https://meenews.co/post/6a4c0e40c2ca79de2364827d Caitlin Clark calls for full-time WNBA referees as officiating failures mount in 2026 te 2026-07-06T20:21:20.412Z Caitlin Clark calls for full-time WNBA referees as officiating failures mount in 2026 During last year’s All-Star Weekend, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert promised the league would fix its officiating problem. But nearly two months into the 2026 season, it appears everything is still a mess. Last year, poor officiating became one of the league's biggest storylines, overshadowing everything from playoff races to the WNBA Finals. Coaches publicly blasted referees, players openly questioned the consistency of calls, and Engelbert eventually acknowledged that something had to change. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE So the league assembled a task force of coaches and executives to address concerns over excessive physicality, freedom of movement and consistency in officiating. The WNBA also hired longtime official Eric Brewton as its new referee performance and development advisor. And yet, here we are again. Perhaps the best example came a couple of weeks ago, when Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark took a shot to the throat from Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas during a loose-ball sequence. Officials reviewed the play in real time and declined to assess a flagrant foul. Days later, the league upgraded the play to a Flagrant 2 and suspended Thomas for one game. Clark made it clear she believed officials got it wrong. "I did think it was a flagrant foul," she said. But she also said the issue extends far beyond one missed call. "It's kind of been a discussion for three years now, and I think we really need to do a better job protecting the people in this league," Clark said Friday. "I've been involved in a few of those plays, but there's been plenty of others across the league that haven't been called. You go back postgame or whatever it is, teams submit clips and nothing changes. I think overall the league has to do better." FORMER NBA DOCTOR WARNS OF DIRE CONSEQUENCES FOR CAITLIN CLARK IF HARD CONTACT ISSUES CONTINUE Clark also called for greater investment in officiating. "Overall, the league just has to do better and we have to invest in those areas," she said. "The technology can get better. We can treat the referees a little bit better. Pay them like they're full-time employees." The concerns don't stop with Clark. According to a report from The Athletic, coaches and general managers from eight different teams agreed that the quality of WNBA officiating remains subpar and that additional resources, accountability and investment are desperately needed. "Dangle a bigger carrot," one coach told the outlet. "Pay them more money. Go get better talent to come to the W. I don't think we have the best talent. We have the best league in the world, but we don't have the best talent." Others believe the league's review process is fundamentally broken. Teams can clip plays and submit them for review, but multiple sources told The Athletic that the system suffers from delays and produces little noticeable improvement from game to game. There have also been several high-profile officiating blunders this season. The Chicago Sky were reportedly informed that three critical calls during a June 20 loss to Dallas were all incorrect. In another game, officials failed to realize Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell had fouled out and allowed play to continue before Indiana could substitute her. "I hate to say it, but that's gross unawareness," USA Network analyst Meghan McPeak said during the broadcast. "This should never happen," WNBA legend Tamika Catchings added. Meanwhile, Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada couldn't hide her frustration after a loss to the Washington Mystics. "I'm going to get fined, but I don't care," Canada said. "Tonight, the officiating was awful." She even described one sequence where an official admitted to making the wrong call. "But that doesn't help me, because now I have two fouls," Canada said. That pretty much sums up where the WNBA finds itself right now. The league knew officiating had become a problem, so it formed a task force and (supposedly) implemented changes. It talked about protecting players and creating consistency. And yet players, coaches and executives are still having the exact same conversations they were having a year ago. Nobody is asking for perfection. Officiating professional basketball games is incredibly difficult. But for a league currently enjoying the most successful era in its history — expansions, record television audiences, a $3 billion media rights deal — something has to change. Maybe that means better training, better communication, a stronger review process and more clarity on what actually constitutes a foul. Maybe that means hiring full-time refs and paying them a living wage. A novel concept. But at some point, "we're working on it" doesn’t cut it anymore. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4c0e19c2ca79de23648263 Platner Will Take Time to ‘Reflect’ on Campaign After Sexual Assault Accusation te 2026-07-06T20:20:41.500Z Platner Will Take Time to ‘Reflect’ on Campaign After Sexual Assault Accusation Graham Platner, the Democratic Senate candidate in Maine, called the allegation “false.” He did not say if he would continue his campaign. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4c0e06c2ca79de2364825a South Tucson looks to close budget deficit, Flowing Wells to approve spending plan te 2026-07-06T20:20:22.049Z South Tucson looks to close budget deficit, Flowing Wells to approve spending plan Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4c0c0ec2ca79de236481f9 Here's where Tucsonans can find free & discounted food te 2026-07-06T20:11:58.532Z Here's where Tucsonans can find free & discounted food Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4c0bfbc2ca79de236481f0 Medicaid again to cover non-abortion care at Planned Parenthood as GOP ban ends te 2026-07-06T20:11:39.074Z Medicaid again to cover non-abortion care at Planned Parenthood as GOP ban ends Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4c0be7c2ca79de236481e7 Data center fights pit social values, democracy & capitalism against each other te 2026-07-06T20:11:19.615Z Data center fights pit social values, democracy & capitalism against each other Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4c0bd4c2ca79de236481de Changes to immigration program for domestic violence victims impede safety, advocates say te 2026-07-06T20:11:00.162Z Changes to immigration program for domestic violence victims impede safety, advocates say Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4c0bc0c2ca79de236481d5 Marana Town Council candidates to debate on Thursday te 2026-07-06T20:10:40.705Z Marana Town Council candidates to debate on Thursday Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4c0bacc2ca79de236481bb Tucson skate park project breaks ground after 10 years te 2026-07-06T20:10:20.748Z Tucson skate park project breaks ground after 10 years A decade after Caleb Gutierrez first pitched the idea at a Tucson City Council meeting, the Cushing Street Skate Park broke ground June 30, setting the stage for Arizona's first shaded skate park beneath the Interstate 10 overpass west of downtown. Gutierrez said he attended countless meetings and presentations with various elected officials, and now, all his work to get the idea off the ground has paid off. A temporary fence was installed around the site at the start of June, with the June 30 groundbreaking marking the official start of construction. Over the next six months, crews will work on both the skate park and lighting improvements to the area, with completion estimated by the end of the year, according to Tucson Parks and Recreation. Gutierrez said the park is designed to mimic a street-style course, and its location under the Cushing Street underpass takes advantage of empty space in Tucson's metro area. "There won't be anything like it, this would be the first one in Arizona," he said. "It definitely will change the way we use the urban lifestyle of using these empty spaces and lots to have free shade while putting in new projects like other cities." In addition to advocacy from Gutierrez and the Skateboard Alliance, the project received funding from a combination of community donations, tribal support and public initiatives. Tucson Spotlight is free for every reader because donors make it possible. Join them. Members of the skateboarding community gathered June 30 to celebrate the start of construction of the $2.6 million shaded skate park, the first of its kind in the state. Marlon Bedoy / Tucson Spotlight. The park's roughly $2.6 million price tag included $1.5 million from the city of Tucson's capital improvement program. The remainder came from grants and donations from the Tohono O'odham Nation, the Mayor's Office, Ward 1's Budget de la Gente, Rio Nuevo, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and other local supporters. Despite city funding and local grants, Gutierrez said community support ultimately made the project possible. "With the community and the driven creativity with everybody, we've had events at hotels, parking lots, theaters, galleries, bars, you name it," he said. "We've just been having everyone reach out." Vice Mayor Lane Santa Cruz has been a big supporter of the project since before they were elected, saying there aren't many places where it's legal to skateboard, especially downtown. Santa Cruz hopes the park is a way to invest in the skating community. "To use this dead space to bring community back together is so important," they said. "Our skateboarding community is intergenerational, it's all ages, all genders, so we need more of this activation in our public spaces to keep all of our communities safe." Gutierrez first suggested the city invest in a skate park during a city council meeting in 2016. At the time, he was working at a Vans shoe store and was inspired by Vans' passion projects, an initiative where employees could submit video proposals for ideas and receive grants to help make them a reality. Gutierrez submitted his proposal for a skate park. He didn't win a grant from Vans, due to the lack of city approval and permits, but putting his idea out into the universe inspired him to keep pushing for the project at a local level. He said the project has been plagued by obstacles from the start. Caleb Gutierrez. right, who first pitched the idea of a skate park at a Tucson City Council meeting a decade ago, spoke during the June 30 groundbreaking. Marlon Bedoy / Tucson Spotlight. The park's location underneath a highway underpass means it requires approval and permits from multiple government bodies, including the Tucson City Council and Arizona Department of Transportation. Progress stalled in 2020 and 2021 because of a funding pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For Gutierrez and his supporters, it felt like the project was never going to happen. "Every time you go out somewhere, people are like 'When's the park going to happen?' There are people that just kind of gave it up and said it's never going to happen," he said. But the waning energy for the project only inspired Gutierrez to push harder. "Hearing the community say that, it kind of just makes you think of how to move forward and motivates you to keep going," he said. "Now they're seeing all the groundbreaking posts and everyone's thrilled now." The project was set to break ground last March after it was given the green light by ADOT and the Tucson City Council in February, but it was delayed again due to the need for approval from the Federal Highway Administration. Attendees of the groundbreaking ceremony look at plans for the park, which is designed to mimic a street-style course. Marlon Bedoy / Tucson Spotlight. Fifteen months later, the space is finally ready for construction to get underway. A decade after first pitching the idea, Gutierrez is still heavily involved with the skateboard community, now working as a freelance graphic designer and artist for two different skateboard companies. He hopes the skate park will inspire the next generation of Tucson skaters. "The park's going to be there for younger skaters to thrive and for people to go there everyday," he said. "The younger generation has the park to help them grow and develop their style wherever they decide what path to take with skateboarding." Santa Cruz said they hope this park shows people more projects like this are possible with advocacy and community support. "These things don't just happen on their own, it really takes the community leading the charge, working alongside their local government, their local elected officials to bring it to life," they said. "It needs a lot of coordination, a lot of fundraising, but at the end of the day, the benefit is immeasurable." Community members can track the park's construction progress on Instagram at @cushingstreetskatepark. Elias Bonilla is a journalism and political science major at the University of Arizona and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact him at ebonilla1500@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/6a4c09b9c2ca79de2364818d Bride wrestles key away from man accused of firing shots over groomsman eating meatballs with hands dispute te 2026-07-06T20:02:01.132Z Bride wrestles key away from man accused of firing shots over groomsman eating meatballs with hands dispute This is exactly why you bring the bear spray to a wedding. Had someone used it to calm people down after a heated exchange over a groomsman eating meatballs with his hands, perhaps nobody would have been shot. Love wasn't the only thing in the air at a Wisconsin wedding last month, bullets were as well. The reception included an unplanned shooting that sent two to the hospital and earned a 41-year-old man two felony charges. A groomsman had been spotted by a cousin of the bride in the kitchen area "eating meatballs directly with his hand," reports the local affiliate WISN. She says she told him to use a plate and that he responded by punching her. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! It was apparently the type of wedding reception that was a couple of words away from throwing punches. The brother-in-law of the woman who was punched reportedly stepped in and during the exchange gunshots rang out. The alleged shooter was identified by multiple witnesses, including the bride, as a friend of the meatball-eating groomsman, Thomas Redrick Williams. When officers arrived on the scene, the criminal complaint states that the bride walked up and handed them a key fob. She had witnessed the fight, she had heard the gunshot, and she had seen a man she knew as "Boog" leave the kitchen with a gun. How did she get the key fob, and what did it have to do with anything? She had wrestled it away from the man with the gun as he was attempting to drive off. He then fled on foot. Two other witnesses gave their accounts of the shooting to police. As of last week, reports Law & Crime, police have issued a warrant for Williams' arrest and were still looking for him. He's facing two counts of first-degree reckless injury with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and bail jumping. It just goes to show that sometimes asking someone to use a plate instead of their hands to eat meatballs is asking for too much. Who knew? Other than the bride who seemed to be unfazed by the reception shooting. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4c09a5c2ca79de23648184 Raleigh mayor considers youth curfew following teen takeover, violent July 4th weekend te 2026-07-06T20:01:41.672Z Raleigh mayor considers youth curfew following teen takeover, violent July 4th weekend The mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina, is weighing whether to impose a curfew for minors following a series of shootings and chaotic events over the Independence Day weekend, in which several fights broke out and nine people were shot amid a series of teen takeovers across the country. The violence over the holiday weekend prompted Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell to tell WRAL News she's considering enacting a curfew for those aged 17 and under. "As Mayor, I am grateful for the actions of the Raleigh Police officers in response to the situations of juvenile violence across the city on the night of July 4 and the morning of July 5," Cowell told the news outlet. "Clearly, Raleigh is not exempt from the incidents of youth violence that are occurring across the country. We need to talk with the youth, their parents, schools, and the broader community to understand the root causes and to better coordinate strategies." 'MAYHEM' ERUPTS IN WEALTHY COASTAL ENCLAVE AS HUNDREDS ARRESTED IN MASSIVE TAKEOVER DURING JULY FOURTH WEEKEND One approach, she said, may be a youth curfew for those 17 years old and under, which other cities in North Carolina have implemented. City leaders were exploring "many approaches" that are expected to be discussed at Tuesday's City Council meeting, the mayor said. Fox News Digital has reached out to Cowell's office. Around 5,000 teenagers showed up in Brier Creek and another 5,000 in Glenwood South, with half residing outside the city, the Raleigh Police Department said Sunday. NORTH CHARLESTON OFFICER ATTACKED BY CROWD IN VIRAL VIDEO AFTER GUNFIRE ERUPTS AT BLOCK PARTY Raleigh police officers initially responded just after 10:05 p.m. Saturday to reports of a fight near a movie theater and nearby stores. The incident stemmed from a "teen takeover," a social media-driven phenomenon where massive crowds of youths coordinate to suddenly congregate at public spaces like beaches, malls, or restaurants. A large fight broke out, followed by gunshots. One adult was shot and another was injured by shattered glass caused by the shooting, police said. A juvenile was found with a gun and detained, but investigators don't believe the teen was one of the shooters. Hours later, at 1:35 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to multiple shootings. Six people were shot but were expected to survive. At around 4:30 a.m., two people were shot following a fight at a gas station, police said. They were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No arrests were made. Investigations into the shootings are ongoing, police said. In a Monday post on X, Cowell called teen takeovers a "disturbing national trend." "Now in #raleighnc . Grateful to @raleighpolice for bringing back order & protecting public. @raleighgov & whole community have work ahead to engage with youth to prevent future occurrences," she wrote. An Instagram post from Milk Bar, a bar in the Glenwood South area, said the actions of a few ruined the peace for patrons in the area. "While we had zero safety incidents inside Milk Bar, we made the proactive decision alongside other businesses to close our doors, to protect our patrons and staff from the surrounding unrest," the post states. "Gun violence and reckless behavior have no place in our nightlife scene. WE CAN DO BETTER, RALEIGH!" Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4c097ec2ca79de23648178 Here’s the latest. te 2026-07-06T20:01:02.305Z Here’s the latest. A judge will determine whether there is enough evidence to go to trial. Mr. Kirk’s widow and parents are expected to be in court. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4c096ac2ca79de2364816e Who Was Charlie Kirk? te 2026-07-06T20:00:42.792Z Who Was Charlie Kirk? Mr. Kirk, an influential right-wing activist, has become a modern-day martyr for conservative evangelical Christians. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4c0956c2ca79de23648164 Efforts to Help Smokers Quit Stall Under Trump te 2026-07-06T20:00:22.854Z Efforts to Help Smokers Quit Stall Under Trump The C.D.C.’s tobacco control office has been shut for more than a year. After its most prominent antismoking campaign went off the air, calls to 1-800-QUIT-NOW lines have plummeted. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4c0736c2ca79de23648116 Explosive sexual assault allegation rocks Platner campaign ahead of key deadline in crucial Senate race te 2026-07-06T19:51:18.831Z Explosive sexual assault allegation rocks Platner campaign ahead of key deadline in crucial Senate race Rumors are swirling on social media about the future of Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner after several of his events were canceled and a report from Politico accused the candidate of sexual assault ahead of a key deadline in the race.  