hot dogs, pre-packaged snacks and sweets. WEIGHT GAIN IN CERTAIN DECADE OF LIFE MAY BE MORE DANGEROUS, STUDY SUGGESTS "Over the past decades, in parallel to the rising prevalences of obesity and knee osteoarthritis, the use of natural ingredients in our diets has steadily diminished," said the study’s lead author, Zehra Akkaya, MD, a researcher at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), in a press release. Previous research into knee osteoarthritis — a degenerative "wear-and-tear" condition — has revealed that higher amounts of intramuscular fat in the thigh could increase the risk of developing the condition. When fat gets into the muscle, it weakens the support system for the knee, leading to more joint stress and inflammation. "It constitutes one of the largest non-cancer-related healthcare costs in the United States and around the world. It is highly linked to obesity and unhealthy lifestyle choices," said Akkaya. CANCER SURVIVORS EATING CERTAIN FOOD TYPES COULD FACE SHARPLY HIGHER RISK OF DEATH The research team set out to determine whether diet directly influences this fat buildup. Using data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative – which is a large, long-term public research project focused on the condition – they analyzed 615 individuals who did not yet have osteoarthritis. Through non-enhanced MRI scans, they looked for degeneration marked by streaks of fat replacing healthy muscle fibers in the thigh. The results, published in the journal Radiology, showed that the more ultraprocessed foods people consumed, the higher the amount of fat stored inside their thigh muscles. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER This was true regardless of a person’s total caloric intake, their weight or how much they exercised. Even if someone was "thin" or active, if their diet was primarily composed of ultraprocessed foods, muscle quality and knee health could still be at risk. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES On average, the study participants consumed about 41% of their daily food from ultraprocessed sources. Reducing ultraprocessed food consumption may help to preserve muscle quality, which in turn could alleviate the burden of knee osteoarthritis, according to the researchers. One of the best ways to prevent obesity is to adopt a healthy, balanced diet and to exercise regularly. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ There were some limitations to the study. While it showed a clear link between ultraprocessed foods and muscle fat, it could not definitively prove that the food caused the fat buildup, only that they happened at the same time. The findings are also based on participants reporting their own diets, which can sometimes be inaccurate compared to clinical monitoring, the researchers noted. Additionally, the study focused on people already at high risk for knee issues, so the results might not apply as much to younger or healthier populations. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e27576d8d5dabda396bdbe Virginia Dems accused of illegally ‘steamrolling’ state law that could upend redistricting crusade te 2026-04-17T18:01:26.547Z Virginia Dems accused of illegally ‘steamrolling’ state law that could upend redistricting crusade Virginia voters are set to decide a redistricting referendum Tuesday, even as a high-stakes legal challenge before the state’s Supreme Court argues the amendment should be invalidated because it was pushed through an unlawfully extended legislative session. The case centers on whether lawmakers violated the Virginia Constitution by keeping the special session open for nearly two years to pass the redistricting measure, a move critics say was an abuse of legislative authority. The measure, if it passes Tuesday and survives state Supreme Court scrutiny, would reshape the state's congressional map so that Democrats have a 10-1 advantage in the upcoming midterms. "The voters are the first hope that we have, and the best one," Jason Snead, executive director of Honest Elections Project Action, told Fox News Digital, warning that if the referendum passes, the Supreme Court decision could be "the last chance" before the next census to challenge the map. VIRGINIA DEM ADMITS REDISTRICTING PUSH AIMS TO 'STOP TRUMP', NOT ABOUT 'FAIRNESS' Snead's group this week submitted a brief to Virginia's highest court making the case that the legislative special session was improperly extended. "If you look at what the Constitution of Virginia requires and what the law requires, it’s very clear that what happened here was an illegally extended special session that essentially turned a part-time legislature into a full-time one," Snead said. "They kept it open for nearly two years and then used that to push through a constitutional amendment — and we think that’s a blatant violation of the limits the Constitution puts on legislative power." Virginia Democrats, led by Gov. Abigail Spanberger and House Speaker Don Scott, passed an amendment this year that they argued allowed them to bypass the typical redistricting process in the state to shift the current 6-5 map to 10-1. Scott told reporters in February the move was a direct response to national redistricting fights playing out across the country. NEW POLL REVEALS SPANBERGER'S POPULARITY IS PLUMMETING AMID BACKLASH OVER GERRYMANDERING "This is about leveling the playing field across the country. Republicans are gerrymandering maps to override the will of the voters," Scott said. "We just saw it in Texas, North Carolina and Missouri. At Donald Trump's direction they're manipulating election maps because they know they can't win on their agenda in 2026. ... A 10-1 map levels the playing field." Democrats have argued to the Supreme Court that the General Assembly has broad constitutional authority to manage its own legislative sessions and procedures, including extending a special session, and that nothing in the Virginia Constitution explicitly prohibits how this particular session was handled.  The Honest Elections Project's brief argues otherwise. "If you look at what the law requires, it's very clear that Governor Spanberger and her allies are steamrolling the process to try to launch a power grab," Snead said SPANBERGER ONCE BLASTED GERRYMANDERING AND NOW BACKS AMENDMENT CRITICS SAY COULD ERASE VIRGINIA GOP The Supreme Court decided in March to allow the referendum vote to move forward while it considers Republicans' arguments challenging how the map amendment was passed by way of a special session. "It is the process, not the outcome, of this effort that we may ultimately have to address," the state's highest court found. "Issuing an injunction to keep Virginians from the polls is not the proper way to make this decision." The state Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case April 27 and a decision could come anytime after that. Fox News Digital reached out to Spanberger's and Scott's offices for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e27562d8d5dabda396bdb5 NBA star hits back at NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani for blaming him over expensive playoff tickets te 2026-04-17T18:01:06.969Z NBA star hits back at NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani for blaming him over expensive playoff tickets The New York Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks are set to play in the first round of the NBA playoffs and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was asked why it is so much more expensive to attend Knicks’ playoff games compared to the Hawks. Mamdani jokingly cited Knicks’ foe Trae Young, who starred for the Hawks when they beat the Knicks in the first round of the 2021 playoffs, as the reason for the expensive tickets. "I would say that I blame Trae Young, and I think it’s always important to blame Trae Young," Mamdani said at a press conference. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Mamdani put the blame on Young, who was traded to the Washington Wizards in January. Even though Young isn’t with the Hawks, he caught wind of Mamdani’s remarks and fired back at the mayor. "Remember what happened the last time the Mayor of that City has my name in his mouth during a time like this. #DontBlameMeWhenItHappensAgain," Young posted to X with a laughing crying emoji and a hand emoji. Regardless of whether Mamdani knows Young is no longer a member of the Hawks, it is not the first time the mayor of New York City has shaded Young, as Bill de Blasio told Young to stop hunting for fouls during that 2021 playoff series. MIKE BREEN SAYS FANS 'DESERVE TO BE THROWN A BONE' AS NBA CUTS ALL LOCAL BROADCASTS FROM THE PLAYOFFS The Hawks defeated the Knicks 4-1 in that series. The Knicks lost that series as the No. 4 seed, while the Hawks were the No. 5 seed. This time around, the Knicks are the No. 3 seed, and the Hawks are the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Mamdani said he is "still confident and hopeful" of the Knicks winning a championship this season, and wishes the playoff tickets were more affordably priced. The Knicks play the first game of the series against the Hawks at Madison Square Garden at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday. 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/69e2753ad8d5dabda396bda7 Trump Is Urged to Act on Iranian Site Feared Impervious to Airstrikes te 2026-04-17T18:00:26.865Z Trump Is Urged to Act on Iranian Site Feared Impervious to Airstrikes Little is known about Pickaxe Mountain, but some experts say it illustrates the impossibility of relying on force alone to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear bomb. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2731fd8d5dabda396bd35 Rep Burlison demands FBI probe after top US scientists vanish or turn up dead te 2026-04-17T17:51:27.799Z Rep Burlison demands FBI probe after top US scientists vanish or turn up dead House Oversight Committee member Eric Burlison is demanding the FBI get involved after a string of "disturbing" disappearances and deaths involving U.S. scientists and researchers with access to top-level secrets. Burlison described the pattern as "too coincidental" to ignore after at least 10 researchers have gone missing or turned up dead in the last two years. "This is a rattling call to pay attention to this issue and make sure that our nation's top scientists are safe and secure. This is too coincidental," the Missouri republican said Friday on "Fox & Friends." "We have to be investigating this. We need to have our nation’s top investigators, the FBI and every agency looking into this matter," he added. GOVERNMENT WITHHOLDING INFORMATION ON UFOS FROM THE PUBLIC, GOP REP SAYS Burlison said his office first became aware of the trend last year when an individual scheduled to speak with him, Matthew Sullivan, died by suicide under what he described as suspicious circumstances. He said his office referred the case to the Office of the Inspector General and the FBI, which he said deemed it "credible and urgent." The recent disappearance of retired Air Force Maj. Gen. William "Neil" McCasland in February was another wake-up call. McCasland had been involved in research on unidentified anomalous phenomena and held top roles in space research. Authorities at the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office in New Mexico said he walked out of his home while his wife was out, leaving his phone behind but taking his wallet and a gun. McCasland’s wife wrote on Facebook that her husband retired years ago, and that it’s "quite unlikely that he was taken to extract very dated secrets from him." MISSING RETIRED AIR FORCE GENERAL CONSULTED ON UFOS FOR BLINK-182'S TOM DELONGE Still, Burlison said the number of cases warrants an investigation. "What's really disturbing when you look back and reflect on it, you've got Monica Reza, you've got Anthony Chavez, you got Melissa Cassius and you have Steven Garcia, all of which, along with General McCasland, walked out of their homes," Burlison said. MISSING GENERAL, SCIENTIST DEATHS TIED TO SECRET US WORK PROMPT WHITE HOUSE PROBE "These are some of the most advanced scientists, researchers in our nation, some of the most important people for our nation's national security efforts, and they all just mysteriously disappeared," he added. President Donald Trump addressed the disappearances this week but did not say whether he believes the cases are connected. He noted that he would know more soon, having just emerged from a briefing on the subject. "Hopefully, I don't know, coincidence, if you want it, whatever you want to call it. But some of them were very important people, and we're [going to] look at it," Trump said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2730cd8d5dabda396bd2c Obama urges Virginians to vote yes on redistricting measure that could give Democrats 4 more House seats te 2026-04-17T17:51:08.381Z Obama urges Virginians to vote yes on redistricting measure that could give Democrats 4 more House seats Former President Barack Obama is urging Virginians to vote in favor of a congressional redistricting ballot measure that if passed, could give Democrats a big boost in this year's midterm elections. "By voting yes, you have the chance to do something important — not just for the Commonwealth, but for our entire country," Obama said in the video. "By voting yes, you can push back against the Republicans trying to give themselves an unfair advantage in the midterms." The video by the former president, who remains one of the most popular former presidents and whose favorable ratings among Democrats remain very high a decade after leaving the White House, was released Friday on the eve of the final day of early voting ahead of Tuesday's statewide referendum. If the ballot measure is successful, it would give the Democrat-controlled legislature — rather than the current nonpartisan commission — temporary redistricting power through the 2030 election. It could result in a 10-1 advantage for Democrats in Virginia's congressional delegation, up from their current 6-5 edge. OBAMA ENDORSES VIRGINIA REDISTRICTING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT COULD HELP DEMS GAIN 4 SEATS That would give Democrats four additional left-leaning U.S. House seats ahead of the midterms, as the party tries to win back control of the chamber from the GOP, which currently holds a razor-thin majority. "By voting yes, you can take a temporary step to level the playing field. And we're counting on you," Obama said in the video. Republicans call the Democrats' redistricting effort an "unconstitutional power grab." Democrats counter that it's a necessary step to balance out partisan gerrymandering already implemented by Republicans in other states under the urging of President Donald Trump. The video by Obama is the former president's latest effort tied to the referendum. He has previously appeared in ads released by Virginians for Fair Elections, the Democrat-aligned group working to pass the ballot initiative. Virginians For Fair Maps, the leading Republican-aligned group opposing redistricting, is using past comments by Obama against political gerrymandering in their ads opposing the referendum. "Because of things like political gerrymandering, our parties have moved further and further apart, and it’s harder and harder to find common ground," the former president says in a clip showcased in the spot. A separate group that is also urging Virginians to vote no has sent mailers across the state featuring Obama's image alongside a six-year-old quote from the former president saying, "For too long, gerrymandering has contributed to stalled progress and warped our representative government." Supporters of redistricting have dramatically outraised and outspent groups opposed to the referendum. But polling suggests support for the ballot initiative is only slightly ahead of opposition, amid a surge in early voting. Virginia is the latest battleground in the high-stakes fight between Trump and the GOP versus Democrats over congressional redistricting. BATTLE FOR THE HOUSE RUNS THROUGH VIRGINIA AS COURT OKS HIGH-STAKES REDISTRICTING VOTE Aiming to prevent what happened during his first term in the White House when Democrats reclaimed the House majority in the 2018 midterms, Trump last spring first floated the idea of rare, but not unheard of, mid-decade congressional redistricting. The mission was simple: redraw congressional district maps in red states to pad the GOP's fragile House majority to keep control of the chamber in the midterms, when the party in power traditionally faces political headwinds and loses seats. When asked by reporters last summer about his plan to add Republican-leaning House seats across the country, the president said, "Texas will be the biggest one. And that’ll be five." Republican Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas called a special session of the GOP-dominated state legislature to pass the new map. But Democratic state lawmakers, who broke quorum for two weeks as they fled Texas in a bid to delay the passage of the redistricting bill, energized Democrats across the country. Among those leading the fight against Trump's redistricting was Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom of California. REPUBLICANS TARGET VIRGINIA GOVERNOR IN BID TO DEFEAT DEMOCRAT-BACKED REDISTRICTING California voters in November overwhelmingly passed Proposition 50, a ballot initiative that temporarily sidetracked the left-leaning state's nonpartisan redistricting commission and returned the power to draw the congressional maps to the Democratic-dominated legislature. That is expected to result in five more Democratic-leaning congressional districts in California, which aimed to counter the move by Texas to redraw their maps. The fight quickly spread beyond Texas and California. Republican-controlled Missouri and Ohio, and swing state North Carolina, where the GOP dominates the legislature, have drawn new maps as part of the president's push. In blows to Republicans, a Utah district judge late last year rejected a congressional district map drawn up by the state's GOP-dominated legislature and instead approved an alternate that will create a Democratic-leaning district ahead of the midterms. Meanwhile, Republicans in Indiana's Senate in December defied Trump, shooting down a redistricting bill that had passed the state House. The showdown in the Indiana statehouse grabbed plenty of national attention. Florida is next up. Two-term Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and state lawmakers in the GOP-dominated legislature are hoping to pick up an additional three to five right-leaning seats through a redistricting push during a special legislative session that kicks off on April 28. Hovering over the redistricting wars is the Supreme Court, which is expected to rule in Louisiana v. Callais, a crucial case that may lead to the overturning of a key provision in the Voting Rights Act. If the ruling goes the way of the conservatives on the high court, it could lead to the redrawing of a slew of majority-minority districts across the county, which would greatly favor Republicans. But it is very much up in the air — when the court will rule, and what it will actually do. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e272ddd8d5dabda396bd08 Hackers are abusing unpatched Windows security flaws to hack into organizations te 2026-04-17T17:50:21.262Z Hackers are abusing unpatched Windows security flaws to hack into organizations A security researcher published details of three security vulnerabilities in Windows Defender, and the code used to exploit them. Now, hackers are taking advantage of the vulnerabilities in real life attacks, according to a cybersecurity firm. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e27084d8d5dabda396bc9e Spanish theater brings generational drama to Tucson te 2026-04-17T17:40:20.666Z Spanish theater brings generational drama to Tucson A Spanish theater company brought its app-driven exploration of teenage pressure and generational conflict to Tucson, asking audiences to put down their differences and pick up their phones. "A Teen Odyssey," an immersive theater experience by Mallorca-based La Mecanica Productions, made its Tucson debut at the TENWEST Festival, blending live performance and smartphone technology to explore teenage pressure and the generational divides that surround it. La Mecanica is committed to creating and supporting the highest quality work for the greatest community impact. Founder Jenny Vila has been involved in theater since she was 15, starting in improv. She studied drama for a year in the United States before moving to Mallorca, where she attended drama school on afternoons and weekends. Feeling that acting may not have been her calling, Vila traveled to London at 17 to volunteer for the London International Festival of Theatre, later earning a degree in Stage Management and Technical Theatre from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. "From there, it just kicked off," Vila said. After graduating, she toured as a theater technician in the United Kingdom, worked as a technical director for a film festival in Singapore and later joined New York's Fringe Festival, where she eventually taught a film course at New York University. Vila knew early on that she wanted to run her own production company. "A Teen Odyssey" audience members are encouraged to use their phones as a part of the immersive experience. Courtesy of La Mecanica. Seeking a creative home base between international tours, Vila founded La Mecanica Productions and developed "A Teen Odyssey," an immersive theater experience that has since toured internationally. The inspiration for "A Teen Odyssey" came during the pandemic. (The production team) "had kids who were becoming teens or were teens during the lockdown," Vila said. "We realized how difficult that was for that age group, and we thought we want to do something for teenagers and with teenagers, that for us was a crucial part of the puzzle for 'A Teen Odyssey.'" Named one of the Guardian's "20 Theatre Shows to See This Summer" at the Edinburgh Festival, "A Teen Odyssey" blends live performance with digital technology to explore belonging, intergenerational connection and individual identity. The show unfolds in stages, each guided by the app. Before entering the performance space, audience members gather in generational groups and download the Kalliópê app, developed by Barcelona's La Fura dels Baus, which guides them through the experience. As the performance begins, phones flash with lightning before prompting audience members to answer a series of questions about themselves. Questions about personality prompt audience members to self-identify before being sorted into groups, each gathered on a different colored shape on the carpet. The performance then opens with a definition flashing across every screen: "Pressure. 1. The burden of physical or mental distress. 2. The constraint of circumstance: the weight of social or economic imposition." A 360-degree video follows several adults scrutinizing, nagging and yelling at the audience before cutting to the protagonist, who enters the stage dancing freely with headphones in, inviting audience members to join her. The protagonist and her father clash in a wordless physical struggle, a metaphor for the weight of parental expectation that runs throughout "A Teen Odyssey." Courtesy of La Mecanica. The mood shifts when her father figure enters and the two begin pushing against each other — arms, backs, bodies — in a wordless struggle that ends with the protagonist carrying him on her back. "The line of work that we do at Mecanica is nonverbal, physical theater," Vila said. "The body is always how we communicate, not through text, like with a teen." The protagonist eventually flees, and the app prompts audience members to regroup by generation. "We wanted to kind of shine a light to other people's realities and what they've gone through, and to first divide everyone by their generation and kind of identify themselves with a group of people," Vila said. Each generational group watches a different video on their phones, showing icons and figures from their era, while other groups watch a video about their own generation simultaneously. Vila said the videos are designed not just to help each generation recognize itself, but to build empathy and understanding across generational lines. The protagonist and her father reunite on stage in a tense, physical exchange — he reaches for her, she slips away — before phones flash the message,"Resist the pressure." Then a quote appears: "The young people of today think of nothing but themselves. They have no reverence for parents or old age." The app reveals it was written by Aristotle, underscoring that every generation has complained about the next. "A Teen Odyssey" explores themes of identity, intergenerational connection and how to find one's group. Courtesy of Arizona Arts Live. The app then sorts audience members back into groups based on their earlier answers, though some individuals are left out entirely. Vila said the exclusion was originally a technical glitch: when audience members left the app, the system lost their responses and left them out of groups. The production team decided to lean into it artistically, using the experience of being left out as part of the performance itself. Groups are prompted to laugh at inside jokes or act like animals while those left out can only watch, making the exclusion visceral rather than abstract. The performance then shifts to Gen Z, with stories of teenagers navigating expectation playing through the app: a girl forced to study what she should rather than what she wanted, a boy who cried alone because he thought boys shouldn't cry. Gen Z audience members are invited to draw with their phone flashlights on a luminescent tarp, literally writing their own future. The show closes with the protagonist playing ukulele, free from expectation, as her father watches in admiration. For Vila, the most rewarding part is the impact the show has on the teenagers it features. "We work with local teens wherever we go, and we've had some incredible moments of teens (saying), 'You changed my life,'" Vila said. "To see that the piece is so powerful, and the whole process of working with us and collaborating with us has opened up different possibilities for their lives." La Mecanica will return to the United States for another "A Teen Odyssey" tour in March 2027. Topacio “Topaz” Servellon is a reporter with Tucson Spotlight. Contact them at topacioserve@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/69e26e97d8d5dabda396bc8e Phoenix Mercury offseason defined by continuity as WNBA heads into a new era te 2026-04-17T17:32:07.025Z Phoenix Mercury offseason defined by continuity as WNBA heads into a new era PHOENIX – It was a monumental offseason in women’s basketball, not only for the Phoenix Mercury, but the WNBA as a whole.  The Mercury are coming off a 27-17 season in 2025, capped by a run to the WNBA Finals where the team was swept by the Las Vegas Aces. The ensuing offseason proved to be a busy one, as the Mercury had to juggle what to do with expiring contracts and the league’s new collective bargaining agreement. The new CBA ushers in a new era of WNBA basketball, with significant changes to the structure of the league, such as an increase in the salary cap from $1.5 million to $7 million, with average salaries exceeding $583,000 and significant investment into player benefits and league standards. “I’m so happy for our players in our league, an incredibly exciting time, and the players have deserved this for a long, long time, and I’m so happy that they’re getting what they deserve,” Mercury general manager Nick U’Ren said Tuesday. It was a busy time for U’Ren and the Mercury, who made only a few significant additions from outside the team, but were able to re-sign core members of last season’s Finals squad, including forward Alyssa Thomas, guard Kahleah Copper, forward DeWanna Bonner and guard Sami Whitcomb. Continuity was a key for the Mercury as Phoenix constructed a roster designed to build off last season, with hopes of a different outcome in the WNBA Finals. It’s a quick turnaround as training camp begins Sunday and the season opener is May 9 at Las Vegas against the team that dominated the Mercury in last year’s Finals. The Mercury’s home opener is May 12 versus Minnesota. “Bringing back a majority of our core, I think will be really helpful next year,” U’Ren said. “We talk about continuity a lot, and I’m hopeful that in year two we can build on what we did last year.”  The Mercury were unable to retain forward Satou Sabally, who signed a two-year contract with the New York Liberty. Sabally averaged 16.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game last season. Sabally was the Mercury’s leading scorer during their 2025 WNBA Finals run. Even without Sabally, the Mercury quartet of Thomas, Copper, Bonner and Whitcomb combined to average nearly 50 points, 18.6 rebounds and 14.2 assists per game. “We are really excited about the group we’ve got coming in in terms of experience, in terms of opportunity,” U’Ren said. “I think we’ve got a ton of depth, and a ton of flexibility, and I’m really excited about it.”   With that depth and experience, the focal point of building a roster for this season revolved around finding complementary athletes to play alongside Thomas, who finished third in MVP voting and earned first team All-WNBA and All-Defense, averaging 15.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 9.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game. “It’s a mix of finding players who have upside and could fit into any system, and it’s a mix of putting the right players around someone like A.T. to make her thrive and to make our team thrive,” U’Ren said. U’Ren and the Mercury addressed other roster needs through the European market. The Mercury drafted Inès Pitarch-Granel from France with the 27th pick in the WNBA Draft and Eszter Rátkai from Hungary with the 42nd pick. Additionally, the Mercury signed Valériane Ayayi, a two-time Olympic medalist from France, and also signed fellow member of the French national team Noémie Brochant to a training camp contract. “We do go over to Europe and scout a ton,” U’Ren said. “We’ve got an international scout over there doing work on the ground for us. So it’s a year-long effort. This is not something where we’re kind of throwing darts at a wall. “These are people we’ve targeted. These are people we’ve watched. These are people we’ve identified. And we are looking forward, as we were last year, to see who makes it, who can contribute, and we’re intentional about how they fit in terms of their skill sets, their personalities, how they fit around our existing players, and yeah, very excited to see what comes of it.” The post Phoenix Mercury offseason defined by continuity as WNBA heads into a new era appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e26e6cd8d5dabda396bc69 National Guard ‘follows the Constitution,’ general says of troops possibly deployed to polls te 2026-04-17T17:31:24.114Z National Guard ‘follows the Constitution,’ general says of troops possibly deployed to polls Members of the National Guard patrol the entrance to the Union Station stop on Washington, D.C.'s Metro system, on March 25, 2026. President Donald Trump was appearing at a GOP event at Union Station that night. (Photo by Jane Norman/States Newsroom) The National Guard’s top general told Congress on Friday that it would follow the Constitution and the law when he was asked about the possibility President Donald Trump would order troops to polling places for the midterm elections. The remarks at a U.S. House Appropriations subcommittee hearing came as Democratic lawmakers also voiced unease over the continuing deployment of nearly 2,500 National Guard members in Washington, D.C. Rep. Joe Morelle, a New York Democrat, asked Gen. Steven Nordhaus, chief of the National Guard Bureau, what assurances he could provide to Americans concerned about the deployment of troops at the polls.  “The National Guard, obviously, always follows the Constitution, law, policy and guidance, both at the federal and the state level,” Nordhaus said. Federal law prohibits the deployment of the military to polling places unless necessary “to repel armed enemies of the United States” and violations are punishable by up to five years in prison. Trump has said that he should have ordered the National Guard to seize ballot boxes during the 2020 election, which he falsely maintains was stolen. Steve Bannnon, a former Trump adviser, has publicly urged the president to send the military and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, agents to patrol the polls. Trump last year deployed National Guard members to several Democratic-led cities, in some instances federalizing them against the will of governors, who typically command National Guard members. He also sent active-duty Marines into Los Angeles. Opponents of the deployments expressed fears that they represented a test run for intimidating voters. While the deployment to the District of Columbia continues, Trump withdrew troops from other cities after the Supreme Court in December left in place a lower court decision barring a deployment in Chicago. Rep. Betty McCollum, a Minnesota Democrat, questioned how long the D.C. deployment is sustainable. She also referred to reporting by ABC News that the Pentagon intends to keep troops in D.C. through the end of Trump’s term in January 2029. “Picking up waste in the District of Columbia does not prepare anyone for conflicts that could arise in Europe, Asia and the Middle East,” McCollum said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e26e56d8d5dabda396bc49 Yankees fans brawl in stands as team gets beat down by Angels amid frustrating skid te 2026-04-17T17:31:02.588Z Yankees fans brawl in stands as team gets beat down by Angels amid frustrating skid A beautiful day for baseball did not stop some friendly fire in the South Bronx on Thursday. The New York Yankees were wrapping up their four-game set against Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels in a Thursday matinee when during L.A.'s 11-4 victory, fans in the stands had some extracurricular activity. In a 20-second clip posted online, it appears that at least five people were involved in the mayhem. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM One person in a Gerrit Cole jersey threw a nasty right hook after grabbing someone from behind. Someone else in an Aaron Judge jersey also appeared to throw a jab. Cooler heads prevailed relatively quickly, but the damage had already been done. Perhaps the fans were just re-enacting what had happened on the field: a beatdown. INSERT TWEET HERE MIKE TROUT'S TORRID ANGELS SERIES VS YANKEES ENDS IN HISTORIC FASHION AFTER HE BLASTS FIFTH HOME RUN The loss for the Yankees extended their winless-series streak to three, as they have now lost eight of their last 11 games. Trout and Judge went blow-for-blow, but not in the same fashion as the fans. Both three-time AL MVPs combined for nine home runs, with Trout turning back the clock to hit five. He became the only player in the history of baseball to hit a home run in four consecutive games at Yankee Stadium as a visitor. Temperatures reached near 90 degrees in New York on Thursday, so perhaps patience was wearing thin on E. 161st Street. The Bombers begin a three-game set at home against the Kansas City Royals before hitting the road for nine games against the Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros, and Texas Rangers. 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/69e26e42d8d5dabda396bc40 Turkish grad student who co-authored anti-Israel op-ed at Tufts self-deports after legal battle with DHS te 2026-04-17T17:30:42.738Z Turkish grad student who co-authored anti-Israel op-ed at Tufts self-deports after legal battle with DHS Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts University medical graduate student from Turkey whose charges were dropped after DHS detained her for allegedly "[engaging] in activities in support of Hamas," has self-deported to Turkey, according to sources familiar with the matter.  Ozturk self-deported from the U.S. late Thursday night on a flight to Istanbul, Turkey, according to sources familiar. Ozturk was detained by ICE in Somerville, Massachusetts, in March 2025, sparking a battle between the Trump administration and a federal judge over her detainment. The Tufts graduate student was living in the U.S. under an F-1 student visa, which the Trump administration revoked around March 21, 2025. At the time her visa was revoked, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Trump administration were cracking down on student visas for students who were involved in protests and demonstrations regarding Israel and Palestine. JUDGE WHO BLASTED TRUMP AS 'AUTHORITARIAN' BLOCKS US FROM DEPORTING PRO-PALESTINIAN CAMPUS ACTIVISTS "After 13 years of dedicated study, I am very proud to have completed my Ph.D. and to return home on my own timeline," Ozturk said in a statement. "The time stolen from me by the U.S. government belongs not just to me, but to the children and youth I have dedicated my life to advocating for. With them in mind, I am choosing to return home as planned to continue my career as a woman scholar without losing more time to the state-imposed violence and hostility I have experienced in the United States – all for nothing more than co-signing an op-ed advocating for Palestinian rights." Ozturk co-authored an opinion piece on March 26, 2024 that was published in Tufts Daily, a student newspaper on campus. "Credible accusations against Israel include accounts of deliberate starvation and indiscriminate slaughter of Palestinian civilians and plausible genocide," the op-ed read.  The authors, including Ozturk, were critical of the university’s response to anti-Israel protests, saying that the university should publicly acknowledge Palestinian suffering.  Rubio specifically referenced opinion pieces in a statement surrounding the revoking of student visas, notably after the arrest of Ozturk on March 25, 2025. DHS SAYS COLUMBIA STUDENT TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IS ILLEGAL ALIEN WHOSE VISA WAS TERMINATED UNDER OBAMA ADMIN "If you apply for a visa to enter the United States and be a student, and you tell us that the reason why you're coming to the United States is not just because you want to write op-eds, but because you want to participate in movements that are involved in doing things like vandalizing universities, harassing students, taking over buildings, creating a ruckus — we're not going to give you a visa," Rubio said. Trump's Department of Justice also weighed in on Ozturk's self-deportation. "Attending elite colleges and universities in the United States is a privilege afforded to foreign students who respect our values and follow our laws," a DOJ official told Fox News. "Rümeysa Öztürk chose not to abide by those simple conditions, and as a result left the United States - something the Administration sought to accomplish from the beginning. We will continue to seek the deportation of any foreign student who abuses their opportunity to study in America by engaging in vile antisemitism, harassment, or other illegal behavior." Following Ozturk’s arrest, she was transferred to Methuen, Mass., then Lebanon, New Hampshire, and Vermont before she was sent to the South Louisiana ICE processing facility, according to reports.   Protests erupted at Tufts and across the country over her arrest, and two months later she was released on bail. ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATOR MAHMOUD KHALIL ONE STEP CLOSER TO DEPORTATION WITH IMMIGRATION BOARD RULING The legal battle continued between the Trump administration and Ozturk, who was legally represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), until Feb. 9 when Biden-appointed Boston immigration Judge Roopal Patel terminated deportation proceedings.  Patel ruled that the Department of Homeland Security lacked the legal grounds to deport her.  "I grieve for the many human beings who do not get to see the mistreatment they have faced brought into the light," Ozturk said in a statement released by her attorneys after the ruling. "When we openly talk about the many injustices around us, including the treatment of immigrants and others who have been targeted and thrown in for-profit ICE prisons, as well as what is happening in Gaza, true justice will prevail." THE US GOVERNMENT TARGETED ME FOR MY POLITICAL SPEECH. IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU, TOO The Trump Department of Justice fired Patel, among other immigration judges, last week. Since Patel ruled as an immigration judge and not a federal Article III judge, the Trump administration and the executive branch has authority over her tenure. The White House issued a press release on April 9, titled: "Era of Amnesty Is Over: President Trump Restores Rule of Law to Immigration Courts," in which the administration touted "the most aggressive and successful immigration enforcement overhaul in modern history." "President Trump promised to end the open borders nightmare — and he is delivering on that promise with unrelenting force. The era of catch-and-release, mass releases, and activist judicial amnesty is over," the White House statement reads. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e26c06d8d5dabda396bbd4 Anger swells as Swalwell's 'open secret' with women went unreported for years te 2026-04-17T17:21:10.296Z Anger swells as Swalwell's 'open secret' with women went unreported for years Numerous reports from journalists and political operatives that the alleged sexual misconduct of former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., was an open secret that long went unreported have prompted consternation and anger. Swalwell, who until earlier this month was a top candidate for governor of California, saw his career fall apart in the span of a week after a flood of sexual misconduct allegations, including claims of rape and sexual assault. He suspended his campaign, resigned from Congress and admitted "mistakes" while denying the more serious charges against him. Swalwell was a prominent House member for over a decade, particularly since President Donald Trump's first term began and he became one of the faces of the "resistance." In December 2025, Democratic strategist Michael Trujillo warned of Swalwell’s skeletons in a now-deleted social media post. "I guess Swalwell can enjoy today, but folks know he slept with many of his interns while married, sexually harassed others while engaged, has a ton of weird texts late at night saved on former interns' phones still, he gets he will have to answer for this later on during the campaign, right? Endorse at your own peril people," Trujillo wrote. ‘HE SHOULD GO’: SENATE DEMS TURNED ON SWALWELL AHEAD OF RESIGNATION ANNOUNCEMENT Trujillo later said he deleted the post after receiving a cease and desist from Swalwell’s campaign. But his stark warning to Democrats that it was dangerous to endorse Swalwell’s bid for governor came to fruition this week when multiple women came forward. Swalwell is now facing a string of accusations, including that he drugged and raped one woman and sexually assaulted one of his staffers, which have spurred at least two local criminal investigations. The accusations, which he has largely denied, have resulted in an onslaught of questions about who may have known about the alleged scandalous behavior. Swalwell in part boosted his career as a ubiquitous cable news guest, making hundreds of appearances on CNN and MS NOW — previously MSNBC — while in Congress. He was a particularly strong proponent of the Russiagate "collusion" theory and made a brief 2020 presidential bid, in part based on his TV presence. Trujillo claimed reporters were working to confirm rumors about Swalwell back in 2020, but "energy disappeared to potentially take him out" once he dropped out of that year's crowded Democratic presidential race. Cheyenne Hunt, a Democratic Gen Z activist who helped put a spotlight on allegations against Swalwell with a series of viral videos, also bluntly stated that allegations had been floating around Capitol Hill. "I had heard these rumors for years," Hunt said on TikTok before Swalwell’s political career imploded. PELOSI DISTANCES HERSELF FROM ALLY SWALWELL AMID SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS Politico’s California bureau chief and senior politics reporter teamed up for a piece headlined, "The whisper network that caught up to Eric Swalwell," that noted the Democrat "had developed a reputation for unsavory and sometimes unwanted behavior toward women." "Those warnings were shared in whisper networks but rarely traveled outside the circle of political insiders," Politico reported in the piece that credits Trujillo, Hunt and Arielle Fodor, known as "Mrs. Frazzled" on social media, for finally bringing the allegations to light. Many others have also suggested an "open secret" surrounding Swalwell once his political career began to unravel. "It was an open secret that he had issues with women, that he was somebody who was susceptible, potentially to heavy drinking, to impropriety with women," "The View" co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin said this week. DOJ OPENS INVESTIGATION INTO ERIC SWALWELL OVER SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS Journalist Yashar Ali responded to a social media post criticizing "every Democrat" for renouncing Swalwell without a smoking gun by declaring, "It’s because they’ve all known for years." One reporter wrote she didn't work to report out certain rumors because "MeToo stories on the Hill aren't related to my beat." Heritage Foundation media fellow Tim Young believes reporting from the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN that exposed Swalwell's alleged behavior was pushed by Democrats to "get him out of the gubernatorial primary before the damage became irreversible." "The bottom line is that media not only skews left, but is a part of the Democrat machine. They cover for ‘open secrets’ about behavior of people they support, then turn on them when they get marching orders," Young told Fox News Digital. The Washington Post published a story, "How Eric Swalwell rose to the top of Democratic politics as rumors followed him," that reported the ex-lawmaker "was dogged by persistent rumors of inappropriate behavior toward women" but thrived because the Democratic Party was "enamored with a young congressman’s talent for sound bites and landing blows against President Donald Trump." The Post added that many are wondering how Swalwell "could have risen so high and so fast in a party that says it supports women’s rights." A San Francisco Chronicle article Friday noted the "stunningly fast fall from grace for a rising star in the Democratic Party, which many close allies and people who knew Swalwell are still trying to make sense of." FORMER SWALWELL ALLY SAYS LONGTIME FRIENDSHIP WITH HIM 'CLOUDED MY JUDGEMENT' AS RUMORS SWIRLED IN DC Conservative pundit Stephen L. Miller offered a suggestion for the Post on his "Versus Media" podcast. "I know where the Washington Post can start, it involves a mirror," Miller said. "The piece goes on to kind of profile his rise in Congress, saying he became good friends with Nancy Pelosi right off the bat," Miller continued. "That’s probably why the Washington Post decided not to follow up with any of these rumors for over six years." Reporting on sexual misconduct by poweful figures has always been a struggle, however. Media defenders note the difficulties of women coming forward to make sensitive accusations and recalling such painful experiences. In 2017, CNN reported that "more than half a dozen interviewees independently named one California congressman for pursuing female staffers." CNN did not name the lawmaker because the claims were "unverified." CNN has not verified that the line referred to Swalwell, but one of the article's reporters, MJ Lee, posted the story to X on Tuesday. Nine years later, CNN’s Brian Stelter was roasted on Monday for declaring that Swalwell ending his bid for California governor is "a testament to the power of investigative reporting." The Hill columnist T. Becket Adams quipped, "And all it took was seven terms in Congress and about a half-dozen victims for investigative journalists to break the news of behavior apparently everyone knew about." ERIC SWALWELL WAS CABLE NEWS STAR FOR YEARS BEFORE RAPID FALL FROM GRACE Journalist Drew Holden responded, "So powerful, in fact, that multiple reporters waited over a decade to say anything about Swalwell’s misconduct." "We've now had multiple reporters come out and say Swalwell's behavior was an open secret since at least 2017. So no, this is not a testament to the power of investigative reporting. If anything, it is a failure of investigative reporting," radio host Erick Erickson reacted. Fox News Digital’s Ashley Oliver contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e26bd5d8d5dabda396bbb0 Zoom teams up with World to verify humans in meeting te 2026-04-17T17:20:21.049Z Zoom teams up with World to verify humans in meeting Zoom will show a badge on verified participants' tile Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e269d6d8d5dabda396bb8a Celebration of Spring 2026 te 2026-04-17T17:11:50.096Z Celebration of Spring 2026 The post Celebration of Spring 2026 appeared first on Sedona Red Rock News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e269aad8d5dabda396bb5f Harris blames Trump for rising gas prices — after once saying they're the 'price to pay for democracy' te 2026-04-17T17:11:06.478Z Harris blames Trump for rising gas prices — after once saying they're the 'price to pay for democracy' Former Vice President Kamala Harris this week blasted President Donald Trump for the surge in gas prices triggered by the U.S. war with Iran. But four years ago, the then-vice president said that soaring gas prices sparked in part by the Russian invasion of Ukraine were the "price to pay for democracy." "Here in North Carolina and around the country, gas prices are too high," Harris wrote this week in a social media post. "This is a direct result of Donald Trump's war of choice in Iran, and the American people are paying the price." The Wednesday post featured a video of Harris delivering remarks while standing outside in front of a sign displaying fuel prices at a gas station in North Carolina. HARRIS STOPS IN KEY PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY STATE AFTER LEAVING DOOR WIDE OPEN TO 2028 RUN "We've got a president who is paying more attention to what he thinks is in his best political interests and personal interests, as opposed to what is in the best interest of working people in America," Harris declared at the end of the brief video. The average price of regular gasoline surged to over $4 per gallon following the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, which were launched on Feb. 28. Iran's military has been decimated, and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other top Iranian officials were killed during the month-and-a-half-long war. In response, Iran targeted energy facilities with missile and drone attacks in a number of Persian Gulf nations. It has also made the Strait of Hormuz nearly impassable to commercial shipping, bringing roughly 20% of the world's oil supply to a halt and sending global fuel prices sharply higher. Trump's attacks on Iran have provided Democrats with political ammunition amid their focus on affordability and persistent inflation. The issue has also boosted them to overperformance at the ballot box in two special congressional elections this month. DEMOCRATS POUNCE ON $4 PER GALLON GAS - BLAME TRUMP'S IRAN WAR FOR 'BROKEN PROMISE' The attacks have also upset some in Trump's MAGA base, who feel the president has broken his 2024 campaign promise to avoid foreign military entanglements. The current gas prices in the U.S. are the highest in four years. Speaking during a press conference in Bucharest, Romania during that gas price surge in 2022 during the early months of the Russia-Ukraine war, Harris said the U.S. was "committed in everything we are doing" in support of Ukraine. "And yes, the president did say in the State of the Union, there is a price to pay for democracy — got to stand with your friends — and as everybody knows, even in your personal life, being loyal to those friendships based on common principles and values, sometimes, it’s difficult — often, it ain’t easy."  "But that is what the friendship is about — shared values," Harris said. "So that’s what we’re doing." FOX BUSINESS: OIL PRICES PLUNGE AFTER STRAIGHT OF HORMUZ REOPENS Republicans at the time blamed then-President Joe Biden's administration for the high gas prices, just as Democrats are now blaming Trump. But a major difference in the two situations is that while Trump ordered the U.S. strikes on Iran, the Biden administration came to Ukraine's aid after Russian launched a widescale military invasion. The White House at the time repeatedly blamed Russian leader Vladimir Putin for record-high gas prices in the U.S., even coining the surge the "#PutinPriceHike" and vowing that Biden would do everything he could to shield Americans from "pain at the pump." But Trump and Republicans capitalized on inflation, using it as a key issue in the sweeping 2024 election victories, when they won back the White House and Senate and held their House majority. Democrats are hoping to turn the tables in this year's midterm elections by spotlighting affordability as they aim to flip the House and Senate. And Harris, who lost to Trump in the 2024 election after replacing Biden as the Democratic Party's nominee, has left the door wide open to a 2028 White Houser run. The White House pushed back against this week's jab from Harris. In a statement to Fox News Digital, White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers argued, "No one cares or believes what Kamala Harris says because Americans remember the economic pain caused by the Biden-Harris administration’s very unpopular and costly Green New Scam. Kamala’s anti-energy dominance agenda sent electricity prices soaring more than 30 percent in just four years, and the average gas price across the country skyrocketed to $5 in just one year." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2697bd8d5dabda396bb3a Southern Arizona tribes push for child abuse prevention funds te 2026-04-17T17:10:19.987Z Southern Arizona tribes push for child abuse prevention funds Representatives from three Arizona tribal nations met with Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva last week to push for a federal funding fix they say could mean the difference between protecting Native children and leaving them behind. Representatives from the Pascua Yaqui, Tohono O'odham and Gila River communities traveled to the San Xavier Mission Clinic for the April 9 roundtable, which centered on a recently proposed amendment to the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, or CAPTA. The proposed amendment would ensure tribal nations receive more equitable access to federal child abuse prevention funding and allow for culturally informed programs tailored to their communities. The amendment would set aside 5% of CAPTA funding exclusively for tribal nations, which currently must compete with states and other larger entities for grants, leaving most tribes without the resources they need. The amendment would also formally recognize tribal nations alongside states in the equitable distribution of child abuse prevention aid. "For far too long, federal policy has overlooked the unique strengths and needs of tribal nations, leaving many communities to navigate complex trauma with limited federal support," Grijalva said in her opening remarks. Grijalva, along with Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, has proposed the American Indian and Alaska Native CAPTA amendment to strengthen federal resources for tribal nations working to prevent child abuse and neglect. Despite the bipartisan support, Grijalva said the bill faces an uphill battle, as Republican committee leaders are unlikely to advance legislation that does not align with the current Senate agenda. "This isn't just a matter of budgeting," Grijalva said. "It's a matter of justice and safety for the next generation." Tribal nations account for 2% of the U.S. population, but victims of American Indian and Alaska Native descent make up 15% of child abuse cases, according to the National Crimes Against Children Investigators Association. Tohono O'odham Nation Vice Chairwoman Carla Johnson, Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva and Chair Vernon Jose bow their heads during a blessing at the start of the April 9 roundtable at the San Xavier Mission Clinic. Photo by Quentin Agnello. Tribal representatives at the meeting said they supported the legislation, highlighting the issues their communities face and the solutions they would like to see. "We can't fulfill our promise, our responsibility to our children, if they don't have that basic safety net," said Tohono O'odham Nation Chair Verlon Jose. "We see that as something that always goes to the wayside." Michael Pries, social services director for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, echoed Jose's concerns. "It doesn't feel like tribes have been looked at as nations, or as equals with the state," Pries said. He said that while programs like Title IV-E have helped the Pascua Yaqui maintain their foster care program, there are still problems to be addressed. Title IV-E is a federal program that helps states and tribes cover the costs of foster care, adoption assistance and guardianship support for children removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. "We still struggle with teenagers," Pries said. "That's one thing that I don't think anyone in the country has been able to figure out." Pries explained that prior to receiving Title IV-E funding, many children from the Pascua Yaqui Nation aged out of the foster care system and grew resentful or distrustful of these systems, regardless of affiliation to state or tribe. Pries also believes more tribes should be allowed to use funding at their discretion, noting that the Pascua Yaqui have seen a 50% decrease in child welfare cases since implementing Title IV-E and other programs that allow for more self-determination. Alfred Urbina, general counsel for the Gila River Indian Community, said the second largest cause of abuse and neglect cases in their community is substance abuse-related neglect, most often fentanyl-related. "When we're thinking about CAPTA and the front-end prevention things, I think that should be a primary focus," Urbina said. Urbina said that among the 22 federally recognized tribal nations in Arizona, only two have successfully applied for Title IV-E funding, underscoring the need for greater federal investment in the issue. Quentin Agnello is a University of Arizona alum and freelance journalist in Tucson. Contact him at qsagnello@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/69e26752d8d5dabda396baf5 Trump plan for Triumphal Arch moves step closer to reality te 2026-04-17T17:01:06.608Z Trump plan for Triumphal Arch moves step closer to reality The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts on Thursday gave preliminary approval to President Donald Trump's plan for a massive new triumphal arch monument in the nation's capital, according to the New York Times. The outlet reported that the body holds an advisory role regarding the project's design, but does not wield enforcement authority. The Associated Press reported that the commission approved the concept for several projects, including the arch. The federal agency next will review updated designs for all three projects at a future meeting before taking any final votes. GOLDEN EAGLES, LIONS AND A WINGED LADY LIBERTY TOP TRUMP'S PROPOSED 250-FOOT DC TRIUMPHAL ARCH DESIGNS The proposed monument features a giant arch topped with a winged Lady Liberty statue flanked by eagle statues. Near the base of the arch there would be lion statues. Fox News Digital reached out to the White House on Friday. The AP reported that White House spokesperson Davis Ingle indicated that the commission's action is "another step in accomplishing President Trump’s promise to the American people from the campaign trail — to Make America Safe and Beautiful Again." DEMS UNLOAD ON TRUMP'S LATEST DC UPDATE WITH 'CHRISTIAN NATIONALIST' BROADSIDE, LEGAL PUSH Reports indicate that commission vice chair James C. McCrery, II raised number of design notes, including the possibility of not including the statues atop the monument. "And I wonder... if it's not even a better, more Washingtonian design without the three finials," he said. LEAVITT SHOWS OFF US TRIUMPHAL ARCH, WITH PLANS TO BE RELEASED THURSDAY "I'd say work on the lions and find replacements for them," he said, noting that as he had indicated previously, "they're not of this continent." The Associated Press contributed to this report Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e26726d8d5dabda396bad4 Gigs turns your concert history into a personal live music archive te 2026-04-17T17:00:22.456Z Gigs turns your concert history into a personal live music archive New iPhone app Gigs uses AI to turn old tickets, screenshots, and emails into a personal concert archive with stats, memories, and more. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2650ed8d5dabda396baaa Hobbs vetoes bill to make superintendent salaries public te 2026-04-17T16:51:26.427Z Hobbs vetoes bill to make superintendent salaries public Gov. Katie Hobbs has vetoed a bill that would have required Arizona public school districts to post superintendent salaries in a public, searchable database, saying the measure failed to apply the same standard to other school choice options. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e264f9d8d5dabda396ba9c Coconino baseball gets much-needed win behind Begay’s return to mound te 2026-04-17T16:51:05.910Z Coconino baseball gets much-needed win behind Begay’s return to mound Caleb Begay came back firing in his first outing since taking a pitch to his arm last week. He and Fitz Gunian worked in tandem on the mound to help Coconino back into the win column. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e262c7d8d5dabda396ba1a How scammers target grieving victims through online games te 2026-04-17T16:41:43.744Z How scammers target grieving victims through online games For many people, games like Words With Friends are a relaxing way to pass the time. You play a few rounds, chat with opponents and enjoy a little mental exercise. But scammers have quietly turned these casual games into hunting grounds. They look for players who appear friendly, are older, or are recently widowed. Then they start a conversation. At first, it feels harmless. A compliment. A friendly message. A question about where you live. Weeks later, the conversation often shifts to money. Angela from Lake Mary, MN, recently wrote to us about a situation that has her entire family worried. Angela's situation is heartbreaking. Sadly, it is also very common. Authorities consider these romance scams. They cost victims billions each year. According to the Federal Trade Commission, romance scams remain one of the most expensive fraud categories reported by consumers. NEW FBI WARNING REVEALS PHISHING ATTACKS HITTING PRIVATE CHATS Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join. Scammers often start inside casual apps where conversation feels natural. Games like Words With Friends allow players to chat during matches. That simple feature creates the perfect entry point for criminals. The pattern often follows the same steps. First, the scammer begins a friendly conversation during a game. Next, they ask to move the conversation to email, text or a messaging app. Then they begin building emotional trust. Many claim to be widowed, traveling for work or working overseas. Eventually, a crisis appears. They claim they need help paying a bill, fixing a problem or buying supplies. Finally, they ask for money through gift cards. Once the gift card numbers are sent, the money is usually gone. Gift cards are one of the biggest red flags in scams. Criminals prefer them because they are fast and difficult to trace. Once someone shares the numbers on the back of the card, the scammer can redeem the balance immediately. There is almost no way to recover the money after that. Legitimate people do not ask strangers or online acquaintances for gift cards. If someone you met online asks for them, treat it as a serious warning sign. Angela asked whether it is possible to trace the messages. Sometimes it is. Often it is difficult. Scammers work hard to hide their identity and location. They often use: Because of this, a message may appear to come from the United States even if the scammer is overseas. Still, there are a few steps that can sometimes uncover clues. If the communication is happening by email, the full email header may reveal the route the message traveled. Headers sometimes contain the originating IP address. That address may show the country where the email began its journey. Free tools such as Google's Messageheader analyzer, MXToolbox and Microsoft's Message Header Analyzer can break down email headers and show the path a message traveled across mail servers.  While this information will not usually reveal the scammer's true identity, it can sometimes indicate the network or country where the email originated.  APPLE PAY TEXT SCAM ALMOST COST HER $15,000 Romance scammers almost always steal photos from real people. Those photos often come from social media profiles or professional websites. You can upload the images to reverse search tools such as Google Images. If the same photo appears under multiple names or accounts, that is strong evidence of a scam. Showing that proof sometimes helps victims reconsider what is happening. Another simple step is searching for the contact information online. Enter the phone number, email address or username along with words like scam or romance scam. Many scammers reuse the same identity across multiple victims. In some cases, other people have already reported the same name or number. Finding those reports can help reveal the pattern. If the conversation began on Words With Friends, the account can be reported directly through the game. Companies investigate reports and often remove accounts involved in fraud. That action will not always stop the scammer completely. However, it can prevent them from targeting additional players. The emotional connection can be stronger than the evidence. Scammers spend weeks building trust. They learn about the victim's life, their losses and their fears. Then they present themselves as someone who understands. For someone who is grieving or lonely, that connection can feel very real. Experts often recommend approaching the situation carefully. Avoid accusations or heated arguments. Instead, focus on protecting finances and calmly presenting evidence.  Family members may also help by monitoring financial activity or encouraging a pause before sending money. GOOGLE SEARCH LED TO A COSTLY SCAM CALL Romance scams continue to grow. A few practical steps can help reduce the risk. Friendly chat inside games can easily become manipulation. Be careful when strangers try to move the conversation elsewhere. Gift cards are one of the most common tools used in scams. Treat any request for them as a warning sign. Running a quick image search can reveal stolen photos used by scammers.  A second opinion can stop a scam before it becomes expensive.  If you suspect fraud, report it to the Federal Trade Commission at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov. Reports help investigators track organized criminal networks. Scammers almost always try to move the conversation to text, email or messaging apps. Staying inside the game platform makes it easier to report suspicious behavior. Some scammers eventually ask victims for personal details such as bank information or identification documents. Monitoring your credit reports and financial accounts can help detect suspicious activity early. See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com. Scammers often research potential victims through people-search websites and public records. Limiting the personal details that appear online can make it harder for criminals to target you. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com. Romance scammers often claim they are working overseas, stuck on an oil rig or deployed in the military. These stories are designed to explain why they cannot meet in person.   Angela's story shows how easily these scams can begin. They often start in places that feel harmless. A simple word game. A friendly chat. A conversation that slowly becomes personal. By the time money enters the picture, the emotional bond may already feel strong. That is why families must focus on patience and protection. Helping someone step back from a scam can take time, but support and evidence can make a difference. If a friendly opponent in a simple word game started messaging you every day, would you recognize the moment when the conversation turns into a scam? 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/69e262b4d8d5dabda396ba11 'Hunger Games' actor Ethan Jamieson arrested for alleged assault with intent to kill te 2026-04-17T16:41:24.141Z 'Hunger Games' actor Ethan Jamieson arrested for alleged assault with intent to kill "Hunger Games" actor Ethan Jamieson has been arrested. According to arrest records, Jamieson was arrested on Monday, March 23, in Raleigh, North Carolina, for alleged assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to kill. Police officers were alerted to shots being fired at 9:52 p.m., local time, on March 22, the Raleigh Police Department told People. One of the victims told police that "an unknown suspect riding an e-bike had fired a shot at their vehicle while they were driving." There were two other people in the car at the time of the shooting. ‘REACHER’ STAR ALAN RITCHSON DROPS CRYPTIC ‘ENEMY’ QUOTE AFTER ALLEGED FRONT YARD BRAWL WITH NEIGHBOR "During the course of the investigation, detectives identified Ethan Jamieson (27) as the individual who discharged a single gunshot in the direction of the victims’ vehicle," police told the outlet. Jamieson allegedly assaulted three men, who were listed as E.F., J.M., and K.W. in court documents, with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, according to TMZ. Fox News Digital reached out to Jamieson's representative for comment. This is not the first time Jamieson has found himself in trouble with the law. Per the actor's arrest record, Jamieson was arrested in March 2025 for resisting a public officer. Jamieson got his big break in the entertainment industry when he was cast as the District 4 male tribute in the first installment of "The Hunger Games" films in 2012. Prior to that, the actor had minor appearances in television shows such as "One Tree Hill" and the 2010 movie "The Rusty Bucket Kids: Lincoln, Journey to 16." He later made an appearance on the hit show, "Justified." His brief appearance in "Justified" in 2013 was his final on-screen role before taking a step back from acting. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "The Hunger Games" went on to become a massive success, with the first film earning $695.2 million at the global box office. Four more films have since been released, including three sequels and one prequel, with another set to premiere in theaters in November this year. The latest prequel, "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping," takes place 24 years prior to the original film and follows the story of a young Haymitch Abernathy, as he prepares to compete in the 50th Annual Hunger Games. Haymitch Abernathy was portrayed by Woody Harrelson in the original films and was the mentor to Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson's characters, as he was the only other victor from District 12. The new film stars Joseph Zada as Haymitch, Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket, Ralph Fiennes as President Snow, and Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, all playing characters who appeared in the original movies. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "I'm a small part in the film," Fanning told Nerdtropolis in March. "I'm not, you know, I wasn't there day in and day out, so I haven't seen everything, but from what I have seen, it's pretty incredible. It's a great cast, that's for sure." Fox News Digital's Christina Dugan Ramirez contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e26288d8d5dabda396b9f9 Are we tokenmaxxing our way to nowhere? te 2026-04-17T16:40:40.589Z Are we tokenmaxxing our way to nowhere? The gap between AI insiders and everyone else is widening, and the spending, suspicion, and even new vocabulary are starting to show it. While OpenAI is busy buying up everything from finance apps to talk shows, a certain shoe company just rebranded as an AI infrastructure play, and Anthropic unveil Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e26274d8d5dabda396b9e4 Tucson's LGBTQ community rebuilds with plants and Pride te 2026-04-17T16:40:20.288Z Tucson's LGBTQ community rebuilds with plants and Pride In the wake of Tucson Pride's collapse, the city's LGBTQ community is figuring out what comes next, and for at least one organizer, the answer starts with plants. Tucson Pride, founded in 1977 and one of the oldest Pride organizations in the United States, announced its disbandment in January after canceling its annual festival and citing ongoing financial challenges. The board said any donations would be refunded within 30 to 90 days. The news blindsided many in the local LGBTQIA+ community. In response to the announcement on Facebook, community members expressed confusion and frustration, with some calling Tucson Pride a "cultural anchor" and a "lifeline for people who don't have one anywhere else." The shutdown left a significant void, prompting community members to gather at Bumsted's on March 23 to discuss what, if anything, should come next, with a handful of groups stepping up to take on a planning role, including Tucson Queerstory and the Sonoran Pride Alliance. During the forum, facilitated by the Center for Community Mediation and Facilitation, about 60 community members voted 29 to 23 against hosting a 2026 Pride festival similar to past events, citing concerns about finances, time and organizational capacity, according to a report from the event. Participants brainstormed more than 130 ideas for what Pride could look like going forward, ultimately reaching consensus on 19 priorities. Three themes emerged from those discussions: a desire for smaller, grassroots events rooted in the local community rather than corporate sponsorship; a vision of Pride as a year-round presence rather than a single annual festival; and a call for transparent, accountable governance, including the possibility of forming a new nonprofit. "There's broadly a desire to have an event that stems from the community and more of a way for people to meet each other, rather than a commercial event," said Kyle Snowden, who attended the meeting. Despite voting against a traditional festival, participants were not ready to give up on Pride entirely. A dozen people stayed after the meeting to begin forming an organizing committee, and nearly 30 others signed up to help in some capacity. At least two groups that were not present at the March 23 meeting have since announced plans to develop their own Pride festival, meaning Tucson could end up with multiple Pride-related events in 2026 rather than one unified effort. It is unclear whether permits have been filed for any of those events. One idea that came out of the meeting is the Queer Earth Day Seed and Plant Swap Sunday at Reid Park, Ramada 19, from 9 to 11 a.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring plants, seeds, seedlings or cuttings to share, along with lawn chairs and coolers. For Snowden, an avid gardener, the swap was a natural way to bring people together around something close to his heart. "I'm a gardener and I have a bunch of seeds," Snowden said. "One tends to accrue seed packets, so I have 50 or more that are half-full." Snowden will be bringing his haul, along with some seedlings to share. He said the group hopes the swap will be the first of many events. "This first one is very grassroots. It's not ticketed, it's open to everyone and it's the right time of year," he said. "We just wanted to kickstart something and get the ball rolling from there." The coalition will be meeting again to continue planning and is still looking to recruit new members. "It's all very open. We want to hear from people who want to show up," Snowden said. "We're still seeing who is willing to be the planners. The events will be reflective of that broader community spirit." People interested in getting involved can fill out this Google form and leave a comment about their desired participation. 💡 Queer Earth Day Seed and Plant Swap When: Sunday, April 19; 9 to 11 a.m. Where: Reid Park, 900 S. Randolph Way, Ramada 19, Attendees are encouraged to bring plants, seeds, seedlings or cuttings to share, along with lawn chairs and coolers. Caitlin Schmidt is Editor and Publisher of Tucson Spotlight. Contact her at caitlin@tucsonspotlight.org. 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/69e2605ed8d5dabda396b9c9 5 golden retrievers found wandering around Chandler te 2026-04-17T16:31:26.800Z 5 golden retrievers found wandering around Chandler A pack of golden retrievers were brought to a Chandler fire station on Friday after the dogs were found wandering in the city. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e26033d8d5dabda396b9b0 Mark Kelly: Pentagon can’t cite a single case supporting Hegseth’s effort to strip his rank te 2026-04-17T16:30:43.764Z Mark Kelly: Pentagon can’t cite a single case supporting Hegseth’s effort to strip his rank U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., speaks at a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 11, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Heather Diehl/Getty Images) WASHINGTON — Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly’s legal team is urging a federal appeals court to uphold a ruling that allows the former Navy captain to keep his retirement rank and pay while his First Amendment case against the Pentagon moves forward.  Benjamin C. Mizer, partner at Arnold & Porter, wrote in a brief filed April 15 that the Defense Department violated Kelly’s constitutional rights when it tried to punish him for appearing alongside other Democrats in the “Don’t Give Up The Ship” video.  The Trump administration’s appeal of the district court’s ruling, he wrote, doesn’t cite “a single case” that has expanded the limited speech rights of active-duty military members to “retirees like Senator Kelly.” The legal precedent the Trump administration did reference, Parker v. Levy, “involved an active-duty officer directly urging soldiers at his wartime military post to refuse specific orders to deploy and fight,” Mizer wrote.  “Senator Kelly, by contrast, is a retired officer and legislator who publicly called, alongside other Members of Congress, for adherence to settled law, not defiance of it,” Mizer wrote.  ‘Illegal orders’ video posted in November Kelly, Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin, Colorado Rep. Jason Crow, New Hampshire Rep. Maggie Goodlander, and Pennsylvania Reps. Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, all Democrats with backgrounds in the military or national security, posted the video at the center of the case on Nov. 18. They said that Americans in those institutions “can” and “must refuse illegal orders.” “No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution. We know this is hard and that it’s a difficult time to be a public servant,” they said. “But whether you’re serving in the CIA, in the Army, or Navy, or the Air Force, your vigilance is critical.” Mizer wrote in his legal brief that “Kelly never told members of the armed forces to refuse any particular military orders. The video did not even identify any specific military orders or operations.” Mizer added the obligation to refuse clearly illegal orders “is a bedrock of the law of armed conflict.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced in January that he would attempt to downgrade Kelly’s retirement rank and pay for his participation in the video, leading the senator to file a lawsuit.  Senior Judge Richard J. Leon of the District of Columbia District Court issued a preliminary injunction in February, blocking that from taking effect while the case progresses through the legal system.  The Trump administration appealed the preliminary injunction to the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, which has scheduled oral arguments for May 7. Karen LeCraft Henderson, nominated by President George H.W. Bush in 1990; Cornelia T.L. Pillard, nominated by President Barack Obama in 2013; and Florence Y. Pan, nominated by President Joe Biden in 2022, make up the three-judge panel that will decide whether to uphold the district court’s preliminary injunction or overturn it.  DOJ argues discipline at risk Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate wrote in a 71-page brief filed March 20 the district court judge’s ruling “was gravely wrong and sweeps far beyond Kelly’s suit, calling into question the military’s ability to maintain discipline among servicemembers.” Shumate added later in the filing that “while retired officers may well have greater speech rights than active-duty servicemembers in some respects, the district court erred in holding that they are indistinguishable from civilians for purposes of First Amendment analysis.  “The court reasoned that retired officers cannot undermine discipline as significantly as active-duty servicemembers, but that conclusion is unsupportable.” Shumate contended that the “district court also erred insofar as it suggested that Kelly is entitled to heightened First Amendment protection because he is a Member of Congress. Whatever enhanced speech rights Kelly has in that capacity, they come from other constitutional provisions, not the First Amendment.” “If anything, Kelly’s role in Congress provides more, not less, reason to hold him as accountable as other servicemembers for counseling disobedience to lawful orders, given that his ‘leadership position’ as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee gives him ‘unique sway over the military,’” Shumate wrote. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e25e1dd8d5dabda396b937 Fox News AI Newsletter: Tech company cuts 1,000 jobs in AI-driven restructuring te 2026-04-17T16:21:49.580Z Fox News AI Newsletter: Tech company cuts 1,000 jobs in AI-driven restructuring IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER: - Snapchat parent company cuts 1,000 jobs in major AI-driven workforce restructuring  - The AI you use every day is biased — and it's quietly shaping your worldview, new report says - First-ever moratorium on AI data centers passes Maine legislature TECH SHAKE-UP: Snapchat parent company cuts 1,000 jobs in major AI-driven workforce restructuring – Snapchat's parent company, Snap, announced it is laying off approximately 1,000 employees—about 16% of its full-time workforce — as part of a major restructuring effort driven by the integration of artificial intelligence. The tech firm expects the cuts and AI-driven workflow efficiencies to yield over $500 million in annualized savings, following pressure from an activist investor to streamline operations and rein in costs. CODED INFLUENCE: The AI you use every day is biased — and it's quietly shaping your worldview, new report says – A new report from the America First Policy Institute reveals that popular artificial intelligence systems consistently lean left and possess a subtle ideological bias that can quietly shape users' worldviews. The findings suggest that these hidden design choices not only reflect ideological assumptions but can actively persuade and influence public opinion on key political and social issues, raising transparency concerns over AI's growing role in daily life. TECH BOOM BRAKES: First-ever moratorium on AI data centers passes Maine legislature – Maine is poised to become the first state to impose a moratorium on large artificial intelligence data centers, advancing legislation that would pause approvals for hyperscale facilities requiring over 20 megawatts of power until October 2027. The move, which reflects growing national backlash over power grid strain and environmental impacts, will serve as a major test case for how states balance the massive energy demands of Big Tech with local economic and ecological concerns. COPYCAT RISK: Molotov cocktail attack on Sam Altman's home sparks fears of copycat strikes against tech executives – Following a predawn Molotov cocktail attack on OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's San Francisco home, federal authorities are on high alert for copycat strikes against other high-profile tech executives. The suspect, Daniel Moreno-Gama, was motivated by anti-AI extremism and allegedly carried a manifesto listing additional AI executives and their addresses, prompting San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins to pursue aggressive prosecution amid escalating rhetoric surrounding artificial intelligence. EVOLVED HACKING: AI is now powering cyberattacks, Microsoft warns – According to a new report from Microsoft Threat Intelligence, cybercriminals and nation-state actors are increasingly utilizing artificial intelligence to accelerate and scale their cyberattacks. Hackers are using generative AI to write convincing phishing emails, build malicious infrastructure and dynamically generate malware, significantly lowering the technical barrier to entry for cybercrime and prompting calls for stronger digital security measures. WATCH OUT: Is Mark Zuckerberg's Meta AI getting too smart? – Meta has unveiled its foundational AI model, Muse Spark, equipping its Meta AI assistant with advanced multimodal capabilities like image comprehension and parallel task handling across apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. Fox News Digital details that the upgrade is part of Mark Zuckerberg's aggressive push toward a "personal superintelligence," allowing the AI to seamlessly analyze photos, answer complex health queries, and simultaneously execute multi-step planning tasks. OPINION: SEN BERNIE SANDERS: Artificial intelligence is coming for the working class. We must fight back – Sen. Bernie Sanders is calling for a federal moratorium on new artificial intelligence data centers until strong safeguards are enacted to protect the working class from widespread job displacement. Sen. Sanders warns that AI oligarchs are deploying revolutionary technologies to replace human workers entirely, urging Congress to rethink the American social contract and ensure the AI boom benefits everyday citizens rather than just billionaires. COSTLY CONVENIENCE: OPINION: AI tax filing sounds easy — until it leaves you owing the IRS thousands of dollars – While using AI chatbots like ChatGPT to file taxes may seem like a convenient shortcut, relying on them can lead to costly errors and severe IRS penalties due to the tools' inability to accurately apply complex tax codes. Expert Hemant Bhargava cautions taxpayers to treat AI as a translator rather than a decision-maker, emphasizing that consumer AI systems frequently miscalculate liabilities and fail to securely handle highly sensitive financial data. DIGITAL DOPPELGANGER: Meta reportedly building an AI version of Mark Zuckerberg to interact with company employees – Meta is reportedly developing a photorealistic, artificial intelligence-powered version of CEO Mark Zuckerberg to interact directly with company employees, according to a recent report. Zuckerberg has been actively training the AI character on his own mannerisms and strategies to foster stronger internal connections, a move that aligns with the tech giant's broader ambition to integrate "personal superintelligence" across its platforms. MAJOR REVAMP: Allbirds drops sneakers, reinvents itself as an AI infrastructure company – San Francisco-based footwear brand Allbirds is abandoning its sneaker business to reinvent itself as an artificial intelligence infrastructure company called NewBird AI. The stunning pivot involves a $50 million convertible financing agreement to acquire high-performance graphics processing units (GPUs), aiming to meet the massive, unmet demand for AI cloud computing capacity among enterprise developers. 'KEEP UP': Reese Witherspoon warns AI is three times more likely to replace women – Actress Reese Witherspoon took to Instagram to urge women to embrace artificial intelligence, warning that jobs traditionally held by women are three times more likely to be automated by the emerging technology. Witherspoon's concerns align with a recent UN study, and the Hollywood star is encouraging her followers to actively learn about AI so they aren't left behind in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. LATTE UPGRADE: Starbucks uses ChatGPT to suggest drinks based on mood as expert warns of hidden downsides – Starbucks has launched a beta integration with ChatGPT, allowing customers to receive customized beverage recommendations tailored to their mood, taste, and even the weather. Fox News Digital reports that while the AI tool offers a fun and highly personalized ordering experience, experts warn it could quietly manipulate consumer behavior by consistently nudging users toward sweeter, higher-calorie drinks that satisfy impulsive emotional cravings. SPOT ON: AI could be coming for your wine as experts turn to technology for industry overhaul – Scientists have developed an AI-powered handheld sensor called RipenAI that uses machine learning and optical technology to instantly determine the ripeness of grapes directly on the vine. This revolutionary, non-destructive tool could transform the winemaking industry by optimizing harvest timing and improving the overall quality and efficiency of wine production. Facebook Instagram YouTube X LinkedIn Fox News First Fox News Opinion Fox News Lifestyle Fox News Health Fox News Go Fox Nation Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements, and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future with Fox News here. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e25e09d8d5dabda396b92e Meghan Trainor scraps entire tour after third child, admits it's 'more than I can take' te 2026-04-17T16:21:29.714Z Meghan Trainor scraps entire tour after third child, admits it's 'more than I can take' Meghan Trainor hit the brakes on her next big thing. Trainor abruptly announced she was canceling her upcoming tour as the pop star revealed growing her family and performing across the country is "more than [she] can take on right now." "After a lot of reflection and some really tough conversations, I've made the difficult decision to cancel 'The Get In Girl Tour,'" she wrote Thursday on her Instagram Story. "Balancing the release of a new album, preparing for a nationwide tour, and welcoming our new baby girl to our growing family of five has just been more than I can take on right now, and I need to be home and present for each and all of them at this time," she added. MARGOT ROBBIE SETS FIRM HOLLYWOOD BOUNDARIES AS A NEW MOM: 'I’M GOING TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY' Trainor and husband Daryl Sabara welcomed their third child via surrogacy in January. The 32-year-old mother of three appeared remorseful as she apologized to her fans. "I know this will come as a disappointment to my fans, and I am so sorry to let you down," Trainor wrote. "But I know this is the right decision for my family and me right now." "I promise I'll be back soon, and I can't wait for you to hear this new record. I'm so proud of it and I'm endlessly grateful for your love and support always." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Trainor's seventh studio album, "Toy with Me," will be released April 24. Trainor dealt with backlash after revealing she used a surrogate for her third pregnancy. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "I didn't look [at the comments]," Trainor admitted during an appearance on Kylie Kelce's "Not Gonna Lie" podcast. "I knew fully — because it was after all the hate I was already getting for changing, just for looking different because I took care of myself — so I was like, ‘Oh, they hate me now. They ain't going like this.'" "And it was a cloud of tears every night of just worry." The "Made You Look" singer explained the couple chose surrogacy as the "safest way" to welcome their third child after Trainor struggled with her health and the possibility of an autoimmune disease. "Every day when we knew she was alive in someone else, we were like, ‘Is she OK?'" Trainor told Kelce. "You know, like you go cuckoo, you go crazy. There's so much that goes into it, but we had an amazing surrogate who was so good to us and texts us everything and we got to talk all the time." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e25de2d8d5dabda396b921 Rumeysa Ozturk, Tufts Student Held in Immigration Detention, Returns to Turkey te 2026-04-17T16:20:50.395Z Rumeysa Ozturk, Tufts Student Held in Immigration Detention, Returns to Turkey Rumeysa Ozturk, who was detained for weeks by the Trump administration after co-writing a pro-Palestinian opinion essay, has graduated and returned home. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e25dc6d8d5dabda396b905 Chef Robotics escaped the robot cooking graveyard and says it’s thriving — here’s why te 2026-04-17T16:20:22.575Z Chef Robotics escaped the robot cooking graveyard and says it’s thriving — here’s why The company, which deploys AI-guided robot arms for food production, says it is looking to expand its services to provide for a broader array of customers. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e25bd5d8d5dabda396b8d8 Kelly, Gallego urge DHS to halt planned ICE detention facilities in Surprise and Marana te 2026-04-17T16:12:05.043Z Kelly, Gallego urge DHS to halt planned ICE detention facilities in Surprise and Marana Arizona U.S. Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego are urging the Trump administration to put a halt to two planned detention facilities in the state as opposition to them grows and questions continue to mount, according to a letter exclusively… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e25bacd8d5dabda396b8cd A Capitol moment: Y2K and Gov. Jane Hull’s veto prowess te 2026-04-17T16:11:24.906Z A Capitol moment: Y2K and Gov. Jane Hull’s veto prowess “The year 2000 computer bug inconvenienced a customer at the Motor Vehicle Division. And that was about it.” While that diagnosis may be a bit glib, that’s what former Arizona Capitol Times reporters deemed appropriate to lead one of the three top stories for the publication’s first issue of the new millennium.  The article, “Y2K Bug’s Bark Proves Worse Than Its Byte,” is a personable and fun write-up of some of the scant ways the impending digital catastrophe — as many saw it — impacted Arizona.  But it wasn’t the only issue at hand that week, and the minor glitch at the MVD and backup security measures at the Yavapai County Courthouse that were reported were far from center stage for our former editors. They also shared the front page with Rep. John Verkamp’s resignation and drunk driving scandal, a write-up of Clean Elections’ latest appointment, David McKay, and even a joke from Henry David Thoreau about governors.  “I went to the store the other day to buy a bolt for our front door, for as I told the storekeeper, the Governor was coming here. ‘Aye,’ said he, ‘And the Legislature too.’ ‘Then I will take two bolts,’ said I. He said there had been a steady demand for bolts and locks of late, for our protectors were coming.” More prominently, and far beyond the Y2K scare, the January 7 issue also featured a familiar January Capitol event — the governor’s State of the State address. And along with it? An old perspective on a fresh issue: veto power. To be delivered by then-Gov. Jane Dee Hull, a Republican who served in the state’s highest office between 1997 and 2003, the article focuses on her biography, her rise to power and the variety of issues she thought critical to her upcoming term.  Even now, 26 years later, the echoes of her most prominent concerns can still be heard in the Legislature. So, too, does her use of the veto and the reaction from long-gone legislators reveal a striking similarity to modern debates, proving the truth of an old adage: Some things just don’t change.   A Black Widow  Hull had a reputation for slashing budgets. According to reporting from former Arizona Capitol Times staffer Tom Collins, she was first elected to the Legislature in 1979 under the banner of a fierce anti-tax conservative. Her penchant for slashing budgets had earned her the title of “Black Widow,” an honor she shared among a group of other likeminded conservatives. It makes sense then that her primary issues for the session included K-12 funding, charter school reform, the construction of state hospitals, and what to do with the state’s new windfall of cash earned from recently enacted tobacco litigation.  More significantly, and perhaps more relatably, Arizona’s Y2K session appears to have been marred by a tense and veto-scarred Legislature. According to Collins, Hull had vetoed 21 bills during the 1999 session, bringing her average to 17 bills per session, an alarming record for the period. That expression of gubernatorial power set off a tense summer of silence, with state officials, including Hull, criticizing the lack of communication among elected officials. “I don’t think anybody tried very hard this summer,” Hull said, referring to the months leading up to Y2K.  So what exactly was Hull opposed to? Several appropriations bills, or proposals to fund projects, made the cut — literally. Most notably, she declined to provide extra funding for Arizona’s community colleges and for home development on the Navajo reservation. But not all of her ink was spent slashing bills directly related to the state budget. The fiscally-focused governor also had a sore spot for legislation she believed infringed on her executive power.  S1143, sponsored by then-Sen. Tom Freestone, who served between 1997 and 2001, also met with Hull’s red ink. The proposal would have expanded open meeting laws to also apply to the state’s executive branch — an idea Hull blasted as hypocritical, given her contention that the Legislature was itself operating without adequate transparency. “We felt blindsided on that,” Freestone said.  That blindside prompted a tense return to the GOP’s first caucus of the Y2K session, with Freestone joining forces with then-Sens. Dave Petersen and John Huppenthal on Nov. 29, 1999, to push for a “veto recess” to review Governor Hull’s rejection of their proposals. Huppenthal, who hopped back and forth between the Legislature’s chambers between 1992 and 2010 before finally serving as the secretary of state, had joined the cause, according to Collins, because he believed Hull had vetoed his own proposal to recreate a Symington-era Administrative Rules Oversight Committee as a matter of political revenge.  “Having suffered what I feel was a retaliation veto, I would be in support,” Huppenthal said before the meeting of fellow conservatives.  Petersen, by contrast, joined the push against Hull on principle. His S1303 had passed both houses by wide margins before it met its end by the governor. He was told, like Huppenthal, that the veto was retaliation — this time for Petersen’s refusal to tighten charter school accountability.  “We made changes and still got vetoed and that was kind of disconcerting,” Petersen said. “I guess you have to come to (the) conclusion that there has to be another reason.” Senior legislator and then-Senate Minority Leader Jack Brown, a Democrat born in St. Johns, Arizona, in 1929, had his own bill, H2600, which would have increased aviation funding by $2.7 million, also vetoed by Hull. “Its hard to understand,” Brown said. “… I think she was using her vetoes to tell people that she was the boss.” For her part, Hull said she was surprised legislators had taken ire with her vetoes.  “I would just remind them that the phone works both ways,” Hull said.  The tension leading up to the first session of the new millennium may have been high, but despite the silent summer and allegations of political retaliation, there remained a resounding message of comradery and communication that boiled through.  Freestone himself, who led the GOP caucus criticism against Hull, may have said it best when asked his thoughts about the controversial figure, a woman he had known for nearly 30 years at that point.  “The basic character of a person doesn’t change,” Freestone said. “You have to understand that when a person gets in a difficult position like that, there’s going to be pressure that sometimes might sort of alter your relationship.”  “(It’s important) it doesn’t,” he continued. “It’s just a momentary thing.” In the end, despite the “Black Widow’s” strict conservative stance and penchant for power dynamics, the year 2000 brought a host of significant changes to Arizona.  