Maine resident Jenny Racicot, 41, told Politico over the course of three interviews that Platner forced her to have sex five years ago, a claim that Platner denied in the story. Additionally, the report says that a man Raciot dated afterward confirmed she had told him about the incident, which was also corroborated by emails between Racicot and her therapist.  "I remember him grabbing my pelvis and being really forceful of me," Racicot told the outlet about the incident, which allegedly took place while the two were intoxicated. "I remember the specific moment where I thought to myself, like, ‘This is no longer my choice.’" In a statement to Politico, Platner said, "These allegations are troubling, serious, and false. Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically untrue." ‘HE HATED WOMEN’: EXPLOSIVE ABUSE, NEW NAZI TATTOO ALLEGATIONS FROM EXES ROCK PLATNER'S CAMPAIGN Over the last few days, multiple Platner events over the 4th of July holiday weekend and Monday were canceled without an official explanation or comment from the campaign, Bangor Daily News reported on Monday, other than one event organizer saying that an event in Gorman was canceled due to Platner "not feeling well." The news of the canceled events led conservative outlets and pundits to speculate whether there is an underlying reason for the cancellations. "Graham Platner cancels MULTIPLE scheduled town hall events as progressive allies tease another scandal is about to hit his campaign," the Maine Wire news outlet posted on X. "Augusta town hall for last night - CANCELED Gorham town hall tonight - CANCELED Sanford town hall tonight - CANCELED. There are no other upcoming events listed on his FB page, or on Mobilize." "Graham Platner no-showed Fourth of July celebrations across Maine," the National Republican Senatorial Committee posted on X in response to the Maine Wire post. "Now, he's canceling everything else. We wouldn't want to be seen in public either… " "A well-placed source told us that Graham Platner is dropping out of the Maine Senate race this week," the Washington Reporter posted on X. "Note that Platner has yet to release his Q2 fundraising totals, a sign he may have underperformed expectations. " FORMER PRIMARY RIVAL RESURFACES TO CHALLENGE SCANDAL-PLAGUED GRAHAM PLATNER IN MAINE SENATE RACE Fox News Digital reached out to the Platner campaign for comment on both the canceled events and the Politico report.  In addition to the online rumors, predictions on the online prediction market Polymarket surged over the weekend, with users betting that Platner would drop out before the midterms. Platner has been at the center of multiple controversies since launching his campaign, including infidelity, alleged physical abuse of an ex-girlfriend, a Nazi-linked tattoo, disparaging comments about the military, referring to himself as a "communist", scrutiny over his working-class bonafides, and a variety of inflammatory posts on a deleted Reddit account. Despite the controversies, Platner has held a polling lead on incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins, although a recent Fox News Poll showed only 44% of respondents believing he has "good character" while 47% said he is "too extreme" for the state. Now that Platner has won the Democratic primary, the next key date is 5 p.m. on Monday, July 13. Under Maine law, if Platner formally withdraws as the Democratic nominee by that deadline, the Maine Democratic Party can replace him on the general election ballot by selecting a new nominee through its party process, with the replacement required to be chosen by July 27. If he remains the nominee past the July 13 deadline, the party generally loses its ability to substitute another candidate through the normal replacement process, except in limited circumstances defined under state law. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4c0723c2ca79de2364810a Israel fortifies border with Jordan as Iran seeks new terror path te 2026-07-06T19:50:59.371Z Israel fortifies border with Jordan as Iran seeks new terror path JORDAN VALLEY: After Hamas’ terrorist invasion of Israel’s southern border on Oct. 7, 2023, the Jewish state created the 96th army division to thwart new security threats along its border with Jordan. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) granted Fox News Digital exclusive access to military bases that are on the frontlines in the fight against Iran’s regime, terrorism, narcotics and weapons smuggling, as well as illegal entry of Palestinians seeking work in Israel. While the "Jordanian border is a peace border," an IDF spokesperson told Fox News Digital, "There is a strategic competition over Jordan. The other side [Iran’s regime] understands it is a peaceful border and a strategic advantage for any of our enemies who want to be there." Jordan and Israel reached a peace agreement in 1994. JORDAN REMAINS ‘LAST HOLDOUT’ AS IRAN LOOKS TO CREATE NEW ‘TERROR FRONT' ON ISRAELI BORDER The longevity of Mideast peace is at stake in the oppressive heat of the biblically rich history of the Jordan Valley, where Joshua led the Jews into Israel. The Jordan Valley frequently appears in Scripture. John the Baptist led his ministry and baptisms, including Jesus’, in the Valley. "Tourists come to explore it [Jordan Valley region]," said the military official. As a result of the origins of Christianity and Judaism, the Jordan Valley has been labeled the "Original Bible Belt." During Israel’s seven-front war against Iran and its allies, Fox News Digital reported that the regime and Hamas sought to destabilize Jordan, according to Mideast experts. US ALLY JORDAN ROCKED BY PRO-HAMAS, MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD PROTESTS OVER GAZA WAR In 2024, Jordan experienced protests in support of the Hamas terrorist organization. After Hamas slaughtered over 1,200 people on 10/7, including more than 40 Americans, the IDF is reactivating 45 military bases spread out between Israel and Jordan. The IDF said the bases were built after the 1967 Six-Day War and their operation was" discontinued in the late 1990s. IDF Division 96 oversees the sprawling bases filled with bunkers in the Jordan Valley. An IDF spokesperson told Fox News Digital that "Since the beginning of the year, Division 96 has thwarted more than 20 smuggling attempts involving weapons and narcotics." According to the military official, "All walks of life come here [Jordan Valley]. The army’s job is to make sure that everybody can live here in peace." Division 96 covers 250 air miles and approximately 242.3 miles of territory, said the IDF spokesperson. The IDF created Division 96 a little more than a year ago. The IDF spokesperson said that a critical piece of its multilayered defense is to build a new wall. "The army took everything we learned from 10/7 and revamped the wall." The military official added the construction of the wall helps to explain why Palestinians are seeking to illegally enter Israel for employment: "They see the wall and realize that their time is now up to come in." ISRAEL DEFENSE CHIEF WARNS STRIKES ON IRAN COULD RESUME SOON, SIGNALS CAMPAIGN NOT OVER He stressed there are legal entry points into Israel from the Jordanian side. The multipronged new Israeli border system in the Jordan Valley is demarcated by three layers. The first layer is a military outpost, like the facility Fox News Digital toured. Named "European Goldfinch," it is situated across from the defunct historical Adams Bridge, where two Jordanian military outposts are within eyesight. The second layer of defense is the construction of a wall. And the third line of defense is the military bases that lodges Division 96. The IDF official said that the army also increased the number of reserve soldiers. The Israeli army built another five battalions of soldiers who were never engaged in service or finished their service and wish to return to duty. The reservists "understood the point of history we are in" and their "love for Israel," said the IDF spokesperson. During Israel’s war with Iran, the clerical regime’s forces fired missiles into the Jordan Valley. The bunkers located in the outposts served as a refuge from Iran’s rockets. The military bases inspected by Fox News Digital are located in Area C in the disputed West Bank territory, referred to by many Israelis by the region’s biblical names as Judea and Samaria. Nearly 500,000 Israelis and around 300,000 Palestinians live in Area C, which makes up 60% of the total area of Judea and Samaria. The Oslo Accords, which were signed between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1993, stipulated military and civilian control over Area C was absorbed by the IDF. The IDF spokesperson said that "We have the same agenda as Jordan: To keep the border peaceful." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4c06fbc2ca79de236480e8 Vercel CEO Guillermo Rauch on the fight to split off models from agents te 2026-07-06T19:50:19.950Z Vercel CEO Guillermo Rauch on the fight to split off models from agents "The reality is, when you're optimizing for production, you start looking at a price/performance," Guillermo Rauch tells TechCrunch. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4c0541c2ca79de236480b6 Walker Buehler targets home-field rebound as San Diego Padres host Arizona Diamondbacks in .500 showdown te 2026-07-06T19:42:57.149Z Walker Buehler targets home-field rebound as San Diego Padres host Arizona Diamondbacks in .500 showdown We were able to steal a win yesterday in the Twins vs. Yankees game. It was a fairly nerve-wracking game because I took the under. The Twins ended up scoring six runs, and then the Yankees scored one late to get it to seven runs. Luckily, we were able to get the bullpen to close the doors. I am hopeful we can keep this luck on our side as we've snuck in a few close calls lately. Tonight, we get a new series between the Diamondbacks and the Padres. With a win tonight, the Arizona Diamondbacks will be back to .500 at 45-45. They have been bad on the road, struggling to a 17-25 road record. I think that Arizona has done a very good job on offense this season, despite trading away quite a few players over the past year. They still have a lot of talent on the roster, but the question has to be asked if they are going to make more trades soon. Ketel Marte is a guy who has had his name floating around the trade rumors quite a bit. He could be a good addition to most playoff teams. However, if the Diamondbacks want to go the other way, they can add pitching to try to improve on their team's 4.28 ERA. Even if the Diamondbacks add Tarik Skubal, which isn't likely, they would still be a very long shot to make the postseason via the division. They have a better chance at getting one of the three Wild Card spots. Today's starter is Brandon Pfaadt, who is not in the same realm as Skubal (but, then again, who is). For the season, Pfaadt has bounced between the bullpen and the rotation. This is just his fifth start of the season, but he is coming off a start against the Giants. He went 5.1 innings, allowed three hits, and just one solo homer. He faced the Padres earlier in the season and went three innings, allowing four earned runs. The San Diego Padres are in an identical spot to the Diamondbacks. With a win here, they will get back to .500 for the season. The Padres have to be one of the most frustrating teams in baseball. On paper, they should be one of the most elite clubs in baseball. They have a ton of talented hitters and a few reliable arms, but for whatever reason, it seems like every season is a struggle. Perhaps it is a lack of power from some key guys like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Xander Bogaerts. Maybe it is that Manny Machado is batting .189. There could be a chance that all three of those guys return to their normal production and propel the Padres to another postseason appearance. In order to do that, they will need help from their pitching staff. One of the main guys that they will lean on is today's starter, Walker Buehler. For the year, Buehler is 5-4 with a 4.61 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. He has been a better pitcher at home than he has on the road, though. When pitching in San Diego, he has thrown to a 3.13 ERA. He had a great June, but his first July start, he was rocked. He allowed nine earned runs on seven hits over four innings. He has to be looking to get back on the mound and rebound from that rough outing. He hasn't faced the Diamondbacks this season. PADRES' FERNANDO TATIS JR SNAPS HOME RUN DROUGHT WITH THUNDEROUS DINGER: 'ABOUT F---ING TIME' Over his career, Pfaadt has allowed Padres hitters to bat .258 against him with four homers and 18 RBIs. I mentioned Machado's struggles this season, but he is hitting .368 against Pfaadt. Bogaerts is hitting just .167 against him. Jake Cronenworth is another one who might be worth adding to your daily lineups or prop bets, as he is hitting .409 against Pfaadt. Buehler has been much better against the Diamondbacks hitters, holding them to a .194 average over 98 at-bats. Pavin Smith has been particularly bad, going 1-for-15 against him. Smith isn't plus money for the night, so I'll avoid that prop. For the actual game, I'm planning to play the Padres at -124. I think Buehler will rebound from his horrendous last start. I also think his history, coupled with his home performances, give San Diego the edge in this game. Give me the Padres -124. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4c052dc2ca79de236480ad Rumors about Platner's future in critical Senate race swirl after canceled events ahead of key deadline te 2026-07-06T19:42:37.698Z Rumors about Platner's future in critical Senate race swirl after canceled events ahead of key deadline Rumors are swirling on social media about the future of Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner after several of his events were canceled, and the race approaches a deadline related to whether the scandal-plagued Democrat can be replaced on the ballot. Multiple Platner events over the 4th of July holiday weekend as of Monday were canceled without an official explanation or comment from the campaign, Bangor Daily News reported on Monday, other than one event organizer saying that an event in Gorman was canceled due to Platner "not feeling well." The news of the canceled events led to conservative outlets and pundits to speculate whether there is an underlying reason for the cancellations. "Graham Platner cancels MULTIPLE scheduled town hall events as progressive allies tease another scandal is about to hit his campaign," the Maine Wire news outlet posted on X. "Augusta town hall for last night - CANCELED Gorham town hall tonight - CANCELED Sanford town hall tonight - CANCELED. There are no other upcoming events listed on his FB page, or on Mobilize." ‘HE HATED WOMEN’: EXPLOSIVE ABUSE, NEW NAZI TATTOO ALLEGATIONS FROM EXES ROCK PLATNER'S CAMPAIGN "Graham Platner no-showed Fourth of July celebrations across Maine," the National Republican Senatorial Committee posted on X in response to the Maine Wire post. "Now, he's canceling everything else. We wouldn't want to be seen in public either… " "A well-placed source told us that Graham Platner is dropping out of the Maine Senate race this week," the Washington Reporter posted on X. "Note that Platner has yet to release his Q2 fundraising totals, a sign he may have underperformed expectations. " FORMER PRIMARY RIVAL RESURFACES TO CHALLENGE SCANDAL-PLAGUED GRAHAM PLATNER IN MAINE SENATE RACE Fox News Digital reached out to the Platner campaign for comment. Bangor Daily News also reported that "multiple Democrats" believed a damaging news story focused on Platner was set to come out on Monday or Tuesday and predictions on the online prediction market Polymarket surged over the weekend, with users betting that Platner would drop out before the midterms. Platner has been at the center of multiple controversies since launching his campaign, including infidelity, alleged physical abuse of an ex-girlfriend, a Nazi-linked tattoo, disparaging comments about the military, referring to himself as a "communist", scrutiny over his working-class bonafides, and a variety of inflammatory posts on a deleted Reddit account. Despite the controversies, Platner has held a polling lead on incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins, although a recent Fox News Poll showed only 44% of respondents believing he has "good character" while 47% said he is "too extreme" for the state. Now that Platner has won the Democratic primary, the next key date is 5 p.m. on Monday, July 13. Under Maine law, if Platner formally withdraws as the Democratic nominee by that deadline, the Maine Democratic Party can replace him on the general election ballot by selecting a new nominee through its party process, with the replacement required to be chosen by July 27. If he remains the nominee past the July 13 deadline, the party generally loses its ability to substitute another candidate through the normal replacement process, except in limited circumstances defined under state law. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4c051ac2ca79de236480a4 Media figures melt down over Trump involvement with FIFA as US star Folarin Balogun set to play te 2026-07-06T19:42:18.236Z Media figures melt down over Trump involvement with FIFA as US star Folarin Balogun set to play Many journalists, political correspondents and pundits have expressed outrage that President Donald Trump pressed FIFA on the plight of USA World Cup star Folarin Balogun ahead of Monday’s showdown with Belgium.  Balogun received a red card during the U.S. win over Bosnia and Herzegovina last week for stepping on the ankle of a defender while trying to corral a ball. The controversial card — which mandated Balogun miss the rest of the game and the next game as well — was issued after a VAR review, and amid the uproar, a source told Fox News that Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino and asked that FIFA review the play. On Sunday, the reversal was announced and the typical one-game suspension was nullified.  Trump Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik and White House task force leader Andrew Giuliani put together a team of lawyers outside the White House to challenge the use of slow-motion replay to give Balogun the red card, according to OutKick founder and Fox News contributor Clay Travis.  Infantino said in a statement Monday that he spoke with Trump and noted that "FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent" and "operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them." The media onslaught was at full tilt by then, however. BANNED FORMER FIFA PRESIDENT CRITICIZES ORGANIZATION'S DECISION ON FOLARIN BALOGUN "Morning Joe" co-host Jon Lemire expressed concern that "karma" would come back to haunt the United States team. "This certainly helps the U.S. on the field, but the karma is bad. The karma is very bad… This U.S. run so far has been magical. This decision may help us extend it, but suddenly the feeling is a little bit off," Lemire said.  "I think the president has misunderstood the beautiful game, part of it is that you don’t always get the call you want. There’s real disappointment. There’s the hope that kills you. This is part of the beauty of soccer. And the point is that you have to triumph over what are often perceived to be unfair calls," Washington Post columnist Kate Andrews said on MS NOW.  Former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann responded, "So the World Cup is fixed? Got it." FIFA DISMISSES BELGIUM APPEAL OVER DECISION ON USA'S FOLARIN BALOGUN "Totally normal and not corrupt or dodgy or biased at all," journalist Mehdi Hasan sarcastically wrote to caption a report that Trump called Infantino.  New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof declared, "This will appear to the world as favoritism and as FIFA bowing to political influence. If the U.S. wins, I fear that much of the world will see it as a win with an asterisk and as Trump’s America making its own rules even in the sports world." ABC News contributor Donna Brazile wrote, "Terrible decision to involve the White House into this. Just horrible." Others focused on Balogun being a birthright citizen.  "The irony of Trump calling FIFA to overturn a red card for Balogun because he knows the U.S. can’t win without Balogun, who only qualifies for the U.S. team because of birthright citizenship, which Trump just tried to overturn," journalist Julia Loffe wrote.  ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Radio host Courtney Theriault added, "Donald Trump calling FIFA to overturn the suspension of noted birthright citizen Folarin Balogun the same week SCOTUS rules against him on eliminating birthright citizenship is peak Trump." "Possible corruption and cheating aside, hilarious that the Trump administration were allegedly pushing hard to reinstate a player who is a literal birthright citizen. His pregnant mother gave birth to him on a visit because the airline wouldn’t let her board her return flight," Hasan wrote.  