In total, 1,373 bills, memorials and resolutions were introduced. Of those, 420 made it to the governor, and 402 were given Hull’s approval. By the end of the session, Hull had vetoed a total of 15 bills — a pittance compared to current figures. Notable pieces of legislation passed during the Y2K session include Proposition 301, championed by Hull herself and met with voter approval, which increased the state sales tax to provide long-term funding for Arizona’s schools, teacher salaries, community colleges and research — essentially establishing the financial foundation of Arizona’s modern state schools. Hull also signed a bill to encourage the use of alternative fuels through tax incentives for natural gas and propane fueled vehicles, those commonly used on worksites across the state today. Hull died in 2020, at the age of 84, on the same day as her husband. And while her legacy in Arizona is far from forgotten, her efforts and attitude during Arizona’s first session of the millennium highlight just how little has changed in the past quarter-century of Arizona politics — and the reason why the Arizona Capitol Times has always loved covering the state Legislature. Editor’s Note: This article is part of an ongoing series highlighting the Arizona Capitol Times’ 120th Anniversary. Read our other anniversary pieces below. A century of service — Arizona News Service covers the Capitol, and always has The post A Capitol moment: Y2K and Gov. Jane Hull’s veto prowess first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e25b97d8d5dabda396b8a8 Battleground Dem says terrorists act from 'pain and frustration,' accuses Americans of being 'high and mighty' te 2026-04-17T16:11:03.028Z Battleground Dem says terrorists act from 'pain and frustration,' accuses Americans of being 'high and mighty' A Democratic Senate candidate running in the battleground state of Michigan said the United States should try to understand why terrorists commit such "heinous acts," suggesting those actions stem from a place of "pain and frustration and a level of lack of agency." Abdul El-Sayed, a medical doctor and former Wayne County health director, is vying for Michigan's open Senate seat in the 2026 midterms. He is running on a platform that includes Medicare for All and free education, and has been critical of Israel. In July 2025, El-Sayed held a town hall in South Haven, Michigan, where a constituent asked how he would address terrorism if elected to the Senate. The exchange was captured on video and first obtained by the Washington Free Beacon. El-Sayed said that while the United States' current approach to terror, which leverages U.S. military might against terrorist organizations, is "necessary," he suggested that leaders must also try to "understand" where terrorists are coming from. FAR-LEFT SENATE HOPEFUL'S RADICAL TIES TO 'MARURO CRONIES' COULD TORPEDO CAMPAIGN: 'TIRED OF THE CHAOS' "I also think we need to be curious about why those things happen in the first place, like, [what] drives somebody to want to commit such a heinous act," El-Sayed said. "I have to be a student of people's pain. Like, that's, that's what I did in medicine. That's what I try to do in politics, like, what, what happens when people are in pain?" El-Sayed said that terrorism is political violence committed in "pursuit of a political end." "There is a level of pain and frustration and a level of lack of agency that they have to feel to do something so insane and absurd, right?" El-Sayed said. DEMOCRATS TEAM UP WITH FAR-LEFT STREAMER WHO ONCE SAID ‘AMERICA DESERVED 9/11’ He then said that the "heinous acts" of terrorists lead him to reflect on how "we're behaving that may get somebody to think that we don't see them." "And I think too often, the way we've engaged in the world has been that we set up this rules based international order, and then we break the rules of the rules based international order," El-Sayed said. "And that creates a situation where there are a lot of people who look at us and say, that's hypocritical, and that's wrong." He said the United States should not respond in ways that don't "inflame tensions" and that, if elected to the Senate, he would bring "empathy" to U.S. conversations about and responses to terror. He accused Americans of being "high and mighty" in their current views of global conflict. "I think that for us, there is strength in wisdom and there is strength in empathy, and there is strength in justice, and there's strength in consistency," El-Sayed said. FAR-LEFT SENATE HOPEFUL'S RADICAL TIES TO 'MADURO CRONIES' COULD TORPEDO CAMPAIGN: 'TIRED OF THE CHAOS' El-Sayed, the son of Egyptian immigrants, has been highly critical of Israel's actions during the Gaza War. He previously accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians, and he has campaigned with internet personality Hasan Parker, who has aligned himself with the terrorist group Hamas. Parker said he would vote for Hamas, saying it is a "thousand times better" than Israel and that he would vote for Hamas over Israel "every single time." In the Democratic primary, El-Sayed faces competition from Rep. Hayley Stevens, D-Mich., and Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMarrow. Fox News Digital reached out to Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers and El-Sayed for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e25b6cd8d5dabda396b885 Río Nuevo financia proyectos pese a déficit te 2026-04-17T16:10:20.889Z Río Nuevo financia proyectos pese a déficit Leer en inglés A pesar de un déficit de ingresos que la ha dejado con solo una fracción de los fondos esperados para este año fiscal, la Junta de Rio Nuevo aprobó, en su última reunión, la financiación de varios proyectos en el centro de la ciudad. Rio Nuevo es un distrito de financiación mediante incremento de impuestos, creado por el estado, que reinvierte una parte de los ingresos por impuestos sobre las ventas generados en el centro de Tucson en proyectos de reurbanización. Para el año fiscal que finaliza en junio, la junta esperaba percibir alrededor de $4 millones en ingresos; sin embargo, las proyecciones indican que es probable que solo recaude cerca del 10% de esa cifra, lo cual repercute en su capacidad para financiar proyectos a corto plazo. La junta debatió este asunto durante su reunión del pasado 10 de marzo, en un esfuerzo por determinar la causa fundamental de su reciente y persistente déficit de ingresos. A pesar de las incertidumbres financieras, la junta está evaluando la posibilidad de tramitar un acuerdo sobre el Impuesto Especial al Arrendamiento de Propiedades Gubernamentales para el Arizona Hotel, una propiedad histórica situada frente al Ronstadt Center, el cual contempla un tope propuesto de $1.2 millones en reembolsos. El promotor inmobiliario Marcel Dabdoub, quien invirtió $2.7 millones en la renovación del hotel en 2017, busca obtener unos reembolsos fiscales, previamente aprobados, pero aún no formalizados mediante firma, con el fin de respaldar sus planes para el renovado Hotel Arizona y los conceptos gastronómicos y comerciales asociados al proyecto Lucky Penny. Dicho acuerdo requeriría la realización de un estudio independiente sobre el impacto económico, así como la divulgación pública de información, con el objetivo de demostrar que la iniciativa genera un beneficio público neto. Se prevé que la junta retome el análisis de esta propuesta más adelante, dando inicio así a un proceso de aprobación que se extenderá por varios meses. Asimismo, la junta debatió su posible colaboración con Brock Lynch, fundador y operador del Open Container Hospitality Group y del concepto Lucky Penny. Lynch se presentó ante la junta directiva en febrero con planes para inaugurar un restaurante de barbacoa y patio de inspiración sonorense, una cafetería y el Hotel Arizona. Como parte del concepto global de Lucky Penny, estos proyectos implicarán la reubicación de baños e instalaciones de fontanería, la instalación de nuevos suelos, barras y sistemas de aire acondicionado, así como el acondicionamiento de la propiedad situada en el 47 N. 6th Ave. El restaurante y patio Lucky Penny ofrecerá un ambiente inspirado en el suroeste de los Estados Unidos, rindiendo homenaje a la atmósfera sonorense de Tucson. Lynch señaló que el patio es uno de los componentes principales del establecimiento y podrá utilizarse para juegos al aire libre y para cenar a la intemperie. El restaurante y el patio estarán situados contiguos al hotel, brindando a los huéspedes acceso directo a su oferta gastronómica. En el lado opuesto del edificio con respecto a Lucky Penny, Lynch propuso incorporar la cafetería Bonanza Coffee Co. A pesar de contar con poco más de 600 pies cuadrados de superficie, Bonanza trascenderá el modelo tradicional de cafetería, limitado habitualmente al horario de la mañana y el mediodía, al permanecer abierto hasta altas horas de la noche. Más allá del café, la cafetería servirá bebidas sin alcohol y contará con un sistema de sonido y la presencia rotativa de DJs, reforzando aún más esa atmósfera propia del desierto de Sonora. Tanto el restaurante como la cafetería formarán parte de un ecosistema de hostelería más amplio que incluye el Hotel Arizona. Actualmente, el espacio alberga el Arizona Hotel, construido en 1913 y compuesto por 15 unidades individuales de alquiler de corta estancia. El objetivo de Lynch es crear, dentro del edificio, un entorno que permita a los huéspedes transitar libremente de un concepto a otro sin necesidad de abandonar las instalaciones. La pieza final del Concepto Lucky Penny, tal como lo propuso Lynch, consiste en la activación del callejón situado entre las avenidas North 6th y North Scott. Con planes para transformarlo en un paseo peatonal, el promotor afirmó que la reutilización de este espacio supondría un gran complemento a las iniciativas de limpieza y embellecimiento que ya se están llevando a cabo en el centro de la ciudad. La solicitud de Lynch la cual fue ajustada con respecto a las reuniones anteriores debido a la situación financiera de la junta incluía una aportación en efectivo de $230,500 para contribuir a financiar la construcción del restaurante y la cafetería, así como $9.000 destinados a la activación del callejón. Dado que no se tomó ninguna medida respecto al proyecto durante las dos reuniones anteriores, Lynch expresó su esperanza de que esta vez se obtuviera la aprobación. “Realmente esperamos poder llegar a un acuerdo,” afirmó. “Creemos que esta es una oportunidad única para lanzar un nuevo concepto que, ojalá, tenga una gran acogida en el centro de Tucson.” Varios miembros de la junta sugirieron a Lynch que retirara de su solicitud la partida correspondiente al callejón, habida cuenta de la situación financiera de la junta; Lynch accedió a ello. A continuación, la junta aprobó por unanimidad el resto de la financiación solicitada. “Tenemos grandes esperanzas puestas en este proyecto,” declaró el presidente Fletcher McCusker tras la votación. La junta también debatió la posible adquisición de 14 parcelas vacantes situadas en el lado norte de Broadway; la ciudad de Tucson había ofrecido dichas propiedades a Rio Nuevo con el fin de promover su dinamización. La junta aprobó por unanimidad que McCusker formalizará el intercambio mediante el cual las propiedades pasarían a titularidad del distrito; los siguientes pasos incluirán la solicitud de propuestas a los promotores interesados ​​en adquirir dichas parcelas. Asimismo, la junta retomó el debate sobre su colaboración con Obie Companies empresa con sede en Eugene, Oregón en relación con una propiedad situada en el 75 E. Broadway Blvd. El espacio dúplex del Museo El Presidio, recientemente transformado de cafetería en bar y casa de té recibió un reembolso de $14.807 por parte de la Junta de Rio Nuevo durante su reunión del 10 de marzo. Caitlin Schmidt / El Foco de Tucson. Los planes de Obie para convertir la propiedad en una posada y mercado siguen en marcha, con la intención de incluir cinco plantas, 125 habitaciones y múltiples locales comerciales distribuidos por el vestíbulo y el callejón adyacente, así como un restaurante en la azotea y una piscina con servicio de coctelería. "No se trata solo de construir un hotel; se trata de lo que aportamos a Tucson y de cómo lo convertimos en un centro comunitario," afirmó Irene Alltucker, vicepresidenta de bienes raíces de Obie. El terreno donde se ubicarán Tucson Inn y el Marketplace es actualmente propiedad del condado; los miembros de la junta han señalado que es importante que Rio Nuevo adquiera la titularidad del terreno, dada su capacidad para ofrecer incentivos a los promotores inmobiliarios. El plan de la junta consiste en adquirir el terreno al condado por su valor de tasación de 3 millones de dólares y, posteriormente, transferirlo a los promotores. Es muy probable que este traspaso sea aprobado en la próxima reunión de la junta. El proyecto conlleva, además, implicaciones de mayor alcance para el posicionamiento de Tucson. Durante el último año, la ciudad ocupó el último lugar entre los 11 mercados analizados por el auditor general en cuanto a la capacidad hotelera necesaria para dar soporte a su centro de convenciones. El proyecto de desarrollo de Obie podría contribuir a que Tucson se acerque a la media de dicho indicador. El último punto del orden del día fue la propiedad que la junta posee en el Museo El Presidio. El espacio dúplex solía funcionar como cafetería, pero recientemente ha sido transformado en un bar y casa de té que ya se encuentra abierto y en pleno funcionamiento. Amy Hartmann-Gordon, directora ejecutiva del museo, solicitó a la junta el reembolso del 50 % del importe total invertido en las obras de renovación del espacio, lo que equivale a $14.807. La junta votó por unanimidad a favor de acceder a la solicitud de Hartmann-Gordon. Ahva Ghazanfari es estudiante de la Universidad de Arizona y pasante en El Foco de Tucson. Puede contactarla en ahvanghazanfari@arizona.edu. Esta nota fue traducida por los pasantes de la preparatoria San Miguel y editada por Diana Ramos, exalumna de la Universidad de Arizona, Directora de Iniciativas Bilingües y reportera del Foco de Tucson. Contáctala en diana@tucsonspotlight.org. El Foco de Tucson es una sala de prensa comunitaria que ofrece oportunidades remuneradas a estudiantes y periodistas emergentes del sur de Arizona. Por favor, considera apoyar nuestro trabajo con una donación deducible de impuestos. Donar a El Foco Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2592ad8d5dabda396b842 Minnesota prosecutor charges ICE agent in gun incident as Savanah Hernandez case remains uncharged te 2026-04-17T16:00:42.769Z Minnesota prosecutor charges ICE agent in gun incident as Savanah Hernandez case remains uncharged A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent is facing felony charges in Minnesota after prosecutors said he pointed a gun at two people during a highway confrontation. This comes as no charges have been filed in the separate attack on Turning Point USA reporter Savanah Hernandez. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced charges Thursday against ICE agent Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr. tied to a Feb. 5 incident on Highway 62 in Minneapolis as part of the broader "Operation Metro Surge" federal immigration crackdown that drew protests and scrutiny in the Twin Cities. Morgan "sped up, pulled alongside the vehicle, matched its speed, opened his window and pointed his duty weapon directly at both victims," Moriarty said during a press conference. ICE SAYS VIOLENT MOB HELPED CRIMINAL ESCAPE AND LEFT ICE AGENT PERMANENTLY MAIMED According to a criminal complaint, the incident unfolded around 4:20 p.m. near the Interstate 35W interchange as traffic slowed to a single lane. Prosecutors said Morgan drove on the shoulder to bypass congestion before pulling alongside the victims and pointing a handgun at their heads. Investigators said Morgan was driving a rented SUV with no markings identifying it as a federal vehicle. Both victims said they felt threatened by his actions, according to the complaint. Investigators said Morgan was not responding to an emergency at the time and told authorities he was heading back to the Whipple Federal Building to end his shift and get gas. Morgan told investigators he feared for his safety, yelled "Police! Stop," and believed the individuals were "agitators" who cut him off because he was a federal agent, according to the complaint. Authorities have issued a nationwide warrant for Morgan’s arrest. He faces two counts of second-degree assault, each punishable by up to seven years in prison. Bail was set at $100,000, with conditions including no possession of weapons and compliance with all court appearances. MINNESOTA SUES TRUMP ADMIN TO ACCESS EVIDENCE IN FEDERAL SHOOTINGS, INCLUDING ALEX PRETTI, RENEE GOOD CASES Moriarty said the case moved more quickly than other investigations tied to Operation Metro Surge because authorities were able to complete their work "without obstruction or interference." "Today’s charges reflect an important milestone in our efforts to seek accountability," Moriarty said, adding that her office is continuing to investigate more than a dozen other incidents involving federal agents. Prosecutors are also reviewing whether to file charges against individuals accused of assaulting Hernandez during an anti-ICE protest outside the Whipple Federal Building last weekend. Protesters swarmed Hernandez while she was reporting, blowing horns in her face, yelling obscenities and shoving her as she attempted to leave, according to video from the scene. At one point, a protester pushed Hernandez into a fence, and another later shoved her to the ground as she yelled, "Stop touching me" and "Leave me, I am trying to leave!" Hernandez later said she suffered minor injuries, including scrapes and soreness. A spokesperson for the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office told Fox News Digital that three cases tied to the Hernandez incident have been submitted by law enforcement and are under review for potential charges, though a timeline for a decision remains unclear. The cases were submitted out of custody, meaning no arrests were made at the time. The FBI has opened a federal investigation. No charging decision has been announced. Fox News Digital has reached out to ICE and DHS for comment. Fox News' Elizabeth Heckman and Garrett Tenney contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e256e5d8d5dabda396b7e5 11th scientist death emerges in string of missing, dead officials with access to US secrets te 2026-04-17T15:51:01.989Z 11th scientist death emerges in string of missing, dead officials with access to US secrets Amy Eskridge, a Huntsville, Alabama–based researcher who died in 2022, is now being cited as the 11th case in a growing list of scientists who have died or disappeared under unusual circumstances. Her death has drawn renewed attention as at least 10 other recent cases involving individuals tied to U.S. military, nuclear and aerospace research have prompted questions about whether any pattern exists. President Donald Trump said Thursday he had "just left a meeting" on the issue and vowed answers within days, calling the situation "pretty serious." "I hope it’s random, but we’re going to know in the next week and a half," Trump told reporters. WHO WAS NUNO LOUREIRO? MIT PROFESSOR GUNNED DOWN IN APARTMENT NEAR UNIVERSITY While officials have not confirmed any connection between the cases, the overlap in timing and the individuals’ ties to advanced research fields has fueled growing public attention and speculation. Eskridge died June 11, 2022, in Huntsville, Alabama, at the age of 34, according to obituary records. Her death has been reported as a self-inflicted gunshot wound, though limited official details have been publicly released. Eskridge co-founded the Institute for Exotic Science and described her work as focused on experimental propulsion concepts, including what she referred to as "antigravity" research. "We discovered anti-gravity and our lives went to (expletive) and people started sabotaging us," she said in a 2020 interview with Youtuber Jeremy Rys. "It’s harassment, threats. It’s awful."  "If you stick your neck out in public, at least someone notices if your head gets chopped off," Eskridge said. "If you stick your neck out in private, they will bury you. They will burn down your house while you’re sleeping in your bed and it won’t even make the news."  In the same interview, she described what she characterized as escalating pressure surrounding her work. "I have to publish because it’s only going to get worse until I publish," she said, adding that the situation was "getting more and more aggressive." In presentations and interviews, Eskridge also suggested that researchers working on unconventional technologies could face pressure to move their work out of the public domain, describing what she saw as a pattern in which scientists who reported breakthroughs would "disappear" from public work or stop publishing. Eskridge’s death is being cited alongside cases involving retired Air Force Maj. Gen. William "Neil" McCasland, NASA scientist Monica Jacinto Reza, contractor Steven Garcia, astrophysicist Carl Grillmair, Massachusetts Institute of Technology physicist Nuno Loureiro, NASA engineer Frank Maiwald, Los Alamos–linked employees Melissa Casias and Anthony Chavez, NASA researcher Michael David Hicks and pharmaceutical scientist Jason Thomas. The Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) told Fox News Digital it is investigating the deaths and disappearances.  "NNSA is aware of reports related to employees of our labs, plants, and sites and is looking into the matter," a statement from the department said.  At the same time, there is no publicly available evidence linking Eskridge’s death to those cases, and authorities have not indicated any connection between her work and the circumstances of her death. Her case has also become the subject of speculation in online and alternative technology communities, where some commentators have raised questions about the circumstances surrounding her death. Those claims, however, remain unverified and are not supported by official findings. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e256bfd8d5dabda396b7d9 Mexico’s police focus on the World Cup while thousands remain missing. te 2026-04-17T15:50:23.028Z Mexico’s police focus on the World Cup while thousands remain missing. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e254d0d8d5dabda396b7a5 US military commitments go far beyond Iran: ‘Death by a thousand cuts’ in terms of readiness te 2026-04-17T15:42:08.236Z US military commitments go far beyond Iran: ‘Death by a thousand cuts’ in terms of readiness WASHINGTON – Iran is not the only country where the U.S. military engaged in conflict in the last few months. Just since the first strike on Tehran on Feb. 28, the U.S. has conducted 10 strikes in Somalia against militant groups, four strikes against vessels in Latin America and a bombing in Ecuador. And that doesn’t count ongoing missions and deployments, including a training mission in Nigeria, planning for two more bases in Greenland and a fuel quarantine in Cuba. It’s not unusual for the U.S. to have simultaneous operations worldwide, though experts say the Iran war has taken up enough resources to erode readiness for another major conflict. “It’s overstretched, but I don’t think the problem is the military being too small or not having enough money,” said Jennifer Kavanagh, a senior fellow and director of military analysis at Defense Priorities. “The problem is the military trying to do too much.” Western Hemisphere In the Western Hemisphere, strikes during Trump’s second term reflect the administration’s counterterrorism objectives, said Stephanie Savell, executive director of the Costs of War project at Brown University. The strikes target drug cartels that Trump designated as terrorist groups by executive order the day he started his second term.  “Instead of calling it a war on drugs, it becomes an expansion of U.S. counterterror operations,” Savell said. That’s how the Trump administration justifed the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Jan. 3, and the 50 strikes on boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific since September. The last such strike was on April 13, according to U.S. Southern Command. U.S. officials asserted the boats and the 159 people killed in those strikes were involved in drug trafficking, though the government has presented no evidence, and doubts are widespread.  On March 3, the U.S. expanded its reach against narco-terrorists by launching operations with Ecuador.  On March 6, Ecuador bombed a site that officials there and in the U.S. described as a training camp for drug traffickers, using intelligence supplied by the U.S. Nearby residents later said the site was nothing more than a civilian farm. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has said more such strikes are coming as part of the new anti-cartel U.S.-Ecuador effort.  In the Caribbean, the U.S. Coast Guard began a blockade around Cuba in February called Operation Southern Spear. With most oil deliveries halted, residents have endured frequent blackouts. The U.S. allowed a Russian tanker with about 730,000 barrels of crude oil into the country in late March. An E-2D Hawkeye, attached to Airborne Command & Control Squadron (VAW) 117, launches from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) during Operation Epic Fury, March 31, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo) Five U.S. warships were in the Caribbean Sea to institute the quarantine as of April 13, according to the U.S. Naval Institute.  Sebastián Arcos, the interim director of the Cuban Research Institute at Florida International University, said the fuel quarantine and Trump’s executive order against cartels shows a fresh emphasis on Latin America and a willingness to intervene militarily that presidents largely abandoned after the Bay of Pigs. The muscular use of U.S. forces sends a message to China that “the U.S. will be there if they take over Taiwan,” he added. “The United States was falling behind in regards to other competing superpowers, China and Russia in particular, regarding military capability,” Arcos said. “It was a way to show the world that the United States has the spine to do what it needed to do in order to enforce U.S. foreign policy goals.” The U.S. will likely continue its quarantine of Cuba for some time, Arcos said.  “Cuba is a long unfinished homework that the United States has to finish,” Arcos said. The U.S. blockade of Iran’s ports, which CENTCOM declared was fully in place as of April 14, is meant to pressure Iran to drop its own efforts to control and toll shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.  Kavanagh said Trump has grown increasingly comfortable with force as his “best tool” for coercion in foreign policy. “After the Venezuela operation, he was very emboldened and thought that he had cracked the code” that eluded other presidents who “had gotten us into long wars. They had messed up, but he had the key and that he felt that he could do anything,” she said. Africa According to New America, a left of center think tank, the U.S. conducted more than 170 strikes in Somalia in 2025 that killed at least 172 militants and civilians. The U.S. has justified these strikes as deterrence and self-defense against terrorist organizations like Al Shabaad and the Islamic State-Somalia. Trump, in both of his terms, has conducted more strikes in Somalia than all presidents since President George W. Bush combined.  “There’s hardly any media attention to what’s going on in Somalia, but it’s a definite intensification,” Savell said.  The lack of media attention tracks the under-the-radar approach from the Trump administration. The president, taking a poke at Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., a Somalian-born member of Congress, posted an article Feb. 3 detailing a U.S. strike a year earlier that targeted ISIS-Somalia leaders. That was the first time in a year that he had referred publicly to the ongoing U.S. strikes. At a news conference Jan. 20, at the height of protests in Minnesota about an immigration enforcement surge that led to the shooting deaths of two Americans by federal agents, Trump went out of his way to criticize Somalia. Noting that Somalian immigrants were allegedly involved in a massive fraud scheme in Minnesota, he told reporters at the White House:  “Somalia is not even a country,” Trump said. “They don’t have anything that resembles a country. And if it is a country, it’s considered just about the worst in the world.” The most recent U.S. airstrike in Somalia took place on April 9 near Qalay. U.S. Africa Command reported no additional details. “The lesson we can draw there is that there is less regard for protecting civilians – a more belligerent, more aggressive military posture, and a sense in which the war on terror must continue through force,” Savell said.  On the other side of Africa, the U.S. sent 200 troops to Nigeria to assist with counterterrorism in February. That followed a Christmas Day strike on ISIS in the northwest region of Nigeria called Sokoto.  Trump later called that strike a warning against jihadist who have attacked Christians. “If they continue to kill Christians it would be a many-time strike,” he told The New York Times.  Is the military spread too thin? While the U.S. war with Iran – currently under ceasefire – has reduced the stockpile of munitions, these many smaller conflicts and commitments also sap resources, said Carlton Haelig, a fellow with the Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security. Military operations around Venezuela alone cost $31 million a day, according to an analysis issued in December by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “You have this death by a thousand cuts situation going on,” Haelig said.  By itself, each commitment doesn’t “really put too much stress on the force,” he added. “But when you combine them all together, and then add to that a major war, you start to see cracks in the readiness and the capability of the force.” The U.S. military has also been conducting exercises to maintain its readiness.  On Feb. 26, the U.S. and 29 other countries had 8,000 personnel conduct training and humanitarian assistance in Thailand in what is considered the largest joint exercise in Asia, according to the Navy.  The U.S. and South Korea conducted a 10-day exercise starting on March 9 – at the height of the Iran war – named “Freedom Shield 26.”  “Freedom Shield 26 demonstrates the strength of our alliance and our ability to train, build readiness, and operate seamlessly as one force,” said Gen. Xavier T. Brunson, commander of United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command and U.S. Forces Korea, in a press release. “There is no substitute for training, there is no excuse for not being ready.” The annual Balikatan exercise in the Philippines is planned for April 20 to May 8, according to Stars and Stripes. That will involve more than 10,000 U.S. troops and 7,000 from six other nations.  As of Jan. 31, the U.S. had 1.35 million active duty personnel, according to the Defense Manpower Data Center. That’s up about 43,000 from a year earlier. More than 50,000 of those are in the Middle East. At the peak of the War on Terror in 2011, there were about 98,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Some of Trump’s moves have undermined other priorities, including Europe and the Indo-Pacific. Deployments for the Iran war include about 2,000 troops on March 24 from the 82nd Airborne Division’s Immediate Response Force out of Fort Bragg. That force deployed to the Middle East in 2020 and to Eastern Europe to support NATO in 2022.  On March 28, the Pentagon also sent at least 2,000 Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit to Iran. That unit, based in Okinawa, Japan, had been conducting exercises in the Indo-Pacific.  “The loss of a forward-deployed MEU in the Indo-Pacific is critical,” Haelig said. “It’s a significant capability for the Indo-Pacific that’s being taken away from that theater.” The post US military commitments go far beyond Iran: ‘Death by a thousand cuts’ in terms of readiness appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e25225d8d5dabda396b714 Ravens star Zay Flowers says John Harbaugh made practice too hard: 'The load was heavy' te 2026-04-17T15:30:45.457Z Ravens star Zay Flowers says John Harbaugh made practice too hard: 'The load was heavy' Baltimore Ravens star wide receiver Zay Flowers is looking forward to practices without John Harbaugh running them. Flowers, 25, played under Harbaugh for three seasons and said his former coach put the Ravens through hard practices, as the veteran coach ran as many contact practices as allowed by the NFL rules. The wide receiver even attributed the Raven's injuries to the hard practices.. "Full pads all the time," Flowers said during a recent appearance on the 4th and South podcast. "However many practices in pads you can get, every single one. We’re doing one-on-ones in Week 17. Week 17, we’re doing one-on-ones, everybody out there, we’re tired, we’re still going." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "That’s why we had a lot of injuries," Flowers said. "Because of how we practiced, how we went. The load was heavy." Flowers was asked how players managed the heavier workload. "We don’t," he responded. The two-time Pro Bowler cited how many yards he ran in practice as a testament to what Harbaugh’s practices were like. FORMER SMU CORNERBACK TEDDY KNOX FACES $2.88M JUDGMENT FOR CRASH LINKED TO RASHEE RICE'S LAMBORGHINI RACE "(In) the first two games of last year, bro, I (ran) 10,000 yards (each)," Flowers said. "I ran 20,000 yards in two games and still ran 4,000, 5,000, 4,000 (yards), in practice that week." New Ravens head coach Jesse Minter coached under Harbaugh for four seasons, and Flowers was concerned about how the practices would be run. The former Boston College star said the first thing he asked Minter about was how the practices would be ran. "Yeah, I talked to the new coach," Flowers said. "He worked with Harbaugh in 2017, so he knows how it was, how we worked with Harbaugh. So he says, ‘You’re going to get your work, but it’s going to be a little easier on your body. You’re going to be fresher for the game.’ That was the first talk I had with him: How’s practice going to look?" While practices may have been hard under Harbaugh, Flowers was still very productive. Last season in 17 games, he caught 86 passes for 1,211 yards and five touchdowns as the Ravens’ top receiver. Flowers’ comments also could serve as a warning for what New York Giants players should expect from Harbaugh in his first year. 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/69e24fdfd8d5dabda396b3f7 ‘DWTS’ judge Carrie Ann Inaba rushed to hospital after mid-flight medical emergency te 2026-04-17T15:21:03.667Z ‘DWTS’ judge Carrie Ann Inaba rushed to hospital after mid-flight medical emergency Carrie Ann Inaba was rushed to the hospital after a sudden medical emergency occurred mid-flight. The longtime "Dancing With the Stars" judge revealed she experienced a sudden health issue while traveling to New York City, sharing details of the situation in a candid Instagram post on April 16. "Yesterday was quite a day," Inaba wrote alongside an Instagram video showing her being transported in an ambulance. "I was on my way to NY for something I am very passionate about. But had a small ‘medical emergency’ on the plane." 'DANCING WITH THE STARS' JUDGE CARRIE ANN INABA ADDRESSES CRITICISM SHE IS TOUGHER ON FEMALE DANCERS The television personality described how quickly her condition escalated during the flight. "I very suddenly felt quite ill," Inaba said. "And while it seemed like food poisoning, I also suddenly broke out into a cold sweat, got dizzy and my arms went numb." Inaba, 58, has been open about her ongoing health challenges, including living with Sjogren's disease, an autoimmune disorder that can cause a range of symptoms. Despite her experience managing chronic illness, she admitted this time it felt different. JENNY MCCARTHY ENDURES 'LIVING HELL' AS HIDDEN DENTAL INFECTION LEADS TO SHOCKING HEALTH CRISIS "Normally I handle most of my health things on my own," she explained. "Like many people who live with autoimmune disease, I travel with a health tool kit and am prepared for the worst, but this scared me." The situation became even more complicated as turbulence hit mid-flight, limiting immediate assistance. "And while I was locked in the restroom, we were also experiencing turbulence and the flight attendants had been asked to sit in their seats as well," Inaba added. "I didn't want to have anyone else put themselves at risk... but when my arms went numb, it was time to ask for help." HILARIA BALDWIN SCORES 'DANCING WITH THE STARS' AFTER BUMPY JOURNEY TO REALITY TV FAME Inaba later credited both the flight crew and a fellow passenger for stepping in during the critical moment. "I received some assistance on the plane from the flight crew and a doctor onboard," she shared in a statement to USA Today. "Which I am very thankful for, and went to the hospital upon landing, as well as received fluids." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Once on the ground, paramedics took over. In her Instagram post, Inaba credited the first responders "who treated me with care and respect in a scary moment even when my blood pressure dropped," as she was rushed to the hospital. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS After receiving treatment and fluids, Inaba was released and continued her recovery at her hotel. "I’m resting up and looking forward to getting back into my advocacy work soon," she shared. "I’m so grateful to the people who took care of me and helped me through such a scary experience." Inaba has been a judge on "Dancing With the Stars" since 2005. She is expected to appear at the inaugural "Dancing with the Stars Con 26" this summer, a fan convention dedicated to the long-running competition series. Fox News Digital has reached out to Inaba for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e24fb8d8d5dabda396b36d Supreme Court Sides With Oil Companies in Louisiana Coastal Lawsuits te 2026-04-17T15:20:24.305Z Supreme Court Sides With Oil Companies in Louisiana Coastal Lawsuits The companies had asked the justices to clear the way to move environmental lawsuits out of state courts, to friendlier federal venues. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e24decd8d5dabda396ac9f Senate temporarily extends nation’s controversial spying powers after House fumbles te 2026-04-17T15:12:44.597Z Senate temporarily extends nation’s controversial spying powers after House fumbles The Senate quietly extended the nation’s spying powers Friday morning after the House failed to reauthorize the program before the fast-approaching deadline. The upper chamber’s unanimous vote to extend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) gives Congress a little more breathing room beyond the April 20 deadline but still leaves lawmakers in the same divided place they started. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., had positioned the Senate to swiftly receive and possibly pass a FISA reauthorization, but he recognized possible division over greenlighting a clean extension of the program in the upper chamber. HOUSE PUNTS TRUMP SPY POWERS EXTENSION AFTER CONSERVATIVES BLOCK DEAL, FORCING END-OF-MONTH SHOWDOWN "We're gonna need some cooperation to get it done before things will go dark on the 20th, and I hope that we have that level of cooperation [in the Senate]," Thune said Thursday. "But we're not gonna know that for sure until the House processes that and sends it to us." The original plan was derailed because of the controversial Section 702 of FISA. On the surface, it allows the government to spy on foreign nationals abroad, but nothing stops that law from collecting data on Americans if they happen to be involved in those communications. While FISA as a whole is a vital tool for the government, particularly as uncertainty swirls about the true end of the war in Iran, Congress still isn’t on the same page as the White House. DOZENS OF DEMS FLIP ON ISRAEL, VOTE TO BAN ARMS SALES IN PROTEST OF IRAN WAR President Donald Trump and the White House pushed lawmakers to pass a clean reauthorization of the program, which both Republicans and Democrats in both chambers have pushed back against. It’s a rare horseshoe issue in Washington, D.C., that draws opposite ends of the political spectrum — conservatives and progressives — together on privacy rights. Opponents of Section 702 want warrant requirements for the government to parse communications involving Americans. Congressional Democrats similarly demanded warrant requirements for immigration agents to enter people’s homes as part of their list of demands to reopen the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS SHUTDOWN ENTERS DAY 60 WITH ALL EYES ON HOUSE REPUBLICANS TO END IT Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., has strongly pushed back against a clean reauthorization, arguing in a letter to his Democratic colleagues that leaps and bounds in AI are "supercharging how the government can surveil Americans." Wyden told Fox News Digital that "the focus here needs to be what Ben Franklin talked about." "Anybody who gives up their liberty to have security really doesn't deserve either," Wyden said. "And I don't buy the idea that liberty and security are mutually exclusive, and that's what the proponents, who just want a straight across the board approach are calling for." "They say, basically, 'The sky's gonna fall, unless you pass our bill right away,'" he continued. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., tried and failed with two options for FISA. One route was a clean, 18-month extension. Another was a five-year extension with modest reforms. Conservatives joined the bulk of House Democrats to tank the latter. Lawmakers will return next week with a bevy of issues on their plates, including reopening DHS and sprinting to craft the framework for a party-line budget reconciliation package to fund immigration enforcement for the next three years. The FISA issue will linger until the next deadline at the end of the month. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e24dd8d8d5dabda396ac61 Clarence Thomas praised after rare televised address warning of progressivism goes viral te 2026-04-17T15:12:24.849Z Clarence Thomas praised after rare televised address warning of progressivism goes viral Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas drew widespread attention on social media after giving a rare, televised address warning that the country’s founding principles are under threat from modern progressivism and urging a return to founding American values. "Progressivism seeks to replace the basic premises of the Declaration of Independence, and hence our form of government," Thomas said Wednesday at the University of Texas at Austin, later discussing values of devotion mentioned in our founding document. "The willingness to do anything for our principles that has throughout American history been most indispensable. It is that devotion that we are missing today and that we must find in our hearts if this nation is to endure," he added. Clips of Thomas’ remarks quickly went viral online, with reposts from figures like billionaire Elon Musk and comedian Rob Schneider. I WORKED FOR JUSTICE ALITO. WHAT I SAW UP CLOSE SHATTERS THE MEDIA SMEAR "Fox & Friends" host Brian Kilmeade noted Friday that while it’s rare, "when you hear from Clarence Thomas, it’s usually important." His co-host, Lawrence Jones, agreed, calling the speech a "unifying" and "non-political" message. JACKSON PUBLICLY AIRS GRIEVANCES WITH CONSERVATIVE COLLEAGUES OVER TRUMP-ERA RULINGS Fox News legal editor Kerri Urbahn described it as the "best speech I have ever heard in my life on the Declaration of Independence." She said the speech was "more powerful" given Thomas’ upbringing in the Jim Crow South and his early hardships. "Clarence Thomas was born into deep poverty. He didn't even have a bed to sleep in until he was seven years old," Urbahn told "Fox & Friends" Friday. "And yet here he is as a Supreme Court justice, championing this document, our founding documents, despite the evils and abuses that occurred, especially in the beginning of the country." SOTOMAYOR WALKS BACK REMARKS CRITICIZING KAVANAUGH, SAYS COMMENTS WERE 'INAPPROPRIATE' She added that Thomas’ core message was a reminder that "God gives us rights, not government," and warned the nation is losing the "sense of courage" required to maintain a working and free society. Others online echoed that sentiment, including Sen. Mike Lee, who wrote on X in response to a news article about the speech: "Progressivism is an existential threat to America." Conservative influencer Nick Sortor posted, "Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas just dropped a TRUTH BOMB." The viral moment comes after President Donald Trump told FOX Business’ Maria Bartiromo he is "prepared" to appoint up to three Supreme Court justices during this term. Trump suggested Justice Samuel Alito may be eyeing retirement and noted he has a "shortlist" of replacements. A source close to Alito has said the justice currently has no plans to step down. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e24dc5d8d5dabda396ac46 Meet Analilia Mejia, the Sanders-AOC backed progressive who just won election to Congress te 2026-04-17T15:12:05.240Z Meet Analilia Mejia, the Sanders-AOC backed progressive who just won election to Congress Analilia Mejia, a one-time labor organizer backed by progressive champions Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, is headed to Congress. Mejia, running on a platform that emphasized Medicare for All, a $25 minimum wage with the first $40,000 tax-free, a wealth tax, abolishing ICE and holding President Donald Trump and his administration accountable, convincingly defeated Republican candidate Joe Hathaway in Thursday's special election in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District. With her nearly 20-point victory, Mejia will fill the final eight months of the term of Gov. Mikie Sherrill, the more moderate Democratic representative who stepped down from Congress in November after winning New Jersey's gubernatorial election. Mejia, who is likely to align herself with the so-called "Squad" of younger, diverse and progressive House Democrats, called herself the "sassy new member of Congress" in her victory speech. DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB The special election came as the GOP clings to a fragile House majority. Republicans would have relished the opportunity to pick up the seat, but they faced a steep uphill climb to flip the suburban district Sherrill won by 15 points in her 2024 re-election and carried by roughly the same margin in last year's gubernatorial election. Hathaway, a former Randolph Township mayor and current council member who was unopposed for the GOP congressional nomination, aimed to paint Mejia as too far to the left for the district. He told Fox News Digital the choice for voters was "between a common sense, practical independent leader who's gotten things done at the local level in New Jersey and knows the issues, contrasted with someone who's running on pure ideology, far left-wing ideology, Squad-backed ideology." "I think we have the right math, the right bipartisan coalition to come together to win this thing on April 16," an optimistic Hathaway predicted. But Hathaway came up far short, given the rough political climate facing Republicans and the traditional headwinds for the party in power. THIS PROGRESSIVE ORGANIZER WINS SPECIAL ELECTION, EARNING TICKET TO CONGRESS Mejia, on Thursday night, pushed back against the claims she's a radical. "My opponent has spent his whole campaign calling me names and saying my ideas are too radical. But we know, that is a mind trick, on brand for a spin doctor, but easily countered if you just open your eyes," Mejia said. "It is not radical to say that one of the wealthiest nations in the world should do more to protect the health of its people." Here's a closer look at Mejia and where she stands on the issues. Mejia was born in New Jersey and is the daughter of Colombian and Dominican immigrants. After working as a union organizer, Mejia served as national political director on the 2020 Sanders presidential campaign. She later worked in the Department of Labor in former President Joe Biden's administration. Mejia pulled off an upset in the February Democratic primary, narrowly edging out a more moderate rival, former Rep. Tom Malinowski, in a field of 11 candidates. While Mejia was the clear choice of the party's left flank, the rest of the field divided the moderate and center-left vote. Besides the backing of Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez, Mejia was also endorsed by other top progressive leaders, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Reps. Ro Khanna of California, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Pramila Jayapal of Washington state, the former chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. PROGRESSIVES NOTCH ANOTHER WIN OVER DEMOCRATIC MODERATES AS SANDERS-AOC ALLY NEARS CONGRESS Mejia's nomination victory was another big boost for the left against the establishment since now-New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, sent shock waves across the nation with his Democratic primary victory in June 2025. Mejia repeatedly took aim at Trump's unprecedented crackdown on illegal immigration and called for scrapping Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the federal agency most visible in the aggressive tactics used in the administration's massive deportation effort. REPUBLICAN SEEKS BLUE-STATE BREAKTHROUGH, DISTANCES FROM TRUMP WHILE TAKING AIM AT 'SOCIALIST' "I say abolish ICE now," Mejia said on the campaign trail. "You can’t reform it. It’s not fixable. Get it out."  After her primary victory, Mejia gave credit to her stance on immigration in the wake of backlash against the Trump administration following the January fatal shootings in Minnesota by federal agents of two U.S. citizens protesting immigration operations. "I think the fact that I was bold and unafraid to speak the truth was incredibly important," she told reporters. "I think voters feel that they want to have a representative that actually represents them, and they cannot watch what's happening in Minnesota, what happened in Chicago, what happened in California, what happened in Morristown across this district." Mejia, like many on the left, has railed against rulings by the conservative-dominated Supreme Court. "The Supreme Court has been captured by right-wing radicals who care more about doing Trump’s bidding than the rule of law," Mejia charged on her campaign website. She supported "articles of impeachment against Justices Thomas and Alito" for what she says is "their corruption and conflicts of interest." Mejia also backed "term limits for newly appointed Supreme Court justices, a binding code of ethics with real enforcement for all federal judges." And Mejia said she would support "expanding the courts if necessary to restore balance." On her campaign website, Mejia stated, "We’re going to cancel all student loan debt." And she pledges that she'll "fight to make college tuition free at community colleges and trade schools for everyone." As part of her "economy for everyone agenda," Mejia argued, "If you work 40 hours a week, you should make at least $40,000 a year, and you shouldn’t pay a dime in federal taxes on that first $40,000." And she highlighted that she helped lead the fight in New Jersey to "win the $15 minimum wage." "With the cost of living rising every day, it’s time to raise the minimum wage at the national level to $25/hour," Mejia emphasized on the campaign trail. Malinowski, an assistant secretary of state in former President Barack Obama's administration who later represented a neighboring congressional district in northern New Jersey from 2018 to 2022 before losing re-election, was considered the front-runner in the Democratic nomination race heading into primary day. But Malinowski was the target of a slew of attack ads put out by a group affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which opposed Malinowski because he said he supports conditions on aid to Israel. The AIPAC-aligned super PAC United Democracy Project dished out more than $2.3 million to take aim at Malinowski, even though AIPAC had previously supported Malinowski in his past congressional elections. But the AIPAC strategy backfired, because Mejia is much tougher on Israel than Malinowski. Mejia was the only candidate in the race who raised her hand at a forum in January when asked if they agreed with human rights groups who charge Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in its war with Hamas in Gaza. Jewish voters make up a key part of the district's electorate, and Hathaway, in the only debate in the general election, claimed Mejia was antisemitic, noting she has said Israel committed genocide in Gaza. "She blamed Israel for the attacks by Hamas on Oct. 7," Hathaway said. "I think Jewish individuals across this district, Republican or Democrat, are very afraid of this kind of rhetoric." Mejia pledged to "protect the rights of Jewish constituents" and said her criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza should not be conflated with antisemitism. In a statement to Fox News Digital, Mejia said, "Joe Hathaway’s inability to distinguish between criticism of a government or government official and bigotry is troubling and disgusting in equal measure." Mejia last week wrote that she was "honored" after being endorsed by the liberal pro-Israel political group J Street PAC. But her acceptance of the endorsement triggered pushback on the left, with the North Jersey Democratic Socialists of America calling her move a "heel turn." Hathaway told Fox News Digital, "I've spoken to more members of the Jewish community who have told me they've never voted for a Republican in their life, who are going to vote for me in this race. I mean, that shows you where the Jewish community is on the importance of this race and how they are not aligned with Mejia ... and her platform." It appears Hathaway was right: Some towns with heavy Jewish populations swung significantly to the right in Thursday's election. But it wasn't nearly enough to help Hathaway blunt Mejia's overall support. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e24db1d8d5dabda396ac22 Sheriff's office probing Nancy Guthrie vanishing faces intense backlash over social media post: 'tone deaf' te 2026-04-17T15:11:45.205Z Sheriff's office probing Nancy Guthrie vanishing faces intense backlash over social media post: 'tone deaf' The Pima County Sheriff's Department, which is already facing scrutiny for the way it has handled the high profile missing persons case involving Nancy Guthrie, is facing furious online backlash after a post on X that some users have deemed insensitive. "Update: Nancy has been located," said a post from 10:50 p.m. on Thursday night. The sheriff's office made the post in reference to a missing woman named Nancy Radakovich, an 84-year-old who the department had announced was missing 12 hours earlier. Nancy Guthrie, mother of "TODAY" host Savannah Guthrie, went missing from her suburban Tucson home on Feb. 1. The case, which has not been solved, captured weeks of international attention, and the Pima County Sheriff's Department and Sheriff Chris Nanos continue to face heat for their handling of the probe. SAVANNAH GUTHRIE OPENS UP ABOUT RETURN TO TV, NBC ANNOUNCES COMEBACK DATE "Ok now you’re all just being a--holes on purpose.," one X user responded to Thursday night's post. "Thank god she was found but COME ON. Can you be anymore tone deaf???" "What a miserable tone deaf out of touch police dept," said another. "WTF is wrong with you people? And the post is STILL up with NO EDITS. Morons." "Are you kidding? So unprofessional! You couldn’t list the last name?" said a third. SAVANNAH GUTHRIE SPEAKS OUT ON MOTHER’S ‘GROUNDED, EARTHY’ FAITH, SAYS IT ISN’T ‘FAKE, PIOUS PUT-ON’ DEVOTION "Pima County Sheriff’s Department announces 'Nancy has been located.' Now they're just trolling us," another user said. Other users said the wording of the post seemed "deliberate," with one user calling the department "evil." Nanos has faced criticism throughout the Guthrie case for a perceived lack of cooperation with the FBI, along with other investigatory decisions that critics say may have hindered the investigation. SAVANNAH GUTHRIE SET TO RETURN TO NBC’S ‘TODAY’ AS HER MOTHER REMAINS MISSING On Thursday night, Fox News Digital reported that DNA evidence, including test results from a hair sample, have been obtained by the FBI. Investigators collected the DNA evidence from Guthrie's home and shared it with the FBI. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB The sheriff's department took to X to reiterate that it has been cooperating with the federal law enforcement agency. SAVANNAH GUTHRIE BREAKS DOWN OVER POSSIBILITY HER MOM WAS TARGETED BECAUSE OF HER FAME, APOLOGIZES TO FAMILY "PCSD has worked with the FBI since the beginning of the Guthrie investigation. This is not new information," the department wrote on X. "The private lab we utilize in Florida continues to share information with the FBI lab & other partner labs across the country. DNA analysis remains ongoing." A glove that was considered to be potential evidence in the case was sent to a lab in Florida instead of the FBI, one law enforcement source told Fox News Digital on Feb. 12. "The FBI asked Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos for physical evidence in the case, including a glove and DNA from the home of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, to be processed at the FBI's national crime laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, but Nanos has insisted instead on using a private lab in Florida," the official said. SAVANNAH GUTHRIE RETURNS TO BUSINESS AS USUAL ON SECOND DAY BACK AT 'TODAY' AFTER MOTHER'S DISAPPEARANCE A source told Fox News Digital that after the testing in Florida, the FBI would need to retest the evidence anyway. "It’s just the FBI developed this method and can do it so much better without destroying the evidence," the source said. "I’ve seen so many cases go to Florida and be consumed. Also, they are not as fast, and in this case, time matters." FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X Another federal law enforcement source accused Nanos of blocking the FBI from obtaining the evidence, first reported by Reuters and confirmed by Fox News Digital. "It risks further slowing a case that grows more urgent by the minute," the official told Reuters, citing unspecified "earlier setbacks" in the investigation. The official also criticized Nanos for not requesting help from the FBI earlier in the case. SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER Pima County has a contract with DNA Labs International, located in Deerfield Beach, Florida for testing of evidence. Nanos also faced allegations that the initial search for Guthrie was delayed because he had busted the department’s high-tech search aircraft pilot down to street patrol over a personal dispute, leaving the agency scrambling to get the plane in the air on day Guthrie went missing. Nanos has been plagued by other personnel scandals, including an independent investigation into bullying and retaliation allegations against the sheriff which found that a "preponderance of the evidence" showed he abused his office for political gain during a close race in 2024 against former PCSD Lt. Heather Lappin. Fox News Digital reached out to the Pima County Sheriff's Department. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e24d9dd8d5dabda396aba4 LIV Golf CEO confirms Saudi funding will end but says he has a plan that 'might surprise some people' te 2026-04-17T15:11:25.237Z LIV Golf CEO confirms Saudi funding will end but says he has a plan that 'might surprise some people' LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil confirmed reports that the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund will stop giving money to the golf league after this season. However, O'Neil told TNT Sports that he has a "plan" that "might surprise some people." "The reality is you're funded through the season and then you work like crazy as a business to create a business and a business plan to keep us going. But that's not different from any other private equity-funded business in the history of man," O'Neil said ahead of the golf tour's next event in Mexico City on Thursday. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Despite the uncertainty, O'Neil is taking the challenge head on. "How we go forward is what I'm really excited about. I talked about some structural changes - they're coming. You can ask just about the 50 people I met at Augusta, I rolled out the plan. We have one, it might surprise some people..." he said. "This notion of, 'Do you have to raise money?' Probably. This is business. But if we keep the trajectory going the way we are and the revenue growth going, this is going to be a really good business for a really long time." Sources told Fox News that the Saudis will stop funding LIV after the 2026 season. The Financial Times was the first to report the news. O'Neil wrote a memo to LIV employees obtained by Fox News Digital that confirmed that the season was going to go "exactly as planned, uninterrupted, and full throttle." GOLF ANALYST BRANDEL CHAMBLEE RIPS LIV GOLF AS REPORTS FUEL SPECULATION ABOUT ITS FUTURE: 'LAME-BRAINED TOUR' "While the media landscape is often filled with speculation, our reality is defined by the work we do on the grass. We are heading into the heart of our 2026 schedule with the full energy of an organization that is bigger, louder, and more influential than ever before," O'Neil wrote. "The life of a startup movement is often defined by these moments of pressure. We signed up for this because we believe in disrupting the status quo. We have faced headwinds since the jump, and we’ve answered every time with resilience and grace. Now, we answer by doing what we do best: putting on the most compelling show in sports." "The noise you hear is simply the sound of a movement that is working. Embrace it. We are pioneers, and while the road isn’t always smooth, the destination is worth every mile," he said. "Let’s go out and show the world why LIV Golf is the future of the game. It matters. You mattered. Now, let’s go win. "Long LIV Golf." LIV began in 2022 and has produced two major winners in Brooks Koepka, who has since rejoined the PGA Tour, at the 2023 PGA Championship, and DeChambeau at the 2024 U.S. Open. LIV Golf shifted from its 54-hole format, a draw for golfers defecting from the PGA Tour, to 72 beginning this season. Patrick Reed is also set to rejoin the PGA Tour. 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/69e24d73d8d5dabda396ab55 Anthropic launches Claude Design, a new product for creating quick visuals te 2026-04-17T15:10:43.698Z Anthropic launches Claude Design, a new product for creating quick visuals The company says Claude Design is intended to help people like founders and product managers without a design background share their ideas more easily. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e24d5fd8d5dabda396ab17 Uber will now pick up your returns from your doorstep te 2026-04-17T15:10:23.730Z Uber will now pick up your returns from your doorstep The new returns feature is the company's latest effort to become an everything app. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e24b35d8d5dabda396a6d7 Yavapai College Governing Board talks fiscal year ’27 budget te 2026-04-17T15:01:09.081Z Yavapai College Governing Board talks fiscal year ’27 budget Yavapai College capital improvements planned for the 2026-2027 academic year in the Verde Valley include $450,000 for campus signage and marquees and the final steps to the workforce housing projects, totaled at $399,000 across all campuses. The total budget for the academic year across all campuses Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e24b1cd8d5dabda396a624 Arizona State assistant strength coach and former Sun Devils player dead at 29 te 2026-04-17T15:00:44.017Z Arizona State assistant strength coach and former Sun Devils player dead at 29 Former Arizona State football player and coaching assistant Steven Miller has died, the school confirmed on social media. He was 29. Miller, who was an offensive lineman for the Sun Devils from 2016-19, died Wednesday after previously suffering a medical issue following a team practice on April 7, the Arizona Republic reported.  He missed the following two practices but rejoined the team on Tuesday. The cause of death was not immediately known.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "Sun Devil Athletics mourns the loss of Steven Miller, a valued member of the Sun Devil Football program as both a player and coach for nearly a decade and a Gilbert High School graduate," the team wrote on its website. "He will be deeply missed."  Miller started in 35 games across four seasons, including all of the 2017 and 2019 seasons. After a standout career at ASU, he immediately jumped into coaching. He had brief stints at  the University of Florida and Louisiana-Lafayette before returning as a graduate assistant in 2023. COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER, 20, KILLED IN MOTORCYCLE CRASH WHILE RIDING ON INTERSTATE He was the assistant strength coach at the time of his death.  "Everything Steven Miller did in his life, he did it big, and he did it with others in mind," his bio on the school’s website read. "The physically-imposing offensive lineman starred on and off the field while a member of the Sun Devil Football program as a player and later as a coach. Not only was Miller widely-regarded as a dominant force in the trenches, he was also recognized as an amazing teammate, who developed strong bonds and relationships with his fellow Sun Devils. "These characteristics are what made a transition to the coaching profession so natural and seamless. Miller had an impact on everyone who was lucky enough to spend time with him. His legacy of always putting others first and being there for his brothers will live on within the program and throughout the Sun Devil Football facility."  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/69e24692d8d5dabda396a542 Long lines form at tribal gas stations as drivers chase steep discounts amid high fuel costs te 2026-04-17T14:41:22.929Z Long lines form at tribal gas stations as drivers chase steep discounts amid high fuel costs Many drivers across the U.S. are flocking to tribal gas stations as a way to save money, amid high fuel prices during the ongoing Iran conflict. In Washington state, one driver said she went out of her way to fill up her car's gas tank on tribal land after noticing a significant price difference. "I purposely drove here just for the gas," traveler Junelle Lewis told The Associated Press while filling up her SUV at a station on the Tulalip Reservation.   'GAS STATION HEROIN' BANNED IN ANOTHER STATE AMID NATIONWIDE CRACKDOWNS The Tulalip Tribes is a federally recognized Indian tribe in the mid-Puget Sound region of Washington state, according to its website. Lewis paid about 75 cents less per gallon than nearby stations, she told AP.  Gas prices nationwide have risen by more than $1 since late February, reaching an average of about $4.15 per gallon, according to AAA, although prices have been stabilizing somewhat since then.  For some drivers, the savings at tribal stations can add up quickly.  In parts of California and New Mexico, fuel has been reported to cost 50 to 60 cents less per gallon compared to nearby locations. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER The difference often comes down to taxes. Tribal gas stations typically do not pay state fuel taxes when selling on tribal land, allowing them to offer lower prices in many cases. Federal fuel taxes still apply, but the exemption from state taxes can create a noticeable price gap. The U.S. has hundreds of tribally owned gas stations — many located along major travel routes, making them accessible options for drivers looking to cut costs. Savings, however, are not guaranteed everywhere. Some drivers say the price difference depends heavily on location and state tax rates. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES On Reddit, travelers shared a variety of experiences, with some reporting significant savings and others saying the difference was minimal. "Filled up on [a reservation] last weekend for $3.50 while the average is around $4," one user wrote. Some drivers said they go out of their way to take advantage of the lower prices. "If I can save a buck every two gallons, you bet I am driving out … to refill," one user wrote. Others noted that in areas with lower fuel taxes, the savings may be smaller or nonexistent. "Price isn't much, if any, better than Costco," one user commented. Experts say consumers can benefit from comparing prices before filling up, using apps or local knowledge to find cheaper options. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ The Associated Press contributed reporting. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2467fd8d5dabda396a539 Emails reveal how campus police tracked down Bryan Kohberger's car weeks before he became a suspect te 2026-04-17T14:41:03.451Z Emails reveal how campus police tracked down Bryan Kohberger's car weeks before he became a suspect Internal emails recently released by Washington State University revealed how campus police tracked down Bryan Kohberger's car weeks before he became a suspect in the murder of four Idaho college students. In an email to Washington State University Police Department staff, then-chief Gary Jenkins outlined how Officer Daniel Tiengo and Sergeant Curtis James Whitman managed to track down Kohberger's car, a white 2015 Hyundai Elantra, just 16 hours after receiving information about the possible suspect vehicle on November 28, 2022. Kohberger was arrested on December 30, 2022. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X In his email to staff on January 5, 2023, the then-Washington State University Police Chief noted that officers identified the Hyundai Elantra earlier than the arrest warrant affidavit stated. SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER "Note that the timeline for locating the vehicle is not entirely correct in the affidavit. The affidavit indicates that area law enforcement agencies were asked to be on the lookout for the suspect vehicle on November 25 [2022] when, in fact, they did not ask for that until the morning of November 28 [2022]," he wrote. The email was sent just after the arrest warrant affidavit was made publicly available on December 29, 2022. In those emails, he praised the two officers for their work in quickly identifying Kohberger's car. SEND US A TIP HERE "You are all probably aware that Kohberger’s arrest warrant affidavit was made available to the public today. "The affidavit describes the great work Officer Tiengo and Sergeant Whitman did in tracking down a possible suspect vehicle which was, as it turned out, the suspect vehicle." "We should now all look to embrace opportunities that reframe how others view WSU PD. The difficulties in the past will not define us. It is the great work of Tiengo and Whitman that puts WSU PD in a favorable light on a national stage," Jenkins added. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST The emails from Jenkins were made available on Thursday through a public records request to the university. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB In a separate email dated Nov. 27, 2022, then-Moscow Police Department Lead Detective Corporal Brett Payne also released on Thursday, he urged local law enforcement agencies not to stop the white 2015 Hyundai Elantra under any circumstances. "The vehicle in the flyer is of interest to MPD Investigations, however you must understand YOU ARE ORDERED NOT TO STOP, DETAIN, OR CONTACT THE DRIVER unless it is a life-or-death emergency," Payne wrote. Kohberger pleaded guilty to the murders of Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Kaylee Goncalves in a July 2, 2025 deal that took the death penalty off the table. The four University of Idaho students were found dead Nov. 13, 2022, at their house in Moscow, Idaho, located near campus. In exchange for the death penalty being taken off the table, Kohberger will serve four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole for the four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2466bd8d5dabda396a530 Supreme Court reverses lower court ruling, hands Chevron victory in environmental lawsuit te 2026-04-17T14:40:43.793Z Supreme Court reverses lower court ruling, hands Chevron victory in environmental lawsuit The Supreme Court ruled Friday in favor of Chevron in a case over whether a Louisiana environmental lawsuit can proceed in federal court. In Chevron USA Inc. v. Plaquemines Parish, the justices held that the case falls within the federal officer removal statute, allowing Chevron to move the lawsuit from state to federal court. The justices vacated a lower court decision that had kept the case in state court and remanded for further proceedings. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e23f9dd8d5dabda396a413 Kathy Ireland says faith in God is guiding her through 'shocking' betrayal by former managers te 2026-04-17T14:11:41.039Z Kathy Ireland says faith in God is guiding her through 'shocking' betrayal by former managers Kathy Ireland is leaning into her faith after a "shocking" betrayal by her former management team. Ireland rose to fame in the '80s as a highly coveted "Sports Illustrated" Swimsuit Issue cover model and then amassed considerable wealth as a flourishing entrepreneur with her self-named brand. Last month, Ireland took action and filed a lawsuit against her former inner circle at Kathy Ireland Worldwide after discovering alleged deception and mishandling of her multimillion-dollar fortune, in documents obtained by Fox News Digital. "The betrayal is what is most shocking and heartbreaking, really," Ireland exclusively told Fox News Digital. KATHY IRELAND SUES BUSINESS MANAGERS FOR ALLEGEDLY SWINDLING MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR FORTUNE "When you have a relationship with people for 35 years, and you come to find that what you think is true is not. That's really difficult on many levels and, to be honest, it's been a difficult journey." She added, "There's been times when my husband and I take turns not sleeping." In the lawsuit filed in a Santa Barbara court, Ireland, 63, claimed her family was targeted by Jason Winters and Erik Sterling, who were allegedly at the helm of a deceptive managing scheme. The lawsuit also names four former Kathy Ireland Worldwide employees. KATHY IRELAND REVEALS 'BIG RED FLAG' THAT EXPOSED ALLEGED $100M 'UNCONSCIONABLE' BETRAYAL Forbes once estimated Ireland to be one of America's richest self-made women, and worth $420 million through her self-titled brand, which includes affordable home furnishings, clothing, and lifestyle products sold not only in stores nationwide, but also on HSN. She claimed in the lawsuit that her former team "failed to create wealth and make investments" as promised for their family, leaving Ireland and husband Greg Olsen in extreme debt and forced to sell their family home. In a statement to ABC News, the defendants disputed Ireland's claims, and said an alleged $25 million fraud claim against Ireland filed last year was the catalyst for their dispute. They called her allegations "false, defamatory, and unsupported by any documentation," adding that all loans in question had Ireland's signature, and that those involved were "partners and equal shareholders from the outset, not business managers." In a separate statement shared online, defendant Brittany Duncan called the allegations "knowingly false, baseless, deceptive, slanderous and disingenuous." Duncan added that the matter, which she said is being litigated, should be resolved in court rather than in the media. Fox News Digital reached out to the defendants for comment. "Every day we're moving through this, and I'm so grateful and God is good," Ireland said. "He's getting us through." "Life is hard, and it's full of tests, but my faith tells me ... God promises, He says, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you,' and He refines us in the fire," she said. "He oftentimes will lead us through battles, and we keep our eyes on Jesus, not the wind and the waves, and that's what gets us through." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Ireland added, "Throughout my life, he's carried me through many tough battles. I'm a private person and I don't share a lot, but like everyone, life is hard, and we go through tough stuff, but it's a question of how are we going to go through it? And are we going to allow the actions of others to defeat us, define us, destroy us? "No, we get back up, and we fight another day, and it's comforting to know that we're not alone in this." According to the lawsuit, it was only when the couple attempted to loan money to their son for a down payment on a home when they realized that they had no funds and the defendants used their money. The couple now has "no substantial retirement accounts" after more than three decades running a successful global company. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "I'm saddened for my former business partners," Ireland admitted. "These are people that I continue to care about. I don't hate them and I refuse to let bitterness set in." "Scripture tells us, be angry and don't sin, don't let the sun go down on your anger. And it also tells us vengeance is mine, says the Lord. So I pray for the very best for them, and I pray they'll do the right thing." Ireland added, "Ultimately, it is not okay to lie, steal, and abuse our family or anyone. That's something that I know, my husband and I, we've both worked very hard since childhood." "I know that God did not lead me from the cover of Sports Illustrated to the cover for Forbes to have anyone but him write this chapter or the next." The mother-of-three reflected on the words of former president Ronald Reagan with a new "trust, but verify" life motto. "I tend to be a patient person, a loyal person and there comes a time when patient is no longer kind, and we must have the courage and the kindness to confront difficult things," Ireland insisted. "When you're forced into a situation to take action, that must happen. And we can't just pretend something is not there and allow others to continue in behavior that is not good for them ultimately and not good others." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e23f89d8d5dabda396a40a Jen Psaki shuts down 25th amendment talk about Trump, declares it's 'not going to happen' te 2026-04-17T14:11:21.557Z Jen Psaki shuts down 25th amendment talk about Trump, declares it's 'not going to happen' MS NOW host Jen Psaki tamped down talk about using the 25th Amendment against President Donald Trump on Thursday during an interview with Stephen A. Smith, questioning why Democrats were so focused on it when it was "never going to happen." Smith asked Psaki during his show, "Straight Shooter," about the left being so "fervently against the other side" that it comes across as "vitriolic." "I think there are times, I think a lot of people on — and I can't speak for everybody on the left, I don't agree with everything everybody says on the left either — you know, sometimes it's like not constructive," Psaki said. "I mean, you've talked about the 25th Amendment. I have no issue with people saying they're for invoking the 25th Amendment, but it's not going to happen. So, it's like why are we spending so much time, you know?" Smith has also shut down talk of using the 25th Amendment against Trump. FORMER REP MTG VENTS THAT SHE'S 'SO BEYOND DONE,' CHARACTERIZING TRUMP'S ADDRESS AS 'WAR WAR WAR' Calls for the 25th Amendment have come from several Democratic lawmakers, in addition to other Trump critics such as former GOP lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene. Psaki said that some Democrats, specifically progressives, feel like their whole identity is being challenged by Trump's administration, but said the party also needs to be able to reach more people in order to win elections. "What is also true is that in order to win, you have to invite more people to the party," she said. "So, if you want to win, you have to accept sometimes that there may be people who are part of your party or you're going to welcome into the event or the conversation who you don't agree with on 100% of issues. And I think sometimes there can be a little litmus-testy feeling about like who's allowed to be a Democrat or who can consider themselves progressive." STEPHEN A SMITH SAYS SOME HAVE ‘A LOT OF DAMN NERVE’ FOR HAMMERING TRUMP ON IRAN AFTER FRETTING ABOUT COUNTRY Psaki added that the Democratic instinct to "scream" about everything Trump does was not helpful. "And part of that goes hand-in-hand with like you have to scream at the top of your lungs about everything that comes out of the Trump administration," she said. "And I'm outraged by a lot of it. But I don't think screaming about every single thing is the most constructive thing." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE More than 50 Democratic lawmakers have called on Trump’s Cabinet to effectively depose him using the 25th Amendment, arguing that the president is unfit to serve over his comments and actions regarding Iran. Their demands were sparked by his social media declaration that a "whole civilization will die" unless the Iranian government agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. "I certainly think the president should be removed," Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., said. "I mean, he's unfit for office. I think the 25th Amendment, and if not, then impeachment." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e23f60d8d5dabda396a3e8 Google’s AI Mode can now help you find products in stock nearby te 2026-04-17T14:10:40.174Z Google’s AI Mode can now help you find products in stock nearby Although you can already track hotel prices at the city level, the new update lets you do so for a specific hotel that you're interested in. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e23f4cd8d5dabda396a3df With US spy laws set to expire, lawmakers are split over protecting Americans from warrantless surveillance te 2026-04-17T14:10:20.683Z With US spy laws set to expire, lawmakers are split over protecting Americans from warrantless surveillance Some lawmakers are calling for widespread reforms following years of surveillance scandals and abuses across successive U.S. administrations. But even if the spy law known as Section 702 expires in April, the government's spy powers will not automatically lapse. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e23d0bd8d5dabda396a390 School district’s trans policy blasted for fostering 'deception’ under shadow of SCOTUS ruling te 2026-04-17T14:00:43.661Z School district’s trans policy blasted for fostering 'deception’ under shadow of SCOTUS ruling FIRST ON FOX: A conservative legal group called on the Trump administration on Friday to investigate an Alaska school district over a policy that withholds gender identity information from parents. America First Legal asked the Education and Justice departments to open inquiries into the school district, the latest to come under scrutiny for its transgender policies in the wake of a major Supreme Court ruling last month that sided with religious parents on the matter. The high court’s decision applied to California but has continued to affect school districts across the country. AFL's complaint centers on a policy in Hoonah City School District, a small K-12 district in Alaska, that instructs school administrators to use a student's legal name and pronouns when communicating with parents, even if the student is going by a different name and pronouns at school. VIRGINIA MOM PRAISES TRUMP FOR SHINING 'A LIGHT' ON DAUGHTER'S SCHOOL TRANSITION CASE DURING SOTU AFL argued that in practice, the policy "requires school staff to present one identity to parents while facilitating another at school, effectively directing them to deceive parents about their own children." "Hoonah City School District’s nonsensical 'gender identity' policies strip parents of their rights, applaud deception, and brazenly violate federal law," AFL senior counsel Ian Prior said in a statement. The DOJ Civil Rights Division has already signaled it is open to investigating such policies after recently opening a similar probe into Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation's second-largest school district comprising more than half a million students. CALIFORNIA HIT WITH FRESH SETBACK IN FAILED GENDER SECRECY CASE COSTING TAXPAYERS MILLIONS AFL's complaint mirrors a similar legal threat the conservative Thomas More Society made last month against the Westwood Regional School District in New Jersey. The legal group, which helped bring the California Supreme Court case, said it would initiate litigation if the school district did not rescind a policy that lets schools withhold students’ gender identity information from parents. The complaints and investigations come after the Supreme Court temporarily blocked California from enforcing a policy that prevents school staff from notifying parents if their child expresses a desire to engage in gender transitioning, unless the child consents to the parents finding out. The case, Mirabelli v. Bonta, was brought by parents who argued the policy encroached on their religious freedom. The California policy also required school staff to use students' preferred names and pronouns regardless of the parents’ wishes. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit sided with the state in the case, but the high court temporarily vacated the 9th Circuit's order 6-3, saying the state policy was likely unconstitutional. The three liberal justices dissented. SUPREME COURT RULING ON SECRETIVE CALIFORNIA GENDER POLICY COULD RESHAPE PARENT RIGHTS FIGHTS NATIONWIDE "The State argues that its policies advance a compelling interest in student safety and privacy," the high court's majority had written in the unsigned opinion. "But those policies cut out the primary protectors of children’s best interests: their parents." California attorneys had argued that the state policy was designed to protect transgender children from allegedly abusive parents. Peter Breen, an executive vice president with the Thomas More Society, recently told Fox News Digital he had hoped the Supreme Court's decision "would end the practice of secret gender transitions, but what's becoming clear to us is this is just the beginning." "We are already fielding requests from other parents across the country, and we anticipate sending a lot more demand letters, unfortunately," Breen said. Fox News Digital reached out to the Hoonah City School District and the DOJ and Ed. Dept. for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e23632d8d5dabda396a263 Denova Collaborative Health opens Flagstaff clinic to offer primary care and behavioral health services te 2026-04-17T13:31:30.189Z Denova Collaborative Health opens Flagstaff clinic to offer primary care and behavioral health services Denova’s goal in Flagstaff is to “serve as many patients as we can, as quickly as possible.” Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2361dd8d5dabda396a253 Kelly, Gallego urge DHS to halt planned ICE detention facilities in Surprise and Marana te 2026-04-17T13:31:09.040Z Kelly, Gallego urge DHS to halt planned ICE detention facilities in Surprise and Marana The former Arizona State Prison in Marana sat abandoned until purchased by Management and Training Corporation (MTC), a Utah-based private prison operator. (Photo by Adrian O'Farrill/TucsonSentinel.com) Arizona U.S. Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego are urging the Trump administration to put a halt to two planned detention facilities in the state as opposition to them grows and questions continue to mount, according to a letter exclusively obtained by the Arizona Mirror. “Given the scale and pace of these efforts and the Department’s review of detention projects nationwide, we urge the Department to stop the planned detention projects in Arizona, including in Surprise and Marana, until there is full transparency and a thorough assessment of the impact these facilities will have on Arizona communities,” Kelly and Gallego wrote in a letter they sent on Thursday to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE The letter is a follow up to a previous one the two Democrats sent in Feb. to then-DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Todd Lyons. (Noem has since been replaced by Markwayne Mullin.) The senators noted in their April 16 letter that they never received a response to their first letter.  The two facilities in question have been facing protests from local residents.  In Marana, ICE has been planning to reopen a previously shuttered private prison, giving a sole-source agreement for the Marana Detention Facility to Utah-based Management & Training Corporation. MTC purchased the facility for $15 million last summer, and now the facility is set to become a possible holding facility while people await deportation.  The contract states it would hold upwards of 513 men and space for around 31 ICE employees. However, ICE’s solicitation for the facility described it as a detention center with a capacity for 775 detainees, and previous statements about the facility when it was run by the state said it could house around 500 people.  “This lack of transparency, coupled with conflicting information across projects, raises serious questions about whether the Department has adequately assessed and reviewed these planned facilities and sufficiently defined or fully evaluated their scope and requirements,” Gallego and Kelly wrote in their letter to Mullin.  The two senators raise similar questions with a proposed facility in Surprise, which has faced considerable pushback.  “To date, the Department has provided little information on how the property was identified, valued, or procured,” they wrote. “Reporting suggests other acquisitions may have similarly exceeded market value, highlighting the need for thorough oversight. Given the circumstances surrounding these projects, we are concerned about the potential for waste, fraud, and abuse and whether taxpayers are receiving fair value.”  The warehouse in Surprise is one of many other similar facilities that have faced considerable pushback, even in Trump country, that the administration is planning to use to implement its mass deportation efforts.  Gallego and Kelly also raised other issues that also have arisen as President Donald Trump tries to fulfill his campaign promise to deport tens of millions of people.  “While the Department is rapidly expanding available detention space, it has failed to provide even basic safety and adequate medical care for individuals at existing facilities,” the letter says. “As a result, detained individuals are facing serious and, in too many cases, deadly consequences.”  In 2026, 16 people have already died in ICE custody. The 31 deaths last year is a two decade high water mark for the agency.  In Arizona, detention centers have seen cases of measles as well as overcrowding, witnessed by members of Congress who called it “appalling” in their own letter to DHS.  “During your confirmation hearing, you discussed the importance of local community input and committed to engaging transparently and regularly with localities in which the Department has plans for new detention facilities,” the senators wrote to Mullin. “Consistent with this commitment, we urge the Department to halt detention expansion efforts in Arizona until it has fully undertaken a robust engagement process, and we request a prompt briefing on the Department’s plans, authorities, funding, procurement decisions, and operational approach moving forward.”  DHS did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication.  The two Senators have requested a response by May 1. YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e235edd8d5dabda396a1fe Bluesky confirms DDoS attack is cause of continued app outages te 2026-04-17T13:30:21.549Z Bluesky confirms DDoS attack is cause of continued app outages Bluesky has been experiencing ongoing service disruptions since just before 3 a.m. ET. on April 15. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e233c2d8d5dabda396a1b8 Maine Democrat Graham Platner apologizes for using 'R-word' in interview on tattoo scandal te 2026-04-17T13:21:06.274Z Maine Democrat Graham Platner apologizes for using 'R-word' in interview on tattoo scandal Progressive U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner apologized on Wednesday for using the R-word during a recent interview regarding his tattoo controversy. Speaking with the Maine Monitor last week, Platner described his reaction to learning he had been accused of having a Nazi tattoo after it was revealed he had a skull-and-crossbones tattoo resembling the Totenkopf used by Hitler’s SS paramilitary forces. "I was like, ‘Well, that’s the f---ing most r------- s--- I’ve ever heard in my life,’" Platner said. "‘No, I don’t have a White supremacist tattoo,’ and I never thought about it again. And then it came up later on, and I was like, ‘God f---ing damn it.’" GRAHAM PLATNER BLAMES NAZI TATTOO ON MILITARY ‘CULTURE,’ DRAWS BACKLASH FROM GOP VETERANS Platner faced backlash from disability advocacy organizations that condemned the Maine Democrat for using language that "diminishes dignity." "For decades, people with disabilities and their allies have fought to eliminate the use of the R-word — an ableist term rooted in discrimination and exclusion," Kim Moody, CEO of Disability Rights Maine, said in a statement. "This language is not harmless; it reinforces stigma, diminishes dignity, and undermines the value and contributions of disabled individuals in our communities." In an interview with WMTV 8 ABC, Platner apologized for his comments and said that he was "endeavoring to improve" his language. DEMOCRATIC MAINE SENATE CANDIDATE GRAHAM PLATNER CONFRONTED BY MS NOW HOST ABOUT TATTOO CONTROVERSY "I am sorry. I'm sorry that I said it. I am endeavoring to improve every single day. I am not a perfect person, and I continue to try to be better," Platner said. "I will say that my politics is one of inclusivity and one of showing up for everybody, and I will continue every day to represent that in our policies and in our campaign." Fox News Digital reached out to the Platner campaign and Disability Rights Maine for comment but did not immediately receive responses.  Platner's apology followed a series of controversies surrounding the candidate since he launched his campaign in the fall. GRAHAM PLATNER CLAIMS VOTERS CONCERNED OVER TRANS ATHLETES ARE 'MANIPULATED BY BILLIONAIRES' Along with the controversy surrounding his tattoo, Platner faced backlash for old Reddit posts where he made several inflammatory and offensive comments. In his posts, he referred to himself as a communist, praised Hamas' military tactics and suggested people concerned about rape should not "get so f---ed up they wind up having sex with someone they don’t mean to." Platner has apologized for his comments and cited his combat deployments and struggles in the aftermath of his service for influencing him at the time. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e23397d8d5dabda396a17b Netflix plans to add a vertical video feed, use AI for recommendations te 2026-04-17T13:20:23.537Z Netflix plans to add a vertical video feed, use AI for recommendations Netflix is going to launch a TikTok-like vertical video feed within its apps this month, and plans to use AI broadly for content creation and recommendations. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e231bed8d5dabda396a111 AI’s Effect on Future Jobs te 2026-04-17T13:12:30.521Z AI’s Effect on Future Jobs Junior Achievement focuses on career-connected learning to promote economic mobility for Gens Z and Alpha despite a rapidly changing economy. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e231a3d8d5dabda396a0ca AJ Styles' TNA colleagues credit WWE star for paving way to company ahead of Hall of Fame induction te 2026-04-17T13:12:03.881Z AJ Styles' TNA colleagues credit WWE star for paving way to company ahead of Hall of Fame induction A.J. Styles’ in-ring career came to a close with a loss against Gunther at the Royal Rumble earlier year, marking the end of a "phenomenal" run. Styles was one of the first pro wrestlers among this generation of stars who created an enormous fan base before he made the jump to WWE. Styles was the main event at Total Nonstop Action (TNA) for a long time ahead of his 2016 debut at the Royal Rumble. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM He was a six-time TNA X-Division champion, three-time National Wrestling Alliance world heavyweight champion and two-time TNA world heavyweight champion as well as the company’s first-ever grand slam and triple crown champion. In WWE, Styles was a two-time WWE champion, three-time United States champion, one-time intercontinental champion and two-time world tag team champion. Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin, collectively known as the Motor City Machine Guns, got to watch Styles’ career firsthand in TNA. Now with WWE, the duo told Fox News Digital that Styles’ ascent in WWE paved the way for them to eventually jump to the company. WWE TO INDUCT BAD NEWS BROWN INTO HALL OF FAME "To be totally honest with you, to me, it’s the reason I want to go to the Hall of Fame. I’m interested anyway," Shelley said. "There’s some great inductees – Sid Vicious, Bad News Brown. But AJ is the one that tugs on my heartstrings the most. It’s bittersweet, I think, for me, at least, because he’s been such a big brother to me. "To see that door close, does let me know the passage of time is real. But AJ deserves it. He really did blaze that trail of wrestlers to come and join WWE in 2016. We showed up almost 10 years later. I don’t know if we would have if he hadn’t killed it." Sabin agreed with Shelley. "He absolutely blazed the path for guys like us to make it here. I mean, he’s amazing, right? AJ Styles has done things no one else has done. He’s been a leader and a role model and it’s awesome to see him get inducted into the Hall of Fame," he said. Styles, Stephanie McMahon, Sycho Sid, Bad News Brown, Dennis Rodman, the tag team duo known as Demolition and Hulk Hogan’s match with Andre the Giant from WrestleMania 3 are included this year. The WWE Hall of Fame ceremony will take place at Dolby Live at Park MGM on Friday night at midnight ET. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e23190d8d5dabda396a0b8 SEN TIM SHEEHY: Gold Star families deserve justice. This $15B from Iran is a start te 2026-04-17T13:11:44.269Z SEN TIM SHEEHY: Gold Star families deserve justice. This $15B from Iran is a start During my time serving in the Middle East, I witnessed firsthand Iran’s role in the systematic targeting and murder of Americans. For 47 years, the Iranian regime has deliberately and systematically killed thousands of American servicemembers and civilians, including good friends of mine, by funding and directing a network of proxy terrorist organizations that have directly benefited adversary states like China and Russia with cheap oil, rocket and drone technology and regional instability. This proxy warfare against America isn’t cheap. Iran spends billions of dollars every year in support of foreign terrorism around the world. It is therefore critical that the United States maintain the integrity of its sanctions and military pressure against this rogue regime, especially in light of Iran’s attacks on civilian shipping and energy infrastructure in the Gulf.  Our sanctions starve the Iranian regime of the funds it needs to carry out violence and are a crucial financial tool to combating terrorism worldwide. That is why I was glad to see President Donald Trump’s signing in February 2025 of a National Security Presidential Memorandum directing the Secretary of the Treasury to impose maximum economic pressure on Iran. Congress has also acted in its authority to enlist the power of U.S. courts to contain Iran’s influence. Specifically, these laws empower U.S. courts to order the turnover of illicit Iranian assets to the countless victims of Iranian terrorism. Under these laws, U.S. terrorism victims have scoured the globe for hidden Iranian assets, degrading Iran’s commercial cover activities and money laundering networks. MIKE PENCE: TRUMP AND OUR INCREDIBLE MILITARY ARE ENDING 47 YEARS OF IRANIAN TERROR In creating this program, Congress not only provided a pathway to justice for American families but also deprived Iran of billions of dollars that could otherwise be spent on more terror against innocent Americans and our brave servicemembers. Right now, a group of victims of Iranian terrorism, led by the mother of 1st Lt. Jacob Fritz — who was abducted in 2007 from a U.S. compound in Iraq by an Iranian hit squad and summarily handcuffed, beaten and executed — are fighting to seize billions of dollars of Iranian cryptocurrency in federal court. These Gold Star families submitted to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York hundreds of pages of expert reports and exhibits demonstrating how approximately $15 billion in Bitcoin were allegedly mined and held by the Iran and China Investment Development Group to help Iran evade sanctions. They have asked the court to turn over the funds to thousands of victims of Iranian terrorism with outstanding court judgments against Iran. ROBERT MAGINNIS: WHY ISLAMABAD TALKS WERE ALWAYS DOOMED TO FAIL Given Congress’ and Trump’s clear directive to bend all elements of national power to the containment of Iran, I was appalled to see the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Joseph Nocella Jr., decide to stand against these Gold Star families. In public filings, Nocella argues – without any evidence that contradicts the Gold Star families’ expert reports and despite admitting in his own filings that some of the Bitcoin were mined in Iran – that the Bitcoin in question are not Iran-owned but are actually the proceeds of Southeast Asian scam centers run by Chen Zhi, a Cambodian citizen. He is seeking for the court to turn over the Bitcoin to the United States government, pursuant to a civil forfeiture proceeding related to Chen’s alleged crimes, rather than to the victims of Iranian terrorism. ONE MONTH AT WAR WITH IRAN — CAN WASHINGTON DEFINE VICTORY? After decades of brutal Iranian terror targeting, torturing and killing our warfighters and innocent civilians, there is no question these funds would be better used to provide justice to families who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country instead of padding the federal budget. But the biggest problem with Nocella’s aggressive denial of Iranian involvement is that it risks the return of billions of dollars to Iran and its terrorist allies. If Nocella succeeds in convincing the court that the Bitcoin are not Iranian, it would mean they are not subject to U.S. sanctions against Iran. If he then proceeds to lose his forfeiture case, the return of the Bitcoin to Iran would be seemingly inevitable. This isn’t abstract; Nocella’s case is quite frankly an embarrassment to the justice system and a slap in the face to the families of those who put their lives on the line for this country.   By the terms of Nocella’s own forfeiture complaint, the Bitcoin were already outside of Chen’s control at the time of his alleged criminal fraud activity, and the complaint contains no evidence linking Chen’s alleged conduct in the United States to the Bitcoin. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION The criminal indictment against Chen contains photos allegedly depicting victims tortured by Chen’s criminal organization. As independent journalists have noted, rather than providing evidence of Chen’s bad acts, these photos appear to actually be, among other things, a viral social media photo of a man who had a serious accident six years ago and a man who got in an unrelated bar fight in 2015. You can’t make this up. As was recently announced by the Department of Justice, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York worked cooperatively for years with victims of Iranian terrorism to dismantle an Iranian money laundering facility in Manhattan. But in the Eastern District, what should be a straightforward process to obtain justice for our warfighters is careening toward becoming a national embarrassment. Nocella should stop fighting the Gold Star families and let them continue with their better researched and written case against Iran. At a time when the U.S. is the closest it has been to eliminating this evil regime and negotiations are ongoing to establish peace in the region, we should do everything we can to keep this money out of the hands of terrorists instead of looking for ways to pad the government’s pockets.  CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM SEN. TIM SHEEHY Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2317cd8d5dabda396a0a6 Man, woman killed in rip current as lifeguard shortage leaves danger zones in beach destination te 2026-04-17T13:11:24.375Z Man, woman killed in rip current as lifeguard shortage leaves danger zones in beach destination For decades, the lifeguard stands of Florida’s Space Coast have served as symbols of a vacationer’s safety. But this season, dozens of those stands sit empty, as the county scrambles to fill 45 critical roles — a shortage that turned tragic this week when two people drowned while attempting to rescue a child caught in a rip current. "Obviously, we're doing the best we can with what we have," Brevard County Ocean Rescue Chief Eisen Witcher said. "And we assess as much risk as we possibly can...It's not that we're not there, it's just we can't be there all the time." On Wednesday, authorities were called to a water emergency regarding four water victims at the popular Cocoa Beach. Two of the people affected, a 42-year-old man from Connecticut and a 34-year-old woman from Ohio, were transported to the hospital, but died. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL The adults, who were not identified, went into the water to save a child, the Brevard County Fire Rescue said. It was not immediately clear if the adults were related to the child, who survived. Florida Today reported that the woman was the child's stepmother, and the man was a bystander. GOT A TIP? Witcher said that the area where the rip current claimed the lives of two adults was not being guarded with lifeguards. He said that they've been experiencing high surf, with waves from 6-8 feet tall. FOLLOW US ON X "Conditions are starting to subside, making the ocean a lot more calm or appearing to look more calm. But those surf conditions have caused significant damage to the sandbars causing flash rip currents," Witcher said. According to the National Weather Center, the Florida coast – from south of Palm Coast to Miami – is identified as a high risk for rip currents.  "It's very fast, it's very unexpected, and you can lose your footing very quickly. We watch, we try to prevent that as much as we possibly can in our life-guarded areas. Outside of a life-guarded area, it's very difficult for people from out of town or tourists to know or understand or what to do," Witcher said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS The chief said that the nearest lifeguard was 3/4 of a mile away at the time of the emergency. "Right now, we are actively recruiting for more lifeguards. We have been for the better part of two or three months now," Witcher said, explaining that they have a tryout this weekend. "We'd like to see at least 45 more [lifeguards]. In situations where there is no nearby lifeguard, calling 911 is your best bet, he said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e23150d8d5dabda396a06a Loop raises $95M to build supply chain AI that predicts disruptions te 2026-04-17T13:10:40.476Z Loop raises $95M to build supply chain AI that predicts disruptions The San Francisco startup closed a Series C funding round led by Antonio Gracias' firm Valor, which is a major backer of xAI. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2313cd8d5dabda396a061 SaySo is a new short-form video app that aims to restore users’ trust in news te 2026-04-17T13:10:20.888Z SaySo is a new short-form video app that aims to restore users’ trust in news Users are fed up with misinformation and AI slop cluttering their feeds. SaySo is a new short-form video app that delivers news from vetted creators and journalists. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e22efed8d5dabda396a012 IndyCar driver discusses the mental challenge of IndyCar racing, why winning isn't his only measure of success te 2026-04-17T13:00:46.345Z IndyCar driver discusses the mental challenge of IndyCar racing, why winning isn't his only measure of success IndyCar drivers lose a lot more than they win, making it difficult to find "success." But like golf, coming in second place every weekend doesn't exactly make you a loser like it does in individual sports - in fact, it would be the most successful season ever. "It’s tough, because obviously, there can only be one winner in racing every time we go racing. So it’s not easy," 2022 Indy 500 winner Marcus Ericsson said in a recent interview with Fox News Digital. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM And because of that, Ericsson has his own personal "mental coach" who gives him daily exercises and prompts with different focuses. In the morning, Ericsson will write down what he's improved on, where his focus lies, and where he's had success. At night, he reflects on the positives he had throughout the day. "It’s a lot of reflection. What’s interesting with mental training and coaching yourself is the reflection part. It’s not only that the questions can be quite simple, but it’s about taking the time and being present and thinking about things. That’s what is really powerful," Ericsson said. "A lot of people are so caught up in life, there’s always something going on, the next thing, and you just keep going. If you stop every morning and every evening, sit down for 10 minutes and reflect on your day or how you feel, what’s going on in your mind, I think that’s very powerful. Putting pen to paper and writing it down is also something that’s very powerful." Driving around at speeds of 200 mph is a mental challenge in itself. Given the fact that Ericsson does it for hours on end, he needs to be extra locked in, and that's where his partnership with Allegra comes in. PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER BRINGING INDYCAR RACE TO DC FOR AMERICA250 "It’s just super important in what I do. Got to stay sharp, you can’t have any brain fog or anything like that. That’s where Allegra really helps," Ericsson said, noting the height of allergy season. "Helps me stay sharp, helps me stay locked in. So it’s been super important for me." In practicing his mental game, Ericsson has had to train himself that success does not equal winning. In fact, sometimes, not even finishing in the top 10 might have to be considered a positive. "Something I work a lot with my coach on as well, the biggest thing I’ve learned throughout my career is that success comes from performing at your highest level and feeling like you are maximizing yourself in the present," Ericsson said. "Sometimes that might be 12th place, fifth place, because there are things out of your control with the car and other factors. "If I sit here and say I need to win every race, you’re going to be frustrated and disappointed a lot of the time because you can’t win every race. So it’s about focusing on trying to perform at your highest level every time and striving to be at your highest level, understanding how to get yourself there and not make mistakes." Obviously, Ericsson goes into every race wanting to win. "That's always there," he said. "But I think it’s easier to focus on performing at your highest level on a consistent basis," he continued. "If I can do that, I know I’m going to win races. I know I’m going to have good results. So it’s more about that — that’s what I try to focus on." 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/69e22cbdd8d5dabda3969fb7 3 dead, 9 injured, after crash along southern Arizona highway te 2026-04-17T12:51:09.829Z 3 dead, 9 injured, after crash along southern Arizona highway A passenger van carrying 12 people crashed along southbound US 191 in Pearce, Arizona. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e22ca5d8d5dabda3969f86 Is Mark Zuckerberg's Meta AI getting too smart? te 2026-04-17T12:50:45.050Z Is Mark Zuckerberg's Meta AI getting too smart? If you've ever wished your phone could just see what you're dealing with instead of making you type it all out, Meta heard you. The company just launched its new AI model, Muse Spark, now powering the Meta AI assistant, and it's rolling out across the Meta AI app, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Messenger and even its AI glasses in the coming weeks. It's the first major release from Meta Superintelligence Labs, a division Mark Zuckerberg founded nine months ago with one stated goal: putting "personal superintelligence" in everyone's hands. That's a big promise. So let's look at what's actually here right now. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report REESE WITHERSPOON WARNS AI IS THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO REPLACE WOMEN Muse Spark is Meta's foundational AI model, the first in a deliberate scaling series where each version validates and builds on the last before Meta goes bigger. The team rebuilt its AI stack from the ground up over the past nine months, making this one of the fastest development cycles the company has ever run. The model is described as small and fast by design, yet capable enough to reason through complex questions in science, math and health. Think of it as a strong foundation rather than the ceiling. Meta has already confirmed the next generation is in development. Right now, Muse Spark powers the Meta AI assistant across the Meta AI app and meta.ai. That's your entry point if you want to try it today. The upgraded Meta AI now runs in two modes: Instant and Thinking. Instant handles quick questions. Thinking digs into more complex problems that need stronger reasoning. You switch between them depending on what you need. META REPORTEDLY BUILDING AN AI VERSION OF MARK ZUCKERBERG TO INTERACT WITH COMPANY EMPLOYEES What's genuinely new is how it handles both at the same time. Meta AI can now launch multiple subagents in parallel. Planning a family trip to Florida? One agent drafts the itinerary, another compares Orlando to the Keys, and a third pulls up kid-friendly activities, all at the same time. You get a better, more complete answer in less time. That's a real shift. Most AI assistants work through tasks one at a time. Running them in parallel is closer to how a capable human research team actually operates, and honestly, it's about time. As Mark Zuckerberg wrote in a recent Facebook post, "We are building products that don't just answer your questions but act as agents that do things for you."   This is one of the most practical changes in Muse Spark. Meta built strong multimodal perception into the model, which means Meta AI can look at images rather than just read text you type. Snap a photo of an airport snack shelf and ask which options have the most protein. Scan a product and ask how it stacks up against alternatives. The AI works with what you're seeing, which cuts out the whole "let me describe what's in front of me" step that makes most AI assistants feel clunky in real life. When Muse Spark rolls out to Meta's AI glasses, this capability becomes especially interesting. The assistant will be able to see and understand your environment in real time, without you having to hold up a phone at all.   Health is one of the top reasons people turn to AI, and Meta addressed that directly. Meta AI can now handle health questions with more detailed responses, including questions that involve images and charts. The company worked with a team of physicians to develop the model's ability to respond to common health questions and concerns. That doesn't replace your doctor. But it does mean you can show Meta AI a chart from your lab results or a diagram from a health website and get a meaningful, informed response rather than a wall of disclaimers. OPINION: SEN BERNIE SANDERS: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS COMING FOR THE WORKING CLASS. WE MUST FIGHT BACK That's actually useful. Most people have been there, squinting at a chart from their physician's portal with zero context. Having something that can look at it with you changes the experience. Starting today in the U.S., the Meta AI app has a dedicated Shopping mode. It helps users figure out what to wear, style a room or find a gift for someone specific. Rather than pulling from a generic product database, Shopping mode surfaces ideas from creators and communities already active on Facebook, Instagram and Threads. The result feels more like getting a recommendation from someone with a good eye than navigating a department store website. That's a meaningfully different approach, and it's one Meta is uniquely positioned to pull off given the content ecosystem it already owns. If you use Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp regularly, Meta AI powered by Muse Spark is already on its way to you. You will not need to download anything new or hunt for it. It will show up inside the apps you already use. So what actually changes day to day? First, you spend less time explaining things. If you have ever tried to describe a label, a chart or something confusing in front of you, this will feel like a big upgrade. Just snap a photo, ask your question and move on. No long explanations. No back and forth. Next, planning gets easier. Trips, events or even simple decisions often mean jumping between tabs and comparing options. Meta AI now handles multiple parts of that process at once. You get a clearer answer faster, without doing five separate searches. Shopping also starts to feel different. Right now, the new shopping mode is only available in the U.S. But it pulls ideas from real posts, creators and communities across Meta's apps. That gives you suggestions that feel more like recommendations from people, not just search results. And then there is what comes next. If Meta's AI glasses have felt easy to ignore so far, that may change. When the AI can see what you see in real time, without you pulling out your phone, it starts to feel less like a feature and more like something built into your day. That is where this begins to stand out. Take my quiz: How safe is your online security? Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com. Meta is moving quickly, and Muse Spark is the first real sign that Meta Superintelligence Labs is building something that could stick. What stands out is how practical this feels. The ability to understand images, handle multiple tasks at once and respond to health questions are not features designed to just dazzle in a demo. They are built for the messy, visual, fast-moving reality of everyday life. This is not the final version. Meta already has the next generation in the works. API access is coming to select partners, and open-source models are part of the plan. Think of this as the starting point. And based on how fast Meta is moving, it may not stay "early" for long. If an AI starts planning your trips, guiding your choices and handling tasks for you, where do you draw the line? 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/69e22a50d8d5dabda3969f00 Air Force is 'smallest,' 'least ready' in history, National Guard leaders warn Congress in fighter jet plea te 2026-04-17T12:40:48.463Z Air Force is 'smallest,' 'least ready' in history, National Guard leaders warn Congress in fighter jet plea Leaders of the Air National Guard argued that the Air Force's readiness was woefully inadequate in a recent letter to Congress requesting more funding. "The United States Air Force is the oldest, the smallest, and the least ready in its 78-year history," the letter, which was obtained by Air and Space Forces Magazine, read. To rectify the historic deficiency, military leaders are requesting between 72 and 100 new fighter jets across the Air Force's active duty, reserve and guard corps. Specifically, the adjutants generals —  the leader of the National Guard in their respective state —  are requesting at least 48 new F-35s and 24 new F-15EXs. IRAN FUNDING EMERGES AS KEY TEST FOR JOHNSON'S RAZOR-THIN HOUSE MAJORITY The letter also states a desired goal of procuring 72 new F-35s and 36 new F-15EXs every year. It was signed by all 22 adjutant generals that lead Air National Guards in the states that have them, something Idaho's assistant adjutant general, Brig. Gen. Shannon Smith, called "a pretty big deal." "What we’re trying to do with this is send a strong message from the two-star generals that command the National Guards in these states," he told Air and Space Forces. HERE COME THE BIG BOMBS AS US ESCALATES STRIKES ON IRAN'S HUGE MILITARY ARSENAL Smith pointed to Operation Epic Fury, the U.S.'s sprawling military campaign in Iran, as showcasing the need for more jets and resources. "We are burning these jets and the Airmen over time to support the joint force to accomplish the president’s goals with Epic Fury in this conflict with Iran," he told the magazine. The procurement requests are a significant jump from recent Air Force asks. The Air Force asked Congress to procure 48 F-35s in 2024 and 42 in 2025. For F-15EXs, they asked for 24 in 2024 and 18 in 2025. "If we keep dabbling under 72, that isn’t winning, that is raising the water line," Smith told the outlet. "If we don’t procure at a higher rate, all of these fighter squadrons will remain with ’70s-era fighters. Most of the money will go to keep them flying. In a few years, they’ll be struggling to be flyable, let alone be relevant." The lofty ask comes amidst an equally audacious budget request for the Pentagon from President Trump. His proposed fiscal year 2027 budget asks for $1.5 trillion for the Pentagon, a near $700 billion jump from 2026. Fox News Digital contacted the Pentagon and the Air Force for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e227f9d8d5dabda3969e82 Iranian women's soccer players granted asylum in Australia say they dream of continuing careers 'in safety' te 2026-04-17T12:30:49.946Z Iranian women's soccer players granted asylum in Australia say they dream of continuing careers 'in safety' The two Iranian women’s soccer players who remained in Australia amid the U.S. and Israel’s joint military campaign against Iran have spoken out publicly for the first time since accepting asylum, saying they intend to continue their professional careers "in safety" there.  Fatemeh Pasandideh ​and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh released a joint statement thanking the Australian government for its support and providing them with "safe haven."  "The compassion and support shown to us during this challenging time has provided us with hope for a future where we can live and compete in safety," the statement read, via the Australian Associated Press. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "We are overwhelmed by the warmth and generosity of the Iranian diaspora community in Australia. Your support has made us feel welcome and less alone as we navigate this transition," the statement continued. "At this stage, our primary focus is on our safety, our health and beginning the process of rebuilding our lives. "We are elite athletes, and it remains our dream to continue our sporting careers here in Australia." The situation involving the Iranian women’s soccer team began after the squad arrived in Australia for the Women’s Asian Cup in February. The team was already there when the U.S. launched a joint military operation with Israel against Iran.  SOME IRANIAN SOCCER PLAYERS GRANTED ASYLUM BY AUSTRALIA CHOSE TO RETURN HOME, LOCAL OFFICIAL SAYS In the team’s opening match against South Korea, the squad stood silent during the national anthem as Iranian head coach Marziyeh Jafari, also silent, smiled at her team. The silence was interpreted by some as an act of resistance. But in the following match against Australia and the subsequent match that led to their elimination, the team sang along and saluted during the national anthem. Concern for the team after the tournament prompted the Australian Iranian Council to launch an online petition urging Australian authorities to "ensure that no member of Iran’s women’s national football team is to depart Australia while credible fears for their safety remain." Seven women initially accepted the asylum offer before five changed their minds and said they would return to Iran. Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh said in their statement that they "are not yet ready to speak publicly about our experiences."  "We respectfully ask the media for privacy and space at this time. We will not be making any further comments or conducting interviews in the immediate future." Last month, they were pictured at a practice session with a professional club in Brisbane. 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/69e225b0d8d5dabda3969e05 Australia's most decorated veteran walks free on bail on war crimes charges related to Afghan deaths te 2026-04-17T12:21:04.750Z Australia's most decorated veteran walks free on bail on war crimes charges related to Afghan deaths MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia’s most decorated living veteran, Ben Roberts-Smith, walked free on bail from a Sydney prison on Friday, 10 days after he was charged with war crimes in the killings of five people while serving in Afghanistan. Judge Greg Grogin granted Roberts-Smith bail in a Sydney court around five hours earlier, ruling the former Special Air Service Regiment corporal had established exceptional circumstances to justify his release from custody. Prosecutors had opposed bail and argued there was a risk that Roberts-Smith would flee Australia or interfere with witnesses and evidence. Roberts-Smith, 47, was arrested on April 7 and charged with five counts of war crime murder involving the deaths of five Afghans in Uruzgan province in 2009 and 2012. AUSTRALIA’S MOST DECORATED LIVING SOLDIER CHARGED AMID FIERCE DEBATE OVER WAR CRIMES ALLEGATIONS Australian law defines war crime murder as the intentional killing in a context of armed conflict of a person who is not taking an active part in the hostilities, such as a civilian, prisoner of war or a wounded soldier. Roberts-Smith was driven away from Sydney’s Silverwater Correctional Complex late Friday apparently wearing the same clothes he wore when police escorted him from a commercial airliner at Sydney Airport last week, news media images showed. Roberts-Smith was awarded both the Victoria Cross and Medal of Gallantry for his service in Afghanistan and is only the second Australian veteran of the Afghanistan campaign to be charged with a war crime. The charges follow a military report released in 2020 that found evidence elite SAS and commando regiment troops unlawfully killed 39 Afghan prisoners, farmers and other noncombatants. Around 40,000 Australian military personnel served in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2021, of whom 41 were killed. Similar allegations against Roberts-Smith were found credible in a civil court case in 2023 when a judge rejected his claims that newspaper articles defamed him. AUSTRALIA'S MOST DECORATED WAR VETERAN APPEALS COURT RULING THAT BLAMED HIM FOR UNLAWFUL KILLING OF AFGHANS At that trial, Roberts-Smith testified he had never killed an unarmed Afghan and denied ever committing a war crime. He claimed he has the victim of spiteful fellow soldiers’ lies and of others’ envy of his medals. But while the civil court found the war crimes allegations were mostly proven on a balance of probabilities, the war crime murder charges would have to be proved in a criminal court to a higher standard of beyond reasonable doubt. Roberts-Smith is accused of personally shooting dead two victims. He allegedly ordered subordinates to shoot the other three victims. In opposing bail, prosecutor Simon Buchen described the charges against Roberts-Smith as "among the most serious known to the criminal law." Buchen said Roberts-Smith had been "on the cusp of relocating overseas" without telling authorities when he became aware that prosectors were considering charges. Roberts-Smith had made "advanced plans to relocate overseas. Consideration was being given to moving to various destinations overseas," Buchen told the court. Roberts-Smith faces a potential maximum sentence of life in prison on each conviction. He has yet to enter pleas. JUDGE RULES AUSTRALIA'S MOST DECORATED WAR VETERAN UNLAWFULLY KILLED POWS, COMMITTED WAR CRIMES IN AFGHANISTAN Defense lawyer Slade Howell told the bail hearing Roberts-Smith’s case "may properly be described as exceptional in the sense that it is out of the ordinary." "The use of domestic courts to prosecute alleged war crimes committed by a highly decorated Australian soldier deployed overseas repeatedly by the Australian government to fight a war on its behalf is unprecedented and is uncharted legal territory of the common law of this country," Howell said. Howell also said Roberts-Smith’s "proceedings will be beset by a multitude of delays, many of which are peculiar to these proceeding." Potential delays could arise if prosecutors decide to charge one or more of Roberts-Smith’s fellow veterans, some of whom now live overseas, Howell said. Roberts-Smith took part in the bail hearing by video link from prison and spoke only when asked by the judge to confirm that he could see and hear proceedings. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2259dd8d5dabda3969dfc Reese Witherspoon warns AI is three times more likely to replace women te 2026-04-17T12:20:45.241Z Reese Witherspoon warns AI is three times more likely to replace women Actress Reese Witherspoon warned women that their jobs are three times more likely to be replaced by artificial intelligence (AI) than those of men unless they begin learning how to use the technology. The "Morning Show" actress took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a story about meeting with the women in her book club and discovering that out of the 10 women, only three used AI and only one felt that she was using it the right way. "So, if three out of 10 women are the only ones using AI, that means 70% of that group is not keeping up," Witherspoon said. "The thing I’ve learned about technology is if you don’t get a little bit of understanding from the very beginning, it just speeds past you. So you have to have little bits of learning just to keep up." ACTOR GEORGE CLOONEY CLAIMS THE RISE OF AI TECHNOLOGY IS DANGEROUS, SAYS 'GENIE IS OUT OF THE BOTTLE' In the caption, she also wrote, "The AI revolution has begun, and I need to learn as much as I possibly can about AI and share it with all of you. Also, FYI: the jobs women hold are 3x more likely to be automated by AI, yet women are using AI at a rate 25% lower than men on average. We don’t want to be left behind. So … do you want to learn with me?" Fox News Digital reached out to Witherspoon's representatives for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Witherspoon's claim likely originated from a United Nations’ International Labour Organization and Poland’s National Research Institute report last year which found that 9.6% of jobs traditionally held by women, such as secretary and administrative positions, were likely to be replaced by AI in the coming years. BEN AFFLECK DOWNPLAYS AI FEARS IN FILM INDUSTRY, SAYS 'LAWS ALREADY EXIST' TO PROTECT ARTISTS' LIKENESS This was compared to only 3.5% of jobs traditionally held by men. Witherspoon previously encouraged women and filmmakers to begin learning how to use AI during a Glamour interview in September. "I’m always looking forward to how media is evolving and how I can help be part of bringing women along in those emerging industries. And now we’re doing it with AI. It’s so, so important that women are involved in AI … because it will be the future of filmmaking," Witherspoon said. "And you can be sad and lament it all you want, but the change is here. It will never be a lack of creativity and ingenuity and actual physical manual building of things. It might diminish, but it’s always going to be the highest importance in art and in expression of self," she added. JAMES WOODS WARNS AI COULD BE THE 'END OF HUMAN ACTORS' IN HOLLYWOOD The use of AI in Hollywood has been a hot topic in recent years as actors and other creatives fear being replaced by technology. AI was one of the key issues behind the 2023 writers and actors strike. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e22380d8d5dabda3969d7c Doctors in training learn cooking skills to help patients amid America's chronic disease crisis te 2026-04-17T12:11:44.498Z Doctors in training learn cooking skills to help patients amid America's chronic disease crisis Future doctors at some medical schools are learning more than anatomy, pathology and pharmacology these days. They're learning to cook healthy foods patients will actually want to eat. The training is part of a growing field called culinary medicine, which blends cooking skills with nutrition education. It's gaining momentum at medical schools nationwide, The New York Times recently reported, with schools like Tufts University launching courses in 2025. In many programs, that means stepping into a kitchen and learning to prepare meals firsthand, not just studying nutrition from a distance.  'MIRACLE FRUIT' MAY HELP CANCER PATIENTS OVERCOME CHEMO SIDE EFFECT THAT CAN LEAD TO DANGEROUS WEIGHT LOSS "It's combining the culinary arts with evidence-based medicine and educational techniques to teach nutrition in a way that young doctors and other health care professionals can use in counseling and talking to patients," Dr. Ron Quinton, medical director of Tulane University’s Goldring Center for Culinary Medicine in New Orleans, told Fox News Digital.  Rising rates of diet-related diseases, including diabetes, obesity and heart disease, are fueling demand for more nutrition-focused care, experts say. "Most people are eating the standard American diet, which is high in saturated fat, high in sugar, high in salt," Quinton added. "There are at least 13 obesity-related cancers that are directly diet-related," he noted. FOODS THAT AMERICANS WERE TOLD TO AVOID FOR DECADES ARE BACK UNDER TRUMP'S NEW NUTRITION RULES At Tulane’s School of Medicine, students work through mock patient cases before heading into the Goldring Center's teaching kitchen — one of the nation’s first, established in 2012 — to prepare healthy, flavorful and affordable meals. "We don’t want to make bland food," Quinton said. They also don't want patients thinking they must overhaul their diets overnight, he said. PEOPLE LOST WEIGHT WHILE EATING SIGNIFICANTLY MORE FOOD — HERE'S THE SECRET "Our first goal is to add things to their diet," he said. "We’re not trying to take things away." One of the first cooking lessons Tulane students get, meanwhile, is about a familiar favorite: tacos. Quinton said the program adds more vegetables than traditional versions and uses homemade, low-sodium seasoning. "A big part of our teaching is substituting things for what we consider bad for you — the sugar, the salt — and putting spices and other things in so the food tastes just as good," Quinton said. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Jordan Lo, a fourth-year Tulane medical student planning to pursue neurosurgery, said the teaching kitchen has given him tools he already uses when talking with patients during clinical rotations. "Patients ask me, 'How can I eat healthier? Where can I go to get better recipes?'" Lo said. Understanding nutrition can benefit doctors in any specialty, particularly in preventing conditions such as stroke linked to diet, he said. "Knowing about food and culinary medicine and how it affects your patients just overall makes you a better doctor." CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES He said the hands-on classes show students how to make healthier meals feel doable at home.  Students learn simple tips — like prepping ingredients and using small bowls to stay organized — that they can pass on to patients. The kitchen lessons also challenge assumptions about what "healthy" food looks like.  Lo said one surprising recipe was a dark chocolate mousse made mostly with avocado. Quinton pointed to black and white bean brownies as desserts that deliver more fiber with less fat than traditional versions, adding that they're favorites of his grandkids. More than 60 medical, nursing and residency programs now use versions of Tulane’s curriculum, with newer programs emerging at schools like Tufts University as part of a broader "food is medicine" movement. Tuft's launched a course in 2025 that brings together medical, dental and nutrition students to learn in partnership with Community Servings, a nonprofit that provides medically tailored meals to people with serious and chronic illnesses. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Eliza Leone, a registered dietitian nutritionist and instructor in the program, said the training focuses on turning nutrition advice into practical guidance for patients. "What's more meaningful than telling your patient, 'You should eat more calcium,' is saying, 'Here are a few recipes that incorporate calcium,'" she told Fox News Digital. Research shows doctors are more likely to encourage healthy eating habits when they practice those behaviors themselves, Leone noted.  "You can't have nutrition without food, so you have to know how to make food that tastes good and also meets your nutritional needs," she said. Interest in culinary medicine is growing, Leone said, as more students seek hands-on nutrition training and schools respond by expanding programs. Quinton agreed the trend is here to stay, as more doctors shift toward preventing disease rather than reacting to it. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2236cd8d5dabda3969d73 Influencer’s safari getaway turns deadly days after proposal as police question fiancé, family demands answers te 2026-04-17T12:11:24.934Z Influencer’s safari getaway turns deadly days after proposal as police question fiancé, family demands answers The fiancé of a popular New Jersey social media influencer is being questioned about her death after authorities said she was found attempting suicide while the pair were on a dream vacation off the coast of Africa.  Ashly Robinson, who was also known as Ashlee Jenae, died while on a trip to Zanzibar celebrating her 31st birthday just days after getting engaged to her boyfriend, Joe McCann, according to her family members, who called the death "suspicious." Robinson’s death was ruled a suicide after she attempted to hang herself from her door in her hotel room on April 9, local authorities said.  HUSBAND OF MISSING AMERICAN WOMAN RETURNS TO US AFTER BAHAMAS JAIL RELEASE, SOURCE SAYS She was transported to a hospital, where she died from her injuries one day later.  Tanzania Police have since revealed Robinson’s death is "attributed to a misunderstanding" between the influencer and McCann, while adding that the incident forced hotel staff to separate the newly engaged couple by placing McCann in another room "for their safety." GOT A TIP? In a Tuesday update, Tanzania Police said McCann "continues to be questioned by the Police Force and his passport has been suspended," though authorities did not elaborate on the nature of the investigation.  Sources have since told the BBC that McCann was being interviewed as a witness in the case and is not accused of any wrongdoing. FOLLOW US ON X In light of Robinson’s death, her family is disputing authorities’ ruling that the 31-year-old influencer died by suicide.  Speaking to TMZ, Robinson’s parents, Harry and Yolanda Robinson, said they do not believe their daughter would take her own life, adding, "She was a beacon of light. A happy, go-lucky girl. Very excited to go on this birthday trip which later turned into a proposal." GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL The family reportedly said McCann called them 11 hours after Robinson was hospitalized to let them know she was stable, and later informed them that their daughter had died.  Robinson’s parents told TMZ they have not heard from McCann since she died, a development that they find "very very odd," FOX 29 reported. CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS "The sadness, the unanswered questions, and the distance from home have made this tragedy even more overwhelming for our family," Robinson’s parents said in a statement shared to social media.  "At this time, there is an active investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ashly’s suspicious passing," they added. Robinson was a popular social media influencer prior to her death, boasting 145,000 followers on Instagram while posting lifestyle content to her page. She often shared photos of herself with McCann, with one of her final posts showing her feeding giraffes while on vacation in Zanzibar.  Fox News Digital reached out to McCann. It was not immediately clear if McCann had retained an attorney. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e22359d8d5dabda3969d6a WWE star Chelsea Green should be WrestleMania 'headliner,' Alba Fyre says te 2026-04-17T12:11:05.070Z WWE star Chelsea Green should be WrestleMania 'headliner,' Alba Fyre says Chelsea Green has been one of the hardest working pro wrestlers in WWE since she returned to the company in 2023 and has put together history-making moments. Green was the first women’s United States champion in the belt’s history and the first to have multiple reigns. She’s been knocked off ladders and thrown in dumpsters, and yet, strings of bad luck have kept her off the WrestleMania card for the last three years. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM WWE star Alba Fyre, who is a part of Green’s Secret Hervice, told Fox News Digital she would have liked to have seen the Canadian star on the card. "You know, we’re always rooting for Chelsea," Fyre said. "Obviously, I’m a big fan of Chelsea, but I think it’s a shame that she’s not on the card this year. She should be the headliner." This year, it was a bit out of her hands. WWE CHAMP JADE CARGILL VERY HOPEFUL TO MEET 'STONE COLD' STEVE AUSTIN AT HALL OF FAME CEREMONY Green suffered an ankle injury in the months leading up to WrestleMania 42. She hasn’t been in the ring in a few weeks, but still remained on screen. She was seen on "Friday Night SmackDown" as of late trying to be in the corner of Tiffany Stratton, who is eyeing the United States Championship herself in a battle with Giulia. Green was off the card for WrestleMania 40 and 41. She last appeared at the event in a fatal four-way tag team match with Sonya Deville at WrestleMania 39. Pro wrestling fans will be interested to see how the next 12 months go for Green. She may work herself back up the ladder and get into contention for the women’s title once again. If so, she’ll either have to contend with Jade Cargill or Rhea Ripley. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e22345d8d5dabda3969d61 Lorne Michaels’ ‘SNL’ grip on cast exposed in new documentary te 2026-04-17T12:10:45.277Z Lorne Michaels’ ‘SNL’ grip on cast exposed in new documentary For decades, Lorne Michaels has loomed as comedy’s ultimate gatekeeper — the man "Saturday Night Live" stars believed could make or break their careers. But filmmaker Morgan Neville painted a different picture of the legendary boss after speaking to cast members including Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph, John Mulaney and Chris Rock for a documentary project decades in the making. "LORNE" hit theaters on April 17. Neville said the documentary captures a wide range of perspectives from past and present "Saturday Night Live" cast members who have wrestled with Michaels' outsized influence over their careers. "I mean, some of these people, he was their boss. Some, he was a former boss," Neville told Fox News Digital. "And I think people have all different kinds of experiences of Lorne — where they think of him as the person that controls everything about their fate. You know, how many minutes they get on air, where their career is gonna go. I mean, I understand why people are neurotic about Lorne, and people feel like, 'Oh, he didn't get this, or he doesn't understand this.'" EDDIE MURPHY SAYS SURVIVING FAME WITH HIS 'SANITY' INTACT IS HIS PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT But Neville said that view of Michaels' influence only tells part of the story. "But I also get what John Mulaney says in the documentary, which is Lorne's protecting people in ways they don't understand at all, you know?" he explained. "And I think one thing ... that I've seen is that Lorne is totally paying attention and trying to do the right thing for the right person at all times. But that may seem unfair sometimes to people, you know. And again, if they feel like their entire future is in his hands, that's a lot of weight for all of them to carry. But I think there's also this sense from the outside that Lorne is sitting on the throne of comedy, deciding who makes it and who doesn't make it." Michaels himself feels "beleaguered" and "in the trenches," according to Neville. The comedy giant's main focus is on solving the little problems and trying to make next week's live show work. "He feels like he's barely making it himself, which is crazy," Neville said. "But I think it's part of what motivates him ... but he's very focused on the challenges immediately in front of him. He's not one to take a victory lap, really, or to think about the big picture of things." WATCH: NEW DOCUMENTARY REVEALS LORNE MICHAELS' TIGHT CONTROL OVER ‘SNL’ CAST STEVE MARTIN AND CHEVY CHASE CONSPIRED TO SNEAK BANNED ‘SNL’ STAR JOHN BELUSHI ONTO ‘TONIGHT SHOW’: BOOK Michaels began his career as a writer for Canadian radio and television before moving to Los Angeles in the 1960s. He worked on shows such as "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" before NBC decided to take a chance on the young comedy writer. Michaels' idea for a new late-night show that blended sketch comedy and live music evolved into "Saturday Night Live." The show quickly became a pop culture phenomenon and would launch the careers of many famous comedians, including John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell and more. As the 50th anniversary of "Saturday Night Live" came and went in February 2025, Michaels realized, "this is kind of the end of an era." "I think Lorne is going to stay as long as he can," Neville clarified. "But he's not going to be doing this for another 50 years. So it was just kind of an understanding of, if we're ever going to do it, now is the time to do it. I think that's his thinking." Neville said it feels like a rare chance to finally witness what comedy fans have heard about for years — seeing this almost "'Wizard of Oz' character in action" — watching how he moves through the show, assembles it, and thinks, and how "SNL" ultimately reflects his vision. "I mean, everything about the show, from the hours it keeps to the way it's made to the culture of the show is so directly related to Lorne," Neville said. "...I can't think of another example of any show that is made in the form of its creator in such a way." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Neville pointed to the "liveness of the show" as the true defining element — not just that "SNL" is live, but how "significant that is to everything about the show." There’s very little second-guessing, with decisions driven largely by a "first instinct, go" mentality. That immediacy puts both performers and the audience in the moment, essentially deciding together whether a sketch works. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS The other element that sets the late-night comedy show apart — the writer is king. "A 24-year-old writer can be writing a sketch and then essentially directing it and have it on national TV three days later," Neville explained. "There's kind of like a real meritocracy to it too, that it's just… the laughs win, what's funny, wins." Fey was hired as a writer in her 20s and quickly rose through the ranks to become the show’s first female head writer. Other notable young hires included Conan O'Brien, Mulaney, Seth Meyers and Adam McKay. Michaels has almost "resisted hierarchy," Neville said, instead focusing on creative freedom to shape the show's long-term evolution. "It's part of why I think he now embraces change so much, that the show has to change," Neville explained. "Even if things are going well." "In a way, if things are going well, Lorne's worried," he added. "Because two years from now, it's not going to be going well, because all the successful people are going to get movie deals or go off and do other things. And he knows it'll go badly. But when the show's not doing well, he's happy because he knows in two years it's going to gel. And suddenly, he sees what it's going to become. So he's always kind of thinking a couple years in the future, which in television is unheard of pretty much." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e21c4fd8d5dabda3969be6 Minnesota Republicans reveal which far-left candidate they want to challenge in open Senate race te 2026-04-17T11:41:03.697Z Minnesota Republicans reveal which far-left candidate they want to challenge in open Senate race Republican strategists and lawmakers are hoping that when voters head to the polls in November to elect the next U.S. Senator of Minnesota, they’ll be forced to choose between either a Republican candidate — or Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan. In a Democratic primary that has yet to play out, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., believes Flanagan would give Republicans better odds than her opponent, Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn. "You've got the radical Left that is really upending the party. It's that crazy Marxist anarchist group that is in Minneapolis, especially with a primary," Emmer said in an interview with local media. "Think about this. You've got Angie Craig, who will have all the money. But she knows that her numbers are in the tank against this radical, wild, wild-eyed Peggy Flanagan, the current lieutenant governor. So, guess who shows up [to the primary]? All the crazies from Minneapolis." EX-NFL REPORTER LAUNCHES GOP SENATE BID, REVEALS HOW SHE WILL FLIP SCRIPT ON STATE'S 'CRISIS OF LEADERSHIP'' "Peggy Flanagan is likely going to be their candidate, and that is good for us," Emmer said. The assessment isn’t unique to Emmer. The Democratic race began in February of last year when Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., sparked a four-way Democratic primary with news that she would not pursue reelection in 2026. In addition to Craig and Flanagan, Billy Nord, an anti-establishment activist, and Melisa López Franzen, a former minority leader of the Minnesota Senate, announced bids for the seat. But it didn’t take long for Craig and Flanagan to emerge as the clear-cut frontrunners. Craig, a former journalist, businesswoman and a current four-term U.S. congresswoman, has $4.8 million in cash on hand, according to FEC records. Flanagan, Minnesota’s lieutenant governor for the past seven years, has $1.1 million cash on hand. Nord has not reported contributions with the FEC and López dropped out of the race in May of last year. DEMOCRAT IN KEY SENATE PRIMARY SAYS SHE ‘REGRETS’ VOTE ON LAKEN RILEY ACT, DRAWS GOP BACKLASH While Republican onlookers believe both frontrunners can be described as "far-left," many have pointed out Flanagan shares platform similarities with more polarizing, high-profile Democrats — such as New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and has shared the same platform as Gov. Tim Walz, who she has called an "incredible partner." Walz was hammered during his failed 2024 vice presidential bid for all of his far-left proposals. In the view of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, that makes for a Republican advantage. "She, too, supports Medicare for All, wants to 're-imagine' policing and attended anti-ICE protests where she called on people to "put their bodies on the line" to defend illegal immigrants from ICE," the NRSC said in a press release. More notably, Republicans believe Flanagan’s greatest liability is a tenure that overlaps with recent revelations of up to $9 billion in fraud through government benefit programs. Through scores of schemes, fraudsters in Minnesota allegedly siphoned funding from government programs like daycare centers and health clinics while returning no benefits, greatly exaggerating their services and pocketing government funding. The fraud revelations made national news last year, raising questions about how state leadership could have missed the sheer size of the losses. DFL party Chair Mike Erlandson told the Minnesota Star Tribune he believes fraud will remain front-and-center in the minds of voters. "I don’t think there’s any way that this issue isn’t still being talked about in November. And anybody that was a party to it, whether you’re a legislator or Lt. Gov. Flanagan, if she’s the nominee, is going to have to answer questions around it," Erlandson said. NRSC Chairman Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., echoed that sentiment. "From allowing billions of dollars in fraud to vilifying law enforcement, the Walz-Flanagan administration has failed Minnesotans," Scott wrote in a post to X. For her own part, Flanagan's campaign told Fox News Digital she likes her chances to win in a general election, pointing to Minnesota's solidly-blue track record of sending Democrats to the U.S. Senate. "Minnesota hasn't voted for a Republican statewide in over 20 years – with Trump in the White House and the chaos ICE inflicted on Minnesotans, this is not going to be Craig's or the GOP's year," Alexandra Fetissoff, a Flanagan campaign spokeswoman, said. "Peggy Flanagan is the only candidate in this race who has won statewide, the only candidate not taking corporate money and the only candidate that hasn't enabled Trump's ICE. Minnesotans know Peggy and trust her leadership and that's why she'll be the next Senator from Minnesota." MICHELE TAFOYA SAYS MINNESOTA NEEDS POLITICAL OUTSIDER 'WITH A SPINE' IN REPUBLICAN SENATE BID When asked if he stood by his comments on the Minnesota primary, Emmer said he believes Republicans will run a competitive race, regardless of the Democratic nominee. "Minnesotans will reject both of these far-left, fraud-enabling radicals who would only dig our state into an even deeper hole than it's already in. Good luck to Flanagan and Craig as they continue fighting tooth and nail to win over the cop hating, open-border extremist base while alienating commonsense Minnesotans," Emmer said. Craig and Flanagan will face off in the primary on Aug. 11. Fox News Digital reached out to Craig for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e21c3cd8d5dabda3969bdd Multiple researchers with top security clearances gone without a trace and more top headlines te 2026-04-17T11:40:44.093Z Multiple researchers with top security clearances gone without a trace and more top headlines 1. Multiple researchers with top security clearances gone without a trace 2. Justice Thomas explains what progressivism is actually doing to America 3. Joe Rogan criticizes Trump for getting into one of the ‘craziest’ wars   FEELING BLUE — Progressive firebrand wins congressional seat, dealing blow to slim Republican majority. Continue reading … SECRECY FIGHT — Charlie Kirk case stalls as accused shooter delays plea and eyes media limits. Continue reading … CASE BREAK — Singer D4vd held without bail after 14-year-old's dismembered body found in his Tesla. Continue reading … MISSING MANNERS — Viral airport lounge scenes spark outrage as travelers raid buffets and kids go wild. Continue reading … THREAD BY THREAD — FBI lab testing DNA evidence from hair sample in Nancy Guthrie's home, sources say. Continue reading … -- SHELTER FROM NORM — Illegal immigrants in homeless shelters got free sex changes under Newsom's watch. Continue reading … LOCKED OUT — Trump admin announces expansion of visa restriction policy in Western Hemisphere. Continue reading … PRODIGAL TRUTH — Did Trump compare himself to Jesus? Franklin Graham responds to viral post. Continue reading … GLASS HOUSES — Over 4,000 juveniles were locked up under Bill Clinton as Hillary blasts Trump. Continue reading … Click here for more cartoons…   POWER PLOT — Carville tells Dems to quietly prepare power grab with DC, Puerto Rico statehood and Supreme Court packing. Continue reading … FAITH VS FUNDING — Trump administration axes $11M Catholic Charities contract for unaccompanied minors. Continue reading … OUT OF THIS WORLD — GOP lawmaker says 'the government is not telling us everything' about UFOs. Continue reading … UNHOLY ALLIANCE — '60 Minutes' accused of baiting Trump into clash with Pope Leo XIV over Iran. Continue reading … GREGG JARRETT — Long-hidden documents reveal first Trump impeachment was a total fraud. Continue reading …  CHARLES STIMSON — Clarence Thomas warns America: liberty dies when we choose comfort over courage. Continue reading … -- RING RAGE — WWE star Kit Wilson expresses support for Cody Rhodes after Pat McAfee promo. Continue reading … CURTAIN PULLED BACK — Lorne Michaels’ ‘SNL’ grip on cast exposed in new documentary. Continue reading … DIGITAL'S NEWS QUIZ — What was Eric Swalwell's fate? Which '80s icon is dating Heather Locklear? Take the quiz here … LONGEVITY QUEST — Peptide injections may hit shelves with RFK Jr's push, FDA could ease restrictions. Continue reading … MEAL DEAL — Doctors in training take on culinary care — in the kitchen. See video ... KAYLEIGH MCENANY — Networks that championed ‘MeToo’ won't cover Swalwell allegations. See video … JOHN KIRIAKOU — Brennan pushed for espionage charges despite lack of evidence. See video … Tune in as rising gas and grocery costs complicate midterm messaging amid new tax refund claims and escalating global pressure campaigns. Check it out ... What's it looking like in your neighborhood? Continue reading…   Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter LinkedIn      Fox News First Fox News Opinion Fox News Lifestyle Fox News Entertainment (FOX411) Fox Business Fox Weather Fox Sports Tubi Fox News Go Thank you for making us your first choice in the morning! We'll see you in your inbox first thing Monday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2178dd8d5dabda3969ae9 Florida officials warned to avoid reparations-style effort as state gears up to restrict DEI even further te 2026-04-17T11:20:45.490Z Florida officials warned to avoid reparations-style effort as state gears up to restrict DEI even further Leon County, Florida, wants to address "historical harms" like many other local municipalities, cities and states, but was warned against it. The Leon County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday in Tallahassee to revive a measure that would address historical harms by conducting a study of the past and providing some sort of compensation. However, county leaders must also comply with the new incoming state law, SB 1134, banning Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives across public institutions and local governments. The Florida House in March approved legislation to ban local governments from funding, promoting, or taking official actions related to DEI initiatives. Commissioners changed the language of the county's initiative to avoid any state or federal law violations by slashing all references to slavery, DEI and reparations. CHICAGO SUBURB LOCALS HOPE REPARATIONS ADDRESSES 'AFFORDABILITY PRESSURES' AS BLACK POPULATION DWINDLES According to the Tallahassee Democrat, Leon County government staff asked commissioners to avoid the measure as they risk losing $16.8 million in grant money and potentially being removed from the board. "SB 1134, in part, prohibits the County from funding, promoting, or taking any official action related to DEI and creates a cause of action that may be brought by a resident against a county that violates the bill," staff reportedly wrote in the agenda. "The bill also provides that a member of a county commission acting in his or her official capacity who violates the prohibitions commits misfeasance or malfeasance in office and is subject to removal." Beyond Florida, reparations have been a growing trend by lawmakers at the local to state level. Similar to Leon County, local municipalities and states have adopted or are considering adopting task forces to study historical harms of slavery, Jim Crow, and redlining policies that led to housing discrimination.  A Chicago suburb, Evanston, Illinois, went as far as paying $25,000 in cash to Black residents to address past racial housing discrimination. The city of Evanston and San Francisco were hit with lawsuits over alleged racial discrimination. Lawmakers in Florida would face an uphill battle if they pursue reparations now that SB 1134, a bill likely to pass given the Sunshine State's Republican dominance, threatens it. WHAT THE FIRST FEDERAL CHALLENGE TO A LOCAL REPARATIONS PROGRAM MEANS FOR OTHER CITIES To dodge legal troubles, Leon County wants to frame the measure more neutrally. Dr. Bruce Strouble, who originally proposed the idea, reportedly thought of a loophole around the anti-DEI law by hinging the measure on data. Other commissioners raised concerns about the ramifications of violating state law if the measure proceeds, citing potential losses of millions of dollars in federal and state funding. "And so, while I’m concerned about some past wrongs, I believe strongly that we as a county are addressing those wrongs without setting ourselves out as a target for our state funding and our county funding to be affected," Leon County Commissioner Carolyn Cummings said, according to WCTV. Commissioner Nick Maddox insisted that the measure is not about DEI, WCTV reported. "This is about historic harms and public policy," Maddox said. He continued, "It’s about legislation that harmed anyone regardless of race." Maddox doubled down on his stance. "And I want the public, the general public, to understand what I’m voting on. I’m going to say it one more time, so I’m clear. I am not voting on a race or gender-based program. I am not voting on DEI," Maddox said. Commissioner Bill Proctor was reportedly unswayed by the possibility of being removed from office over proceeding with the effort, saying if he is removed by the governor, "so be it." ILLINOIS CITY DENIED MOTION TO DISMISS LAWSUIT AGAINST REPARATIONS PROGRAM "I want a progressive ongoing struggle to make us better," Proctor said. The measure, initially presented as the "Proposed Charter Amendment on Persistent Disparities Resulting from Historic Public Policies," spearheaded by Strouble, was struck down in February at a Leon County Charter Review Committee meeting and later revived in March. Strouble proposed the measure to address historical inequities through a "community restoration fund" without direct individual cash payments, distinguishing itself from typical reparations efforts in other parts of the country.  "We are simply suggesting a structure that requires the audit, creates a fund and looks at plans for remediation of said consequences of those historic policies. So I think if we stay focused there, this is something that can work and we should support it," Strouble said in February. Leon County attorney Chasity H. O’Steen reportedly said in February that if the measure proceeds, there would be "severe limitations." Leon County commissioners did not respond to a request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e21572d8d5dabda3969a46 Texas emerges as the top destination for companies leaving blue states te 2026-04-17T11:11:46.859Z Texas emerges as the top destination for companies leaving blue states Texas is emerging as the nation’s leading economic engine and corporate America is following its lead, with companies rethinking where they call home.  Beyond attracting investments, creating jobs and encouraging long-term growth, Texas saw 10.1% increase in economic output per-capita from 2021 through 2024. With the state’s thriving economy, the corporate exodus to Texas is no coincidence. Texas's economy continues to outpace the national average and ranks No. 1 in job creation. In March alone, 26 new projects were announced in locations across Texas, which are expected to create more than $20.5 billion in capital investment and 1,241 new jobs. Supported by its pro-growth policies that advance freedom for companies and consumers alike, Texas is opening a new frontier in its growth story: attracting companies’ legal incorporations and their headquarters. Historically, a company’s decision to redomicile was viewed as a routine business decision. For a century, Delaware has held the corporate crown, being home to at least 60% of Fortune 500 companies. However, increasing opposition toward Delaware's legal climate has spurred corporate interest in reincorporation, primarily in pursuit of a more predictable legal framework for doing business: enter Texas. TAX AND RUN: HOW NY AND CALIFORNIA ARE BLEEDING PEOPLE AND PROSPERITY Over the last five years, many well-known companies, such as SpaceX, Tesla, and Zion Oil & Gas, have decided to redomicile from Delaware to Texas – where they already have substantial assets and operations. Most recently, ExxonMobil announced its plans to redomicile from New Jersey to Texas, where it has its headquarters. In public statements to investors, these companies cite a shared motivation: the desire to unify legal jurisdiction and corporate assets in one place. For companies like ExxonMobil, Texas makes sense – both logistically and operationally. State regulators have reformed the state’s corporate laws, offering legal and regulatory certainty for shareholders and management. Texas has also invested in its judicial infrastructure and established a specialized Texas Business Court to hear commercial cases, providing assurance to companies that complex disputes will be resolved by experienced judges. Other companies have chosen to uproot their historic headquarters in favor of physical moves to Texas. Blue states, including California, New York, New Jersey and Illinois, are in the running for biggest losers when it comes to retaining corporate HQs, with Illinois surrendering companies such as Citadel and PEAK6 Investments to Florida and Texas, respectively, over the last five years. CALIFORNIA’S LOOMING CAPITAL FLIGHT PROBLEM COULD RESHAPE STATE IN 3 KEY AREAS From 2018 to 2023, California experienced a net loss of eight Fortune 500 companies, seven of which relocated to Texas. In addition to Tesla, Chevron also recently announced its decision to move its headquarters from California, where it based its operations for nearly 150 years, to Texas. According to Chevron, the state already holds the majority of Chevron’s employees, and the company "expects all corporate functions to migrate to Houston over the next five years." A headquarters move is more than a symbolic gesture. Moving infrastructure and facilities implies relocating assets, employees and executives, and California has experienced a cumulative net loss in headquarters and headquarter jobs since 2011. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION New Jersey, New York and Illinois follow behind California, losing more companies than they gained over a five-year period. From Q1 of 2020 though Q1 2023, both California and New York lost nearly $1 trillion of assets under management due to company relocations. Meanwhile, Sun Belt states like Florida and Texas are emerging as the business and finance hubs of the future, driven primarily by business-friendly regulatory environments and lower costs of living. Exxon’s redomiciling proposal shows how investment in physical infrastructure in a state can lead to a formal reincorporation in that same state. Once headquartered in New York City, Exxon relocated its corporate headquarters to Texas in 1989 and has spent decades consolidating its leadership, workforce, and research operations there, while expanding its upstream investments, including in the Permian Basin. And now, it is asking its shareholders to formally bless the company as a legally incorporated Texas business. In our federalist system, it’s the norm for companies to "venue shop" for the optimal state to headquarter, employ workers, establish a legal domicile and raise capital. States compete with each other for different pieces of the puzzle. But Texas’s recent reforms show that it’s possible for a state to position itself as the full package. Put simply, companies want to pick a winner. The Texas economy is booming, offering businesses a place to set up shop, hire talent, build factories, raise capital and build long-term investments. The state’s corporate law reforms and investments in judicial infrastructure have poised the state to capture new waves of businesses on the move. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM JASON ISAAC Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2155fd8d5dabda3969a3d Doctors warn of ‘looksmaxxing’ dangers after influencer’s livestream emergency te 2026-04-17T11:11:27.288Z Doctors warn of ‘looksmaxxing’ dangers after influencer’s livestream emergency "Clavicular," the controversial "looksmaxxing" influencer, was reportedly hospitalized due to a suspected overdose Tuesday night during a livestream.  The Miami content creator, 20, posted a photo of his bloody face and commented on X Wednesday. "Just got home, that was brutal. All of the substances are just [to] cope, trying to feel neurotypical while being in public, but obviously, that isn’t a real solution. The worst part of tonight was my face descending from the life support mask." WHAT IS BUTT MICRONEEDLING? BEHIND THE 'DESPERATE' PROCEDURE KELLY RIPA TRIED The influencer, whose real name is Braden Peters, was hospitalized after his livestream was cut short when he began slurring his words and repeating phrases, according to reports. Looksmaxxing is a social media trend focused on enhancing appearance, ranging from basic skin care to extreme practices like hitting cheekbones with hammers to alter facial structure. The potentially dangerous trend has been popular with young males, plastic surgeons told Fox News Digital. "In my practice, we've seen it primarily in young men in their 20s," Dr. Josef Hadeed, a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, California, told Fox News Digital. "We have had a few women, but I'd say by and large, it's been mostly men who have come into our office wanting these various looksmaxxing procedures." THE REAL REASON FOR SAGGING JOWLS, AND WHAT WILL AND WON'T HELP, ACCORDING TO AN EXPERT "Patients are increasingly seeking to align how they look with how they feel," he said. "The difference today is that the tools and technologies available to achieve that have never been more advanced or more accessible." Looksmaxxing can be divided into two categories: "softmaxxing" and "hardmaxxing," according to Hadeed. Softmaxxing is a more simple, non-invasive approach to improving one’s looks. "It's really like self-care or grooming – things like going to the gym on a regular basis to try to improve your body composition, or using various skincare products to try to improve your skin texture," the surgeon said. Softmaxxing techniques – which can also include teeth whitening, beard grooming, or upgrading a wardrobe or hairstyle – are not usually a problem, according to Hadeed. Hardmaxxing, which involves more extreme measures, can have riskier consequences. Some individuals in the looksmaxxing online community do things like "bone smashing," Hadeed said. "[It’s] literally what it sounds like, where you smash the bones to change the facial structure, and that is obviously not recommended because it can lead to potential complications," he warned. "Once you cross that line and start getting into more extreme things, I feel like that's where most plastic surgeons should draw the line." CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES Dr. C. Bob Basu, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, said the biggest safety risks with the looksmaxxing trend come from pursuing treatments without proper medical guidance. "Social media can make procedures seem easy or risk-free, but even minimally invasive treatments carry real risks if performed incorrectly or by an untrained provider," the Houston-based plastic surgeon told Fox News Digital. To achieve quality results, it is critical to be treated by a board-certified plastic surgeon who understands both safety and anatomy, Basu advised. The convergence of social media, constant digital visibility and "unprecedented access to aesthetic treatments" – along with a cultural shift toward optimizing wellness and longevity – are fueling the looksmaxxing trend, according to Basu. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER Hadeed agreed, noting that social media puts pressure on individuals to look perfect. "People are constantly comparing themselves to other people online," he told Fox News Digital. "It can quickly develop into body dysmorphia for a lot of people, and that's when they start pursuing more and more procedures that they don't need by any stretch – it's kind of like keeping up with the Joneses." Dr. Nancy Frye, a professor in the psychology department at Long Island University in Brookville, New York, also weighed in on what’s driving the looksmaxxing craze. "We figure out how attractive we might be by comparing what we see in ourselves to what we see in others," she told Fox News Digital. "This social comparison is especially problematic with social media and filters, as people compare themselves to filtered versions of others." While experts warn of the risks of looksmaxxing, they say a thoughtful approach can have some benefits, including pride in one’s appearance and health. The most tangible benefits are associated with the softmaxxing approach, which includes following a fitness routine, eating a clean diet and following regular skin care routines, according to Hadeed. With healthy guidance, aesthetic care can "enhance confidence and self-esteem, helping patients feel more aligned with their sense of self," Basu added. Both plastic surgeons emphasized the importance of taking a responsible approach when considering the looksmaxxing trend. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "The goal should always be thoughtful self-improvement, not perfection," Basu said. "It should never be about looking like someone else or a filtered version of yourself, but rather about becoming a confident, natural and authentic version of you." Anyone considering this trend should consult a licensed healthcare professional rather than relying on advice from social media influencers, the doctors advised. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2154bd8d5dabda3969a34 WWE star Kit Wilson expresses support for Cody Rhodes after Pat McAfee promo, no animosity after 'toxic' move te 2026-04-17T11:11:07.409Z WWE star Kit Wilson expresses support for Cody Rhodes after Pat McAfee promo, no animosity after 'toxic' move Cody Rhodes was running hot earlier this month after Pat McAfee was inserted into his WrestleMania 42 feud with Randy Orton just days before their match was set to take place. Kit Wilson was the punching bag after McAfee kicked Rhodes in the groin, ripped the pro wrestling business and said that Orton was going to save it. Wilson had just finished a match with The Miz against Damian Priest and R-Truth when Rhodes rushed the ring. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Rhodes targeted Wilson with a Cross Rhodes and cut the scathing promo on McAfee. Wilson told Fox News Digital that he didn’t know Rhodes was coming and that he would be targeted. However, he praised Rhodes’ message. WWE CHAMP JADE CARGILL VERY HOPEFUL TO MEET 'STONE COLD' STEVE AUSTIN AT HALL OF FAME CEREMONY "I was just trying to look out for my mentor, The Miz. I was just trying to do the right thing by him. Yeah, I had no idea it was coming," Wilson said. "It was interesting because I think Cody was speaking from the heart there and what he had to say was quite informational and important in the current zeitgeist of the world." Wilson said that he did think Rhodes’ decision to take his anger out on him was "toxic" but he had no ill will toward "The American Nightmare." "So yeah, I think he was taking his anger out on me," Wilson continued. "I don’t appreciate it. I do think it was toxic. But I see the side of him that had a lot of things to say. In my own way, I think I’ve forgiven him." Rhodes and Orton will battle for the Undisputed WWE Championship on Night 1 of WrestleMania 42. McAfee is sure to be at ringside in Orton’s corner, much to Rhodes and fans’ chagrin. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e21537d8d5dabda3969a2b Charlie Kirk podcast pans Utah Valley University citing 'safety concerns' in scrapping controversial speaker te 2026-04-17T11:10:47.591Z Charlie Kirk podcast pans Utah Valley University citing 'safety concerns' in scrapping controversial speaker The producers of "The Charlie Kirk Show" panned the stated reason Utah Valley University (UVU) canceled the commencement speaker invitation of author and educator Sharon McMahon, whose selection sparked outrage among supporters of the late conservative leader, who was murdered on its campus. On Thursday, UVU issued a statement saying, "Due to increased safety concerns related to the speaker and in consultation with public safety professionals and Sharon McMahon, Utah Valley University has decided to proceed without a featured commencement speaker for this year’s ceremony." The statement didn't sit well with podcast co-hosts Andrew Kolvet and Blake Neff. UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY SCRAPS CONTROVERSIAL COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER WHO CRITICIZED CHARLIE KIRK AFTER MURDER "Here's what's annoying," Neff reacted. "They say it's not because 'Oh, we picked a terrible speaker and that was our bad.' They say they have 'increased safety concerns' about what happened." "Basically it's our fault we were engaged in menacing behavior, they say," Neff continued. "But regardless, it's a speaker they shouldn't have chosen... Nobody was making any threats about this. Not on this show or anywhere else." "We were saying it was a bad idea," Kolvet responded before saying, "Hallelujah." Representatives for UVU did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY FACES BACKLASH OVER COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER CHOICE AFTER CHARLIE KIRK'S ASSASSINATION EXPERTS DEBUNK TYLER ROBINSON'S BALLISTICS CLAIM: 'UNABLE TO IDENTIFY IS NOT THE SAME AS RULED OUT' UVU came under fire for its selection of McMahon, who attacked Kirk just days after his assassination. "Millions of people feel they were harmed, and the murder that was horrific and should never have happened does not magically erase what was said or done," McMahon wrote on X at the time. The now-deleted social media post sent two days after Kirk’s death also included a pair of quotes that many Kirk supporters said were taken out of context.  "It's important to remember that the incredible tragedy of a public assassination does not erase the harm many experienced from his words, and the ensuing actions his followers took," McMahon said. The university's selection of McMahon as its commencement speaker drew outrage among Kirk's supporters. A spokesperson for McMahon declined comment.  Her team previously dismissed the notion that she celebrated Kirk’s death, telling Utah outlets that she "unequivocally condemned the murder of Charlie Kirk, repeatedly and publicly, calling his death a tragedy and stressing that public debate must never be met with violence. The 31-year-old Turning Point USA co-founder was participating in a public speaking event sponsored by the campus chapter of Turning Point when he was shot and killed on Sept. 10. The suspect, now 23-year-old Tyler Robinson, was charged with seven counts, including aggravated murder. He faces the death penalty if convicted. Fox News' Max Bacall contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e21085d8d5dabda3969909 Trump taps former deputy surgeon general to helm CDC te 2026-04-17T10:50:45.179Z Trump taps former deputy surgeon general to helm CDC President Donald Trump announced that he is nominating Dr. Erica Schwartz to helm the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "I am pleased to announce the new leadership of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is my Honor to nominate the incredibly talented Dr. Erica Schwartz, MD, JD, MPH, as my Director of the CDC," the president declared in a Thursday Truth Social post. "Erica graduated from Brown University for College and Medical School, and served a distinguished career as a Doctor of Medicine in the United States Military, the Greatest and Most Powerful Force in the World, and then served as my Deputy Surgeon General during my First Term. She is a STAR!" he continued. ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT BACTERIA LINKED TO SEVERE STOMACH ILLNESS ACROSS US Schwartz served in the role of deputy surgeon general during part of the first Trump administration until early in the Biden administration, according to material posted on the website of Butterfly Network Inc., which indicates that she is on its board of directors. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. thanked the president for tapping Schwartz for the CDC role. "Thank you, President Trump, for nominating Dr. Erica Schwartz to serve as CDC Director. I congratulate Dr. Schwartz and the new CDC leadership team. I look forward to working together to restore trust, accountability, and scientific integrity at the @CDCgov so we can return it to its core mission and Make America Healthy Again," Kennedy declared in a post on X. SHOUTING MATCH ERUPTS BETWEEN RFK JR AND DEM LAWMAKER OVER HIS COMMENTS ABOUT BLACK CHILDREN The Senate will need to confirm Schwartz to serve in the role. Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama said in a post on X, "Dr. Erica Schwartz will be a great CDC Director. Under Joe Biden, the CDC was a disaster. I have no doubt that Dr. Schwartz will ensure the CDC is 100% focused on making Americans HEALTHY again. I look forward to voting to confirm her soon." Trump also added in his Truth Social post, "I am also pleased to announce the appointment of Sean Slovenski as the CDC Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Jennifer Shuford, MD, MPH, as the CDC Deputy Director and Chief Medical Officer, and Dr. Sara Brenner, MD, MPH, as Senior Counselor for Public Health to Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr." PEPTIDES MAY SOON BE EASIER TO GET AMID RFK JR.'S PUSH, BUT EXPERTS WARN OF RISKS "These Highly Respected Doctors of Medicine have the knowledge, experience, and TOP degrees to restore the GOLD STANDARD OF SCIENCE at the CDC, which was an absolute disaster focused on "mandates" under Sleepy Joe. Together, they will do a TREMENDOUS job leading the CDC as we continue to MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AND GREAT AGAIN!" he declared. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e20e47d8d5dabda39698b8 Our View: Mohave County is right to push for a real burro plan te 2026-04-17T10:41:11.832Z Our View: Mohave County is right to push for a real burro plan Mohave County is right to demand a real burro plan, not another partial cleanup Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e20e33d8d5dabda39698af Today's poll: Should the federal government increase funding for wild burro management in Mohave County? te 2026-04-17T10:40:51.869Z Today's poll: Should the federal government increase funding for wild burro management in Mohave County? Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e20bd5d8d5dabda39697fa Seattle, Vancouver coordinate cross-border planning for 2026 World Cup tourism te 2026-04-17T10:30:45.820Z Seattle, Vancouver coordinate cross-border planning for 2026 World Cup tourism The cities of Seattle and Vancouver are working together to boost visitation as both prepare to host matches for next summer’s FIFA World Cup 2026. Officials from both cities expect hundreds of thousands of visitors to move through the western host cities during the tournament. The two host cities sit about 140 miles apart and rank among the closest venues in the expanded tournament. Together, they will host 13 matches. Officials frame cross-border coordination through Cascadia, a Pacific Northwest region that includes Washington state, Oregon, and British Columbia and reflects shared geography, trade, and culture. WORLD CUP TEAMS FINALIZE US BASE CAMPS AS HOST CITIES PREPARE FOR GLOBAL CROWDS "Washington State, Oregon, British Columbia really have had a great relationship over the years as the whole region, Cascadia," Shawn Crowley, the U.S. Consul General in Vancouver said, "You can see the climate is very similar. I think the way of life is very similar." Organizers in Seattle and Vancouver are coordinating closely as they prepare for the tournament. "The organizing committee is in touch really on a daily basis," Crowley said. "They’ve been doing great cooperation." FIFA FIRES BACK AT NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR MIKIE SHERRILL OVER DEMAND TO PAY FOR WORLD CUP TRANSIT TICKETS Visit Seattle projects that Seattle and King County will receive up to 750,000 visitors during the tournament. The region will generate about $845.6 million in economic impact, including more than $95 million in state and local tax revenue. Boasting a walkable city with a robust transportation system, Seattle is promoting a "Unity Loop" to push tourism beyond the stadium district into neighborhoods. The loop connects more than 300 stops across museums, parks, cultural institutions, and small businesses through the city’s light rail and pedestrian network. "You can get off a light rail in five minutes and go from downtown Seattle up here to the Northwest African American Museum," Leo Flor, the Chief Legacy Officer for Seattle FWC 26, said, "We want them to invest some of that time in learning more about what makes our city and our community special." Seattle is promoting an app called "SEA&WIN" to turn the Unity Loop into an interactive tourism system. The app guides visitors through curated "loops" across neighborhoods. Users check in at cultural sites, parks, restaurants, and small businesses to earn points and rewards, including merchandise and potential match-related prizes, including a chance for a free ticket to a game. "A certain number of people are going to actually be able to exchange their points and win a chance to go to one of the matches at the stadium this summer with us for free," Flor said. The strategy spreads tourism spending across neighborhoods instead of concentrating it near match venues. "The soccer’s going to be fantastic, but what we are really interested in is proving that it’s possible to bring an event of this magnitude to our community and then have the local community benefit from that," Flor said. FIFA PRESIDENT GIANNI INFANTINO SAYS IRAN WILL ‘FOR SURE’ PLAY IN WORLD CUP DESPITE CONFLICT INVOLVING US In Vancouver, tourism officials also hope to highlight local businesses while promoting British Columbia’s natural beauty. Destination BC projects about 350,000 match attendees at BC Place in Vancouver. The organization also predicts the World Cup will help contribute to long-term tourism revenue. One report showed more than $1 billion in economic impact from tourism between 2026 and 2031. "There's going to be a lot of action and activity of excitement, kind of like during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. So much energy in the city itself," Maya Lange from Destination British Columbia said. "Having the stadium right downtown really makes it easy for people to travel from their hotel to the games, to experience watch parties or the shopping and all the things that there are to do in the downtown." Vancouver and British Columbia highlight the contrast between urban life and nearby nature. "What I’m super excited about is people experiencing super natural British Columbia, cities surrounded by nature," Lange said. She highlighted destinations outside Vancouver, including Whistler, coastal communities, wildlife regions, and Indigenous cultural experiences across more than 200 First Nations. "There’s so much to experience, authentic Indigenous cultural tourism experiences," Lange said. Lange said her office is working with their counterparts at the Washington Tourism Association to promote "Two countries, one journey" itineraries.  They view the World Cup as both a sporting event and a test of a highly interconnected region shaped by trade, travel, and cultural exchange. "Make your plans early," Crowley said. "There are different ways to get here. Find the one that gets you here in time to see it." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2078ad8d5dabda3969706 Fox News Digital's News Quiz: April 17, 2026 te 2026-04-17T10:12:26.243Z Fox News Digital's News Quiz: April 17, 2026 Test your news knowledge with this week's Fox News Digital News Quiz, featuring multiple women accusing Rep. Eric Swalwell of sexual assault, and Heather Locklear connecting with an '80s icon. Looking for another challenge? Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger dodged Fox News Digital questions, and left-wing Twitch streamer Hasan Piker made Islamophobia accusations against a media figure, featured in last week's News Quiz. Test your knowledge of presidential proposals, astronaut appetites and more in this week's American Culture Quiz. If you're looking to play even more, you can find all of our quizzes by clicking here. Check back next week for the latest News Quiz from Fox News Digital. Thanks for playing! Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e20776d8d5dabda39696fd Airport lounge chaos goes viral as kids run wild and passengers ditch basic etiquette te 2026-04-17T10:12:06.423Z Airport lounge chaos goes viral as kids run wild and passengers ditch basic etiquette Airport lounges were once the destination of a select few. But recently, the premium spaces are becoming increasingly crowded — and chaos is following in some cases. Stories are going viral about passengers raiding complimentary buffets in lounges, and children wreaking havoc while distracted parents are unfazed. At one airport lounge in a major New York City airport not long ago, witnesses watched in shock as a couple ordered six signature burgers and multiple orders of buns, the "View from the Wing" blog reported. AIRLINE UNVEILS STACKED BUNK BED 'PODS' AS BACKLASH BUILDS OVER PRICEY, CRAMPED WAY TO FLY Instead of eating the premium patties, the couple stuffed the burgers into a large duffel, adding desserts snatched from the buffet, the blog added. Then, to conceal the heist, apparently, the couple stashed the greasy plates behind decorative planters, the blog noted.  "Lounges have become more crowded, and the demographic makeup of U.S. airport lounges has changed," Gary Leff, the author of the blog, told Fox News Digital. "Once the province of memberships and cheese cubes for solo business travelers, the lounges are increasingly accessed via credit card by premium leisure travelers," said Leff, who is based in Texas. AIRLINE SPARKS ANGER AS IT DEMANDS EXTRA FEES FROM ALREADY BOOKED PASSENGERS AS OIL PRICES SPIKE Leff noted that during the recent shutdown, U.S. travelers arrived at airports very early.  As a result, many booked passengers were looking for places to relax — and to eat free food. He also said families with children frequent lounges far more often now.  Some lounges have created kids' sections, while others have not. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "The mores and norms associated with [airport lounges] have changed, and that stands out especially to those whose expectations are built on an earlier era," Leff said. Another viral incident was captured by a photo of an airport lounge after young children seemed to wreak havoc there. A traveler snapped a photo at a sky club lounge in a western U.S. airport showing kids' small suitcases opened, with clothes, sneakers and water bottles strewn all over the floor, the "Aviation A2Z" blog reported. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES Surprisingly, most Reddit users came to the family's defense. "Honestly, if their kids aren’t being terrors to everyone else, and it’s contained to a seating area for four people, and they [clean] everything up, this is fine in my book," one Reddit user said. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "The parents found a space to hang out away from everyone else, and took a small area for themselves that has no impact on anyone else," another commenter said. "Depends entirely on how loud the kids are. If they are quiet? Keep it that way," a third person said. California-based Brett Snyder, author of the "Cranky Flier" blog, sees the chaos differently. "Etiquette probably hasn't changed much recently. The issue is that everyone has a camera, and they are recording all the bad behavior and posting it publicly," Snyder told Fox News Digital. "Traveling with children has always been challenging and stressful for parents, and sometimes that can be disruptive to other travelers." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e20762d8d5dabda39696f4 Carville tells Dems to quietly prepare power grab with DC, Puerto Rico statehood and Supreme Court packing te 2026-04-17T10:11:46.821Z Carville tells Dems to quietly prepare power grab with DC, Puerto Rico statehood and Supreme Court packing Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville suggested on Thursday that Democrats should quietly prepare to launch a variety of structural changes to ensure a political advantage once they regain power. Carville and co-host Al Hunt of the "Politics War Room" podcast took questions from listeners on an episode released Thursday. One asked that if Democrats return to power in 2029, whether they should "flood the zone with a corrective implementation policy using their majority to simultaneously enact a myriad of structural changes to save our democracy and preserve our rights?" "I’ve got some thoughts about what the Democrats should do [when] they return to power in 2029," Hunt replied. "But, you know, I haven't thought it through thoroughly, yet. I'm really focused on what they should do when they win the House and maybe the Senate in 2027, and that's to hold Trump as accountable as they possibly can." Carville, however, offered a more aggressive plan of action, saying, "If the Democrats win the presidency and both houses of Congress, I think on day one, they should make Puerto Rico [and] D.C. a state, and they should expand the Supreme Court to 13. F--- it. Eat our dust." CARVILLE PREDICTS TRUMP WON'T BE PRESIDENT NEXT YEAR, THREATENS DEMOCRATIC RETRIBUTION Statehood for Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico are believed to overwhelmingly favor Democrats, likely giving them four more Senate seats. This move, along with expanding the Supreme Court, would likely be viewed by Republicans as a power grab in the pursuit of ensuring a party’s political dominance. "They've done everything they could," Carville continued. "They held up the 2000 election. They stole it. They've stolen Supreme Court seats. They've gerrymandered everything that you can." In order to make these changes happen, Carville advises Democrats not to publicly advertise them.  "Don't run on it. Don't talk about it. Just do it," he said.  He then complained about how low-populated states are able to elect too many senators.  JAMES CARVILLE URGES DEMOCRATS TO CONSIDER EXPANDING SUPREME COURT IF THEY REGAIN POWER Carville has made bombastic predictions before, such as believing before the election that Trump, having returned to the White House, would jail journalists and commentators like himself. But after the first few months of Trump’s presidency, Trump’s once seemingly unbreakable coalition has shattered as some of his most prominent backers have accused him of betraying key campaign promises. With experts predicting defeat for Republicans in the midterm elections, Carville thinks the already stymied president will resign from the presidency afterward. He has also predicted that political and legal retribution will not only target Trump, but his family, their spouses, and his allies. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2074ed8d5dabda39696eb WWE women’s champ Jade Cargill on why she has the edge over Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 42 te 2026-04-17T10:11:26.960Z WWE women’s champ Jade Cargill on why she has the edge over Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 42 Jade Cargill has been a constant presence in the WrestleMania spotlight since she joined WWE in 2023. Cargill teamed with Naomi and Bianca Belair at WrestleMania 40 to defeat Dakota Kai, Asuka and Kairi Sane. Cargill pinned Kai for the win in that match. At WrestleMania 41, Cargill made history being a part of the first non-stipulation women’s singles match at the event. She defeated Naomi after their friendship fracture. She is back in the spotlight once more – this time as the WWE women’s champion. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Cargill won the title at Saturday Night’s Main Event in November, defeating Tiffany Stratton. On Night 2 of WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, she will defend the championship against women’s Elimination Chamber winner Rhea Ripley. She expressed to Fox News Digital in an interview before her match on Sunday night that she has the edge going in. "I mean, I’m me. I’m Jade Cargill. I’m the champ. I’m stronger. I’m bigger," she said. "I mean, she’s been here before, right? Several times. So have I. I’ve had matches against Naomi. Naomi is spectacular in her own right. She was our champion. The only reason why she dropped the title was because she was pregnant. So, it’s not like I haven’t gone up against champions who have graced major events and who have been spectacular in their own right. "I’ve done this before. I mean, I’m me, that’s all I have to say. The only way to go is up. She’s been up. It’s time to go down. I just don’t see it ending right now. I’m 2-0. I’m red hot. I just formed a group with Michin and B-Fab. Who’s going to stop us?" Cargill wouldn’t say whether Michin and B-Fab will be by her side at her WrestleMania match but stressed that she found allies in them as Ripley turned her attention away from "Monday Night Raw" and onto "Friday Night Smackdown." WWE CHAMP JADE CARGILL VERY HOPEFUL TO MEET 'STONE COLD' STEVE AUSTIN AT HALL OF FAME CEREMONY She suggested to Fox News Digital the three were allies of convenience rather than a full-fledged stable. "We’re more of allies. We’re not a group, we’re more of allies. They had their issues with her. I came in with my issues. Like, who are you to come to SmackDown? And I look at our locker room and I’m like, ‘This girl came from Raw to SmackDown and she thinks she’s going to run things and you guys are gonna let …’ Because I played by the rules for too long. I was trying to adjust. It was a year of adjustments – all these things. I was trying to do things the right way when all along, that little voice in me was telling me, ‘No, you know the right way, and the right way is left. Don’t go right. Don’t listen. It’s gonna get you nowhere. You’re going to be going in circles for years.’ And that’s what I was doing. "So, we all came together and we figured out … Well, they came to me and it was more so, like, ‘You know what? You were right. It shouldn’t be like this. We should band together and get this person who is an outsider, let’s get her out.’ She doesn’t even deserve to be on SmackDown. And that’s why we became allies. We both have a common enemy. And so, we were like, let’s get rid of this girl. Let’s be done. And that was smart." Cargill said getting to this point had been a lot of "trial and error" since she joined WWE. She made her debut at the 2024 Royal Rumble and made her mark on SmackDown by helping out Naomi and Belair. She and Belair became two-time tag team champions in that span and in 2025, she won the Queen of the Ring tournament. "It’s been a trial-and-error run. It’s also been a trial of adjustments because I was used to being one way," Cargill told Fox News Digital. "I came in as a babyface while naturally I’m a heel. I want people to hate me. I love the motivation behind it. And then going from being all about myself and into a tag team, that was an adjustment as well. "It was a lot of elements that I had to change about myself and about my character and growing and learning to be selfless and learning to be a good guy and to care. … So, it was years of trial and error and just adjustments." Cargill’s reign has surpassed 165 days and will look to continue her dominance through WrestleMania 42 this weekend. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e2073bd8d5dabda39696e2 Starmer and Macron accused of ‘playing at being relevant’ with Strait of Hormuz plan te 2026-04-17T10:11:07.215Z Starmer and Macron accused of ‘playing at being relevant’ with Strait of Hormuz plan As British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron convene a summit Friday on the future of the Strait of Hormuz, the two leaders are pushing a European-led plan to reopen the vital shipping lane after the war, without U.S. leadership. The proposal envisions a post-conflict naval mission made up of Britain, France and other "non-belligerent" countries that would deploy only after fighting ends. Unlike President Donald Trump’s current strategy of blockading Iranian ports with U.S. naval power, the Anglo-French initiative is intended to be separate from the warring parties and focused on restoring commercial shipping. A senior European official insisted the initiative is not meant to go around Washington, telling Fox News Digital that Paris began discussing a future maritime mission "from day one" of the conflict and is now formalizing those plans jointly with London. NATO CHIEF SIGNALS ALLIES MAY ACT ON HORMUZ, WARNS OF ‘UNHEALTHY CODEPENDENCE’ ON US Macron and Starmer are expected to host a summit to advance what both governments describe as a "coordinated, independent, multinational plan" to reopen the Strait of Hormuz once the fighting ends. "France and the United Kingdom will also host a conference in Paris this Friday, bringing together by video conference non-belligerent countries ready to contribute, alongside us, to a multilateral and purely defensive mission aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the strait when security conditions allow," Macron wrote on X. Starmer similarly described the effort as a "coordinated, independent, multinational plan to safeguard international shipping when the conflict ends," saying Britain had already convened more than 40 nations around the initiative, Reuters reported. Washington was not part of those earlier talks. The European senior official said the proposed force would be "strictly defensive" and would only deploy after active fighting and bombardment have ended, with the goal of restoring normal shipping rather than enforcing a wartime corridor. "What we want in the end is no blockade, no toll, no nothing that blocks the fluidity of what is going through the Strait of Hormuz," the official told Fox News Digital, while stressing that Iran remains "the first problem." The official also rejected suggestions that Paris and London are trying to sideline the Trump administration, saying the U.S. has been kept informed and that there is extensive coordination with Washington even if the emerging mission is currently limited to "non-belligerent" countries. WATCH: EX-NATO CHIEF DRAWS RED LINE AS TRUMP FUMES ALLIANCE ABANDONED US DURING IRAN WAR "We’re coordinating a lot with them," the official said, adding that the goal is to create a framework that can operate once the conflict is over. Macron has repeatedly emphasized that France’s envisioned mission would be "strictly defensive" and ruled out escorting ships while "bombings" are ongoing. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said "several dozen countries" already had participated in preparatory discussions led by military chiefs of staff, and that any future mission would also require coordination with Gulf coastal states, according to Reuters. The Anglo-French initiative comes as Trump has taken a far more aggressive approach, ordering the U.S. Navy to blockade Iranian ports and continue operations aimed at securing the strategic waterway after ceasefire talks between the U.S. and Iran collapsed in Pakistan. Critics argue that without American military power, the European proposal risks being largely symbolic. PAKISTANI GENERAL SAYS IRAN DIPLOMACY STILL 'ALIVE, DESPITE US BLOCKADE, FAILED TALKS Britain and France are overstating what they can realistically achieve, The Henry Jackson Society analyst Barak Seener said.  "Britain and France are playing at being relevant as so-called ‘Middle Powers’ in international affairs," Seener told Fox News Digital. "Keir Starmer’s assertion ‘We’re not getting dragged into the war’ disguises the embarrassing fact that the Royal Navy is facing a hollowed out crisis, causing the initiative to be ‘strictly defensive’," he said. "France’s navy is also facing structural and budgetary pressures that strain its ability to conduct high-tempo operations." "It is laughable that a European coalition of ‘non-belligerent’ countries that are only willing to engage once hostilities have ended can even speak of protecting its shipping lanes," Seener added. "Ultimately, the U.S.’s deployment of hard power, consisting of carrier strike groups and fighter aircraft to blockade Iranian ports and clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz, can protect shipping lanes." The U.K. government and the White House did not reply to Fox News Digital’s request for comment before publication. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e20727d8d5dabda39696d9 Charlie Kirk case stalls as accused shooter delays plea and eyes media limits te 2026-04-17T10:10:47.576Z Charlie Kirk case stalls as accused shooter delays plea and eyes media limits Charlie Kirk's suspected assassin Tyler Robinson is due in court Friday for a hearing on his defense team's motion to exclude news cameras, and he still hasn't entered a plea more than seven months after a shooting in front of a crowd of thousands at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. A central aspect of the hearing is expected to include arguments weighing the public's First Amendment right to have access to the proceedings and the 22-year-old defendant's constitutional rights to a fair trial. Erika Kirk, Charlie's 37-year-old widow and the designated victim's representative, has asked the court to safeguard meaningful media access as the case plays out. Two groups of local and national media outlets, one of which includes Fox News, have also asked the court to allow cameras to remain. TYLER ROBINSON JUDGE UNSEALS ATF REPORT IN ASSASSINATION OF CHARLIE KIRK Judge Tony Graf has already allowed a news camera to be present for the hearing, under the condition that it does not record any private conversations or the faces of Robinson's family, which is expected to sit in the front row of the courtroom. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X At least one expert witness is expected to testify on the potential impact of social media and widespread news coverage on the jury pool, with Robinson's defense bringing in a prominent social psychologist named Bryan Edelman. Edelman has worked on a number of major cases, including playing a role in Bryan Kohberger's successful motion for a change of venue in the Idaho student murders and the trial of Buffalo supermarket mass shooter Payton Gendron. SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER Robinson is accused of shooting Kirk during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University in September 2025. He allegedly climbed to a rooftop across the courtyard from where Kirk was speaking and fired a single shot from his grandfather's Mauser rifle. Bystander video shows the bullet struck Kirk in the neck — in front of a crowd of roughly 3,000 people. He died from the injury. SEND US A TIP HERE Surveillance video shows a man in dark clothing dropping down from the far side of the building running off campus. LISTEN: CRIME & JUSTICE PODCAST ON CHARLIE KIRK MURDER Prosecutors have said campus police found marks left behind on the gravel rooftop moments after the shooting "consistent with a sniper having lain [there] — impressions in the gravel potentially left by the elbows, knees and feet of a person in a prone shooting position." They also found the suspected murder weapon in the woods in the direction the suspect ran. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Prosecutors have said that text messages between Robinson and his romantic partner, Lance Twiggs, allegedly discuss wanting to retrieve the weapon. "Stuck in Orem for a little while longer yet," Robinson allegedly wrote in the hours after the murder. "Shouldn't be long until I can come home, but I gotta grab my rifle still." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB Twiggs is cooperating with investigators and has not been charged with a crime. Robinson could face the death penalty if convicted of the top charge against him, aggravated murder. He is also accused of felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, obstruction of justice, witness tampering and committing a violent offense in the presence of a child. Kirk, 31, was a married father of two. A preliminary hearing, in which prosecutors will have to show probable cause for bringing the case, is scheduled for next month. It's already been put off repeatedly in the wake of Robinson's arrest in September 2025. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1fb54d8d5dabda396947c Clarence Thomas warns America: liberty dies when we choose comfort over courage te 2026-04-17T09:20:20.175Z Clarence Thomas warns America: liberty dies when we choose comfort over courage Americans will hear a lot of speeches this year marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, but it’s hard to imagine anyone topping the one Justice Clarence Thomas delivered at the University of Texas at Austin. If one is inclined to believe that the majesty of our founding documents, and the ideals enshrined therein, still resonate in the hearts of Americans, then Justice Thomas’s speech was a clarion call to conscience, a summons to the courage and clarity that animated the American Revolution. Thomas praised Dean Justin Dyer and UT’s new School of Civic Leadership, saying it was his sincere hope that their work "to revitalize the teaching and research of Western civilization and the American constitutional tradition will lead the way in the reform of our nation’s colleges and universities" — a generous note of gratitude for those who labor, often anonymously, in the vineyards of civic virtue. Thomas’s reverence for the Declaration of Independence was palpable, as he recounted the audacity of Jefferson’s assertion that "all men are created equal." He reminded his audience that the Declaration is not a relic — an obscure, esoteric, academic plaything to be admired from afar — but a living testament to the capacity of men and women to transcend the ordinary. Its words, Thomas insisted, are an invitation to courage, echoing across centuries to challenge each new generation to defy tyranny and embrace liberty. FOR 2026, YOU SHOULD MAKE A RESOLUTION TO KNOW THE REVOLUTION Justice Thomas drew upon a pantheon of heroes: the Founders, whose signatures risked lives and fortunes; the soldiers at Valley Forge, whose endurance was measured not only in frozen nights but in the persistence of hope; and leaders of subsequent epochs who refused to yield constitutional principles to expediency. These vignettes, rendered with characteristic sonorous solemnity, served as reminders that the American story is stitched together by acts of bravery seldom celebrated, and courage seldom acknowledged. Notably, Thomas confronted the failures of the Supreme Court, most pointedly in his critique of Plessy v. Ferguson, the 1896 decision "that endorsed government-enforced racial segregation and validated the Jim Crow South that I grew up in." He lamented the absence of moral fortitude in those who, rather than uphold the promise of equality, succumbed to the temptations of expedience. "It could not possibly have taken my Court 60 years," Thomas intoned, "to know that Plessy was a hideous wrong." The specter of Plessy hovered as a caution against the abdication of duty—a lesson as relevant today as in 1896. In a manner reminiscent of William F. Buckley’s skepticism toward progressive utopianism, Thomas issued a warning against Wilsonian progressivism. He traced its lineage to a philosophy that prefers the plasticity of government by experts over the stubbornness of constitutional constraints. "Progressivism," Thomas observed, "seeks to replace the basic premises of the Declaration of Independence, and hence our form of government. It holds that our rights and our dignities come not from God, but from government." This, he suggested, is the perennial threat to republican liberty: the seductive notion that a well-meaning bureaucracy can supplant the wisdom of the Declaration. To Thomas, progressivism is "retrogressive." AMERICA 250 ORGANIZERS UNVEIL SWEEPING PLANS FOR THE COUNTRY'S HISTORIC BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION Yet the speech was not a lament, but a prescription. Thomas called for daily courage — a recommitment not merely on ceremonial anniversaries, but in the mundane acts of citizenship and stewardship. It depends upon the willingness of each citizen to defend its ideals, to speak truth, to withstand the easy comforts of silence. There is, Thomas urged, a duty to reject complacency and to embrace the challenge of self-government anew. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION As Thomas’s words settled upon the assembled crowd, one sensed the enduring relevance of his message. The principles of the Declaration remain, in his estimation, both fragile and resilient — fragile if neglected, resilient if cherished. His praise for Dean Dyer and the School for Civic Leadership was not mere ceremony; it was a recognition that the cultivation of civic courage is indispensable to the preservation of liberty. Justice Thomas’s address reminded me of Thomas Jefferson’s assertion that "a well-informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny." The speech in Austin was a summons: to honor the boldness of the Founders, to reject the false comforts of progressivism, and to recommit ourselves daily to the ideals that gave birth to the nation. It was, in sum, a reminder, timely and urgent, that the Declaration of Independence is not merely a historical document, but a living promise — a challenge to each of us to rise to the heights of courage and principle. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM CHARLES "CULLY" STIMSON Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1fb53d8d5dabda3969473 Greenland talks on ‘good trajectory,’ White House says amid Trump takeover push te 2026-04-17T09:20:19.832Z Greenland talks on ‘good trajectory,’ White House says amid Trump takeover push Talks between the U.S., Denmark and Greenland are on a "good trajectory," a White House official said, despite a public dispute over President Donald Trump’s insistence that the United States should take control of the island.  Technical talks are ongoing, the official told Fox News Digital Wednesday, "to address United States’ national security interests in Greenland." "We are not going to participate in a back and forth through the media, but we are very optimistic that we’re on a good trajectory," the official said. WATCH: EX-NATO CHIEF DRAWS RED LINE AS TRUMP FUMES ALLIANCE ABANDONED US DURING IRAN WAR The optimism comes after Trump said recently that Denmark and Greenland have resisted his proposal.  "We want Greenland. They don’t want to give it to us," he said. The dispute centers on Greenland’s growing strategic importance, as the island sits along the shortest route between North America and Europe and plays a key role in U.S. missile warning systems and Arctic defense. Trump has argued greater U.S. control is necessary to counter Russia and China’s expanding presence in the region. The United States already maintains a military presence in Greenland under a 1951 defense agreement with Denmark, which allows U.S. forces to operate bases on the island as part of NATO’s collective defense framework.  The U.S. operates Pituffik Space Base in Greenland — a key installation for missile warning and space surveillance — and retains broad rights to expand its military footprint in coordination with Danish authorities. U.S. officials have recently explored expanding that presence further, including seeking access to additional sites and increasing operational capabilities in the Arctic, with discussions underway as tensions over Greenland have grown. Representatives for Denmark's and Greenland's governments did not immediately respond to a request for comment.  Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, which retains responsibility for defense and foreign policy — exposing a rift within the NATO alliance. European leaders have rejected any change to Greenland’s status, emphasizing that the island’s sovereignty is not up for negotiation and backing Denmark’s authority over the territory. Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen told NBC News in an interview published Wednesday the island's residents "don't feel safe" amid Trump's repeated push for ownership. The dispute already has moved beyond rhetoric. Denmark has expanded its military presence in Greenland, while European allies have stepped up Arctic exercises and coordination following the president’s push to take control of the island. "Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the U.S. shall not take over Greenland," Danish and Greenlandic leaders said in a joint statement in December 2025.  Former NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance remains prepared to defend Greenland under its collective defense framework.   NATO HEAVYWEIGHTS BALK AT HORMUZ MISSION AS TRUMP WARNS ALLIANCE AT RISK "NATO is there to protect all allied territory, including Greenland," Stoltenberg, now Norway’s finance minister, told Fox News Digital. Trump has justified his push by pointing to growing activity in the Arctic, arguing the United States needs greater control over Greenland to counter Russia and China. Russia has expanded its military footprint across the region, reopening and modernizing Cold War-era bases along its northern coast and increasing air and naval patrols. China, which has declared itself a "near-Arctic state," has expanded its presence through research stations, icebreaker fleets and joint projects with Moscow, including cooperation on energy and shipping routes. The two countries also have deepened coordination in the region, including joint military exercises and broader cooperation in Arctic development and infrastructure. Stoltenberg pushed back on suggestions that the West is losing its strategic edge in the Arctic to Russia and China. "We are scaling up our presence and our capabilities in the Arctic to make sure there is no room for misunderstanding," he said. The broader challenge for NATO is responding to growing Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic while also managing a rift within the alliance itself over Greenland’s sovereignty. Greenland’s location along the shortest path between North America and Europe makes it central to U.S. and NATO missile defense systems, with early-warning radar installations helping detect incoming ballistic missiles traveling over the Arctic. At the same time, melting Arctic ice is opening new shipping lanes and access to natural resources, increasing the region’s economic and strategic value and drawing greater attention from both Russia and China. The tensions over Greenland come as broader strains within NATO have been exposed by the Iran conflict, where Trump accused European allies of failing to support U.S. operations. "NATO wasn't there for us, and they won't be there for us in the future!" Trump wrote on Truth Social Tuesday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1fb53d8d5dabda396946a Michele Tafoya on NFL-New York Times dust up, future of journalism te 2026-04-17T09:20:19.502Z Michele Tafoya on NFL-New York Times dust up, future of journalism Decorated sports journalist and U.S. Senate candidate in Minnesota weighed in on the latest saga between a New York Times reporter and a National Football League coach.   In an interview with the Ruthless Podcast released on Friday morning, Michele Tafoya described her experience in the profession and offered a stark assessment of the state of journalism today.  "The landscape has changed a little bit," the former Sunday Night Football sideline reporter said in the interview. "You go to the NFL owners’ meetings, and they’re at a resort. I was covering the stuff, and if I was going to put on a swimsuit, I went off with my husband on some corner of the beach."  Tafoya’s comments come days after Diana Russini of the New York Times’ Athletic resigned from her post after Page Six published photos of her and New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel holding hands at a resort in Arizona. EX-NFL REPORTER LAUNCHES GOP SENATE BID, REVEALS HOW SHE WILL FLIP SCRIPT ON STATE'S 'CRISIS OF LEADERSHIP' In comments to Page Six, both Russini and Vrabel denied any impropriety.  Podcast co-host John Ashbrook noted that it’s not just sports journalism that is lacking professionalism these days.  "We are talking on the heels of this big Eric Swalwell story and a lot of criticism being levied at political journalists for overlooking that story for a number of years," Ashbrook began. "I know you’ve worked in the business for a very long time, and I just wonder if you think it’s fixable. Do you think there’s a path back to the normal journalism we sort of grew up with?" TAFOYA RIPS WALZ 'DODGING' ACCOUNTABILITY IN HEARING, UNVEILS PLAN TO FIGHT FRAUD: 'FULL WEIGHT OF THE LAW' Tafoya responded by acknowledging that clickbait and attention-grabbing pamphlets have a long history before expressing her thoughts on the current state of the industry.  "I don’t know if it’s fixable," Tayofa responded to Ashbrook. "I am encouraged that a guy like Nick Shirley can saunter into Minnesota with an iPhone and his dad and break out this story that was actually there." Tafoya’s skepticism is backed by recent public polling. Trust in the media is at an all-time low. A Gallup poll found that only 28% of Americans have trust in traditional media outlets to report the news in an accurate and fair manner. YOUTUBER TO TESTIFY BEFORE CONGRESS ON MINNESOTA'S MASSIVE $9B FRAUD NETWORK INVESTIGATION The longtime broadcaster is joined in the Republican primary by Retired Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze and former University of Minnesota and NBA basketball player Royce White. The winner will likely face either Representative Angie Craig or Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, who are currently competing in the Democratic primary.  Schwarze and White have been invited for interviews on the podcast. Tafoya’s appearance on Ruthless was a part of the Ruthless Midterm Interview Series, an ongoing initiative to interview major GOP candidates. The hosts have already interviewed candidates in 13 states, with more scheduled as primaries across the country take place ahead of the November midterms.  Minnesotans will head to the polls on August 11th for the Republican and Democratic Senate primary elections. The general election will take place on November 3rd. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1fb53d8d5dabda3969461 WILLIAM BENNETT, ROB NOEL: Two years after Columbia encampment, campuses still chilled by fear te 2026-04-17T09:20:19.164Z WILLIAM BENNETT, ROB NOEL: Two years after Columbia encampment, campuses still chilled by fear Two years ago, on April 18, 2024, New York Police Department officers arrested 108 students at Columbia University’s "Gaza Solidarity Encampment," triggering a wave of campus chaos that swept the nation and the world.  What followed was among the darkest chapters in American higher education: Jewish students assaulted and harassed, swastikas painted on buildings, American flags set ablaze, and more than 3,000 arrested for trespassing, vandalism and worse. While it sparked widespread calls for campus reform — and strident efforts by the Trump administration to hold universities accountable — data suggests that the period left deep scars on university life, particularly an ongoing culture of fear and self-censorship. FIRE’s 2026 college free speech survey shows that 91% of students now self-censor at least some of the time in conversations with classmates.  Israel and Palestine are the most feared topics for open dissent, just ahead of abortion and transgender rights. At two prominent universities, 88% of students now pretend to be more progressive than they really are. HARVARD PRESIDENT CRITICIZES FACULTY ACTIVISM, CLAIMS UNIVERSITY BRINGING OBJECTIVITY BACK TO CLASSROOM Fear of social reprisal drives the trend, but it is no doubt reinforced by acts of violence against conservatives, including the assassination of TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk last year. Support for such acts continues to grow. The FIRE study shows that one in three students now believe violence can sometimes be justified to stop a speaker, a 70% increase since 2022.  The fear also extends to classrooms: roughly nine in 10 students self-censor in conversations with professors. There is little wonder why. In 1989, liberal professors outnumbered conservatives by roughly two to one. By the mid 2010s, the ratio was five to one. Today, across the humanities departments at Yale alone, Democrats outnumber Republicans 72-to-1. What few conservative faculty remain often hide their political views in order to keep their jobs. As one University of Oklahoma student put it, "Why would I disagree with my professors [sic] strong and open political opinions when he is the one grading everything?" COLUMBIA REVIEW FINDS JEWISH STUDENTS WERE CALLED 'MURDERERS,' BLASTED WITH ANTI-ISRAEL TIRADES This self-censorship harms everyone, progressives not least of all. Shielding ideas from challenge renders fragile both the ideas and those who hold them. The greatest victim is America itself. When young people spend four formative years practicing self-censorship, they do not shed that habit at graduation. They carry it into journalism, business, law, medicine, and their lives as citizens. All around us today, we are seeing what happens when elites — at universities and beyond — use fear in an attempt to force ideological conformity onto the country. Trust vanishes, discourse hardens, and our people stop understanding each other. Society starts to fray. While the post-Gaza campus climate is tragic for America, hope remains. Pushback from the Trump administration is yielding results. DEI programs are being shuttered and many universities have adopted institutional neutrality policies that restrain them from taking positions on political and social topics. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION But universities have more to do. Much more. Their goal should be to recover the vision of Mortimer Adler, who helped pioneer academic freedom standards at the University of Chicago. He believed that the purpose of higher education was "to develop free human beings who know how to use their minds and are able to think for themselves." This requires restoring true intellectual diversity among the faculty. Universities would also be wise to get a pulse on what students really believe, such as through anonymous surveys, and then publicly commit to defending all viewpoints. Alumni and donors can play a role, too, by tying support to free inquiry metrics. Above all, we need the higher education system to understand its role in the formation of virtue, particularly that greatest of civic virtues — courage. Without it, we cannot speak or defend truth, maintain integrity when unpopular, or foster the habits of mind required for self-governance. The Gaza protests proved that fear is contagious on campuses. But courage can be, too. Our universities must decide which they intend to teach. Rob Noel is a speechwriter who serves as president of Washington Writers Network. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM WILLIAM BENNETT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1fb52d8d5dabda3969458 I chose abortion, then changed my mind — California wants that choice gone te 2026-04-17T09:20:18.831Z I chose abortion, then changed my mind — California wants that choice gone Those who support a woman’s right to choose should not be working to block that same woman from choosing differently when she has a change of heart. Abortion pill reversal saved my baby and the California attorney general is trying to hide this life-saving option from women. He claims it’s dangerous. I made the incredibly difficult decision to get an abortion because, at the time, I felt it necessary. That, too, carried risks, and I accepted them because I thought I had no other option. When I learned about abortion pill reversal, I was given a second chance. The process I experienced was safe and effective. It’s just progesterone — the same hormone my own body produced to support my pregnancy — yet somehow, that is what they call "risky." HAWLEY URGES DOJ PROBE INTO ABORTION PILL MAKER OVER SAFETY CONCERNS It makes me question whether the concern is really about women at all, or for the power and politics involved. My story started when I found myself pregnant after a brief reunion with my ex, Ben. He had already moved out, and our relationship was strained. I was overwhelmed by the thought of doing this on my own. At first, I was excited, but the doubts from others quickly crept in. Family and friends questioned whether I could handle it. I began to question it too. I chose to take the abortion pill, and immediately, I regretted it. That same day, I received a message from Ben telling me he wanted us to keep the baby. In that moment, everything shifted. I knew I had to try to stop what I had started. I searched frantically for help and found abortion pill reversal. Calling that number changed everything. It gave me an option I didn’t know existed in the moment I needed it most. With support from Ben and the pregnancy center staff who walked alongside us, I began the process. In the weeks that followed, I saw my baby on the screen during sonograms. I watched her grow. Ben and I began taking parenting classes together, and slowly, we started building something new, something stronger. MISSOURI ATTORNEY GENERAL TAKES NEW LEGAL AIM AT MAIL-ORDER ABORTION PILLS OVER SAFETY CONCERNS On January 18, 2024, I gave birth to our daughter, Evelyn. That "problem" I was trying to solve is now 2 years old. She looks for me in every room she enters and finds comfort in my arms. She believes my kisses heal all boo-boos and she trusts me completely to keep her safe. That's why I defend abortion pill reversal. Choosing reversal, choosing her, was the best decision of my life. HAWLEY DEMANDS CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT OF ABORTION PILL AFTER FDA FAILS TO COMPLETE PROMISED SAFETY STUDY This is not theoretical for me. This is real. Abortion pill reversal gave me a second chance in a moment of desperation. It is a life-saving intervention. To stand against it feels no different than opposing something like CPR. We do not deny people a chance to live just because their lives are politically inconvenient or do not fit our narrative. We step in and help. That is why I speak out. That is why I will continue to defend abortion pill reversal. No woman should be denied the chance to change her mind. Calling that number and stopping the abortion I had started led to a series of events that led to what I consider the happiest years of my life so far. It's our job as women — and as a society — to keep our children safe. Motherhood is a God-given right for women. The attorney general shouldn't be able to take that from us. My daughter, my family, and I are living proof of what that second chance can mean. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1fb52d8d5dabda396944f WWE Hall of Fame 2026 class features Stephanie McMahon, AJ Styles and Dennis Rodman among inductees te 2026-04-17T09:20:18.484Z WWE Hall of Fame 2026 class features Stephanie McMahon, AJ Styles and Dennis Rodman among inductees The WWE’s Hall of Fame class of 2026 is as star-studded as ever. Several superstars who made an indelible impact on the pro wrestling business will be inducted on Friday night. Stephanie McMahon, AJ Styles, the tag team of Demolition, Dennis Rodman, Sid Eudy and Bad News Brown will be this year’s enshrinees. The ceremony will take place at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas at 9 p.m. PT, a day before the first night of WrestleMania 42 will take place. Read below for a quick overview of the year’s inductees. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Stephanie McMahon, the daughter of WWE founder Vince McMahon, turned into one of the biggest heels of the Attitude Era ushering herself into the business as a valet for several wrestling colleagues, including her father. She also became an on-screen authoritarian mouthpiece that resonated with pro wrestling fans whether she was a heel or a babyface. She helped bring about the women’s wrestling revolution in WWE and evolving the division from on-screen eye candy into main event superstars. Outside of the ring, McMahon held several prominent positions within the company itself. She was an executive vice president, chief brand officer, chairwoman and co-CEO of WWE before ultimately leaving the company in 2023. She’s made sporadic appearances since then, anchoring some WWE premium live events of welcoming fans to them. McMahon is married to WWE Chief Content Officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque. The "Phenomenal" A.J. Styles is one of the most prolific wrestlers of his generation and one who didn’t need to come to WWE to make a name for himself. Styles was a superstar at Total Nonstop Action wrestling (TNA) for several years and was a fan favorite in Japan before he decided to cross the line and make a leap to WWE. Styles made his WWE debut at the 2016 Royal Rumble and immediately embarked on a feud with John Cena. For about 10 years, Styles was a main event player on the WWE roster. He was a two-time WWE champion, three-time United States champion, an intercontinental champion and a two-time tag team champion. He was also the 32nd Triple Crown champion and 15th Grand Slam champion the WWE has ever had. He retired from pro wrestling after his loss to Gunther at the Royal Rumble. Demolition was one of the hottest tag teams in WWE in the 1990s.  Ax and Smash were three-time tag team champions and hold the record for the most combined days as champions. The two had epic rivalries with Rick Martel and Tito Santana, the British Bulldogs of Davey Boy Smith and Dynamite Kid and the Hart Foundation with Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart. Tag teams have been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as groups in three of the last four classes. Rick and Scott Steiner were inducted in 2022, the U.S. Express of Mike Rotunda and Barry Windham went into the Hall in 2024 and The Natural Disasters of Earthquake and Typhoon heard the call last year. Dennis Rodman is most likely known for his performances on the NBA court, but his appearances in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) became some of the most-talked about moments during the "Monday Night Wars" between the company and WWE (then known as the World Wrestling Foundation). Rodman briefly aligned himself with the New World Order (NWO) with Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash and Scott Hall. He even stepped away from the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls during their dynastic years. Rodman made his NWO debut with Hogan on "Monday Nitro" March 10, 1997. He also appeared at Uncensored later that month. His first match came in July 1997 at Bash at the Beach. During the Bulls’ 1998 playoff run, Rodman skipped practice to appear with Hogan on Nitro. Sean Waltman, who was a member of the NWO with WCW recalled Rodman’s appearances to Fox News Digital in 2023. "He was a good dude," Waltman said of Rodman. "He was just kind of socially awkward, shy. It wasn’t like he was real talkative. He was great. It was so great to have him there. The guy was so into it. He skipped practice during the playoff games to show up on Nitro." No matter what name pro wrestling fans knew him by, Sid Eudy was a menace in the ring and will finally take his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame. Eudy, who died in 2024, wrestled under different names, including Sid, Sid Eudy, Sid Justice, Sid Steele, Sid Vicious, Sycho Sid, Vicious Warriors and Lord Humongous. He performed in WWE when it was still the World Wrestling Federation, World Championship Wrestling (WCW), the United States Wrestling Association, Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) and on the indies. He was a two-time WWF champion, a two-time WCW heavyweight champion and a WCW U.S. champion. Bad News Brown may not have been a household name with pro wrestling fans, but he had some epic feuds in his time with WWE. He was known for keeping a straight or tense look. He had feuds with Randy Savage and had a major match at WrestleMania VI against "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. Brown never won a championship in WWE. However, he was inducted into the Canadian Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2007 and was a four-time Stampede North American heavyweight champion. Before his pro wrestling career began, Brown was an Olympic medalist. He won a bronze medal at the 1976 Montreal Olympics and took home two gold medals at the Pan American Games in 1967 and 1975. It might be the most iconic moment in pro wrestling. Hulk Hogan going up against Andre the Giant at WrestleMania 3 for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship. It’s arguably the moment Hogan became larger than life. Hogan would try to slam Andre the Giant early in the match, but to no avail. Andre nearly pinned him when he fell on him. But as the match wore on, Hogan was sent into the ropes and hit Andre with a clothesline that knocked him down. Hogan grappled with Andre, picked him up and slammed him down. The crowd went wild and Hogan would retain the title. Hogan died in 2025 and Andre the Giant died in 1993. But their moment in pro wrestling history will forever be immortalized. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1fb52d8d5dabda3969446 GREGG JARRETT: Long-hidden documents reveal first Trump impeachment was a total fraud te 2026-04-17T09:20:18.137Z GREGG JARRETT: Long-hidden documents reveal first Trump impeachment was a total fraud Newly declassified documents prove that the first impeachment of President Donald Trump in 2019-2020 was a carefully orchestrated fraud. It all was concocted by Trump-hating "deep state actors" within the intelligence community who secretly conspired with Democrats in Congress to remove Trump from office and subvert the will of the American people who put him there. The damning evidence was produced Monday, April 13 by Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard. On Wednesday, she sent criminal referrals to the Department of Justice (DOJ) aimed at two of the central figures who propelled the impeachment proceedings, accusing them of manufacturing a conspiracy. The first is Michael Atkinson, who served as the inspector general (IG) of the Intelligence Community at the time of the impeachment hearings, and the whistleblower who filed a formal complaint about Trump’s July 2019 telephone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. GABBARD CLAIMS ‘COORDINATED EFFORT’ BY INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY TO ADVANCE NARRATIVE TO IMPEACH TRUMP The identity of the whistleblower — a CIA analyst and registered Democrat — has still not been officially disclosed, which is utterly absurd. He is not entitled to hide in the shadows of anonymity. By law, only the IG can decline to release his name. But this applies to no one else. Gabbard should identify him, particularly since he no longer works in intelligence. Moreover, the so-called "whistleblower" was not a whistleblower at all, as I explained repeatedly in a series of columns seven years ago during Trump’s impeachment. The complaint he filed against the president never qualified as a valid complaint under the whistleblower statute. It does not meet the two requisite conditions set forth in the law. That is, the alleged wrongful conduct must involve intelligence activity, and it must be committed by a member of the intelligence community. The president is not a member of the intelligence community and never has been. Under Article II of the Constitution, the chief executive has sweeping authority to conduct foreign affairs, negotiate with leaders of other nations and make requests or solicit information. NEW SCHIFF LEAK CLAIM FROM WHISTLEBLOWER ECHOES YEARS OF SIMILAR ACCUSATIONS That is precisely what Trump did in his conversation with Zelenskyy. He suggested that the leader examine Hunter Biden’s ridiculously lucrative business deals with the Ukrainian natural gas firm Burisma Holdings, as well as later-President Joe Biden’s on-camera brag in which he threatened to withhold $1 billion in U.S. taxpayer funds unless the Ukraine prosecutor investigating both Burisma and Hunter Biden was fired. It appeared to be an overt and corrupt "quid pro quo" to protect his son and keep the Biden family’s financial gravy train chugging along. It also smacked of extortion.   There was nothing inappropriate about Trump’s phone discussion since the younger Biden was already the subject of a DOJ criminal probe into his highly suspicious international business schemes. Trump’s request was logical and not at all uncommon. Other presidents have done the same thing. Our Justice Department has enlisted foreign help in numerous cases over the years. Presidents sometimes get involved. It was ludicrous for Democrats to declare that the conversation was an impeachable offense. Yet they did so zealously. TULSI GABBARD DENIES WRONGDOING OVER DELAYED WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINT REFERRAL TO CONGRESS MEMBERS: 'BASELESS' They knowingly exploited a faux whistleblower who had no firsthand knowledge whatsoever of the phone conversation. He neither listened in nor read a transcript of it. He simply heard about it from someone else. The Constitution does not grant the power of review or disapproval to unelected and inferior bureaucratic employees over the most superior officer in the U.S. government, the president.   Again, I wrote about this as the impeachment saga unfolded in 2019: "So what should we call the fake "whistleblower"?  It is more accurate to describe him as an undercover informant acting as a Democratic operative who spied on President Trump by gathering hearsay information intended to damage him. CLAPPER PUSHED TO 'COMPROMISE' 'NORMAL' STEPS TO RUSH 2017 ICA, DESPITE CONCERNS FROM NSA DIRECTOR Moreover, there is increasing evidence that the informant was aided and abetted by none other than Schiff and/or Schiff’s staff to invent a pretext for the impeachment of the president."   Sure enough, Gabbard’s never-before-seen documents confirm it. The pretend whistleblower eventually admitted that he was a partisan who "worked closely with Vice President Biden" and "travelled with Biden to Ukraine." In other words, when Trump became president, the analyst appears to have embedded as an adversarial "mole" and became instrumental in triggering the fraudulent impeachment.   Equally shocking is the alleged role played by Atkinson, who was supposed to remain a fair and neutral inspector general. Yet, records show that he vouched for the credibility of the fake whistleblower knowing full well that he had submitted false information in his complaint. "I also want to make it clear that I never considered the whistleblower to be politically biased," he said during testimony. SCHIFF LAUNCHES LEGAL DEFENSE FUND IN RESPONSE TO CLAIMS TRUMP IS 'WEAPONIZING' JUSTICE SYSTEM Atkinson had a duty to toss the garbage complaint in the nearest trash receptacle. The DOJ’s Office of Legal Counsel pronounced it so deficient that Congress should not be notified. Instead, the IG did the opposite. He labeled the complaint an "urgent concern" when it was not and leveraged it as a cudgel against Trump, pushing it forward aggressively toward impeachment.  Even worse, exculpatory evidence that would have benefited Trump was deliberately withheld from Congress, the American people and the president’s impeachment defense team. It was hidden under the marking of "classified." No one was ever told of the CIA analyst’s acute bias, political motivations, or his critical confession that "I do not have direct knowledge of private comments or communications by the President." Then-House Intelligence Committee Chairman Democrat Adam Schiff knew all about the exonerating evidence but concealed it. On the sly, the analyst coordinated with Schiff’s staff before the whistleblower complaint was ever filed. Trump was being set up.  Publicly, Schiff insisted that he never knew the man’s name and "we have not spoken directly to the whistleblower." When that was exposed as untrue, Schiff tried to walk it back. Documents show the analyst also lied to Atkinson. He later apologized for peddling the same deceit as Schiff. Amazingly, the apology itself was covered up.  Gabbard has accused Atkinson of ignoring DOJ guidance, exceeding his statutory jurisdiction and weaponizing the established whistleblower process. "Inspector General Atkinson failed to uphold his responsibility to the American people, putting political motivations over the truth."    The inescapable conclusion to be drawn from the newly declassified documents is that Trump was framed. Elements within the intelligence community, including Atkinson and the sham whistleblower, engineered a conspiracy that was used as the basis to impeach President Trump, said Gabbard. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Democrats like Schiff knew it was entirely bogus but didn’t care. Their goal, as it always has been, was to destroy Trump and drive him from office.   Now that the pernicious lies have unraveled, what happens next? The Department of Justice, relying on Gabbard’s criminal referral, must undertake a thorough investigation. Potential charges could include false statements, perjury, obstruction and conspiracy to defraud the government. Those who conjured up a phony impeachment should be held accountable in a court of law. Trump, of course, survived the impeachment ordeal. History books should be faithful to the truth and call it a farce. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM GREGG JARRETT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1f970d8d5dabda39693ec Arizona lottery results for Friday, April 17, 2026 te 2026-04-17T09:12:16.776Z Arizona lottery results for Friday, April 17, 2026 Powerball - April 13 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1f942d8d5dabda3969397 Texas Restaurant Owners Call for Work Permits as Immigration Crackdown Strains Industry te 2026-04-17T09:11:30.122Z Texas Restaurant Owners Call for Work Permits as Immigration Crackdown Strains Industry Restaurant operators say labor shortages, rising costs and worker fear have prompted an unusual alliance of industry and political leaders in Texas to call for legal pathways to hire immigrants. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1f92ed8d5dabda396938e She Made Sure Her Baby Was Born an American. Then Federal Agents Separated Them. te 2026-04-17T09:11:10.572Z She Made Sure Her Baby Was Born an American. Then Federal Agents Separated Them. Diana Acosta Verde, who came into the United States illegally when she was six months pregnant, had to leave her baby at a hospital while she returned to a detention center. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1f91ad8d5dabda3969385 A Family Feud at an Oregon Winery Turns to Vinegar Over A.I. Slop te 2026-04-17T09:10:50.894Z A Family Feud at an Oregon Winery Turns to Vinegar Over A.I. Slop She wanted to pry her late mother’s vineyard from two of her brothers. Instead, her lawyers were fined nearly $110,000 for citing bogus case law generated by artificial intelligence. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1f907d8d5dabda396937c In Texas Senate Race, Talarico Is Out-Raising His G.O.P. Opponents te 2026-04-17T09:10:31.152Z In Texas Senate Race, Talarico Is Out-Raising His G.O.P. Opponents James Talarico, the Democratic nominee, has been amassing campaign cash as Senator John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton still battle each other. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1f25bd8d5dabda3969212 Legislation To Rename Phoenix Post Office In Honor Of Officer Coolidge Passes The U.S. House te 2026-04-17T08:42:03.738Z Legislation To Rename Phoenix Post Office In Honor Of Officer Coolidge Passes The U.S. House By Ethan Faverino | Congressman Abraham Hamadeh (AZ-08) thanked his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives for the unanimous passage of his legislation to rename the United States Postal Service facility at 12208 North 19th Avenue in Phoenix as the “Officer Zane T. Coolidge Post Office.” The bill, H.R. 3393, honors Phoenix Police Officer Zane Coolidge, who was shot in the line of duty on September 3, 2024, while responding to a larceny call near 16th Street and McDowell Road. Despite the heroic efforts of medical personnel, Officer Coolidge succumbed to his injuries three days later, on September 6, 2024, at the age of 29. Officer Coolidge, a devoted husband and loving father, was a dedicated public servant who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting his community. The suspect in the shooting was a man with multiple felony convictions who was on parole at the time of his crime. The post office selected for renaming holds special significance: it is located across the street from Thunderbird High School, where Officer Coolidge graduated in 2013. “The Phoenix Law Enforcement Association is deeply grateful for Congressman Hamadeh’s leadership in honoring fallen Phoenix Police Officer Zane Coolidge through the renaming of a United States Post Office,” stated President of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association Darrell Kriplean. “Officer Coolidge represented the very best of our profession and made the ultimate sacrifice in service to his community. This designation serves as a lasting and meaningful tribute to his life, his service, and his legacy, while reflecting our community’s enduring respect for those who serve.” “We also extend our sincere appreciation to Congressman Hamadeh for his continued commitment to law enforcement,” continued Kriplean. “His steadfast advocacy helps ensure that officers across Arizona have the support and resources necessary to protect and serve their communities.” Congressman Hamadeh stated, “Officer Coolidge was a husband, brother, son, and father who died a hero. A true public servant, he sacrificed his life to fulfill his duty to protect and serve. Naming this facility in honor of Officer Coolidge is a small token of the tremendous appreciation we have for him and the countless men and women who have given our communities their last full measure of devotion.” “I am proud to stand with the men and women of our police agencies. They deserve our full support and devotion,” concluded Congressman Hamadeh. “The sacrifice they and their families make to keep our communities free from crime is immeasurable and not to be taken for granted.” This action will serve as a permanent memorial to Officer Coolidge’s service, sacrifice, and deep connection to the Phoenix community where he grew up and served. Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link. The post Legislation To Rename Phoenix Post Office In Honor Of Officer Coolidge Passes The U.S. House first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1f246d8d5dabda3969209 New Law Adds ID Checks, Alerts, Felony Penalties For Deed Fraud te 2026-04-17T08:41:42.843Z New Law Adds ID Checks, Alerts, Felony Penalties For Deed Fraud By Matthew Holloway | Arizona homeowners will receive expanded protection against deed and title fraud under Senate Bill 1479, which Gov. Katie Hobbs signed into law last week after it received unanimous support in the Arizona Senate. The bipartisan legislation was sponsored by Arizona Senate Majority Whip Frank Carroll (R-LD28) and co-sponsored by Reps. Selina Bliss (R-LD1) and Patricia Contreras (D-LD12). The bill was also backed by Maricopa County Assessor Eddie Cook, Gov. Katie Hobbs, and Attorney General Kris Mayes. SB 1479 establishes new requirements for recording property documents, creates a statewide alert system for property owners, increases criminal penalties for fraudulent filings, and repeals an Arizona law that critics said could allow forged deeds to become legally valid if left uncontested for five years. 🚨BILL SIGNED INTO LAW Your home is your biggest investment… and criminals are finding ways to steal it on paper. Majority Whip @SenFrankCarroll took action. SB 1479 is now law — cracking down on deed fraud and strengthening protections to stop forged documents from being used… pic.twitter.com/PJ2XwskqXY — AZSenateRepublicans (@AZSenateGOP) April 10, 2026 According to Maricopa County officials, deed fraud is a growing concern nationwide. Fraudsters can use forged signatures and fraudulent documents to transfer property ownership or attempt to secure a loan against a home they do not own, sometimes before the actual owner becomes aware of the transfer. In a February statement, Carroll said, “Property ownership is the cornerstone of financial security for families, seniors, and small businesses in Arizona. When criminals are able to forge documents, record false claims, or quietly transfer property without the rightful owner’s knowledge, it erodes trust in our entire system.” According to the Phoenix Business Journal, a 2025 survey by the National Association of Realtors found that Arizonans lost nearly $50 million to real estate fraud in 2024. “A home is often a family’s most important investment, both financially and emotionally,” Cook said in a statement. “Deed fraud robs people of far more than property; it steals their sense of security.” Under the new law, anyone recording a document in person at a county recorder’s office will be required to provide photo identification, with exemptions for certain professionals, including escrow officers, attorneys, and financial institutions. The legislation also requires county assessors to create an opt-in property alert system by Jan. 1, 2027. The system will notify homeowners whenever the ownership status of their property changes or when the mailing address associated with the property is changed. SB 1479 also expands the information required on an Affidavit of Legal Value. Buyers and sellers will now be required to provide mailing addresses and phone numbers, while email addresses will remain optional. The measure also increases the penalty for filing false property documents from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a Class 5 felony to reflect “the severity and financial harm caused by deed fraud,” according to a release from the County Assessor’s Office. The bill also repeals Arizona Revised Statute §12-524, the law at issue in the Arizona Supreme Court case Dominguez v. Dominguez, a prominent forged deed dispute. Critics argued the law created a loophole under which a forged deed could become legally valid if it was not challenged within five years. In addition, notaries will now be required to obtain a thumbprint in their journal for most deeds and real estate documents. Remote notarizations are exempt if video recordings verifying the signer’s identity are retained for at least seven years. Cook said the Maricopa County Assessor’s Office began prioritizing deed fraud prevention in 2024 and hosted a seminar last year with county officials, industry representatives, and lawmakers to discuss the issue and develop legislative solutions. Cook said the new law provides “the early alerts, verification safeguards, and legal teeth we need to stop criminals before harm is done.” 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 New Law Adds ID Checks, Alerts, Felony Penalties For Deed Fraud first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1f232d8d5dabda3969200 Sen. Gallego Accused Of Engaging In Sexual Romps In D.C. te 2026-04-17T08:41:22.233Z Sen. Gallego Accused Of Engaging In Sexual Romps In D.C. By Staff Reporter | A former congressman says Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) was among those alleged to have engaged in well-known secret sexual romps at the nation’s capital.  New York’s former Republican congressman George Santos posted the accusation against Gallego to X on Monday.  Santos claimed that it was a regular practice for some U.S. House and Senate members to engage in “lewd or alleged sexual misconduct-like behavior with staff or reporters” in the House office buildings’ basement storage rooms, nicknamed “cages.”  A report to the House Administration Chair, Republican Wisconsin Rep. Bryan Steil, went nowhere, according to Santos.  “[O]ver the course of my time on Capitol Hill I learned a lot of members had rumors and or allegations against them,” said Santos. “[T]hese were rumors, and I wasn’t the only one to hear them. They were just instances where we would talk about them amongst ourselves and just shrug our shoulders because there was not much more we could do.”  When I was in Congress I used to talk to Staff and reporters on the Hill a lot. During that time I learned about the activities taking place in the “cages” which are the storage rooms in the basement of the House office buildings. I reported it to House Admin Chair at the time… — George Santos (@Georgesantos) April 13, 2026 Santos and Gallego had neighboring offices when their time in Congress overlapped. Their offices were connected by an internal door between the two.  The Santos allegation came out amid sexual assault and impropriety allegations against Eric Swalwell, the now-resigning California congressman who suspended his gubernatorial campaign.  Swalwell and Gallego were known “best friends” for years. The pair spent a significant amount of time together outside of their elected duties; extracurriculars per insiders included bar-hopping around D.C.  Gallego has not addressed the Santos allegation.  Santos’ claims have not been confirmed; the former congressman does have a prominent history of fabrication. Santos himself was expelled from Congress following a House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of fraud. Gallego was one of many from both parties to vote in favor of expulsion. Santos also faced a federal indictment; ultimately, he pleaded guilty to identity theft and fraud. President Donald Trump commuted Santos’ prison sentence last year.  The House Ethics Committee announced an investigation into Swalwell on Monday.  After the committee announcement, Gallego advocated for the expulsion of his former longtime friend from Congress. Gallego denied any prior knowledge of allegations of assault, harassment, or predatory behavior. “I trusted someone who I believed was a friend, but it is now clear that he is not the person I thought I knew,” said Gallego. “The women who have come forward have shown courage. They deserve to be believed, to be supported, and to see justice served.” I support the ethics committee’s investigation and believe Eric Swalwell is no longer fit to be a Member of Congress. He should be expelled from Congress. I want to be clear: I had no knowledge of the allegations of assault, harassment, and predatory behavior against Eric… — Ruben Gallego (@RubenGallego) April 13, 2026 That statement was “pure projection,” alleged Santos. The former congressman demanded another investigation, this time into Gallego. I think this is pure projection. INVESTIGATE @RubenGallego ASAP! https://t.co/GG2Pzz6MtC — George Santos (@Georgesantos) April 13, 2026 The town attorney for Fountain Hills and former assistant attorney general, Jennifer Wright, said an investigative reporter needed to look into the allegation against Gallego.  A real Arizona investigative reporter would dig into the allegations against @RubenGallego, the self-proclaimed BFF of @ericswalwell. Is @azcentral @12news @abc15 @FOX10Phoenix @azfamily up to the task? Cc: @tylerbowyer @KariLakeWarRoom https://t.co/e2V0nUxmp1 — Jen Wright (@JenWEsq) April 13, 2026 Gallego revoked his gubernatorial endorsement of Swalwell last week shortly after the release of a report detailing sexual assault allegations against Swalwell.  Prior to the report, when the allegations were confined to rumors swirling the social media echo chamber, Gallego had initially come to Swalwell’s defense. Gallego dismissed those early allegations as politically motivated attacks. AZ Free News reached out to Sen. Gallego regarding the accusations from George Santos. As of this report, no response has been received. AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link. The post Sen. Gallego Accused Of Engaging In Sexual Romps In D.C. first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1edafd8d5dabda3969101 Lake Havasu City Planning and Zoning gives thumbs down to proposed gas station, car wash te 2026-04-17T08:22:07.402Z Lake Havasu City Planning and Zoning gives thumbs down to proposed gas station, car wash Any hopes for a future Circle K gas station, convenience store and car wash along Mesquite Avenue were seemingly dashed Wednesday morning — at least for now. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1ed9bd8d5dabda39690f8 Last chance to comment on Lake Havasu City's draft 2026 General Plan te 2026-04-17T08:21:47.708Z Last chance to comment on Lake Havasu City's draft 2026 General Plan Saturday is the final day to share your thoughts about Lake Havasu City's plan for the future. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1e1fad8d5dabda3968a77 Best Bets: Friday, April 17, 2026 te 2026-04-17T07:32:10.637Z Best Bets: Friday, April 17, 2026 Today Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1e1e6d8d5dabda3968a6e Bullhead Blotter: Police Reports from March 25 - March 29 te 2026-04-17T07:31:50.575Z Bullhead Blotter: Police Reports from March 25 - March 29 The following arrests occurred March 25 through March 29 and in the Bullhead City area. All information was provided by the Bullhead City Police Department. Unless otherwise noted, all suspects were booked into the Mohave County Jail in Kingman. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1e1d2d8d5dabda3968a65 Davis Dam releases for April 17 te 2026-04-17T07:31:30.778Z Davis Dam releases for April 17 Saturday Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1e1bed8d5dabda3968a5c Gas prices April 17 te 2026-04-17T07:31:10.734Z Gas prices April 17 Arizona average: $4.66 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1e1a5d8d5dabda3968a1e House punts Trump spy powers extension after conservatives block deal, forcing end-of-month showdown te 2026-04-17T07:30:45.049Z House punts Trump spy powers extension after conservatives block deal, forcing end-of-month showdown President Donald Trump's push to extend the government's controversial warrantless surveillance powers suffered a minor setback early Friday morning after a group of conservative lawmakers rejected a compromise deal that would have extended the program for five years while incorporating some minor reforms intended to appease GOP privacy hawks. Shortly before 2 a.m. Friday, the House of Representatives approved a two-week extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), giving lawmakers until April 30 to reach a deal. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., voiced confidence that his conference can come to an agreement by the end of the month. "We were very close tonight. There's some nuances with the language and some questions that need to be answered and we'll get it done. The extension allows us the time to do that," he said. JOHNSON FACES GOP REVOLT OVER WARRANTLESS SURVEILLANCE POWERS AHEAD OF KEY VOTE The short-term FISA extension came together after House GOP leadership was forced to scrap an initial 18-month extension of the program due to opposition from conservatives, who want more privacy guardrails added to the program. GOP privacy hawks also shot down a compromise agreement that would have extended the surveillance law until 2031 while adding more stringent criminal penalties for violations of FISA searches. The Section 702 authority allows the government to spy on foreign nationals abroad even when those communications involve Americans. Both conservatives and progressives have pushed for a requirement that would force officials to obtain a warrant before reviewing Americans’ data. House GOP leadership had been racing this week to renew the surveillance law before the April 20 deadline. When their desired approach ran into conservative opposition on the House floor, they settled for a two-week extension. The Senate could pass the short-term extension by unanimous consent as early as Friday. "What we're trying to do is thread the needle of ensuring that we have this essential tool to keep Americans safe but also safeguard constitutional rights and making sure that the abuses of FISA in the past are no longer possible," Johnson said early Friday morning. The speaker could spare just two GOP defections during the test votes assuming all members are present and voting. Though many Democrats were supportive of a clean FISA reauthorization bill, Johnson could not count on their support during the procedural votes because they typically vote along party lines. The Trump administration has argued the spying authority must be renewed to prevent potential terrorist attacks on the homeland and that it would be reckless to let the program lapse amid conflict with Iran. "There’s a lot at stake," CIA Director John Ratcliffe told Fox News during a visit to Capitol Hill in an effort to sell GOP holdouts on a clean extension. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine sent a letter, obtained by Fox News Digital, to Capitol Hill offices touting the surveillance tool’s importance for national security. Trump also publicly urged Republicans to "UNIFY" behind his desired approach of a clean extension on Truth Social. ODNI SENDS CRIMINAL REFERRALS TO DOJ FOR EX-IG, WHISTLEBLOWER TIED TO TRUMP IMPEACHMENT House GOP leadership’s and the Trump administration’s lobbying for a clean FISA extension absent reforms proved to be a tough sell among some conservatives. Despite the high-profile pressure campaign, GOP privacy hawks remained insistent on including a warrant requirement, which they argued would better protect Americans' data. "We understand and agree with the president that we need 702 authority to go after bad guys abroad," Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, told reporters. "We're fighting for greater protections, whether it's this administration or future administrations to ensure citizens have protections." "The folks who are saying we want these reforms within FISA, we mean what we say, and that's not something that we're going to sidestep," Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., said Thursday. "We're always threatened … that something very bad is going to happen, people will die if we don’t reauthorize 702," Boebert continued. "But many men and women, thousands have died for the Fourth Amendment, and I'm going to continue to stand up and protect that Fourth Amendment right for all American citizens." Democrats also slammed the compromise deal early Friday morning for being drafted at the eleventh hour and argued the warrant requirement included in the since-rejected FISA deal is effectively toothless. "This simply says they may seek a warrant. They don't have to. They may seek a warrant," Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., said, referring to the FBI. "In other words, this provision is meaningless. It just returns us to exactly where we were." Despite a swath of GOP holdouts, fewer Republicans opposed a clean extension of the 702 program than during previous legislative fights over the spying law. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, a FISA skeptic, backed a straight reauthorization, citing more than five dozen reforms that Congress made to the program in 2024. "2026 is not 2024 and a short-term clean extension of the 702 part of FISA law is an acceptable outcome for the situation that we find ourselves in," Jordan said Tuesday. House GOP leadership argued that failure is not an option in preventing a reauthorization lapse for the FISA program. "This is an essential tool for national security," Johnson told Fox News on Wednesday. "We cannot allow it to expire, and we won't." Fox News' Kelly Phares contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1df39d8d5dabda396898f House Votes to Extend Expiring Law on Warrantless Surveillance for 10 Days te 2026-04-17T07:20:25.079Z House Votes to Extend Expiring Law on Warrantless Surveillance for 10 Days The Senate would need to also approve the stopgap measure that passed the House early Friday. Libertarian-leaning House Republicans had balked at long-term extensions. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1c6d2d8d5dabda3968497 Navajo elder receives home after decades of living in a shack without running water te 2026-04-17T05:36:18.418Z Navajo elder receives home after decades of living in a shack without running water The home is part of a larger effort by the Navajo-Hopi Land Commission to provide housing for elders in need. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1c6bdd8d5dabda3968484 Lorraine K. Nez te 2026-04-17T05:35:57.156Z Lorraine K. Nez Lorraine K. Nez, 80, entered into rest on April 15, 2026, in Flagstaff. She was very traditional and enjoyed attending NAC ceremonies.       She is survived by her daughters, Janice L. Nez and Lorena Paddock; sons, Morgan Nez and Edison P. Davis; sisters, Eleanor Yazzie and Maxine Paddock; brothers, Bruce Paddock and Andrew Paddock; five grandkids and one great-grandchild.       She is preceded in death by her husband, Johnny Nez; brother, Edward Paddock; and her parents, Waldo and Lilly Paddock.       Greer’s Mortuary of Winslow handled the arrangements. The post Lorraine K. Nez first appeared on Painted Desert Tribune. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1c6a9d8d5dabda396847b Jewel Turley te 2026-04-17T05:35:37.495Z Jewel Turley Jewel Turley passed away April 14, 2026, and was born Feb 26, 1934, to Cecil and Lona Harrison in Arkansas. As a young girl the family moved to the Snowflake area and she attended school in Shumway, Taylor and graduated from Snowflake High. In 1958, she married Theodore Turley. They immediately formed a family because Jewel had two sons, Bill and Dale, from a previous marriage. Their family continued to grow with the addition of Tamra, Anthony and Steven. The family lived in Holbrook and Taylor before settling in Snowflake.       Ted and Jewel enjoyed square dancing, bowling and most of all, family activities. She served in the temple for many years with Ted and continued for many years after his passing. One of the things she enjoyed most in her later years was getting together with her gang of seniors, playing cards, walking and exercising. Jewel was very devoted to her family, extended family, and to serving in the church.       She is survived by Bill and Alea Turley, Pam Lusk Turley, Tammy and James Nuttall, and Tony and Deena Turley; 31 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and 20 great-great-grandchildren.       She was preceded in death by her husband, Ted; sons, Dale and Steve; and daughter-in-law Cricket.       Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, at the Snowflake Cemetery.       Owens Livingston Mortuary of Snowflake handled the arrangements. The post Jewel Turley first appeared on Painted Desert Tribune. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1ae19d8d5dabda3968294 House Democrats file impeachment articles against Hegseth over alleged war crimes te 2026-04-17T03:50:49.679Z House Democrats file impeachment articles against Hegseth over alleged war crimes House Democrats introduced impeachment articles against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of abuse of power and other serious misconduct. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1a25cd8d5dabda3967fe0 D4vd Arrested in Connection With Death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez te 2026-04-17T03:00:44.335Z D4vd Arrested in Connection With Death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez The singer was detained in connection with the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who died before her 15th birthday. D4vd’s lawyers said they would vigorously defend his innocence. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1a246d8d5dabda3967fb6 New leaders, new fund: Sequoia has raised $7B to expand its AI bets te 2026-04-17T03:00:22.236Z New leaders, new fund: Sequoia has raised $7B to expand its AI bets The fundraise is the first major capital raise under Sequoia's new leadership, with Alfred Lin and Pat Grady now serving as co-stewards of the 54-year-old firm. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1a005d8d5dabda3967f52 Trump admin announces expansion of visa restriction policy in Western Hemisphere te 2026-04-17T02:50:45.105Z Trump admin announces expansion of visa restriction policy in Western Hemisphere The Trump administration on Thursday announced a "significant expansion" of its ​visa restriction policy in ⁠the Western Hemisphere, targeting people working on behalf of U.S. adversaries. In its announcement, the State Department said the expanded policy allows it to restrict U.S. visas for people intentionally acting on behalf of adversarial countries to "undermine America's interests." "President Trump’s National Security Strategy makes clear: this Administration will deny adversarial powers the ability to own or control vital assets or threaten the security and prosperity of the United States in our region," the department said in a press release. "The Department of State is working to advance American leadership in our hemisphere, protect our homeland, and ensure access to vital routes and areas throughout our region." RUBIO IDENTIFIES 'SINGLE MOST SERIOUS THREAT' TO THE US FROM WESTERN HEMISPHERE "In support of this critical objective, the Department of State is announcing a significant expansion of an existing visa restriction policy that targets those working on behalf of U.S. adversaries to undermine our national interests in our hemisphere, including regional security and democratic sovereignty," the department continued. The administration also said that family members of individuals subject to visa restrictions under this policy will not be allowed to enter the U.S. "This expanded policy enables us to restrict U.S. visas for nationals of countries in our region who, while within Western Hemisphere countries and while intentionally acting on behalf of adversarial countries, their agents, or enterprises, knowingly direct, authorize, fund, or provide significant support to, or carry out activities that are adversarial to and undermine America’s interests in our hemisphere. These individuals – and their immediate family members – will be generally ineligible for entry into the United States," the department said. Activities the administration has deemed adversarial and that could trigger visa restrictions include enabling adversarial powers to acquire or control key assets and strategic resources in the Western Hemisphere, destabilizing regional security efforts, undermining American economic interests and conducting influence operations designed to weaken the sovereignty and stability of nations in the region. STATE DEPARTMENT TO ASK FOR BONDS OF UP TO $15,000 FOR VISA APPLICATION FROM A DOZEN MORE COUNTRIES The department said it has imposed visa restrictions on 26 people under this policy. "To demonstrate our commitment to this expanded policy, we have taken steps to impose visa restrictions on 26 individuals across our hemisphere who have engaged in these activities," the department said. "The Trump Administration will use every available tool to protect our national security interests, defend American interests, and promote our region’s safety and prosperity." This comes after a series of moves by the administration in recent months to restrict visas for people around the world, including a visa ban on people from dozens of countries listed by the State Department, which civil rights groups have previously sharply criticized. Critics, including civil rights advocates, have raised concerns about similar visa restriction policies, saying broad definitions of prohibited activity can create questions about how individuals are identified and what due process protections are available. "This administration’s targeting of people based on their national origin is part of an autocratic playbook designed to make America smaller – to shut out ideas, perspectives, and communities," Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, said in a statement earlier this year about the suspension of immigrant visa processing for people from around 75 countries. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e19b54d8d5dabda3967e4b Trump Promotes ‘No Tax on Tips’ in Las Vegas and Brushes Off Iran War Inflation Concerns te 2026-04-17T02:30:44.437Z Trump Promotes ‘No Tax on Tips’ in Las Vegas and Brushes Off Iran War Inflation Concerns The president sought to downplay the financial hardship that has followed his war with Iran, amid a tourism downturn in the city. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e19b3fd8d5dabda3967e38 University of Arizona spins up generative AI tool for students & faculty te 2026-04-17T02:30:23.983Z University of Arizona spins up generative AI tool for students & faculty Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e196a4d8d5dabda3967d5a Singer D4vd arrested and held without bail in case tied to teen found dead in Tesla: Police te 2026-04-17T02:10:44.920Z Singer D4vd arrested and held without bail in case tied to teen found dead in Tesla: Police Singer David Burke, known as D4vd, was arrested Thursday in connection with the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was found in September 2025 inside the trunk of an abandoned Tesla in Los Angeles. "Detectives from Los Angeles Police Department, Robbery-Homicide Division have arrested David Burke, a 21-year-old resident of Los Angeles, for the murder of Celeste Rivas," the LAPD said in a social media post. "Burke is being held without bail." In another post, police said, "The case will be presented to the District Attorney’s office on Monday for filing consideration." Until Thursday, authorities had not publicly named D4vd as a suspect in the case, though in February he was the target of a Los Angeles County grand jury investigation into Hernandez’s death. WORLD CHAMPION FIGURE SKATER CHANGES ROUTINE MUSIC AFTER SINGER IS INVESTIGATED IN DEATH OF TEENAGE GIRL The Associated Press reported in February that Hernandez’s body was found decomposed in an abandoned Tesla registered to D4vd and towed from the Hollywood Hills, citing court documents. Prosecutors described the Houston-born alt-pop singer as the target of the investigation in grand jury subpoenas issued Jan. 15, seeking testimony from three of his relatives. The Associated Press obtained the once-sealed documents, which were made public after the singer’s mother, father and brother appealed the subpoenas in Texas. ATTEMPTED TRUMP ASSASSIN RYAN ROUTH SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON, PLUS 7 YEARS The documents state: "Target may be involved in having committed the following criminal offenses against the laws of the State of California, to wit: One count of Murder." The body of Hernandez was found Sept. 8, a day after she would have turned 15. She had been reported missing in 2024 as a 13-year-old seventh grader from her hometown of Lake Elsinore, about 70 miles southeast of Los Angeles. Authorities say she was 14 when she was killed, according to court documents. The subpoena states that investigators searching a 2023 Tesla Model Y at a tow yard found a cadaver bag "covered with insects and a strong odor of decay." TIGER WOODS TOLD AUTHORITIES HE WAS 'TALKING TO THE PRESIDENT' BEFORE DUI ARREST, BODYCAM FOOTAGE SHOWS "Detectives partially unzipped the bag and observed a decomposed head and torso," the subpoena states. Investigators from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene. "Upon removing the cadaver bag from the front storage compartment, it was discovered the arms and legs had been severed from the body," the document says. "A second black bag was discovered underneath the cadaver bag. Upon opening the second bag, the dismembered body parts were discovered." The singer was on a U.S. tour at the time and continued performing after the body was discovered. He later canceled the remaining shows, along with a planned European tour, as reports linking him to the case gained wider attention. D4vd built a following among Gen Z fans with his blend of indie rock, R&B and lo-fi pop. He gained traction on TikTok in 2022 with "Romantic Homicide," which climbed to No. 4 on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. He later signed with Darkroom and Interscope Records and released Petals to Thorns and The Lost Petals in 2023. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1944fd8d5dabda3967cdf EXCLUSIVE: NYC officials refuse ICE hold for illegal alien accused in arson that killed 4 and injured 7: DHS te 2026-04-17T02:00:47.343Z EXCLUSIVE: NYC officials refuse ICE hold for illegal alien accused in arson that killed 4 and injured 7: DHS FIRST ON FOX: A Mexican national illegal alien accused of randomly setting a New York City apartment building on fire that killed four people and injured seven others, could be released back onto the streets as Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials say the city is refusing a request to turn him over to immigration authorities. Roman Ceron Amatitla, 38, of Maspeth, is charged with eight counts of second-degree murder and first-degree arson after allegedly lighting a three-story Flushing building on fire March 16, which he selected at random. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said that on the day of the blaze, Amatitla entered and exited the Avery Avenue building multiple times, urinated in front of the apartments, and then went to a nearby gas station — where he bought a beer, stole a second one and took a pack of matches after refusing to pay for a lighter. Authorities allege he then entered the apartment building for a fourth and final time, lighting a piece of paper on fire and tossing it onto trash near a stairwell. ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ACCUSED OF KILLING LOYOLA STUDENT RELEASED UNDER BIDEN, DHS SAYS As smoke engulfed the street, Katz said he stayed in the immediate area to watch people burn and jump from the windows while sipping his beer, in what she described as an "act of mass murder." On Tuesday, U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) requested the New York City Department of Corrections (NYCDOC) not release Amatitla from jail. However, because of New York’s sanctuary policies, the NYCDOC told ICE that it will refuse to cooperate. "This monster set fire to a building and watched as innocent people, including a three-year-old, burned to death. New York City sanctuary politicians REFUSE to cooperate with ICE and are choosing to RELEASE this MURDERER onto New York streets," DHS acting assistant secretary Lauren Bis told Fox News Digital. CHILD AMONG 4 DEAD AS ACCUSED ARSONIST ALLEGEDLY DRANK BEER DURING CHAOS "New York’s sanctuary politicians must stop putting politics above public safety," she continued. "Releasing this monster from jail is insanity and will allow him to commit more crimes and create more innocent victims. We are calling on Governor Hochul and Mayor Mamdani to not release this public safety threat." DHS claims New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's executive order shields criminal illegal immigrants and "allows them to reoffend and create more innocent victims." Mamdani’s action came after Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul’s legislative proposal to bar local police departments from partnering and cooperating with ICE enforcement. DHS said New York’s failure to honor ICE detainers has resulted in the release of 6,947 illegal immigrants from Jan. 20 to Dec. 1, who are accused of crimes including: 29 homicides, 2,509 assaults, 199 burglaries, 305 robberies, 392 dangerous drugs offenses, 300 weapons offenses and 207 sexual predatory offenses. In addition, DHS said 7,113 illegal immigrants in the custody of a New York jurisdiction had an active detainer during that time period for crimes including: 148 homicides, 717 assaults, 134 burglaries, 106 robberies, 235 dangerous drugs offenses, 152 weapons offenses and 260 sexual predatory offenses. DHS officials confirmed Amatitla is an illegal immigrant, though it is unclear where and when he entered the country. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e191f3d8d5dabda3967c64 Former SMU cornerback Teddy Knox faces $2.88M judgment for crash linked to Rashee Rice's Lamborghini race te 2026-04-17T01:50:43.861Z Former SMU cornerback Teddy Knox faces $2.88M judgment for crash linked to Rashee Rice's Lamborghini race Kansas City Chiefs star receiver Rashee Rice isn’t the only one facing discipline for a March 2024 car crash in Dallas. Theodore "Teddy" Knox, a former SMU cornerback and teammate of Rice’s in college, was driving a Corvette while racing Rice's Lamborghini on a Dallas highway before it caused a multi-car crash. Knox has been hit with a $2.88 million default judgment in a lawsuit from one of those crash victims, Kathryn Kuykendall, according to ESPN. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Knox was ruled "grossly negligent" by Judge Kim Bailey Phipps, and a default judgment comes when a lawsuit has no response or a party does not appear in court. In this case, it was reportedly the latter. "We’ve asked the court to grant the default judgment because we’re ethically required to as a matter of diligence," Kuykendall’s attorney, Marc Lenahan, said in a statement to ESPN when the motion was filed.  "Personally, it pleases us that Teddy hasn’t made further mistakes that we’re aware of. If a team gives him a chance to prove that he’s walking the right path now, we’ll be rooting for him." PATRIOTS STAR STEFON DIGGS PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO FELONY STRANGULATION CHARGES DAYS AFTER SUPER BOWL This marks the third default judgment issued against Knox from the March 2024 crash. He was also ordered to pay $1.99 million to Irina Gromova and $1.63 million to Edvard Petrovskiy in combined damages. Knox and Rice pleaded guilty to charges from the crash, and Knox was sentenced to 30 days in jail and five years of probation. Knox was charged with causing a collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury. Rice had similar charges, receiving five-year deferred probation and 30 days in jail as a condition of the probation. His jail time was said to be flexible, according to the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office. Rice was also required to pay the victims for their out-of-pocket medical expenses, which totaled around $115,000, as part of his plea agreement.    Rice was also suspended six games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, which he served last season. The 25-year-old receiver said in a statement issued by his attorney at the time of the league’s decision that he’s had "a lot of sleepless nights thinking about the damages my actions caused, and I will continue working within my means to make sure that everyone impacted will be made whole." Knox was suspended by SMU, and he hasn’t been in college football ever since. He began his career at Mississippi State before transferring to SMU. 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/69e18fafd8d5dabda3967be9 Miami Catholic Charities loses $11M contract providing care for migrant children under Trump administration te 2026-04-17T01:41:03.251Z Miami Catholic Charities loses $11M contract providing care for migrant children under Trump administration The Trump administration canceled a longstanding contract with Catholic Charities in Miami, citing a drop in illegal immigration as a factor amid tensions between the president and the Pope. On Wednesday, Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski wrote an op-ed for The Miami Herald lamenting the loss of an $11 million contract to help care for unaccompanied minors and migrant children programs, which has been active for more than 60 years. Without funding, Wenski warned, services would not even last the rest of the year. "For more than 60 years, the Archdiocese of Miami’s services for unaccompanied minors have been recognized for their excellence and have served as a model for other agencies throughout the country," Wenski wrote.  "Our track record in serving this vulnerable population is unmatched. Yet, the Archdiocese of Miami’s Catholic Charities’ services for unaccompanied minors has been stripped of funding and will be forced to shut down within three months." STEFANIK CLASHES WITH CNN HOSTS OVER TRUMP'S POPE COMMENTS, WHILE ACCUSING SWALWELL OF 'CRIMINAL' CONDUCT According to The Miami Herald, the administration informed Catholic Charities last month that funding would be canceled, prior to President Donald Trump's comments criticizing Pope Leo XIV for disagreeing with U.S. military action in Iran. Department of Health and Human Services press secretary Emily G. Hillard informed The Miami Herald that the decision was made because the number of unaccompanied minors crossing the border was now "significantly lower" than it was under the Biden administration. '60 MINUTES' ACCUSED OF USING LEFT-LEANING CARDINALS TO BAIT TRUMP INTO FEUD WITH VATICAN "[The Office of Refugee Resettlement] is closing and consolidating unused facilities as the Trump Administration continues efforts to stop illegal entry and the smuggling and trafficking of unaccompanied alien children," Hillard said. In a comment to Fox News Digital, White House deputy press secretary Kush Desai pointed to an X post calling the article "fake news," adding that the administration informed 49 charities, only two of which were Catholic, last year that it would be cutting grants towards care for migrant children. "Our historically secure border means fewer border crossings. This is good stewardship of taxpayer dollars made possible by common-sense border policies that keep the American people safe and protect our sovereignty," Desai wrote. CATHOLIC NUNS CARING FOR DYING PATIENTS FIGHT NEW YORK TRANS RULE, FACE JAIL TIME In Wenski's opinion piece, he pushed back against the argument that fewer unaccompanied minors was an acceptable reason to discontinue funding. "It is true that the number of unaccompanied minors entering the country has decreased. It is also understandable that some programs may be scaled back or even eliminated. But given the history and reputation of Msgr. Bryan O. Walsh Children’s Village, it is baffling that the U.S. government would shut down a program that it would be hard-pressed to replicate at the level of competence and excellence that Catholic Charities has achieved if and when future waves of unaccompanied minors reach our shores," Wenski wrote. The Archdiocese of Miami pointed Fox News Digital to Wenski's op-ed when reached for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e18f87d8d5dabda3967bcd Acting ICE Director Says He Plans to Resign in May te 2026-04-17T01:40:23.255Z Acting ICE Director Says He Plans to Resign in May Todd Lyons said he would leave to spend more time with his family. He has spoken about a surge in threats against ICE officers, saying that he knew the reality firsthand. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e18dc3d8d5dabda3967ba3 ASU’s Cullen Potter enters the transfer portal, likely heading to Michigan State te 2026-04-17T01:32:51.663Z ASU’s Cullen Potter enters the transfer portal, likely heading to Michigan State PHOENIX – The transfer portal is reshaping college hockey rosters overnight. For Arizona State, which is coming off a last-place finish in the NCHC, the most recent change was both surprising and unwelcome. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e18dafd8d5dabda3967b9a ASU’s Cullen Potter enters the transfer portal, likely heading to Michigan State te 2026-04-17T01:32:31.597Z ASU’s Cullen Potter enters the transfer portal, likely heading to Michigan State Until recently, all signs pointed toward forward Cullen Potter returning for his junior season at ASU. His loss will impact a Sun Devil roster already undergoing a major makeover after a last-place finish in the NCHC in the 2025-26 season. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e18d9bd8d5dabda3967b91 Diana Taurasi, J.J. Hardy among seven Arizona Sports Hall of Fame inductees te 2026-04-17T01:32:11.606Z Diana Taurasi, J.J. Hardy among seven Arizona Sports Hall of Fame inductees PHOENIX – For Diana Taurasi, joining the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025 marked the latest milestone in a career that helped transform women’s basketball. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e18d87d8d5dabda3967b88 Diana Taurasi, J.J. Hardy among seven Arizona Sports Hall of Fame inductees te 2026-04-17T01:31:51.827Z Diana Taurasi, J.J. Hardy among seven Arizona Sports Hall of Fame inductees WNBA all-time leading scorer and Phoenix Mercury legend Diana Taurasi speaks at the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Chateau Luxe on Apr. 9, 2026, in Phoenix. Taurasi was one of seven inductees for the class of… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e18d73d8d5dabda3967b7f Life after Molly Miller: GCU women’s basketball builds trust under first-year coach Winston Gandy te 2026-04-17T01:31:31.640Z Life after Molly Miller: GCU women’s basketball builds trust under first-year coach Winston Gandy PHOENIX – As the Grand Canyon women’s basketball season progressed toward an unwanted finish, freshman guard Diamond Wright never saw her teammates waver. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e18d5fd8d5dabda3967b76 Life after Molly Miller: GCU women’s basketball builds trust under first-year coach Winston Gandy te 2026-04-17T01:31:11.671Z Life after Molly Miller: GCU women’s basketball builds trust under first-year coach Winston Gandy Grand Canyon women's basketball coach Winston Gandy went 13-19 overall and 11-9 in Mountain West Conference play in his first season with the Lopes after replacing Molly Miller. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e18d45d8d5dabda3967b36 Blue Panther and Último Guerrero steal the show at CMLL's first-ever US event in Las Vegas te 2026-04-17T01:30:45.480Z Blue Panther and Último Guerrero steal the show at CMLL's first-ever US event in Las Vegas Mexican pro wrestling legends Blue Panther and Último Guerrero have been through the wringer and then some in their careers. Panther, 65, made his wrestling debut in 1978 left Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) in 1992 and then returned in 1997. Guerrero, 54, started his career in 1990 and joined CMLL in 1997. The two have won multiple championships with the company in their tenure there and, on Thursday night, made more history. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Panther and Guerrero were a part of the first solo CMLL show in the U.S. The company made its way to Las Vegas for the event for the first time in its 92-year history. They competed against each other in a legends match that turned into a must-see wrestling performance. The two Lucha Libre giants turned back the clock to deliver a phenomenal performance. Guerrero broke out hurricanranas and a superplex from the top rope. Panther matched him with multiple suicide dives. When Guerrero stepped away from the third one, Panther hit a crossbody from the middle rope onto the floor. Panther capped off the match with a toss from the top rope. He then pinned Guerrero for the win. Fans who packed the Pearl Theater at the Palms Casino Resort shouted, "Muchas gracias," to the two superstars, who didn’t feel like they were close at all to hanging up their boots. RISING PRO WRESTLING STAR PERSEPHONE TO BE PART OF HISTORIC CMLL SHOW AT SLAM FEST, REACTS TO TONY KHAN PRAISE Meanwhile, the show featured Persephone defending her CMLL World Women's Championship against Tessa Blanchard, a one-time CMLL tag team champion and former Total Nonstop Action (TNA) world champion and knockouts champion. Blanchard entered the venue as the ultimate heel and heard the boos from the crowd because of it. But she was not timid against the rising star Persephone. She went to work on Persephone, targeting her knee throughout the match. Persephone would pull out all the stops to take care of Blanchard. After receiving a cutter on the apron, Persephone hit Blanchard with a gnarly German suplex. As the match wore on, Persephone got the upper hand in the corner. She was able to reverse Blanchard’s attack and nailed her with a crucifix powerbomb for the win. She’s 3-1 against Blanchard all time. Persephone will have the chance to win more gold on Friday night when she makes her Maple Leaf Pro (MLP) debut as part of the Slam Fest event. She challenges for the MLP Women’s Canadian Championship against title-holder Gisele Shaw and Shotzi Blackheart. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e188a8d8d5dabda3967a5d Rogan backs reality TV star Spencer Pratt’s bid for LA Mayor, says ‘I’d vote for you’ te 2026-04-17T01:11:04.019Z Rogan backs reality TV star Spencer Pratt’s bid for LA Mayor, says ‘I’d vote for you’ Podcaster Joe Rogan endorsed former reality TV star Spencer Pratt on Wednesday to become the mayor of Los Angeles, noting that even if he no longer lives in California, he hopes he wins. Pratt, best known for his villainous on-screen persona on MTV’s "The Hills," decided to run for office after his home was destroyed in the California wildfire. He believes because of local officials' incompetence, the disaster was far worse than what it should have been. "To be clear, I never wanted to run for any political office or have anything to do with politicians. What happened was after spending a year uncovering how my house and my parents’ house burned down, and my neighbors burned alive and 7,000 houses burned, and then I realized there's a cover-up going on," Pratt told Rogan. DAVID SPADE WONDERS IF HOLLYWOOD CAN RECOVER ITS MOVIE INDUSTRY AS PEOPLE FLEE LOS ANGELES "Nobody is stepping up to run against the mayor who's responsible for this disaster and so many other disasters,' he continued.  Pratt said he realized he did not want to be a mere "yapper," a person who complains or demands action without actually doing anything themselves. "I'm making these videos. I'm telling the truth. I got a congressional investigation. I went to Washington. And I met with everyone possible that I could do as just a citizen, and I was like, ‘Okay, well, game on now. I'm going to go into your headquarters and just take your job and then remove all these toxic entities that are destroying our way of life in Los Angeles.’" Pratt argued that with his efforts, he does not have some grand vision of what LA could be, but something more practical, declaring, "I don't have a new utopia of what LA should be. I want LA back. I want the LA I grew up in." Part of his vision, he said, would be using police to actually enforce the law and clean up local streets that have been plagued by crime, homelessness, and overdoses. SPENCER PRATT ACCUSES LA TIMES JOURNALIST OF 'PHONE-STALKING' HIS FAMILY AS MAYORAL CAMPAIGN GAINS STEAM "We're going around, and we're just arresting people and the people that aren't getting arrested, we're getting to mandatory medical treatment, and we're just going to start clearing the streets, clearing the encampments," he said. "Imagine the communities, like how pumped people are going to be in these neighborhoods when I come in, and I'm like, ‘This is done.’" Later in the interview, Pratt recalled how he leaned in to being a heel on-screen in reality TV shows, but after being hated for so many years, learned it is better to be loved by people for trying to make a difference in real life. "Listen, man. I'm voting for you. I can't vote for you, but I'm rooting for you," Rogan said, noting he is a Texas resident and no longer a Californian. "I mean, if I lived in Los Angeles, no question whatsoever, I would vote for you." Fox News Digital reached out to Mayor Bass' campaign and did not receive an immediate reply. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e18894d8d5dabda3967a54 Ex-teacher faces 25 charges, including rape and abuse as investigation widens te 2026-04-17T01:10:44.440Z Ex-teacher faces 25 charges, including rape and abuse as investigation widens A former fifth grade teacher in Louisiana was arrested on multiple charges, including those involving her minor students. Marisa Noel, 31, faces a total of 25 charges, according to the St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office, including 10 counts of indecent behavior with juveniles, one count of first-degree rape, two counts related to child sexual abuse material, one count of unlawful communications and three counts of computer-aided solicitation of a minor. Noel allegedly abused her position of trust with students. Authorities outlined a wide range of charges involving multiple alleged victims. According to a Facebook post from the sheriff's office, Sheriff Becket Breaux launched an investigation into Noel Jan. 28 after receiving a complaint that she was having "an inappropriate relationship with one of her former students." Noel was a teacher at Teche Elementary School at the time. WEST VIRGINIA TEACHER FIRED AFTER ARREST ON CHILD SEX ABUSE CHARGE With assistance from the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations, there was enough evidence to arrest the former teacher on four counts of indecent behavior with juveniles and four counts of computer-aided solicitation of a minor, authorities said. Authorities also said additional charges were added after another unnamed victim was identified. The ages of the former teacher's victims were not revealed. Noel was booked into the St. Martin Parish Correctional Center on Monday, where records show she is still being held. FLORIDA TEACHER CHARGED FOR ALLEGED SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH STUDENT WHO LIVED WITH HER While no bond has been set for the new charges, Noel's previous bail was set at $750,000. Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing. It is unclear if more charges will be filed. The St. Martin Parish School District and the St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1866ad8d5dabda39679ff Florida congresswoman accuses Ruben Gallego of sexual misconduct te 2026-04-17T01:01:30.043Z Florida congresswoman accuses Ruben Gallego of sexual misconduct A spokesman for Gallego pushed back on the claims, calling them baseless. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e18650d8d5dabda39679c6 Missing pregnant woman found dead after mysterious Texas disappearance te 2026-04-17T01:01:04.951Z Missing pregnant woman found dead after mysterious Texas disappearance The family of a 23-year-old Texas woman who vanished while eight months pregnant confirmed she was found dead Thursday in southwest Houston. Ashanti Allen, who had a high-risk pregnancy, disappeared Friday after leaving her home, according to a report from affiliate FOX 26 Houston. Police said a body was found Thursday, which Allen's family confirmed was hers, according to the outlet. Allen's father, Edward, told reporters he has been numb ever since learning his daughter's fate. BELOVED COFFEE SHOP OWNER, MOTHER OF TWO DISAPPEARS NEAR HOME, URGENT SEARCH UNDERWAY "We [were] hoping for the best, but now we've heard the worst," Edward Allen said. "... I don't think I even processed the fact that my daughter is gone ... I love my baby girl. Only girl, my baby girl. And then she had my only baby grandson." He said the 23-year-old graduated from community college and was working at a local hospital. "Her life was going somewhere," Edward Allen said. "... She expecting a baby. I mean, she had baby clothes. I was about to go buy a car seat and stroller and all this other stuff. I mean she's just a normal girl, pretty girl, working and trying to live life." He added that he believes his daughter was kidnapped before her death. Video taken at the scene showed authorities scouring a taped off area, seemingly looking for evidence. Edward Allen pleaded with the public to call the police if they have any information about what happened to his daughter. No arrests have been reported, as of Thursday afternoon. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e18628d8d5dabda39679ac Former Navy Service Member Charged in Georgia Killing Spree te 2026-04-17T01:00:24.429Z Former Navy Service Member Charged in Georgia Killing Spree The suspect is accused of carrying out a string of attacks in the Atlanta area that killed two women and injured a homeless man. The authorities described the attacks as random. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e183f8d8d5dabda3967943 Report details rising pressure on underground Catholics as China denies crackdown te 2026-04-17T00:51:04.982Z Report details rising pressure on underground Catholics as China denies crackdown The Chinese government is increasing pressure on underground Catholic communities to join the state-controlled church while tightening surveillance and restrictions on an estimated 12 million Catholics, according to a Human Rights Watch report. The group said in its report that the increased pressure is part of a decade-old campaign to ensure religious groups align with Communist Party ideology. The Associated Press reported that the Chinese government has rejected the claim, saying Human Rights Watch is "consistently biased against China." China’s Catholics have long been split between a state-run church and an underground church loyal to the Vatican. In 2018, Pope Francis reached a deal allowing the Chinese government a role in appointing bishops to ease tensions. WATCHDOG HIGHLIGHTS NATIONS WHERE CHRISTIANS FACE PERSECUTION AROUND THE GLOBE "A decade into Xi Jinping’s Sinicization campaign and nearly eight years since the 2018 Holy See-China agreement, Catholics in China face escalating repression that violates their religious freedoms," Human Rights Watch researcher Yalkun Uluyol said in the report. "Pope Leo XIV should urgently review the agreement and press Beijing to end the persecution and intimidation of underground churches, clergy, and worshipers." The Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson’s office told The Associated Press that Human Rights Watch "fabricates all manner of lies and rumors, and lacks any credibility whatsoever." The office added that the government "oversees religious affairs in accordance with the law and protects citizens’ freedom of religious belief and normal religious activities." BISHOP ROBERT BARRON: THE WAR ON CHRISTIANS IS REAL AND THE WORLD CAN NO LONGER STAY SILENT Human Rights Watch said its researchers are not allowed into China and that the report is based on interviews with people outside the country who had firsthand knowledge of Catholic life in China, along with experts on Catholicism and religious freedom. The 2018 agreement stipulates that Beijing proposes candidates for bishop, which the pope can veto, though the full text has never been made public. In June 2025, Pope Leo XIV, who had just become the pope, appointed a Chinese bishop under the 2018 agreement and said he would continue to honor the deal "in the short term." POPE LEO XIV TO VISIT FASTEST-GROWING CATHOLIC CONTINENT DURING 4-NATION AFRICA TRIP "I’m also in ongoing dialogue with a number of people, Chinese, on both sides of some of the issues that are there," Leo said. "It’s a very difficult situation. In the long term, I don’t pretend to say this is what I will and will not do, but after two months, I’ve already begun having discussions at several levels on that topic." Since 2018, Human Rights Watch says Chinese authorities have pressured underground Catholics to join the state-run church through detentions, disappearances and house arrests, citing accounts from unnamed individuals who have left China. The report also said China has tightened ideological control, surveillance and restrictions on religious activity and foreign ties, including requiring state approval for clergy travel, while officially recognizing and closely overseeing five religions: Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism, Protestantism and Islam. POPE LEO PICKS NEW VATICAN AMBASSADOR TO US AS TRUMP TENSIONS MOUNT OVER POLICIES Xi Jinping said in 2016 that he would "Sinicize" the country’s religions, a policy aimed at aligning religious practices with Communist Party ideology. Human Rights Watch said authorities have taken sweeping steps to curb religious practice, including tearing down churches and crosses, blocking gatherings at unregistered churches and seizing religious materials not approved by the state. The group said the broader "Sinicization" campaign has also led to intensified crackdowns on Tibetan Buddhists and Muslims. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e183e5d8d5dabda396793a Franklin Graham defends Trump in letter shared on Truth Social after AI ‘Jesus’ image backlash te 2026-04-17T00:50:45.231Z Franklin Graham defends Trump in letter shared on Truth Social after AI ‘Jesus’ image backlash Rev. Franklin Graham is defending President Donald Trump in a statement shared Thursday on Truth Social after backlash over an image critics said depicted him as Jesus Christ. The statement was released Thursday by Graham and shared by the president as a signed letter. "I do not believe President Trump would knowingly depict himself as Jesus Christ — that would certainly be inappropriate," Graham wrote. He added that Trump believed the image showed "a doctor helping someone," and said the president "immediately removed the post" after concerns were raised. STEFANIK CLASHES WITH CNN HOSTS OVER TRUMP'S POPE COMMENTS, WHILE ACCUSING SWALWELL OF 'CRIMINAL' CONDUCT "There were no spiritual references — no halo, there were no crosses, no angels," Graham wrote. "It was a flag, soldiers, a nurse, fighter planes, eagles… I think this is a lot to do about nothing." Graham also referenced a separate image Trump shared on Truth Social that appeared to show Jesus standing beside him with a hand on his shoulder, suggesting it represented guidance rather than self-depiction, and said critics were attempting to "spin this into something that it isn’t." "And the illustration from someone else he reposted on Truth Social today, I must say that I like the fact that this is a picture of Jesus whispering in his ear or at least His hand on his shoulder, guiding him," Graham said. "We all need that — we all need to be listening to Jesus." A representative for Graham told Fox News Digital said the reverend had no further comment, and that he'd be appearing on Fox News' "Hannity" Thursday night. The controversy began Sunday night when Trump posted an AI-generated image on Truth Social showing himself appearing to heal a man while surrounded by patriotic imagery, prompting criticism from both political opponents and some of his own supporters. RILEY GAINES ADDRESSES SPAT WITH MAGA OVER AI JESUS POST, SAYS 'HUMILITY' WOULD SERVE TRUMP Trump addressed the backlash the following day. "I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor… only the fake news could come up with that one," Trump said. "It’s supposed to be me as a doctor, making people better." The post was later deleted. BISHOP BARRON SAYS TRUMP ‘OWES THE POPE AN APOLOGY’ The episode comes as Trump has also been engaged in a public dispute with Pope Leo XIV, whom he criticized as "weak on crime" and "terrible for foreign policy," while the pope said he was "unafraid" of the Trump administration. Despite that defense, criticism earlier in the week came from within Trump’s base. OutKick contributor Riley Gaines questioned the post, while RedState writer Bonchie called the image "blasphemy" and urged Trump to apologize. Influencer Brilyn Hollyhand added that "faith is not a prop." TRUMP ACCUSES POPE LEO OF BEING 'TERRIBLE' ON FOREIGN POLICY OVER PONTIFF'S ANTI-WAR COMMENTS Criticism also came from media figures and political opponents, including Cenk Uygur, who called it "blasphemous," and NBC’s Richard Engel, who questioned whether Trump was joking. Others defended the post, arguing it was symbolic and misinterpreted. Graham also praised Trump’s record on religious freedom and expressed hope the president could meet with Pope Leo in the future. "I would hope that the President and Pope Leo can meet at some point, and that the Pope would have the opportunity to thank President Trump for his efforts to protect religious liberty," Graham said. The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Fox News Digital's Brian Flood and Eric Mack contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e181a7d8d5dabda39678e7 Pinal County mother questions school response after daughter reports on-campus assault te 2026-04-17T00:41:11.919Z Pinal County mother questions school response after daughter reports on-campus assault Combs High School administration is accused of not fulfilling their obligations as mandatory reporters after an allegation of sexual assault. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1817ad8d5dabda39678a3 L.A.P.D. Arrests D4vd Months After Finding Teen’s Remains in His Tesla te 2026-04-17T00:40:26.549Z L.A.P.D. Arrests D4vd Months After Finding Teen’s Remains in His Tesla The singer was charged in the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who died before her 15th birthday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e17f21d8d5dabda3967828 Former Navy Service Member Charged in Georgia Killing Spree te 2026-04-17T00:30:25.873Z Former Navy Service Member Charged in Georgia Killing Spree The suspect is accused of carrying out a string of attacks in the Atlanta area that killed two women and injured a homeless man. The authorities described the attacks as random. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e17d05d8d5dabda39677b6 Bernie Sanders, AOC-backed Democrat wins key House race as GOP fails to expand fragile majority te 2026-04-17T00:21:25.655Z Bernie Sanders, AOC-backed Democrat wins key House race as GOP fails to expand fragile majority Republicans fell short in their bid to flip a vacant U.S. House seat in a blue-leaning district in northern New Jersey. Democrat Analilia Mejia, who was backed by progressive champions Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of neighboring New York, defeated GOP candidate Joe Hathaway in Thursday's special election in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District, the Associated Press reports. With her victory, Mejia will fill the final eight months of the term of Gov. Mikie Sherrill, the Democratic representative who stepped down from Congress in November after winning New Jersey's gubernatorial election. The special election came as the GOP clings to a fragile House majority. Republicans would have relished the opportunity to pick up the seat, but they faced an uphill climb to flip the suburban district Sherrill won by 15 points in her 2024 re-election and carried by roughly the same margin in last year's gubernatorial election. DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB Mejia, a progressive organizer who served as national political director on the 2020 Sanders presidential campaign, pulled off an upset in the February Democratic primary, narrowly edging out more moderate rival former Rep. Tom Malinowski in a field of 11 candidates. While Mejia was the clear choice of the party's left flank, the rest of the field appeared to divide the moderate and center-left vote. Her victory was another boost for the left against the establishment after democratic socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani sent shock waves across the nation with his Democratic primary victory in June 2025. Hathaway, a former Randolph Township mayor and current council member who was uncontested for the GOP congressional nomination, told Fox News Digital that the choice for voters was "between a common sense, practical independent leader who's gotten things done at the local level in New Jersey and knows the issues, contrasted with someone who's running on pure ideology, far left-wing ideology, Squad-backed ideology." PROGRESSIVES NOTCH ANOTHER WIN OVER DEMOCRATIC MODERATES AS SANDERS-AOC ALLY NEARS CONGRESS Mejia recently appeared at a town hall with Malinowski and, on Sunday, teamed up with Sherrill on the campaign trail as she aimed to unite Democrats, who enjoy a sizable registration advantage in the district. Hathaway claimed that Mejia was trying "to hide a little bit" from "some of her rhetoric, because she knows that those policies are completely out of touch, but it's not fooling voters. It's certainly not fooling us." Jewish voters make up a key part of the district's electorate, and Hathaway, in the only debate in the special election, claimed Mejia was antisemitic, noting that she has said Israel committed genocide in Gaza. "She blamed Israel for the attacks by Hamas on October 7," Hathaway said. "I think Jewish individuals across this district, Republican or Democrat, are very afraid of this kind of rhetoric." Hathaway said, "I've spoken to more members of the Jewish community who have told me they've never voted for a Republican in their life, who are going to vote for me in this race. I mean, that shows you where the Jewish community is on the importance of this race and how they are not aligned with Mejia... and her platform." Mejia pledged to "protect the rights of Jewish constituents," and said her criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza should not be conflated with antisemitism. In a statement to Fox News Digital, Mejia said, "Joe Hathaway’s inability to distinguish between criticism of a government or government official and bigotry is troubling and disgusting in equal measure." Mejia last week wrote that she was "honored" after being endorsed by the liberal pro-Israel political group J Street PAC. But her acceptance of the endorsement triggered pushback on the left, with the North Jersey Democratic Socialists of America calling her move a "heel turn." Hathaway, as he worked to win over independents and Democrats, pointed out where he agrees and disagrees with President Donald Trump, who lost the district by eight points in the 2024 presidential election. REPUBLICANS WIN BUT DEMOCRATS ALSO CLAIM VICTORY WITH BALLOT BOX SURGE IN TRUMP TERRITORY "I’m always going to do what’s right for this district first. And I’ve been clear: If the president’s going to do things that are good for the district, increasing the SALT cap deduction, putting money back in people’s pockets, especially New Jersey, affordability is so tough here. If we’re doing things like border security, reducing fentanyl deaths like we’ve seen in our community. Those are good things. I support those policies," Hathaway said. "But on the other hand, if the president's going to do things that aren't in the best interest of our district, it's my job to push back, and that's exactly what I've done," he spotlighted. Hathaway pointed to Trump's move last year to terminate billions of federal dollars for the Gateway Project, which is funding a new train tunnel under the Hudson River connecting New Jersey and New York, and the president's plans to cut roughly 1,000 jobs and nearly $1 billion in funding for an Army base located in New Jersey. "I'm going to call balls and strikes in this race. I'm not going to be a rubber stamp for anybody," Hathaway said. And Hathaway predicted, "I think we have the right math, the right bipartisan coalition to come together to win this thing on April 16." But Hathaway came up short, given the rough political climate facing Republicans and the traditional headwinds for the party in power. Mejia repeatedly tied Hathaway to Trump and Republicans in Congress. "MAGA Republicans are driving up everyday costs with extreme policies my opponent supports. Healthcare and critical programs are being gutted just to fund tax breaks for the ultra-rich. We can’t afford another vote for Trump in Congress," she wrote in a recent social media post. Dan Cassino, a Fairleigh Dickinson University political science professor and pollster, called Hathaway's hopes of capturing crossover Democrats "a pipe dream." "Democrats as a whole do not seem interested in finding common ground with Trump," Cassino said on Monday, as he predicted that most voters in the special election would be strong partisans. "Democratic turnout is through the roof and Republican turnout is depressed at this point." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e17cf2d8d5dabda39677ad Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons submits resignation letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin te 2026-04-17T00:21:06.155Z Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons submits resignation letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons submitted his resignation letter to Homeland Secretary Markwayne Mullin Thursday, writing that he will stay on through May 31 in order to assist the transition process, Fox News can confirm, according to familiar sources. According to the same source, Lyons said in his letter he wants to spend more time with his family, including his sons, who are "reaching a pivotal point in their lives," and that it's been a privilege to serve under President Donald Trump. WHITE HOUSE BLASTS POLITICO REPORT ON ACTING ICE CHIEF HOSPITALIZATIONS AS ‘INACCURATE TRASH’ Lyons has overseen roughly 584,000 ICE deportations since Trump was inaugurated last year. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP He has served in ICE for 20 years and was previously in special forces in the U.S. Air Force.  He reportedly plans on joining the private sector. This is a developing story; check back later for updates. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e17cc9d8d5dabda3967794 F.A.A. Caps Flights at O’Hare Airport in Chicago to Cut Delays te 2026-04-17T00:20:25.683Z F.A.A. Caps Flights at O’Hare Airport in Chicago to Cut Delays Set to be in place throughout the summer, the limit aims to ease congestion after less than 60 percent of flights ran on schedule. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e17a84d8d5dabda396771a Swalwell was dubbed the 'Snapchat king of Congress' years before sexual misconduct scandal emerged te 2026-04-17T00:10:44.274Z Swalwell was dubbed the 'Snapchat king of Congress' years before sexual misconduct scandal emerged Disgraced former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., was once dubbed the "Snapchat king of Congress" years before his career was derailed by newly-surfaced sexual misconduct allegations. Swalwell was forced to resign from Congress and suspend his California gubernatorial bid amid the fallout of damning reports alleging sexual harassment and sexual assault. In his public statements, Swalwell has fiercely denied the criminal allegations but admittedly suggested he had acted inappropriately outside his marriage in the past. Among the allegations Swalwell has faced are that he had sent unsolicited photos of his genitalia to women he had met in professional settings on Snapchat, the popular social media platform known for allowing messages and images to disappear. ‘THE VIEW’ CO-HOST CLAIMS SHE PERSONALLY WITNESSED TROUBLING BEHAVIOR FROM SWALWELL In 2016, Swalwell was the subject of a glowing report from The Hill by tech journalist Taylor Lorenz about his use of the platform, which at the time was seldom used by politicians. "Imagine a typical Snapchat user, and you probably don’t think of a 35-year-old straight-laced congressman from California," Lorenz began the report. "But in a few short months, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) has skyrocketed to success on the app, using the platform to connect with constituents and grow his base." "The result is an entertaining feed of short videos, photos and an unfiltered peek into the daily life of a congressman. He snaps photos of his daily commute, shoots videos from his hometown in northern California, and documents his daily meetings as a representative of California’s 15th district," she wrote. REP. LUNA WARNS OF POTENTIAL JAIL TIME FOR ERIC SWALWELL FOLLOWING SERIOUS CRIMINAL ALLEGATIONS In an interview with Lorenz, Swalwell said how "so many of our constituents" were on Snapchat and not just "young people." "That’s when I realized that a lot of people are really going there whether it’s for getting news, staying in touch with friends, just cool, fun, interesting things that disappear in 24 hours," Swalwell said at the time. "We just realized that this was another way to communicate directly with constituents." Swalwell boasted his growing following on the platform, telling Lorenz, ""People now come up to me at the grocery store or in our community and say, hey, I like your Snapchat." "I want people back home to know that I haven’t forgotten about the responsibility of sharing what I do here as the person they elected," the now ex-lawmaker said. SWALWELL’S MOUNTING SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS THREATEN CAREER BEYOND POLITICS, EXPERTS WARN According to the report, Swalwell offered "personal Snapchat lessons" to colleagues on Capitol Hill and even "carried around a stack of homemade Snapchat flyers that he hands out on the House floor." "It may seem strange for a member of Congress to be so enamored with a social media messaging app, but Swalwell says he is passionate about mobile technology and the opportunities it provides," Lorenz wrote. Looking back at her report nearly a decade later, Lorenz told Fox News Digital, "I’m horrified and disgusted by the stories coming out about his behavior. The fact that someone in his position of power was allegedly using social media to groom young women is very disturbing. I think we are all probably reading this story about his Snapchat use in a new light." Swalwell's office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/69e1782dd8d5dabda3967695 Lorenzo Lamas and Heather Locklear set to make their first public outing as a couple at fan event te 2026-04-17T00:00:45.554Z Lorenzo Lamas and Heather Locklear set to make their first public outing as a couple at fan event Heather Locklear and Lorenzo Lamas are taking their relationship public this month. On Wednesday, Lamas took to X to announce that he and Locklear will be at the Chiller Theatre Expo, which is taking place at the Hilton hotel in Parsippany, New Jersey from April 24–26. "Looking forward to seeing all of my peeps. She is too," Lamas wrote on the social platform, formerly known as Twitter. The announcement came just a day after a representative for Lamas confirmed to E! News that the pair are seeing each other. Representatives for Locklear and Lamas did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. 80S ICONS HEATHER LOCKLEAR AND LORENZO LAMAS ARE OFFICIALLY TOGETHER AFTER DECADES OF HIGH-PROFILE ROMANCES Locklear and Lamas have been a rumored couple since TMZ pushed photos of them celebrating New Year's Eve together in Las Vegas. Last May, Locklear ended her five-year relationship and engagement to Chris Heisser. In 2021, Locklear told People that a marriage to Heisser was "not so important." "We’re together, and we love each other and support each other. And really, that’s all that matters," she told the outlet at the time. Locklear and Lamas have a long history of relationships. The "Melrose Place" actress was married to Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee from 1986 to 1993, a pairing that drew major media attention during the height of both of their careers. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS In 1994, she married Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora, and the couple had a daughter before eventually divorcing in 2007. Over the years, Locklear has also been linked to several other figures, including an engagement to her "Melrose Place" co-star, Jack Wagner. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Lamas has had a notably eventful relationship history, including five marriages. He was first married to Victoria Hilbert in the early 1980s, followed by a marriage to publicist Michele Cathy Smith. He later married actress Kathleen Kinmont in 1989, and after their divorce, he wed Playboy Playmate Shauna Sand in 1996; the couple had three daughters before separating in the early 2000s. In 2011, Lamas married Shawna Craig, though they eventually divorced as well. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/home