Many others took to social media with thoughts: Trump told reporters Monday he didn't tell FIFA to do anything and said he didn't believe the red card was the proper call. "I didn’t tell him what to do. I don’t believe he made the decision. I think it was a committee that made the decision, and they made the right decision because, No. 1, it wasn’t a foul, and you want to see a game with your best players," he said. A win on Monday would send the U.S. to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. Fox News Digital’s Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4c0506c2ca79de2364809b Carrie Underwood doesn't skip leg day, spicy Sophie Cunningham & why Trump's World Cup meddling is a win-win te 2026-07-06T19:41:58.781Z Carrie Underwood doesn't skip leg day, spicy Sophie Cunningham & why Trump's World Cup meddling is a win-win What a loaded weekend. Lordy, I don't even know where to begin! America's 250th. Fourth of July. Trump vs. FIFA. The Marlins did something downright unacceptable yesterday afternoon. NASCAR last night. USA soccer tonight. Holiday shmoliday! The news-cycle doesn't sleep just because the calendar says it's supposed to, and she certainly didn't sleep this weekend. Let's dive in. Welcome to a Monday Nightcaps — the one where Carrie Underwood shows America she doesn't skip leg day during a patriotic performance at the John Deere Classic. What else? I've got fallout from Trump's phone call to FIFA, including why I think the move was such a no-brainer, Sophie Cunningham's perfect response to the WNBA nonsense, and this Marlins manager should be fired TODAY after what he pulled Sunday afternoon. Seriously. This got buried in the FIFA news-of-the-day, but it deserves some attention. And now, it'll get it! Grab you any beer for tonight's game (as long as it's not Anheuser-Busch!) and settle in for a Monday 'Cap! Normally, I love AB. Duh. If you've been in this class long enough, you know I'm a Busch Light purist. (Although, I will admit that I bought a sixer of Coors Banquet this weekend because it just felt right). That being said ... all bets are off tonight. It's USA vs. Belgium. Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium. True story. Can't have that tonight. Like Trump, I know nothing about soccer. Nothing. Nada. Don't pretend to. But I know our fellas need all the support they can get, and if that means a small, one-day boycott of AB, then I'm happy to do it. It's called making sacrifices, Libs. Look it up! Now, speaking of the Libs and Trump and tonight's game ... let's check in with Donald J. Trump, who has, amazingly, made himself the center of attention: Incredible. Just when you start to think he's lost his fastball, he paints the corners with 99. How does he do it? "I think the referee’s call was horrible and nobody talks about that. They talk about the red card like it’s fine. The referee’s decision to red card, I didn’t know what the hell a red card was and when I found out I said, ‘You gotta be kidding.’… I said, ‘Wow, that’s a lot of power, that’s terrible.’ And then I looked at his past and it wasn’t so great." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Look, this was such a win-win for Trump politically. Let's just be honest. There really is no bad outcome from him interfering in FIFA and World Cup matters. None. Scenario A: USA wins tonight, Trump continues to be praised, and probably shows up at the next game and gets a massive standing ovation in what would be the most-watched broadcast of the year. The left implodes. Scenario B: USA loses tonight, and the fake-Americans on the left show their true colors by cheering on Belgium because they can't stand the thought of siding with Trump on anything. The Republicans use all the fake-outrage to their advantage leading up to the 2026 midterms. Scenario C: Trump's sudden involvement pulls his core fanbase into the World Cup because they don't care otherwise, and further galvanizes the country. This one is already happening, by the way, because I've spent 500 words writing about SOCCER on a Monday in July. And for those of you who don't think a Democrat would ever go against the US of A, buddy, think AGAIN: Incredible. Just imagine, for a second, waking up in the morning and doing something like that on the weekend of America's 250th birthday? These people are NUTS. Truly unhinged. The TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome) is OFF THE CHARTS right now. Again, it's a win-win for him. Easiest call ever, frankly. What a birthday weekend! OK, let's move it along, because we've all got a game to gear up for in a few hours. I know most of you missed it, but I will not let Marlins manager Clayton McCullough off the hook for this nonsense he pulled yesterday by pulling a pitcher in the middle of a PERFECT GAME: Just ridiculous. What happened to the game we all loved? Pulling a pitcher in the middle of a perfect game is indefensible. Do you know how rare perfect games are? This wasn't a no-hitter. Those are a dime a dozen at this point. But perfect games almost never happen. In fact, there have only been 24 official perfect games in MLB history. Twenty-four! Baseball has been around for a century, give or take. It's really been around for much longer, but we'll just go back 100 years to make it a nice, round number. In that time, we've only seen 24 (!!!) perfect games. And Clayton McCullough robbed us of a chance to see No. 25. Fans were furious. Players, I would hope, ARE furious. And guess what? The Marlins nearly BLEW it! They barely won the game: Just pathetic. McCullough, by the way, had this to say after the game: "Going into this game, 90-plus a batter was a pitch count that I felt comfortable with him coming back off the time on the IL, and us looking to play beyond the regular season," he said. "Eury's going to be an important part of that. "There was a part of my heartstrings pulling at his opportunity to keep on going, but I have to think about Eury, one, and our organization, our team, and what's best moving forward to give us a chance to continue to win games. So I made more of a calculated decision with where he was with the pitch count to take him out." Bologna. It wasn't like he was at 120 pitches! He was at 90. That's peanuts. This wasn't his first game back off the IL. This was his third. At the very least, you let him go back out there and take it one batter at a time. What if he gets through the next inning in 10 pitches? Indefensible. Make Baseball Great Again! OK, two quickies on the way out. First? You didn't think we'd go a day without WNBA drama, did you? As per usual, Sophie Cunningham has the correct take on all the whining from Alyssa Thomas about internet trolls: "At the end of the day, you're in an entertainment business, that's when mental toughness comes in. If you're gonna live by praise, you're gonna die by the hate. I think that's on the individual person to have mental toughness. "Some people can deal with it, some people can't. And I think you can see the ones who can't. And unfortunately there are some who can't, and it's not beneficial to them." Amen. Thank you, Sophie. All this whining about online hate and fans being mean and blah, blah, blah. It's nonsense. The WNBA isn't reinventing the wheel here. This isn't the first time athletes have ever had to deal with mean fans, or online trolls, or idiots behind a keyboard. This has been happening FOREVER! I'm not saying it's right. It's not. I'm saying if you're really "upset" about it, you need to get thicker skin and toughen up. That's what Sophie is saying, too, by the way. Her statement may have been a little more buttoned-up, but we both arrived at the same destination. Once again, she nailed it. OK, that's it for today. What a weekend. What a start to the week! I think we're in for a special night. Take us home, Carrie Underwood! OutKick Nightcaps is a daily column set to run Monday through Friday at 4 p.m. (roughly, we’re not robots). Any way this turns out bad for Trump? Email me at Zach.Dean@OutKick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4c04f3c2ca79de23648092 Who is Turkey's Erdoğan? How NATO's most unpredictable leader keeps reinventing himself te 2026-07-06T19:41:39.325Z Who is Turkey's Erdoğan? How NATO's most unpredictable leader keeps reinventing himself As President Donald Trump heads to Ankara, Turkey, for the upcoming NATO summit, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is again at the center of alliance politics.  Trump has praised Erdoğan as "a friend" and "a respected leader," underscoring a relationship that could shape defense talks between Washington and Turkey, including Turkey’s long-running effort to restore deeper military cooperation.  The moment highlights the remarkable position Erdoğan occupies today: Once regarded as one of NATO’s most troublesome allies after taking delivery of the Russian S-400 missile defense system in 2019, Turkey has become increasingly difficult for the alliance to sideline as the war in Ukraine drags on, instability grips the Middle East and the Black Sea grows more strategic.  For many, however, Erdoğan remains an enigma. Rather than being driven by a fixed worldview, experts argue, Erdoğan repeatedly has reinvented himself politically, adopting whichever ideology best serves his overriding objective: remaining in power.  TURKEY DETAINS OVER 200 SUSPECTS, INCLUDING ALLEGED ISIS MILITANTS, IN SWEEPING RAID AHEAD OF NATO SUMMIT Erdoğan has ruled Turkey for more than two decades, evolving from an Istanbul mayor with Islamist roots into a pro-European reformer, then a nationalist strongman, and now a pivotal NATO power broker courted by Trump.  To supporters, he restored Turkey's global stature. To critics, he hollowed out its democracy while jailing rivals, journalists and activists. But Erdoğan's most defining trait, experts say, may be less ideology than survival. Is he an Islamist? A nationalist? A Western ally? A Russian partner? An authoritarian? Perhaps the most important thing to understand about Erdoğan is that he has been all of those things — at different moments, according to Gönül Tol, founding director of the Middle East Institute's Turkey Program and author of "Erdoğan's War: A Strongman's Struggle at Home and in Syria."  "He's not an ideological man," Tol told Fox News Digital. "He's very pragmatic, first and foremost a populist." SIX KURDISH FIGHTERS KILLED IN IRGC AMBUSH AS CLASHES SPREAD ACROSS WESTERN IRAN Erdoğan’s roots lie in Turkey’s Islamist political movement. Educated at an Imam Hatip religious school, he entered politics through National Outlook, a right-wing Islamist movement founded by Necmettin Erbakan, and eventually became mayor of Istanbul as a member of Erbakan’s Welfare Party. But after founding the AKP, or Justice and Development Party, in 2001, Erdoğan abandoned the Islamist label, presenting himself instead as a "conservative democrat" committed to economic reform and closer ties with Europe — a shift that experts say marked the first of several political reinventions. When Erdoğan and his Justice and Development Party first swept to power in 2002, Turkey was seeking membership in the European Union, military influence over politics was shrinking, and Erdoğan promised democratic reforms, economic modernization and closer ties with the West. Many liberals and centrists initially supported him. "He often said, 'I'm not an Islamist anymore. I'm a conservative democrat,'" Tol said. "And that brand really served him well." Those early years transformed both Turkey's economy and Erdoğan's popularity. TRUMP BETS ON FORMER NATO TROUBLEMAKER AS TURKEY'S STRATEGIC VALUE SURGES After consolidating power, Erdoğan began another political transformation. Following the Arab Spring in 2011, he increasingly portrayed himself as a champion of political Islam, backing Islamist movements across the Middle East while presenting himself domestically as the defender of Turkey's conservative religious majority. "He wanted to inject more Islam into public life, into education," Tol said. "He was using this more Islamist narrative ... the goal was always to acquire more power." That anti-Western turn went beyond rhetoric.  In 2016, Erdoğan accused the U.S.-led coalition of supporting terrorist groups in Syria, including ISIS and Kurdish militias that Turkey considers terrorist organizations— an allegation the State Department dismissed as "ludicrous," according to Reuters. His increasingly vocal support for Hamas and sharp criticism of Israel became defining features of his foreign policy.  "The perpetrators of the massacre and the destruction taking place in Gaza are those providing unlimited support for Israel," Erdoğan said in 2023, adding that Israel's attacks and those backing them amounted to "murder and mental illness," according to Reuters. Tol cautions against viewing those positions alone as evidence that Erdoğan remains primarily motivated by Islamism.  "Anti-Israel sentiment cuts across ideological lines in Turkey," she said, arguing that Erdoğan's foreign policy has consistently reflected political calculation more than religious doctrine. TRUMP'S TURKEY ARMS SALE PROPOSAL SPARKS CONGRESSIONAL QUESTIONS BEFORE NATO SUMMIT As Turkey's economy slowed and regional ambitions faltered, Erdoğan pivoted once again. He embraced Turkish nationalism, built alliances with hardline nationalist parties and cultivated the image of an indispensable strongman capable of restoring Turkey's historical influence. Supporters credit him with transforming Turkey into a regional power. "He does have genuine support," Tol said, estimating his support at roughly 35%. Some supporters depend on government assistance and patronage networks built under his rule. Others believe Erdoğan restored dignity to conservative religious Turks who long felt marginalized by the country's secular establishment. Still others view his increasingly assertive foreign policy as proof Turkey has reclaimed its place on the world stage. "They think, 'We have become a world-class nation,'" Tol said. "'Everyone is praising our president. Turkey is a big player.'" While Erdoğan continues to command a loyal political base, critics say the price has been Turkey's democratic institutions. Authorities increasingly have used courts and criminal investigations to sideline political opponents, including Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, whose arrest earlier in 2026 triggered nationwide demonstrations, according to Human Rights Watch. The organization says the government has intensified efforts to weaken Turkey's main opposition party despite its strong performance in the 2024 municipal elections. TRUMP'S PERSONAL FEUDS WITH ALLIES FROM ITALY TO ISRAEL REVEAL HOW PERSONALITY DRIVES HIS FOREIGN POLICY Today, Erdoğan finds himself in another political transformation. After years of anti-Western rhetoric and disputes with Washington, Turkey has worked to repair relations with the United States and Europe. That rhetoric was once central to Erdoğan's posture.  He accused the U.S.-led coalition in Syria of supporting terrorist groups, blasted Washington's sanctions over Turkey's purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense system, calling them a "hostile attack" on Turkey's sovereign rights and defense industry, and repeatedly accused Western governments of enabling Israel's war in Gaza. The shift comes as Turkey's strategic importance has grown dramatically. The S-400 purchase remains at the center of one of the biggest unresolved disputes between Washington and Ankara. After Turkey took delivery of the Russian system in 2019, the U.S. expelled Turkey from the F-35 fighter jet program and later imposed sanctions on Turkey's defense procurement agency. Former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey James Jeffrey recently told Fox News Digital that restoring Turkey to the F-35 program remains far more complicated than other defense deals because operating the Russian-made S-400 alongside America's most advanced stealth fighter could expose sensitive U.S. technology. "The F-35 is a different issue," Jeffrey said, arguing that the problem is technical, not merely political. Turkey controls the Bosporus and Dardanelles, fields NATO's second-largest military and plays a critical role in the Black Sea following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Jeffrey said that Turkey has been "essential to Ukraine staying in the fight," pointing to Turkey's enforcement of the Montreux Convention, a 1936 treaty that gives Turkey control over naval passage through the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits, its early delivery of Bayraktar drones to Ukraine, and its role as a mediator between Kyiv and Moscow.  "You can't contain Russia in the Black Sea without Turkey," Jeffrey said. For Tol, however, Erdoğan's latest embrace of NATO is simply another example of his political flexibility. "There was a time when he was very anti-Western, very critical of NATO, very critical of the United States," she said. "And now look at him." Human Rights Watch argues Erdoğan has used Turkey's growing importance to NATO as political cover while expanding pressure on journalists, activists and opposition figures. Freedom House says Erdoğan has become "increasingly authoritarian" over the past decade, consolidating power through constitutional changes and the imprisonment of political opponents, independent journalists and civil society figures. Turkey's prisons held more than 420,000 inmates — far exceeding their official capacity of roughly 304,000, according to a June 2026 report citing Turkish Justice Ministry figures.  NATO allies have grown quieter on Turkey's rights record as Ankara's strategic value has risen, Reuters reported ahead of the summit, with former U.S. Ambassador David Satterfield saying it remains important for the West to speak publicly about the "degradation of democratic institutions in Turkey." Tol believes Erdoğan's domestic agenda can be understood through a single principle. "Everything is designed to keep him in power," she said. "Beyond that, I don't see a binding ideology that brings together all his policies." As Trump heads to Turkey, that may be the key to understanding one of NATO's most consequential — and unpredictable — leaders. Fox News Digital reached out to the Turkish government for comment. Fox News Digital's Morgan Phillips and Reuters contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4c04ccc2ca79de23648081 What We Know About Senator Mitch McConnell’s Condition te 2026-07-06T19:41:00.411Z What We Know About Senator Mitch McConnell’s Condition The Kentucky Republican and former Senate majority leader was hospitalized on June 14. Scant details about his condition have emerged since. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4c04b8c2ca79de23648078 A fierce competition for seating and a few surprises at the Kirk murder trial. te 2026-07-06T19:40:40.954Z A fierce competition for seating and a few surprises at the Kirk murder trial. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4c04a5c2ca79de2364806f Four Dead, Including a Police Officer, in Ohio Shooting te 2026-07-06T19:40:21.507Z Four Dead, Including a Police Officer, in Ohio Shooting Law enforcement officers were investigating a break-in and gunfire in Rittman. A suspect, his former partner and her teenage daughter were also dead. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4c001cc2ca79de23647fe3 Pence commends Trump for winning freedom of Beijing's Zion Church pastor Ezra Jin from Chinese detention te 2026-07-06T19:21:00.211Z Pence commends Trump for winning freedom of Beijing's Zion Church pastor Ezra Jin from Chinese detention Former Vice President Mike Pence publicly praised President Donald Trump on Monday for successfully securing the release of pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, a prominent underground Christian leader detained by Chinese authorities. In a post on X, Pence said Trump "should be commended" for raising the case directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a state visit to Beijing, adding it was "Truly Treasure in Heaven to see this godly man of faith set free." Pence also called on Beijing to release jailed Hong Kong activist Jimmy Lai, adding, "#FreeJimmyLai." PRESIDENT TRUMP REVEALS XI JINPING'S RESPONSE TO POSSIBLY RELEASING IMPRISONED CHINESE CRITIC JIMMY LAI Jin, the leader of Beijing's unregistered Zion Church, was detained in October along with 17 other church leaders. He safely arrived in Los Angeles to reunite with his family, less than two months after Trump pressed Xi on his detention, according to Frances Hui of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation. PRESIDENT TRUMP MUST PUT AMERICAN HOSTAGES FIRST IN HIGH-STAKES BEIJING SUMMIT In a statement to the Associated Press, Jin’s family thanked Trump and acknowledged the swift release would not have been possible without Xi's intervention. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., took to X to thank Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, echoing Pence’s call for Lai’s release. "Great news! Thank you @POTUS and @SecRubio for your leadership in securing Pastor Ezra Jin’s freedom," Scott wrote in the post. "Still, we cannot stop fighting to hold COMMUNIST CHINA accountable for ALL of their crimes." "My friend Jimmy Lai remains unjustly imprisoned simply because he stood up for freedom," Scott continued. "Jimmy Lai is 78 with diabetes and has been in solitary confinement for YEARS. I will never stop fighting for Jimmy Lai and I won’t give up until Jimmy is out of prison." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bfff4c2ca79de23647fc3 Rio Nuevo dips into reserves after 25% revenue decline te 2026-07-06T19:20:20.795Z Rio Nuevo dips into reserves after 25% revenue decline Rio Nuevo is spending from its reserves for the first time in years after a projected 25% drop in revenue, which district leaders are partly blaming on Amazon's exemption from paying tax increment financing taxes in exchange for building AI data centers in Arizona. Rio Nuevo is a tax increment finance district funded by a share of state sales tax dollars generated downtown and held accountable to the Arizona Legislature. Board members discussed new and ongoing projects and reviewed the annual budget during their June 23 meeting, where they said the district's projected revenue puts it in the red. "Every other year we have enjoyed an increase in our revenue base," said Board Chair Fletcher McCusker, adding that some people have attributed the revenue drop to Amazon. Tax revenue that would normally come from holiday shopping didn't materialize, as Amazon was recently exempted from paying TIF taxes under a deal with the state that cleared the way for the company to build AI data centers in Arizona. "We've got $1.7 million for projects over the next year, which is significantly lower than we were seeing a year ago," said Chief Financial Officer Dan Meyers. "As far as the April TIF revenue, I got word that it was going to be $1.3 million. Again, we started the year with a budget of $1.6 and we backed off on that to $1.4." Share Tucson Spotlight with a friend. Every signup earns you a raffle entry to win a gift card to a local Tucson favorite. Four winners drawn August 1. Meyers said issues with the estimates have included erroneous filings, non-filings and delayed revenue filings. "I'm expecting to pick up another $150,000, but I don't think we count on it until the money's in our pocket," Meyers said. Still, the district's current and future commitments have put Rio Nuevo in a position it hasn't faced since McCusker was appointed chairman. "We've committed more than we have, and more than we're going to earn," McCusker said. "We're spending our reserves." But the revenue dip still isn't cause for alarm, McCusker said. "We are not destitute," he said, adding that Rio Nuevo has a reserve of $21 million to continue funding projects. "There is no risk to our commitments. The risk is to new projects." But Meyers said he's concerned that with the potential for reduced spending in June, the funding decrease will become more noticeable as the numbers roll in. The Congress and Linda Apartments sites are in the Mercado District, located near Congress Street at South Linda Avenue. Courtesy of City of Tucson. Meanwhile, Utah-based Oz Development is seeking funding from Rio Nuevo to construct what it calls "attainable" housing on the west side of Interstate 10, according to Rory Juneman of Lazarus & Silvin P.C. The two planned projects, Fina Vista North and Fina Vista South, are located near the Mercado Annex, one at 701 W. Congress Street and the other at 115 S. Linda Avenue. Construction has already begun, but the company is hoping to receive funding from Rio Nuevo. Juneman said that while the units won't be "capital A affordable," the multifamily projects will remain attainable by focusing mainly on studio and one-bedroom apartments. The average tenant in other Oz Development properties is around 29 years old and earns about $39,000 a year. Due to the increasing cost of materials and labor, Oz is requesting a Government Property Lease Excise Tax agreement for each project, as well as construction sales tax reimbursements for the Linda Avenue project. The only issue is that Fina Vista North is outside the Rio Nuevo District, meaning Rio Nuevo cannot spend taxpayer dollars supporting the project. Juneman said Oz Development is content with whatever Rio Nuevo can provide, even if that means helping to fund just one of the properties. 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/6a4bfe02c2ca79de23647efd On America’s 250th birthday, US soccer team of immigrants embodies founders’ dreams te 2026-07-06T19:12:02.525Z On America’s 250th birthday, US soccer team of immigrants embodies founders’ dreams LOS ANGELES — James Wilson, one of just six men who signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, never could have imagined how grand the country he was founding would become. But he knew how it could get… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bfdeec2ca79de23647ef4 SPORTS-SOC-WORLDCUP-US-FILEPIC-LA te 2026-07-06T19:11:42.544Z SPORTS-SOC-WORLDCUP-US-FILEPIC-LA U.S. forward Folarin Balogun is surrounded by teammates after scoring during a World Cup match against Paraguay on June 12, 2026. Balogun is one of many dual-nationals on the U.S. team. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bfdc4c2ca79de23647ee1 Mohave County will debut new ballot paper with added security measures in July primary te 2026-07-06T19:11:00.565Z Mohave County will debut new ballot paper with added security measures in July primary A person pushes a cage full of Maricopa County mail ballot envelopes at Runbeck Election Services during the March 2024 presidential preference election. Runbeck could provide some, but not all, of the security features that Arizona lawmakers are considering for ballot paper. Photo by Jen Fifield | Votebeat Officials in Mohave County, Arizona, walked into a public meeting last year with bad news for their bosses. The rural, bright-red county wanted to adopt a type of ballot paper with watermarks, embedded fibers, microprinting, and other security features for future elections. Its elected supervisors had previously voted to approve a new contract for such paper with Runbeck Election Services, a voting materials company in Phoenix, because they firmly believed the change would improve voter confidence. But election officials had recently tested the paper, called Ballot Guard, with the county’s vote-tabulating machines and found that it wasn’t performing as hoped. A team of staffers took the podium to lay out the situation. The paper, they said, caused the tabulators to pull multiple pages at once, leading to paper jams and other errors that required rerunning ballots. ES&S, the company that manufactured the county’s tabulators, had done its own tests and seen similar results. Elections Director Allen Tempert warned that using the paper in a live election could significantly slow results and increase the possibility of inaccurate tallies. He urged the county’s all-Republican board of supervisors to consider another type of paper that included watermarks and had already worked successfully elsewhere. The board appeared open to considering the alternative. But months later, another round of testing returned improved results. In January, with election officials’ blessing, supervisors voted unanimously to use Ballot Guard in upcoming elections. “It works well,” Tempert told Votebeat, adding that he was “comfortable” with county supervisors’ decision. Now, the stage is set for a make-or-break moment in the state’s northwest corner — starting with the state primary, scheduled for July 21. A successful debut could inspire other counties to pick up the paper. But if the paper causes problems, it could lead to an election night mess — and deal a major blow to Republicans’ longstanding efforts to encourage such security features on ballots across the state. From bamboo to Ballot Guard: How election security concerns inspired new ballot paper In Arizona, the push to put security marks on ballots began with a widespread conspiracy. After the 2020 presidential election, false claims began circulating that someone had flown fake ballots from Asia to Maricopa County to rig the race for President Joe Biden. That prompted auditors assisting with a GOP-led review of the county’s election results to shine blacklights on ballots in search of bamboo fibers or watermarks. No bamboo ballots were ever found. Arizona has a plethora of checks to ensure only ballots cast by registered voters are counted. There’s no evidence that counterfeit ballots have ever found their way into the state’s elections. But since that episode, some GOP state lawmakers — including then-state Sen. Sonny Borrelli, who now serves on the Mohave County Board of Supervisors — have repeatedly tried, and failed, to pass legislation requiring security features on ballots. Nationally, California has long used ballot paper with watermarks. In recent years, the push for such paper has also caught on some swing states. Georgia now requires watermarks on its ballots. In Michigan, some counties have chosen to do the same. But Mohave County would be the first in the country to use Ballot Guard specifically. In recent elections, leaders there have also considered hand-counting ballots and voting against certifying vote tallies. Board Chair Travis Lingenfelter, a Republican, told Votebeat that his constituents were deeply concerned about election integrity and hesitant to trust election results. He believes the new paper can help assuage those fears — particularly if other jurisdictions are inspired to pick it up, too. Lingenfelter said the county’s contract with Runbeck was purposefully structured as a cooperative one. A number of counties — including Maricopa, the state’s most populous county and a key swing region — use it to procure their own voting materials, and any of them could opt to use Ballot Guard in the future. A spokesperson for the Maricopa County Elections Department said it currently had no plans to use the paper. Still, Lingenfelter said he hoped other counties might follow Mohave’s lead if it proves the paper can be used successfully. “I feel like Mohave County is contributing positively to this big overarching issue of voter confidence and election integrity,” he said, adding that his county was “proud” to serve as a trailblazer. Ballot Guard won’t cost Mohave County any money — for now While legislation to require security features on Arizona ballots never passed, the state did greenlight a $1 million grant program in 2022 that offered counties a chance to test out ballot paper with specialized security features. Former Cochise County Recorder David Stevens signed up for that program, but he didn’t anticipate how long it would take to get up and running. He missed the grant’s deadline, and county officials decided to scrap the project. But Stevens had already used grant funding to pay Runbeck to order 10 tons of ballot paper and commission a giant watermarking machine. The county’s decision left that paper sitting unused on the floor of the company’s warehouse in Phoenix. Since then, the county had been grappling with what to do with it. Cochise County Recorder Billy Cloud urged local leaders to give it away, noting that the paper wasn’t of use to the county anymore. So in May, Cochise chose to transfer its paper to Mohave County, free of charge. Mohave will now use that same exact paper to print its ballots for upcoming elections. Tempert and Interim Elections Director Karina Sumner — who is set to replace Tempert when he retires on July 4 — said the paper should get the county through the state primary and general election. “For 2026, it’s a wash,” Tempert said. “We ain’t paying no more money in 2026.” But the county could see increased election costs in 2028. Tempert said Ballot Guard costs up to 15 cents more per ballot than the county’s usual paper. There are approximately 150,000 registered voters in the county, so that could add up to an extra $22,500 per general election. That represents a tiny fraction of Mohave County’s $600 million budget. Still, the county has long faced revenue challenges. In recent years, it has at times needed to institute temporary hiring and employee travel freezes to stave off budget deficits. Nonetheless, officials appeared undeterred. Lingenfelter said that because his county had coordinated a cooperative contract with Runbeck, it gets a small revenue kickback if other counties sign on. He said that should help the county offset its costs. Officials say paper is working well, despite mixed test results In initial tests, the difference between Mohave County’s typical ballot paper and Ballot Guard was stark. Officials found that the new paper was prone to so-called “multi-feed” and “pick” errors, both of which occur when a tabulator accidentally grabs more than one ballot at a time. On average, 3.6% of ballots printed on the new paper saw multi-feed errors and about 0.8% saw pick errors — far higher error rates than that of the county’s usual ballot paper. In 2024, about 111,000 voters cast ballots in the county. Officials estimated it would have taken up to six hours longer to count those ballots if they were printed on the new paper, a notable timesuck for a department with just a handful of full-time employees. “In conclusion, though the Ballot Guard paper properly tabulates every time, we would not recommend its use,” officials wrote in a testing report that they presented on Sept. 15. “The process is significantly slowed by multifeeds and pick errors, which would not happen on original Runbeck paper stock. The security added by the paper is irrelevant when counterfeit votes would never make it to the ballot tabulators in the first place.” Later, Sumner said Runbeck hypothesized that the errors may have been the result of static electricity in the stacks of testing paper. Static causes ballots to stick together, but the issue could be solved by letting the paper sit out for a day or two. In December, the company sent the county more paper — this time, letting it rest before shipping it out. When election officials tested ballots with that batch of paper, Sumner said, they saw dramatically improved results. On average, just 0.7% of the ballots were met with multi-feed errors, and another 0.7% with pick error messages. That’s still more than the 0.3% and 0.0% error rates that the county’s regular paper encountered in initial testing, on average. But Sumner noted that multi-feed and pick errors happen in live elections no matter what type of paper is being used. The error rates seen with the new paper, she said, shouldn’t slow officials down too much in the counting process. As a result, election officials say they are now on board with Ballot Guard. “The limited multi-feed and pick error rates are deemed acceptable for ballot feed errors with ballot tabulation,” a January test report read. Katina Granger, a spokesperson for ES&S, said the company still doesn’t recommend the paper for use with its tabulators. Ballot Guard does not meet the same specifications as its recommended paper stock, she said. “We’ve identified several differences in physical characteristics, like surface texture, thickness, stiffness, coating, and fiber composition, which can impact how ballots move through the equipment and are scanned,” Granger said, adding that ES&S had communicated “potential performance risks” to Mohave County. “We recommend jurisdictions use paper with specifications within the recommended parameters to guarantee performance.” But Sumner said the paper has also been tested during pre-election audits and ran smoothly. She said she was confident that the paper will work well in upcoming elections. “It’s not going to affect the tabulation or the results at all,” she said. “It’s all going to be fine.” This article was originally published by Votebeat, a nonprofit news organization covering local election administration and voting access. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bfd9cc2ca79de23647eaa You can now customize Siri’s pace and expressivity in the latest iOS 27 beta te 2026-07-06T19:10:20.629Z You can now customize Siri’s pace and expressivity in the latest iOS 27 beta The new controls let you control how quickly Siri speaks and expressive its voice is. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bfb6dc2ca79de23647e7c Socialist mayor Katie Wilson silent amid protests over ‘human dumping ground’ ahead of US World Cup match te 2026-07-06T19:01:01.619Z Socialist mayor Katie Wilson silent amid protests over ‘human dumping ground’ ahead of US World Cup match Seattle socialist mayor Katie Wilson is facing protests ahead of today’s U.S. World Cup match in her city as members of the local Chinese and Vietnamese communities are accusing her of abandoning their neighborhoods to crime and open air drug dealing. One organizer went so far as to accuse progressive Wilson of treating Seattle’s Chinatown International District (CID) as a "human dumping ground" for homeless and drug addicts. While Seattle has hosted some of the World Cup’s biggest matches, including today’s U.S. versus Belgium match, residents and business owners in the CID and "Little Saigon" say their neighborhoods are missing out on the economic benefits due to safety concerns leading people to avoid the area, according to local outlet KIRO 7. Business owners are reporting a significant decline in foot traffic and business despite being less than a mile from Lumen Field. As frustrations mount, many are blaming Wilson’s leadership and taking to the streets to protest against her in front of World Cup crowds. SPENCER PRATT LIGHTS SOCIAL MEDIA ON FIRE WITH VIRAL TAKEDOWN OF ‘VILE, COMMIE MAYOR’ MAMDANI At one rally, Gary Lee, a CID advocate, said into a microphone that "Wilson claims to be an advocate for marginalized communities of color, but all she did was turn the CID into a human dumping ground and we’ve had enough," KIRO 7 reported. In an interview with the outlet, Lee said, "When I look at the TV, I see that the waterfront is jampacked, Pioneer Square is jampacked. When I go over to Chinatown, it’s just like dead." "I hate to say it, but it feels like a ghost town," he said of the CID. Fox News Digital reached out to Wilson for comment, however, the mayor did not respond by the time of publication. SEATTLE'S SOCIALIST MAYOR KATIE WILSON SLAMMED FOR CUTTING SHORT INTERVIEW OVER BASIC PUBLIC SAFETY QUESTION When CID residents started venting their frustrations, Wilson responded, "We’ve definitely seen, like, a lot of energy was put into trying to make sure that as visitors are coming, they are, you know, venturing out of that downtown corridor." In a statement sent to KIRO 7, Wilson’s office said that "crime and disorder issues in the CID have gone unaddressed for far too long. We continue to work with the CID community to address their concerns and ensure it is a safe, active, and vibrant neighborhood." Meanwhile, Fox 13 Seattle reported that community activist and former city council member Tanya Woo said many businesses in the district are seeing a 10-20% decline in sales. Woo called on community members to join her in walking to the stadium area on Monday to "personally invite fans to eat, shop, and experience the Chinatown-International District." SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER "Many businesses in the Chinatown-International District are reporting sales declines compared to this time last year. Although thousands of FIFA fans are coming to Seattle, our neighborhood has largely become a rideshare pickup and drop-off zone," she wrote. In another post, Woo wrote that "Seattle’s Chinatown International District should be benefiting from the FIFA World Cup, not being left behind." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bfb46c2ca79de23647e6c ‘Excited but Shocked’: U.S. Soccer Fans Struggle With Trump’s FIFA Call te 2026-07-06T19:00:22.212Z ‘Excited but Shocked’: U.S. Soccer Fans Struggle With Trump’s FIFA Call Americans wrestled with definitions of fairness, after the president intervened in the World Cup to reinstate a star player. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bf927c2ca79de23647e32 'The View' host supports Trump appealing to FIFA on controversial red card te 2026-07-06T18:51:19.480Z 'The View' host supports Trump appealing to FIFA on controversial red card "The View" co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin defended President Donald Trump on Monday for intervening in FIFA's handling of U.S. soccer star Folarin Balogun's red card suspension, after Trump confirmed he asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the call ahead of the United States' World Cup match against Belgium. Griffin, a former Trump White House communications aide who has become a frequent critic of the president, said she approved of the alleged favor because it helped the U.S. team. "The one Trump corruption I agree with is the red card if we are going to get into FIFA," she said. "If you’re going to call in a favor, do it so that you can get one of the greatest players back on," Griffin continued. "It should have been a yellow card, suspend him for a bit." TRUMP CALLED FIFA PRESIDENT TO REVIEW FOLARIN BALOGUN'S RED CARD AHEAD OF USA-BELGIUM MATCH, SOURCE SAYS However, fellow co-host Sunny Hostin accused Trump of "corruption," claiming he had personally pushed FIFA to let Balogun play despite the red card. "Which means you’re supposed to be suspended for the next game and Trump made a call to FIFA and said can he still play and FIFA said, ‘Sure, we’re going to abandon all of our rules for a World Cup and let them play,’" Hostin said. Hostin, who said earlier in the show she had just returned from a vacation to Spain, claimed Europeans had been raising concerns to her about corruption in the U.S. "Europeans, because I was in Spain at the time, Europeans are saying things like I can’t believe America is so corrupt," Hostin said. "I’m like have you met the Trump administration? Have you met where we are right now?" Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.  BELGIUM 'CONSIDERING ALL POSSIBLE OPTIONS' AFTER FIFA CLEARS TEAM USA'S FOLARIN BALOGUN Farah Griffin then noted Balogun's eligibility to play for the U.S. national team came through birthright citizenship. "And that player, by the way, is eligible to be playing on the U.S. team because of birthright citizenship," Farah Griffin said. "Which is incredible and it’s great." "Correct," Hostin agreed. Comedian Michelle Buteau, who joined the panel as a guest co-host Monday, said she was not surprised by the FIFA controversy because she argued it reflected Trump’s broader approach to rules. "We can’t be surprised that he’s like, trying to break the rules, because the way you do one thing is the way you do everything and that’s what he does, he breaks the rules," she said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Trump discussed the call during a White House event on Monday, saying he spoke with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and asked the governing body to take another look at Balogun’s suspension. "So yes, I asked for a review by FIFA," Trump said. Trump said he believed the red card decision against Balogun was wrong and argued the play did not warrant the punishment. "It was very unfair," Trump said. "It wasn’t a foul." "FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent," Infantino said in a statement. "They operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them. Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football, and this must always be respected." "Yes, I regularly discuss matters related to the FIFA World Cup with the President of the United States, and on this matter, I did receive a call from President Donald Trump, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives from around the world on many different issues," he added.  "During our conversation, I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA’s independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies. That is how FIFA’s system works, and it is a principle that I will always uphold," Infantino concluded. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bf914c2ca79de23647e29 Chicago officers wounded in traffic stop shootout as holiday weekend leaves 3 dead, 16 injured te 2026-07-06T18:51:00.029Z Chicago officers wounded in traffic stop shootout as holiday weekend leaves 3 dead, 16 injured Two Chicago police officers were shot during a struggle with an armed suspect over the Fourth of July weekend as separate shootings across the city left three people dead and at least 16 others wounded, according to preliminary police figures. The Chicago Police Department said 34-year-old Malik Wrightsell was charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery of a peace officer, aggravated assault of a peace officer, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of a weapon by a repeat felony offender and several other offenses in connection with one shooting. The officers were conducting a traffic stop in Chicago's South Chicago neighborhood just before 5 p.m. Friday when Wrightsell fled on foot, police said. Officers pursued him into the 7900 block of South Chappel Avenue, where he allegedly resisted as they attempted to take him into custody. NORTH CHARLESTON OFFICER ATTACKED BY CROWD IN VIRAL VIDEO AFTER GUNFIRE ERUPTS AT BLOCK PARTY During the struggle, police said Wrightsell pulled out a handgun and fired, striking one officer in the abdomen. The officer's ballistic vest stopped the bullet before returning fire and striking Wrightsell. A second officer also was shot in the arm during the confrontation, with that officer's ballistic vest also stopping the bullet. Responding officers rendered aid to both officers and Wrightsell before all three were transported to area hospitals. Police also recovered a firearm at the scene. Both officers were listed in good condition. Wrightsell was transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition. NYPD DETECTIVE, CHILDREN SHOT IN SEPARATE BROOKLYN SHOOTINGS OVER HOLIDAY WEEKEND The shooting was one of 11 shooting incidents recorded across Chicago between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday, preliminary Chicago Police Department figures provided to Fox News Digital show. The incidents left 16 people shot and three people dead. Citing Chicago police, FOX 32 Chicago reported that six people between the ages of 17 and 20 were wounded in a mass shooting on the city's West Side early Sunday. About 10 minutes earlier, a 17-year-old girl was critically wounded in a separate shooting nearby. The station also reported that a 33-year-old man was fatally shot on the West Side, while a 31-year-old man was critically wounded after being found shot inside a home Sunday afternoon. FEDS DISMANTLE ALLEGED GUN TRAFFICKING RING THAT FUNNELED DOZENS OF FIREARMS FROM GEORGIA TO CHICAGO GANGS Several other shootings and stabbings were reported across the city over the holiday weekend. The preliminary figures marked a sharp decline from the Fourth of July holiday weekend in 2025, when Chicago recorded 32 shootings involving 44 victims, including nine fatalities, FOX 32 Chicago reported. The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating the officer-involved shooting. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bf8edc2ca79de23647e1a Erika Kirk Attends Hearing for Man Accused of Killing Her Husband te 2026-07-06T18:50:21.115Z Erika Kirk Attends Hearing for Man Accused of Killing Her Husband Mrs. Kirk is at the center of conspiracy theories, atop a political organization in transition and facing a personal test. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bf6cfc2ca79de23647ddf Florida man reveals bizarre trick that won Key lime pie-eating championship without using his hands te 2026-07-06T18:41:19.516Z Florida man reveals bizarre trick that won Key lime pie-eating championship without using his hands A Florida man who finally captured the title at the World Famous Key Lime Pie Eating Championship said his winning strategy came down to eliminating the biggest obstacle first: the whipped cream. Florida Keys resident Kevin Renly, 62, claimed victory at the annual Fourth of July competition in Key West after devouring a whipped cream-topped 9-inch Key lime pie in 59.6 seconds — all without using his hands.  Contestants were required to eat the pies without using their hands, though goggles and dive masks were allowed. AMERICA'S MOST-SEARCHED ICE CREAM BRAND MAY SURPRISE YOU — AND THERE'S A HEALTHY REASON WHY After finishing runner-up in 2024 and 2025, Renly said he spent time refining his approach before this year's competition. "You didn't have to eat the cream. So, I figured, 'How am I going to get rid of the cream real fast?'" Renly told Fox News Digital. "So that's what I figured out. I take my shirt off and dive into it, pull up and the whipped cream is on my chest." Once the topping was out of the way, Renly flipped the pie upside down to tackle what he considered the toughest part. "How are you going to eat the crust? That's the worst part, because it was just so dry," he said. "No problem. We'll just flip it upside down and eat it that way." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Held as part of the five-day Key Lime Festival, the competition is Key West's tropical twist on Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest and drew hundreds of spectators as 25 contestants plunged face-first into whipped cream-covered pies. Renly, who co-owns Southernmost Bees with his wife, Julie, joked after this year's victory that the "third time's the charm." He had previously referred to himself as the "first loser" after consecutive second-place finishes. The win carried extra meaning because the contest fell on the wedding anniversary he shares with his wife, Julie. "I didn't want to go home and tell her I'd lost again," Renly said after the competition. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS Renly said his motivation also extended beyond personal bragging rights. He wanted to keep the championship trophy in the Florida Keys. "I sat there watching and thought, 'Wait a minute. All these people come [from] out of town and they take this trophy home,'" he told Fox News Digital. "This trophy needs to stay here locally, so some locals have got to keep it here." Key lime pie was designated as Florida's official pie in 2006. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ The iconic dessert is traditionally made with Key lime juice, sweetened condensed milk and egg yolks in a graham cracker crust topped with whipped cream or meringue. Now that he's won, Renly already has his sights set on making history. "No one's ever repeated for a win," he said. "Now I've got a new goal — to be the first repeat." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bf6a8c2ca79de23647dd1 Michigan Senate Primary Gives Democrats Stark Choice Between Progressive and Moderate Candidate te 2026-07-06T18:40:40.603Z Michigan Senate Primary Gives Democrats Stark Choice Between Progressive and Moderate Candidate The state’s important Senate primary just became a head-to-head battle between Abdul El-Sayed, an outspoken left-wing candidate, and Haley Stevens, a moderate backed by party leaders. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bf694c2ca79de23647dbc The running list: major tech layoffs in 2026 where employers cited AI te 2026-07-06T18:40:20.643Z The running list: major tech layoffs in 2026 where employers cited AI A running look — in reverse chronological order — at the bigger tech companies that have announced significant layoffs this year with AI as a stated factor. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bf48dc2ca79de23647d7c The summer walking essentials that make hot days more comfortable, from $10 te 2026-07-06T18:31:41.998Z The summer walking essentials that make hot days more comfortable, from $10 Hot weather doesn't have to keep you from your daily walk. We've rounded up essentials — from UPF shirts and insulated water bottles to breathable sneakers — to help you stay cool, comfortable and moving all summer long. These shirts, hats, socks and other apparel deliver cooling comfort.  Original price: $14.99 Protect your skin from the sun with this UPF 50+ long-sleeve shirt. The quick-drying fabric helps wick away moisture to keep you cooler and more comfortable on walks. Original price: $24.98 This quick-drying polo is versatile enough for everything from daily errands to workouts. Its lightweight, breathable fabric helps keep you cool on hot days, and at just $13, its easy to stock up on multiple colors. Nike Dri-FIT shorts help keep you cool and comfortable on every walk. Moisture-wicking fabric and a relaxed fit promote airflow, while the high-rise waistband provides a secure fit. Men can also shop Nike's Dri-FIT basketball shorts for the same lightweight comfort. READ MORE: Save up to 80% on summer essentials, from cooling pajamas to sandals Original price: $43.99 Refresh your warm-weather wardrobe with this five-pack of athletic shorts. The versatile neutral colors pair easily with your favorite T-shirts, so you'll always have a comfortable option ready for walks, workouts and weekend outings. Stay stocked for every workout with this five-pack of Dry-Fit T-shirts. The stretchy, moisture-wicking fabric helps keep you cool and comfortable during walks, yoga sessions and hikes, while the lightly tailored fit offers a flattering silhouette. A similar five-pack is also available for men. Original price: $17.48 Keep your feet cool and comfortable with these moisture-wicking Hanes socks. They help manage sweat during long walks, while built-in odor control helps keep them feeling fresher for longer.  Original price: $17.99 Prevent blisters with these cushioned running socks featuring protective heel tabs. An elastic cuff helps keep each sock securely in place, while moisture-wicking, odor-resistant fabric keeps your feet cool and comfortable mile after mile. Original price: $29.99 Shield yourself from the sun with this unisex bucket hat. Its wet-to-cool technology activates when damp to help keep you cool on hot walks, and it's machine-washable for easy cleanup after sweaty days. Grab shoes and accessories that make you more comfortable while you move.  Stay comfortable on long walks with these New Balance sneakers. Soft foam cushioning helps absorb impact, while the breathable mesh upper promotes airflow without adding extra weight. Original price: $52.46 Joomra's barefoot sneakers are Amazon's current No. 1 best seller, backed by more than 20,000 positive reviews. Their minimalist design delivers a lightweight feel, while removable insoles let you add extra arch support when you want it. A FOX favorite, Skechers Go Walk sneakers slip on hands-free for added convenience. The breathable mesh upper promotes airflow, while Skechers' cushioned midsole helps keep every step comfortable. READ MORE: Top Skechers sneaker deals on Amazon — starting at just $35 Original price: $71 Skechers Go Walk Max Effort sneakers combine a cushioned insole with a flexible outsole for lasting comfort. They're a solid choice for anyone who spends long hours on their feet or enjoys daily walks. Protect your eyes without overspending with Goodr polarized sunglasses. The no-slip coating and silicone nose inserts help keep them securely in place, whether you're walking, running or tackling other outdoor activities. Oakley's classic polarized sunglasses pair timeless style with dependable performance. The polarized lenses help reduce glare, while the durable frame is built to handle everyday wear. Round out your walking and running kit with water bottles, bags and more. Original price: $29.99 Stay hydrated on every walk with the Owala FreeSip water bottle. Its unique design lets you sip through the built-in straw or tilt the bottle to drink, while the insulated stainless construction keeps water cold all day. A pop-up carry handle makes it easy to take on the go. Original price: $27.49 A sling crossbody bag keeps your phone, keys and wallet within easy reach without weighing down your pockets. It features two water bottle holders, a spacious main compartment and multiple exterior pockets to keep essentials organized. Original price: $21.99 The lightweight Waterfly running belt carries your phone, earbuds and other essentials without adding bulk. It sits securely around your waist for a barely-there feel on walks and runs. READ MORE: Fitness deals to keep you on track: Up to 50% off smartwatches, weights and more Original price: $44.99 If you prefer to keep weight off your waist, this running vest offers plenty of storage for your essentials. Fully adjustable straps fit sizes XS to XXL for a secure, comfortable fit. For more deals, visit www.foxnews.com/deals Original price: $12.99 Keep your phone close without carrying it in your hand with this running armband. The clear touchscreen window provides easy access on the go, while a hidden pocket stores cash, keys or an AirPods case. If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can get these items sent to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bf47ac2ca79de23647d73 James Comer fires back at Democrats' vow to investigate Trump's America 250 bash te 2026-07-06T18:31:22.552Z James Comer fires back at Democrats' vow to investigate Trump's America 250 bash House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., blasted Democrats Sunday for accusing President Donald Trump of hijacking America's 250th birthday celebration for political and financial gain, arguing the attacks reflect hatred for the president rather than love of country. "[Democrats] would rather Donald Trump fail and America fail than celebrate the success of our founding fathers and the fact that we are the greatest nation on the planet," Comer told "The Big Weekend Show." "We are the greatest nation in the history of the world. Anyone can become anything in America because of the sacrifices of our founding fathers, the sacrifices of our soldiers, the sacrifices of our American heroes, and that's what last night was all about." TRUMP SET TO DELIVER 'HISTORIC' SPEECH CELEBRATING AMERICA'S 250TH ANNIVERSARY Comer's remarks came after Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, released a 55-page report accusing Trump of transforming the America 250 celebration into a partisan spectacle that advanced his political and religious agenda. "[This follows] months of investigative work by Committee Democrats exposing how Donald Trump hijacked what was supposed to be a unifying, non-political celebration of our country's 250th birthday and made it all about him – his vanity projects, his political and religious agenda, his business ventures, and his cronies who gorged on public funds under cover of a shadow corporation shielded from public scrutiny," a press release said of the report. More specifically, the release accused the Trump administration of creating the "shadow organization" Freedom 250 LLC and making it a central part of celebrations after the America 250 Commission "refused to bend to the President's demands." WHITE HOUSE TOUTS TRUMP’S ‘BOLD VISION’ FOR TOWERING INDEPENDENCE ARCH FOR AMERICA 250 It alleged the group used the nation's semiquincentennial to sell access to Trump, redirect donor money intended for America250 and enrich Trump allies through lucrative contracts. Some Democrats have signaled the effort could face congressional scrutiny if Democrats regain the House majority in November. "I believe it will be [investigated]," Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., told MS NOW on Friday. BILL MAHER TELLS LIBERALS TO STOP 'PARTISAN SULKING' AND JOIN AMERICA 250 PARTY Comer dismissed the Democrats' criticisms as politically motivated, arguing the party is more interested in investigating Trump than conducting meaningful oversight. "Oversight is in full swing," he said, responding to Democratic Rep. Brendan Boyle's insistence that oversight will come if Democrats win. "We are investigating waste, fraud and abuse. That's what the Oversight Committee is about..." he added. "President Trump made the focus about honoring our heroes and being proud to be an American, and all the Democrats want to do is say, 'If you vote for us, we'll investigate Trump for wasting money on an independent celebration that, by the way, mentioned Christianity, even though our country was founded by people seeking freedom of religion.' So this is just a perfect example of the Democrats, and I think that all they're going to do if they flip the House and become the majority in the House is investigate and harass Donald Trump." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bf453c2ca79de23647d66 Supreme Court Allows Texas Age-Verification Law for App Stores, for Now te 2026-07-06T18:30:43.629Z Supreme Court Allows Texas Age-Verification Law for App Stores, for Now The law would require Apple and Google to verify the age of app store users to give parents more control over the content their children download. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bf43cc2ca79de23647d51 Sierra Vista Vice Mayor Carolyn Flowers eyes top job te 2026-07-06T18:30:20.598Z Sierra Vista Vice Mayor Carolyn Flowers eyes top job Sierra Vista Vice Mayor Carolyn Flowers is running for mayor after eight years on the city council, saying her experience in local government and deep roots in the community have prepared her to lead the city. Mayor Clea McCaa, who has held the seat since 2023, announced in December that he will not seek reelection and is planning to pursue a run for Arizona's 6th Congressional District. Flowers will face challengers Mark Rodriguez, Brandon Martin and Steven Stefanov in the Nov. 4 race. The election will also fill four council seats, one more than usual due to a recent council resignation. Flowers moved to Sierra Vista in 2008 and has been appointed vice mayor twice during her time on the city council. She said her time on the council, her experience serving on the board of the Metropolitan Planning Organization and her role as a council liaison for multiple commissions have prepared her to take on the role of mayor. "I do have a deep understanding of how the city works, how the government works, how to get things done realistically," Flowers told Tucson Spotlight. "I've spent years working on these issues that matter to residents and I'm very proud of my record of always putting the community's priorities first." Tucson Spotlight trains the next generation of Southern Arizona journalists and publishes their work free for everyone. No paywalls, no corporate backing — just readers who believe this community deserves better local news. Carolyn Flowers, second from left, poses while ringing bells for the Salvation Army Sierra Vista Corps. Courtesy of Carolyn Flowers for Mayor. Flowers said she believes working in government is a way to give back to the place she calls home. "I'm running for mayor because I love Sierra Vista. (There's) a saying when you love something or someone, you take care of it," Flowers said. "That's how I see my serving on the city council. It's my way of taking care of the place and the people that I love." Flowers' campaign focuses on securing funding to improve city infrastructure, maintaining public safety and supporting veterans and local businesses. She said her core priorities include supporting Fort Huachuca and the military community, promoting economic prosperity, protecting water resources and the area's natural character, keeping Sierra Vista affordable and expanding opportunities and amenities for youth and families. As a former small business owner in Sierra Vista, Flowers said she's familiar with the hard work and time it takes to run a business. "I had a dog grooming shop. I finally closed the doors to my shop (a few years ago,) but I was open from … August 2009 to December 2024," Flowers said. "I had after the first year, …400 steady clients. It was a very popular business and I absolutely loved it, but it also gave me firsthand experience of running a small business in Sierra Vista." Sierra Vista Vice Mayor Carolyn Flowers, right, at the annual Veteran of the Year Luncheon at VFW Post 9972. Courtesy of Carolyn Flowers for Mayor. Flowers said local government can be an asset to small businesses and that she wants to improve communication between the city and business owners. "I think the city's role is to create an environment where … businesses can succeed (and) to not be in their way. (This) means maintaining the infrastructure, streamlining processes, supporting workforce development and then we have a bunch of organizations we can partner with that help promote economic growth," Flowers said. Sierra Vista's veteran community should not be overlooked, Flowers said, adding that several members of the council are veterans or are married to veterans. "We have the largest per capita veteran populace here in Cochise County. It can't be understated that we have so many veterans here and it really is a characteristic of our community," Flowers said. "Once you live a life of service like that and retire, you tend to continue serving … even after you retire because it's just not in your nature to sit back and not continue to give." Flowers said she's passionate about serving the community and believes she can be the leader to help it improve. "This is my home. This is the longest I've lived anywhere," she said. "I'm rooted here and I'm committed to our future. … I offer a combination of experience, proven leadership and community involvement." 💡 The primary is July 21. Early voting begins June 24, with a mail ballot deadline of July 14. Pima County voters can register, check their registration or request a mail ballot at recorder.pima.gov. Nya Belcastro is a University of Arizona student and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at nya2005@arizona.edu. Tucson Spotlight is a community-based newsroom that provides paid opportunities for students and rising journalists in Southern Arizona. Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation. Donate to Tucson Spotlight Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bf1e4c2ca79de23647d14 Amazon competitor Bookshop.org says Kobo e-reader support will happen this year after all te 2026-07-06T18:20:20.553Z Amazon competitor Bookshop.org says Kobo e-reader support will happen this year after all Bookship.org seemed to delay this anticipated partnership again, but tells TechCrunch that it has settled business terms and is working on integration. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4befb4c2ca79de23647cd6 Pastor freed from Chinese prison after Trump raised his case with Xi Jinping te 2026-07-06T18:11:00.387Z Pastor freed from Chinese prison after Trump raised his case with Xi Jinping The pastor of a prominent underground church in China who was imprisoned by Chinese authorities last year has been released and reunited with his family in the U.S., according to reports. Ezra Jin, founder of Zion Church, was one of nearly 30 Zion Church pastors and staff members detained in October during one of China’s largest crackdowns on evangelical churches in decades, according to the nonprofit advocacy group Luke Alliance. Jin was released from detention and arrived in Los Angeles on Friday, ChinaAid reported. According to the Christian human rights organization, Chinese authorities told Jin he was being released due to negotiations between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. During a high-profile state visit to Beijing in May, Trump raised Jin’s case directly with the Chinese leader. On his flight back to the U.S., Trump told reporters that Xi promised to "strongly consider" the pastor's release. PRESIDENT TRUMP REVEALS XI JINPING'S RESPONSE TO POSSIBLY RELEASING IMPRISONED CHINESE CRITIC JIMMY LAI "We are feeling so overwhelmed with joy. We thank God for this tremendous miracle," his daughter Grace Jin Drexel said in a family statement to CNN. "We also thank President Trump and his administration for their tremendous leadership," she said, adding that this would not have been possible "without the direct intervention from Chairman Xi Jinping." The family had been separated for nearly a decade, after Drexel's mother and brothers fled China in 2018 after authorities shut down Zion Church’s physical sanctuary in Beijing. Drexel previously told Fox News Digital her father felt called to stay behind in China. She had not seen him in person since 2020. Drexel also said that the family hoped Jin’s release would be "a signal of a positive turn for people of faith in China and relations between our two nations." BRONX MAN CONVICTED OF RUNNING SECRET CHINESE POLICE STATION IN MANHATTAN USED TO MONITOR DISSIDENTS Jin’s case drew international outcry, with advocacy groups like ChinaAid calling the church arrests "politically motivated." The organization said the arrests marked "a dramatic escalation in the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) war on religious freedom." "These pastors and co-workers are being treated as criminals simply because they faithfully shepherded a large, legally unregistered church that refused to submit to CCP control and surveillance," ChinaAid said in a November statement calling for their release and international pressure. MARCO RUBIO SAYS US WILL PUSH CHINA TO TAKE A MORE 'ACTIVE ROLE' IN IRAN NEGOTIATIONS AHEAD OF TRUMP-XI SUMMIT Secretary of State Marco Rubio denounced the detentions of the Zion Church members in October and asked the Chinese government to release them. Ahead of his travels to Beijing in May, Trump vowed to raise Jin's case directly with Xi. "I’ll bring it up," Trump told The Hill reporter Julia Manchester when asked whether he planned to press Xi about the detained pastor. "As he has said publicly, President Trump raised Pastor Jin’s detention directly with Xi Jinping," a U.S. official told Fox News Digital. "He will always champion religious freedom around the world. He brought up Jimmy Lai’s case as he said he would." ChinaAid celebrated the pastor's release in a press statement and thanked the Trump administration for its efforts to secure Jin's release. "We rejoice with Pastor Ezra Jin, his family, and the global Body of Christ on this remarkable Independence Day miracle," Rev. Dr. Bob Fu, Founder and President of ChinaAid, said in a statement. "We thank Almighty God for hearing the prayers of His people. We are deeply grateful to President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and all U.S. officials who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to secure Pastor Jin’s freedom. Their unwavering commitment demonstrates that principled leadership and persistent diplomacy can make a life-saving difference." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Fu noted that while Jin was released, eight other Zion Church pastors and members, along with practitioners from other religions, remain "unjustly imprisoned by the Chinese Communist Party." "We respectfully call on President Trump and his Administration to continue making religious freedom and the release of all prisoners of faith a top priority in every engagement with Beijing," Fu added. "True progress in U.S.-China relations must include freedom for those imprisoned simply because they choose to believe." Fox News' Ashley Carnahan and Efrat Lachter contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4befa0c2ca79de23647ccd FIFA president addresses Trump call amid scrutiny over decision on USA World Cup star te 2026-07-06T18:10:40.935Z FIFA president addresses Trump call amid scrutiny over decision on USA World Cup star FIFA President Gianni Infantino released a statement on Monday addressing his interactions with President Donald Trump amid USA World Cup star Folarin Balogun’s suspended one-game ban. Trump told reporters he asked Infantino if FIFA would review the play. Infantino said in his release that "FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent" and "operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them." ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "Yes, I regularly discuss matters related to the FIFA World Cup with the President of the United States, and on this matter, I did receive a call from President Donald Trump, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives from around the world on many different issues," he said. "During our conversation, I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA’s independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies. That is how FIFA’s system works, and it is a principle that I will always uphold. "I read the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee when they are issued. Sometimes I am surprised by them. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I disagree. "What I always do, however, is respect those decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them. Whether we personally like a decision or not is irrelevant. Respect for independent institutions and the rule of law is what protects the integrity of our competitions and the credibility of FIFA at all times." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Balogun was given a red card after a VAR review to look at a play in which Balogun stepped on the ankle of a Bosnia and Herzegovina defender. He would have been suspended for the team’s match against Belgium but FIFA decided to suspend the one-game ban. Trump addressed the controversy in the Oval Office. "All I did was, I asked for a review, because I didn’t think it was a foul," the president said. "And again, I’m good at this stuff. I didn’t think it was a foul. I thought it was two great athletes who crashed into each other and got entangled. That was not a guy punching somebody in the face or anything that would be different. "I think it’s a terrible … if they wouldn’t allow a top player, maybe the best, maybe among the best on the team, to play, I think it would have had a big stain. I relayed it. I didn’t tell him what to do. I don’t believe he made the decision. I think it was a committee that made the decision and they made the right decision because, No. 1, it wasn’t a foul and you want to see a game with your best players." Trump said the feeling would be the same if Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo or Harry Kane would have been given a red card in a similar way. He also took issue with the call itself. "If you would have taken him out, I think it would have really stained this incredible championship," Trump continued. "We gotta have our best players and Belgium, Belgium’s got a great team by the way. We have our best players and they have to have their best. If we win or we lose, it’s fair. Otherwise, let’s say we lost to them, then we lost the game. It would be a terrible thing. I think they made a really brilliant decision. "I think the referee’s call was horrible and nobody talks about that. They talk about the red card like it’s fine. The referee’s decision to red card, I didn’t know what the hell a red card was and when I found out I said, ‘You gotta be kidding.’ … I said, ‘Wow, that’s a lot of power, that’s terrible.’ And then I looked at his past and it wasn’t so great." Belgium’s appeal was dismissed later Monday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bed5ec2ca79de23647c91 Jasmine Crockett warns Democrats are too focused on White voters, ignoring Black voters te 2026-07-06T18:01:02.305Z Jasmine Crockett warns Democrats are too focused on White voters, ignoring Black voters Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, suggested the Democratic Party was too focused on trying to win over White voters while ignoring more reliable Black voters during the Fourth of July weekend.  During an interview with The Root at the Essence Festival in New Orleans, Crockett said that Black Americans feel ignored by the party despite their loyalty. "When you walk into a room full of Black people, you can almost guarantee that they believe in the Democratic ideals," Crockett said. "When you walk into a room full of White people, you don’t know what you walking into." "If there’s any group of people that the party should be most loyal to and most vocal about, it’s Black people," Crockett said. "Because Black people have historically held this down." WATCH: OBAMA, HARRIS ADVISOR WARNS ‘BETRAYED’ BLACK VOTERS COULD BE TEXAS SENATE CANDIDATE'S KRYPTONITE Crockett said Black voters have been asking whether Democrats will speak out about issues affecting them, including political representation, Black maternal mortality and Black women losing jobs. "Black people are saying, ‘Are y’all going to say anything about our representation that is being deleted like, in a very sinister and calculated way?’" Crockett said. Crockett said she hears from Black Americans who feel the party is not prioritizing their concerns. "And so what you see is that Black people are consistently being ignored, or I feel like that’s what I hear," she said. DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKER CLAIMS BLACK AMERICANS WILL STOP VOTING IF THEY DON'T GET REPARATIONS The Texas Democrat said her party needs to establish a "baseline" for the party’s different constituencies, including Black Americans, Latinos, women and the LGBTQIA community. "We have to say, as a baseline, we will not accept anybody that does not stand for these very basic things," Crockett said. "And frankly, for Black folk, it’s just honestly acknowledging our humanity." Crockett also said Democrats must do more to reach voters who sat out the 2024 election, arguing many Americans do not feel represented by either major political party. "You had a little over 70 million that voted for the Democrat and voted for the Republican," Crockett said. "But you had more people sit out than voted for either one." WE ASKED AMERICANS TO GRADE THE ECONOMY. THEN WE ASKED IF IT WOULD CHANGE THEIR VOTE. Crockett said many nonvoters believe their lives have not changed regardless of which party is in power. "People need to understand that there are certain people that say, ‘It doesn’t matter if it’s a Democrat or a Republican, my life has never changed,’" Crockett said. She said politicians need to stop "talking at people" and instead engage directly with Americans who are struggling. "You have people that literally are saying, ‘I don’t know how I’m going to eat,’" Crockett said. "So they’re looking at people, and they’re like, ‘You would never even talk to me.’" CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Crockett also criticized what she called "White leftists" who focus on one issue while people who rely on government services struggle to get attention. "You talk about the left. The left has decided that they — and, granted, I mean, I’m a progressive, I started the progressive caucus, all the things — but I know what you’re saying when you’re talking about the left," Crockett said. "You’re talking about the White leftists that are doing the most in this moment." Crockett urged voters to engage beyond presidential elections, including at city council meetings, state capitals and in Congress. "Everything in our lives, from the cost of food, the cost of gas, whether or not jobs are available, the cost of housing, healthcare, education, the roads, everything is a political decision," Crockett said. "There’s a mad man that’s like in the White House," Crockett said. "Like that scares me." Crockett said she was also concerned about the courts and whether Democrats would respond aggressively enough. "We have to have Democrats that want to be half as courageous as they are cruel," Crockett said. "And then we will start to see some real wins for the American people." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bed36c2ca79de23647c85 Trump Defends Asking FIFA to Review U.S. Soccer Star’s Ban te 2026-07-06T18:00:22.638Z Trump Defends Asking FIFA to Review U.S. Soccer Star’s Ban The president said he called the head of FIFA but “didn’t tell him what to do.” The overturning of the ban has roiled soccer and brought renewed scrutiny to the relationship between the two leaders. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4beaf0c2ca79de2364784a Biohacker hoping to live to 160 reveals alarming diagnosis: 'My stomach is eating itself' te 2026-07-06T17:50:40.545Z Biohacker hoping to live to 160 reveals alarming diagnosis: 'My stomach is eating itself' Bryan Johnson, a biohacker and longevity guru who has claimed "we may be the first generation who won’t die," revealed he has an autoimmune condition causing his stomach to "eat itself." The Los Angeles-based tech entrepreneur, 48, has previously shared publicly that he is hoping to live until the year 2140, when he would in theory be 160 years old. Now, Johnson says he has been diagnosed with autoimmune gastritis (AIG), a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the stomach's acid-producing parietal cells, reducing stomach acid and impairing vitamin B12 absorption, according to Nature Reviews Disease Primers. HOW A 93-YEAR-OLD SOCCER REFEREE CREDITS WARTIME RATIONS AND DISCIPLINE FOR HIS LONGEVITY "My stomach is eating itself," he wrote in an Instagram post. Johnson also shared that anywhere from 2% to 5% of people likely have this disease. "I’m going to try to solve it," Johnson went on. "Will share all." The biohacker shared that as a child, he ate sugary cereal, drank sugary soda and "gobbled down fast food." "I became a young father of three and began building a business," Johnson went on. "Juggling that stress and grind, I let my health slip and gained 40 lbs. Within a few years I’d fallen into a deep, chronic depression." DOCTORS SAY 8 FORGOTTEN HABITS COULD HELP FIGHT STRESS, OBESITY AND CHRONIC DISEASE "Somewhere in that timeline, my body began developing an autoimmune process affecting my thyroid and then my stomach lining," he added. Fox News Digital reached out to Johnson for comment. AIG can remain hidden and can be challenging to diagnose, Johnson noted, often surfacing years after damage has already occurred to the stomach. It can cause iron deficiency, B12 deficiency and anemia, and can also increase the risk of stomach cancer, the expert warned. "Low iron stores get normalized and rarely investigated at all when anemia hasn’t shown up yet," Johnson wrote. "That blind spot is what hid mine for a decade." TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ He also shared that for 11 years, he has had low levels of ferritin, a protein that stores iron inside the body's cells. Ferritin releases iron when the body needs it, supports muscle function and carries out other essential processes. "We continually tried to raise my iron levels without food and supplementation, but nothing would work," he said. Johnson acknowledged that some common biohacking techniques — including hard training, sauna and hyperbaric oxygen — all raise the body’s demand for iron. "But none of them explained the core failure: Despite me taking iron orally, trailing every formulation and using every timing trick, none of the iron would stick." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER Johnson underwent a colonoscopy and upper endoscopy, which examined his entire intestinal tract. Five biopsies were also taken from his stomach, which found "clear signs of early autoimmune gastritis: early atrophy confined to the acid-producing lining." In January 2026, the biohacker stated in a post on his website that "by 2039, my goal is immortality." He detailed his strategy for defying aging, which includes embracing a strict regimen to slow or stop biological aging, using AI to accelerate longevity research, testing new treatments in lab-grown cells and organs, and reaching "longevity escape velocity" — in which medical advances would eventually extend lifespan faster than he ages. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES "I may fail at this task, but my team and I will try our best," he wrote at the time. There is currently no cure for AIG, which Johnson said he wants to change. "In the age of AI, multiomics, and custom-built DNA, proteins and cells, no condition should be presumed incurable simply because no one has yet tried to cure it with today’s stack." Johnson ended his post by urging others to prioritize their health. "Care for yourself, care for others, care for the planet and care for our animal friends. Care for life, as it’s the most precious gift there is." The longevity guru also shared an image showing the detailed findings of his five stomach biopsies. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4be8afc2ca79de236477ef ICE makes nationwide arrests of illegal immigrants, murderers, pedophiles in holiday blitz te 2026-07-06T17:41:03.669Z ICE makes nationwide arrests of illegal immigrants, murderers, pedophiles in holiday blitz EXCLUSIVE: Federal immigration authorities had a busy Independence Day weekend, arresting illegal immigrants all over the country, including some with convictions for murder, burglary, and child sex crimes, during a holiday sweep. The arrests came as many Americans were celebrating the nation's 250th birthday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Monday. "While Americans celebrated the 250th anniversary of the greatest nation on Earth, the brave men and women of ICE were arresting the worst of the worst, including multiple murderers, pedophiles, rapists, kidnappers, drunk drivers, drug traffickers, and other dangerous public safety threats," said DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. "Our law enforcement officers work around the clock, even on holidays, to make our communities safer." ICE NABS ILLEGAL ALIENS CONVICTED OF CHILD SEX CRIMES AND METH TRAFFICKING IN NATIONWIDE ENFORCEMENT SWEEP Bis noted that under President Donald Trump, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has hired 12,000 new officers and agents in less than a year, more than doubling the agency's workforce. "Thanks to President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, we have an additional 12,000 ICE officers who will continue delivering on the American people’s mandate to make our nation SAFE AGAIN," she said. Those arrested over the weekend included Radimir Thompson-Nagle, a Panamanian citizen with criminal convictions for murder and assault in Brooklyn, New York, ICE said. ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WHO KILLED AMERICAN WOMAN OUTSIDE HER HOME WALKS FREE DECADES LATER – THEN INTO ICE CUSTODY Marcos Rubio-Hernandez, a Mexican citizen, was previously convicted of second-degree murder and kidnapping in Wilson County, North Carolina. Roberto Gutierrez-Diaz, also from Mexico, has convictions for sodomy (victim less than 12 years old), sexual abuse (victim less than 12 years old), attempted rape (domestic violence), and burglary in Louisville, Kentucky. Francisco Olmedo-Silva, from Mexico, has convictions spanning Oregon, Wyoming, and Pennsylvania for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, escaping from custody and robbery. Pedro Mazorra-Herrera, from Cuba, was convicted of aggravated stalking, resisting an officer with violence, burglary with assault or battery and cocaine possession in Miami, Florida. Monday's announcement came as the Trump administration continues its deportation campaign targeting criminal illegal immigrants and pushing back on sanctuary jurisdictions. "Sanctuary city politicians who put illegal alien criminals over their own citizens are a national security threat," DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin posted Monday on X. "Seven of the 10 safest cities in America cooperate with @ICEgov. Meanwhile, @GovernorVA has created a hotbed of illegal alien criminal activity in her own backyard." Mullin's remarks came in response to a Fox News Digital story stating that Fairfax County, Virginia, has refused to transfer 615 illegal immigrants to ICE over the past 16 months while turning over just 11. The county designated itself a sanctuary jurisdiction in 2021. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4be89cc2ca79de236477e6 New Laker Walker Kessler popped the question to his former Miss America girlfriend Abbie Stockard te 2026-07-06T17:40:44.222Z New Laker Walker Kessler popped the question to his former Miss America girlfriend Abbie Stockard The Los Angeles Lakers have themselves a center with impeccable vision, and I'm not talking about his eyesight. I don't know if they knew it when they traded for Walker Kessler, but he's not just bringing a 7-foot frame with him. He'll give them close to double-digits in points and rebounds along with a couple of blocks a night, but what can't be calculated on a stat sheet is the vision I mentioned. He put it on display over the Fourth of July weekend. Walker Kessler is now engaged. He popped the question to former Auburn cheerleader and Miss America 2025 girlfriend Abbie Stockard. There it is, there's the impeccable vision. REDS ALL-STAR PITCHER ANDREW ABBOTT PROPOSES TO CINCINNATI TV ANCHOR GIRLFRIEND Not for proposing to a former Miss America, but for the timing of the proposal. He could have done so at any time, and he chose the Fourth of July weekend to do so. It's a smart move. Look, it's not easy to keep track of all the dates of significance in a relationship, especially after the years go by. Kessler isn’t going to have a hard time remembering when he and Stockard got engaged at all. That's an easy one. He set it up with a point of reference. It was the weekend of America's 250th birthday and that is going to be as reflexive of a response as his birthday. LEBRON JAMES THANKS LAKERS AHEAD OF FREE AGENCY DEPARTURE FOR 24TH NBA SEASON: 'HOPE I MADE A FEW PROUD' Without hesitation, he's going to be able to fire that off as long as these two are married. There's not going to be this underlying "why can't he even remember when he asked me to marry him" tension in this marriage. Kessler now has to assist in setting up the wedding, and he has to hope that he can convince his better half to lock that date down around another easy-to-remember event of significance. Congratulations to Kessler and Stockard on their engagement. And congratulations to the Lakers. With this kind of vision, he's going to be worth every bit of his reported new $130 million deal, even if he is coming off of a shoulder injury that limited him to only five games last season. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4be67ec2ca79de236477c4 Doyle Leland Hansen te 2026-07-06T17:31:42.620Z Doyle Leland Hansen Doyle Leland Hansen passed away in Iowa City, Iowa, on June 26, 2026, surrounded by family.       Doyle was born in Snowflake, on Aug. 14, 1929, to Joseph Delbert and Alice H. (nee Smith) Hansen. He was raised in Joseph City with his brothers, Ross, Eugene and Floyd. He attended school in Joseph City and then in Holbrook for the last two years of high school, graduating in 1947.       Doyle attended Eastern Arizona College and Brigham Young University. He served a 2 1/2 year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Spanish American Mission. He also served for two years in the United States Army, where he was trained as a dental assistant. He later studied dentistry at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in San Francisco, Calif. After graduation in 1960, he returned to Arizona and opened a dental practice in Holbrook. He retired from dentistry in 2000.       Doyle married Sonja (nee Hansen) Hansen of Lakeside, on Dec. 6, 1963. They raised four sons and a daughter in Joseph City, Leland, Marlan, Rodney, Todd and Malana. Doyle was devoted to his wife and children. He also served his community, country and church in many capacities.       Doyle was preceded in death by his son Rodney, his parents and his brothers.       He is survived by his beloved wife, four children, 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.       To view a full obituary, please visit: https://www.greersmortuary.com/       The family will receive friends at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Joseph City from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 10. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 11, at the same location, followed by a burial in the Joseph City Cemetery. The funeral will be livestreamed at: https://www.youtube.com/@josephcitysundayservices.       In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Joseph City Chamber of Commerce via Venmo to @JC-chamber or the Grand Canyon Council of Scouting America at https://www.scoutingaz.org/give/. The post Doyle Leland Hansen first appeared on Painted Desert Tribune. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4be669c2ca79de236477b6 California, Southern states brace for strong El Niño system te 2026-07-06T17:31:21.629Z California, Southern states brace for strong El Niño system Key Points: Western states prepare for strong El Niño weather system National Weather Service predicts 63% chance of “very strong” El Niño El Niño systems could help alleviate drought conditions in the Western states like Arizona Western states and the federal government are preparing supplies and emergency repair kits ahead of what is expected to be an unusually strong El Niño weather system this year that could bring torrential rains and strong winds. The National Weather Service said last month that an El Niño system has developed in the tropical Pacific Ocean. Forecasters predicted a 63% chance that sea surface temperatures will exceed 2 degrees Celsius above average, a threshold past which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration considers it a “very strong” system. In a separate warning in early June, the World Meteorological Organization, a wing of the United Nations, forecast an 80% likelihood of an El Niño event between June and August, and a 90% likelihood until at least November. “El Niño conditions will pour fuel on the fire of a warming world,” UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned. “Impacts will hit even harder, travel even farther, and cross borders with devastating speed.” El Niño systems form when ocean temperatures in the eastern and central Pacific Ocean warm. Weaker than normal trade winds allow warmer water to remain close to the surface, rather than upwelling from the depths, accumulating along the coasts of North, Central and South America. The phenomenon pushes the jet stream across the Pacific south, creating dryer and warmer conditions in the northern United States and Canada — but also creating wetter than usual conditions from California to the Dust Bowl to the Gulf Coast. Those wetter conditions can lead to flooding and stormy weather. “Every El Niño is not the same; each one is unique with its own imprint on our weather,” Ken Graham, director of the National Weather Service, said in a statement. “Advanced monitoring and an improved understanding of El Niño patterns allow the NWS to better predict and better prepare the public and our core partners for what is to come.” A spokesperson for the California Department of Water Resources said the state is already holding meetings with local and regional emergency response agencies. The State-Federal Flood Operations Center, based in Sacramento, has pre-positioned 209 flood-fight material containers in 68 locations across the state, the spokesperson said. Those containers include more than 4.3 million sandbags and 55,000 “super sacks,” meant to combat flooding. The department has also stockpiled more than 400,000 tons of rock for emergency levee repairs. “Past El Niño winters have demonstrated that California must be prepared for anything, including extreme storms and extreme drought,” the spokesperson said. “State agencies are monitoring long-term forecasts closely as the summer progresses.” In a separate email, a spokesperson for the Federal Emergency Management Agency said it too had pre-positioned supplies for large-scale events, including the upcoming hurricane season, the ongoing World Cup and the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations. FEMA has pre-positioned meals, water, generators and other response supplies at distribution centers in case demand exceeds state capacity to respond to disasters. “We’re ensuring workforce stability and a strong, deployable force for upcoming national events and potential disasters, making the agency leaner, faster and laser-focused on supporting state, local, tribal and territorial partners before, during and after disasters,” the FEMA spokesperson said. If there is a benefit to El Niño systems, it is that they tend to suppress storm and hurricane development that can threaten the other side of the United States, on the Atlantic seaboard. In May, NOAA predicted a below-normal hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean. The Weather Service says El Niño systems create stormier weather across the southern United States, along with the risk of high tide flooding on the West Coast. Increased rain and snow — provided it doesn’t create flooding conditions — could also benefit Western states. The seven states along the Colorado River, which provides water and hydropower generation for some 40 million Americans, are currently fighting over a deal to divide water use rights as the river drops to near-record lows. Data from the Central Arizona Project, which administers Colorado River water for its state, shows many reservoirs nearing dangerously low levels. The water level in Lake Powell, along the Arizona-Utah border, stands at just 24% capacity. The water level at Lake Mead, outside Las Vegas, is at 29% capacity. One rainy, snowy winter is unlikely to satiate parts of the West that have endured an historic drought. The National Integrated Drought Information System said in a forecast in March that to relieve drought conditions, the El Niño system would have to meet or exceed levels like the exceptionally wet winter of 1957-1958, when historic floods caused fatalities and “devastating destruction.” The post California, Southern states brace for strong El Niño system first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4be654c2ca79de23647795 ICE renews hunt for El Chapo's last two fugitive sons with massive reward te 2026-07-06T17:31:00.636Z ICE renews hunt for El Chapo's last two fugitive sons with massive reward "Two down and two to go" blared the new wanted poster targeting the two remaining fugitive sons of infamous Mexican cartel kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman-Loera, who is serving life-plus-30-years in Colorado's federal supermax prison. On Monday, ICE posted a new wanted poster for two members of "Los Chapitos" — Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, two of El Chapo's sons with his first wife, Alejandrina Maria Salazar-Hernandez. After El Chapo's final capture in 2016, control of the powerful Sinaloa Cartel shifted to Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada. Following Zambada's arrest during the Biden administration, leadership passed to Guzman's four sons. MEXICAN SENATOR ACCUSES SHEINBAUM OF SHIELDING ‘NARCO-POLITICIANS’ AFTER US CARTEL INDICTMENT Both the Trump administration in the U.S. and the Sheinbaum administration in Mexico have said they are focused on cracking down on cartel's new leadership. "Two down and two to go with $10 million reward," the wanted poster read, with Xs over the faces of the already captured Joaquin Guzman Lopez and Ovidio Guzman Lopez. The two captured Chapitos are reportedly cooperating with authorities and have not yet been sentenced, but Ivan and Jesus remain "armed and dangerous," according to ICE. ICE NABS ACCUSED MS-13 KILLER HIDING IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA SUBURB The two fugitives are charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and operating a continuing criminal enterprise. Two of Guzman's four sons have already been captured through Operation Take Back America, an initiative seeking the "total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations" in order to protect U.S. communities from violent crime. U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Andrew Boutros said in a recent statement that efforts to capture El Chapo’s sons are the latest steps "in our efforts to bring to justice drug lords and other dangerous criminals who poison the American public with illegal and harmful drugs and who otherwise engage in violence and corruption to carry out their and their enterprises’ wide-reaching criminal activities." US MILITARY KILLS TWO ALLEGED NARCO-TERRORISTS IN LATEST EASTERN PACIFIC STRIKE ON DRUG-TRAFFICKING VESSEL SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER In his plea agreement, Guzman Lopez admitted that he and his cartel associates committed violence against law enforcement officials, rival drug traffickers and members of their own organization to protect the Sinaloa Cartel's trafficking operations. Fox News Digital reached out to ICE and DHS for additional comment and information on the mission to capture the two at-large Chapitos. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4be641c2ca79de2364778c Mark Kelly proudly backs Team Mexico in World Cup after barely mentioning U.S. men's team te 2026-07-06T17:30:41.191Z Mark Kelly proudly backs Team Mexico in World Cup after barely mentioning U.S. men's team Which team is U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-Az) on? Based on his social media feed, especially on Sunday, it appears Kelly might have a conflict of interest based on how patriotic he was feeling towards Team Mexico in its World Cup match against England. "Lots of people out in Tucson to watch Mexico take on England. Tucson and La Rosa sure know how to do the World Cup!" Kelly boasted on Twitter where he proudly posted photos of himself wearing a Team Mexico jersey and smiling ear to ear. ENGLAND STUNS MEXICO 3-2 IN INSTANT WORLD CUP CLASSIC, HANDS TEAM FIRST WORLD CUP LOSS AT ESTADIO AZTECA You'll never guess who has barely mentioned the U.S. men's team on Twitter or Facebook. Yep, Senator Mark Kelly. Since you're on a roll, you'll also be able to guess who hasn't been to a Team USA watch party, or worn a Team USA jersey to a party, based on his social media feed. You're right again, Mark Kelly. If he has, Kelly sure hasn't bragged about it like he did Sunday when England went into enemy territory and sent the Mexicans on a Cancun vacation with a 3-2 victory. PRESIDENT TRUMP SENDS WELL WISHES TO USMNT PRIOR TO WORLD CUP KICK-OFF AGAINST PARAGUAY Kelly's only mention of Team USA came back on June 25 when he admitted on Twitter to not being a soccer fan. "I watch the NFL, the NBA, a little bit of Major League Baseball, hockey and the UFC, but soccer has never really been my thing," the former astronaut said. Understandable. Kelly then went on to say he planned to watch the U.S. men's team "hopefully" beat Turkey. Hopefully? Talk about lukewarm confidence. Ten days later, Kelly shows up to a Team Mexico watch party exuding confidence with that massive smile on his face. Look at how proud and confident Mark was at that party taking selfies and rallying the Mexican fans as they prepared for this historic moment against England. A U.S. senator who didn't care about soccer, and definitely didn't care about U.S. soccer, was that quick to jump on the Mexican bandwagon. Let that sink in. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4be3fbc2ca79de23647708 Democrats' civil war heads to Michigan where progressives face biggest test yet in high-stakes Senate showdown te 2026-07-06T17:20:59.854Z Democrats' civil war heads to Michigan where progressives face biggest test yet in high-stakes Senate showdown The high-stakes fight between the left-wing and the center-left establishment for the future of the Democratic Party is moving to a much larger stage. After victories by far-left and socialist candidates in dark blue congressional districts in New York City and Colorado the past two weeks drew national attention, the spotlight now shifts to battleground Michigan. That's where moderate Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., who is backed by Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and the establishment; and former Wayne County Health Department Director Abdul El-Sayed, a left-wing candidate endorsed by progressive champions Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.,and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., are colliding in a crucial Senate showdown. The winner of the Aug. 4, 2026, Democratic primary will face-off in the midterm elections in November against former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers, who is on a glide path to the GOP nomination. The winner will succeed retiring Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, a Democrat.  CRUCIAL SENATE BATTLE ROCKED AFTER MAJOR PLAYER DROPS OUT OF RACE The seat is a top Republican target and is a must-hold for the Democrats as they aim to win back the Senate majority from the GOP, which currently controls the chamber with a slim, but manageable, 53-47 margin. The leading nonpartisan political handicappers at Cook Political Reporter rate the Senate race in Michigan as a toss-up. Matt Bennett, one of the leaders at the Third Way, a leading center-left Democratic organization, told Fox News the primary in Michigan "is much more significant" than the intra-party ballot box showdowns the past two weeks in "very, very blue districts" in New York City and Denver. The showdown in Michigan became a two-way race on Sunday, after progressive state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, once the third major Democrat in the primary, suspended her campaign. "I may be suspending this campaign, but I am not leaving the fight," McMorrow pledged in a statement Sunday as she ended her Senate bid. McMorrow, who has seen her national profile expand in recent years and was running as a progressive in an ideological space between El-Sayed and Stevens, suspended her campaign amid faltering poll numbers and fundraising that weren't keeping pace with her two main rivals. DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB McMorrow pledged to fully support whichever Democrat wins the primary and will ultimately face-off with Rogers, who is running for the Senate for a second straight cycle after losing in 2024 to now-Sen. Elissa Slotkin by a razor-thin margin. Following McMorrow's announcement, Stevens praised her fellow Democrat by calling her an "important voice" for policies that benefit Michigan families. Stevens then argued that she is the strongest Democratic candidate to win the primary and defeat Rogers in November. "As we enter the final month of the primary election, I'm excited to continue to make my case to Michiganders why I'm the strongest Democrat to defeat Mike Rogers this November, lower costs, protect manufacturing jobs, and stand up to Trump's abuses of power," she added. As she runs for the nomination, Stevens has been backed by millions in super PAC spending, including big bucks from Israel-aligned groups. MAMDANI-BACKED SOCIALISTS LOOK TO TAKE NEW YORK PLAYBOOK NATIONWIDE AFTER PRIMARY VICTORIES In his statement, El-Sayed praised McMorrow for having the "courage" to challenge what he described as a rigged political system, accusing Democratic Party insiders of spending millions to influence the primary. While he did not name specific groups, the remarks appeared to reference corporate PACs and establishment party leaders such as Schumer. He then invited McMorrow’s supporters to join his progressive movement to combat big money in politics and defeat the political establishment. "Throughout this campaign, Senator McMorrow showed what it looks like to fight back against politics that rigs the system against too many of us. While we have policy disagreements, I never questioned whether Senator McMorrow would fight for a better America for my daughters and hers," he said. "The same party insiders she had the courage to challenge have been bullying anyone who opposes their chosen candidate. After spending $30 million to drown Senator McMorrow and me out, they’re now spending even more to attack me. It’s everything we are standing up against." "I welcome her supporters to our movement to stand up against money in politics, to put money back in pockets, and pass Medicare for All. We cannot allow the establishment to decide our nominee for us." THESE MIDTERM RACES WILL DETERMINE WHETHER REPUBLICANS HOLD THEIR SENATE MAJORITY El-Sayed, who, if elected, would make history as the nation's first Muslim senator, is an epidemiologist who unsuccessfully ran for governor as an insurgent candidate in 2018. He has made support for "Medicare-for-all" a major component of his campaign. The far-left candidate has also called for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and is a vocal critic of Israel amid its war with Hamas — even characterizing Israel's actions in Gaza as "genocide" against Palestinians. And El-Sayed, who served as a top surrogate on Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign, has vowed not to accept PAC donations. Schumer and the party establishment view Stevens as more electable than El-Sayed, who has sparked controversy with his past comments. They worry that El-Sayed as the party's nominee would jeopardize the Democrat-controlled Senate seat by pushing the party too far to the left in a state that President Donald Trump carried two years ago by just over one percentage point. A victory by El-Sayed over Stevens in next month's primary would give the far left a major win on a statewide stage, and further boost their momentum in the battle for the Democratic Party's future. But Bennet warned against placing too much emphasis on the results in Michigan, as he pointed to other factors in the race. "I don't think that even if El-Sayed wins, that means the national party is moving dramatically to the left, as the left will insist if that happens," he told Fox News Digital. "Some of this is idiosyncratic. There's a huge Arab American population in Michigan. The Israel issue is more resonant there than it is in other places. And candidates matter." Fox News' Hannah Brennan contributed to this story. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4be3e8c2ca79de236476ff FLASHBACK: As America turns 250, here's how the nation celebrated its biggest birthdays te 2026-07-06T17:20:40.409Z FLASHBACK: As America turns 250, here's how the nation celebrated its biggest birthdays America's milestone anniversaries have given generations of Americans an opportunity to reflect on the nation's history, values and progress. From the Centennial in 1876 to the Bicentennial in 1976, celebrations have had parades, fireworks, historical reenactments, speeches and other patriotic traditions honoring the Declaration of Independence and the nation's founding in 1776. As Americans celebrated the country's 250th anniversary on July 4, those traditions carried into the semiquincentennial with the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, President Donald Trump's address marking the occasion, military flyovers, performances by the U.S. Army Band and a Guinness World Record-breaking fireworks display with more than 850,000 fireworks. Fox News Digital looks back at the nation's biggest birthday celebrations. TRUMP SET TO DELIVER 'HISTORIC' SPEECH CELEBRATING AMERICA'S 250TH ANNIVERSARY The nation's first major milestone came in 1826, marking 50 years since the Declaration of Independence was adopted. Communities across the country organized celebrations and leaders in Washington, D.C., invited former Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, two of the last surviving signers of the Declaration of Independence, to attend, but both declined due to poor health, according to the National Archives Foundation. However, history took an extraordinary turn when Jefferson and Adams both died on July 4, just hours apart. Many Americans saw Jefferson and Adams' deaths as a remarkable coincidence that added to the symbolism of Independence Day. A memorial service honoring Jefferson and Adams was held in Washington, D.C., while dinners, patriotic events and other commemorations helped establish the tradition of celebrating America's birthday. The nation celebrated its 100th anniversary in Philadelphia with the 1876 Centennial Exposition, the nation's first official World's Fair, which highlighted America's post-Civil War industrial growth and introduced millions of visitors to groundbreaking new technologies. The six-month exposition attracted nearly 10 million visitors from around the world to see international arts, cultures and technologies on display, according to the National Archives. The exposition featured Machinery Hall, where visitors saw new inventions, including Alexander Graham Bell's first telephone and Thomas Alva Edison's automatic telegraph. The fair also had a Women's Pavilion that highlighted the scientific and artistic achievements of women during the suffrage movement. THE REVOLUTIONARY LANDMARKS WHERE WASHINGTON, ADAMS AND JEFFERSON CHANGED AMERICA President Ulysses S. Grant approved sending the original Declaration of Independence to Philadelphia for display at the Centennial Exposition, according to the National Archives. Concerns over the document's deteriorating condition later prompted efforts to preserve the nation's founding document. Fifty years later, Philadelphia again hosted a World's Fair to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The 1926 Sesquicentennial International Exposition featured historical recreations and patriotic attractions celebrating the nation's founding. Organizers built an 80-foot replica of the Liberty Bell illuminated by 26,000 light bulbs that became one of the exposition's signature attractions, according to The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia. THE LESSON WE CAN LEARN FROM BICENTENNIAL HISTORY IS TO PARTY LIKE IT’S 1976 Although organizers projected 30 million visitors, fewer than five million paid admissions were recorded, and the exposition closed with enormous debts, according to Smithsonian magazine and The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia. America's 200th birthday arrived during a period of recovery following the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal. Philadelphia's bid to host a Bicentennial World's Fair was canceled in 1972, leaving the city's Bicentennial commemoration to move forward as national organizers encouraged celebrations across the country, according to the Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia. About 66,000 recognized events were held across the country, according to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum. Signature celebrations included Operation Sail, which brought more than 200 tall ships to New York Harbor, and the American Freedom Train, which traveled more than 25,000 miles across the country carrying historic artifacts, documents and works of art. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4be1dec2ca79de236476c7 Firefighters, police pull young woman from sewage-filled ravine after days trapped in 104-degree heat te 2026-07-06T17:11:58.248Z Firefighters, police pull young woman from sewage-filled ravine after days trapped in 104-degree heat A dramatic rescue operation in Texas saved a young woman's life after she had been trapped for days in a steep ravine. At about 5:25 p.m. local time on June 28, a young man heard faint cries for help coming from a wooded area behind a nearby high school. While investigating the sounds, he found a young woman who had been trapped in a ravine for days, stuck in deep mud and sewage. The Dallas Police Department and Dallas Fire-Rescue immediately launched a joint operation, with first responders facing 104-degree heat and navigating a quarter-mile of treacherous terrain to reach the woman. SECURITY GUARD SURVIVES EIGHT DAYS BENEATH COLLAPSED SHOPPING CENTER AFTER VENEZUELA EARTHQUAKES Rescuers were able to pull the woman out of the muck and rushed her to a local hospital, where she was treated for severe dehydration, prolonged sun exposure and other injuries. It is unclear how the woman got stuck. AMERICA'S WOUNDED COPS FIND HOPE, HEALING AND SECOND CHANCE THROUGH OFFICERS WHO REFUSE TO LEAVE THEM BEHIND In a statement Monday, the Dallas Police Department praised the heroic joint effort. "The well-being of the Dallas community is not something that’s handled by a single agency," the Dallas Police Department wrote in an X post. "It takes a collaborative effort from multiple teams and organizations working side-by-side to ensure every person’s safety." The department extended its sincere thanks to the officers, firefighters and paramedics whose "swift action and joint effort saved a young woman who was in desperate need of help." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4be1cac2ca79de236476be Jim Acosta claims Donald Trump vanity projects look like ‘end days of Saddam Hussein’ te 2026-07-06T17:11:38.793Z Jim Acosta claims Donald Trump vanity projects look like ‘end days of Saddam Hussein’ Former CNN anchor Jim Acosta compared President Donald Trump’s Washington, D.C., projects to the "end days of Saddam Hussein" on Sunday while questioning Trump’s mental and physical fitness during an appearance after the president’s Fourth of July celebration on the National Mall. Acosta made the remark on left-wing host Jack Cocchiarella’s podcast after Cocchiarella asked what he would do with Trump's "monuments and vanity projects" after Trump leaves office. "That’s what concerns me greatly, and this is like end days of Saddam Hussein that we’re seeing right now with the way he’s trying to build things and take over projects down in Washington, D.C.," Acosta said. TRUMP ANNOUNCES MAJOR NEW LANDMARK PROJECT IN DC'S WEST POTOMAC PARK HONORING AMERICA'S GREATEST HEROES Acosta also shared that he was more concerned about Trump’s mental state than his physical condition. "I have more pause about his mental health than his physical health," Acosta said. The interview came after Trump’s America 250 celebration on the National Mall, which the White House described as marking "250 years of American Independence." The former CNN White House correspondent argued Trump's building projects showed a desire to shape how he will be remembered. "He’s doing these things because he knows deep down in his bones that he is going to be ranked probably the lowest among all presidents in American history," Acosta said. TRUMP SET TO DELIVER 'HISTORIC' SPEECH CELEBRATING AMERICA'S 250TH ANNIVERSARY Acosta said Trump's projects should be undone after his presidency. "Everything should be restored to the way things were before he started doing these things," Acosta said. Cocchiarella also asked Acosta what he believed was "going on with the man's health," saying Trump's "strength" appeared diluted. "I think that he’s obviously not the same person that I covered during the first term," Acosta said. TRUMP EYES NEW WHITE HOUSE LAWN PROJECT THAT COULD RESHAPE PRESIDENTIAL TRAVEL "I don’t remember him falling asleep in the cabinet meetings and in the Oval Office as people are standing over his shoulder talking. I mean, that’s totally nuts." White House spokesman Davis Ingle pushed back on Acosta’s comments in a statement to Fox News Digital, accusing Democrats and the media of covering up former President Joe Biden’s decline, while praising Trump’s stamina and accessibility. "President Trump’s sharpness, unmatched energy, and historic accessibility stand in stark contrast to what we saw during the last administration when Democrats and the legacy media intentionally covered up Joe Biden’s serious mental and physical decline from the American people," Ingle said. "President Trump is the sharpest and most accessible president in American history who is working nonstop to solve problems and deliver on his promises." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Acosta criticized mainstream outlets for not covering Trump's health more aggressively. "The fact that it’s not really talked about in the mainstream press all that much is an embarrassment," Acosta said. "I think that my friends in corporate media, they need to get a little bit more courage," Acosta said. "We can report on the things that are apparent to our own eyes. Like that’s OK to do." He pointed to both Trump's appearance and his public remarks as reasons for concern. "I think, you know, the bruises, the cankles, I mean, there’s lots of physical signs," Acosta said. "I think that the incoherence, though to me, is the overriding theme here." Acosta compared Trump’s public comments to the scrutiny Biden faced before dropping his 2024 re-election bid. "Joe Biden’s entire political career ended off of one of those comments," Acosta said. "And Donald Trump does it. It’s like a regular occurrence over at the White House. "I would like to know who it is that’s in the room with him on a regular basis when he’s making a lot of these decisions, in particular national security decisions," he added. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4be1b7c2ca79de236476b5 FIFA dismisses Belgium appeal over decision on USA's Folarin Balogun te 2026-07-06T17:11:19.334Z FIFA dismisses Belgium appeal over decision on USA's Folarin Balogun FIFA denied Belgium’s appeal over the decision to suspend USA World Cup star Folarin Balogun’s one-game ban for a red card in a Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The FIFA Appeal Committee issued a statement hours before kickoff between the U.S. and Belgium. "The FIFA Appeal Committee has rendered a request submitted by the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) as inadmissible in relation to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decision to suspend for one year the match suspension imposed on United States national-team player Folarin Balogun following his dismissal for a direct red card during the FIFA World Cup 2026 match between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina, played on 1 July 2026 at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium," FIFA said. "The chairperson of the FIFA Appeal Committee, Neil Eggleston (from the United States), was not involved in the decision. "The request was rendered inadmissible on the grounds that the RBFA is not a party to the proceedings and, as such, has no standing to appeal the decision." The RBFA responded after the decision was made. "To date, the RBFA has still not received any grounds for this decision, nor has it received the information it has been requesting since the start of this procedure id est a copy of the decision and the motivation declaring the player eligible as well as the referee's report. Which is a breach of FIFA regulations," the federation said. "The RBFA has informed the United States Soccer Federation that it contests the eligibility of the player, should the player be listed on the referee's team sheet. This leaves all further actions open." This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4be1a3c2ca79de236476ac Trump pushed NATO to pay up. Now allies must turn pledges into power te 2026-07-06T17:10:59.881Z Trump pushed NATO to pay up. Now allies must turn pledges into power Declarations are not deterrence. Commitments are not capabilities. At The Hague last year, NATO Allies made a historic pledge: five percent of GDP annually on core defense and security-related capabilities. It was a declaration that the Free World will rise to the challenges of this century — and a testament to the historic leadership of President Trump. His unwavering determination has secured a surge in Allied defense investment not seen since the founding of NATO. But as we approach the NATO Summit in Ankara, the Alliance faces its defining test: turning promises into realities on the ground. TRUMP CALLS OUT NATO AHEAD OF SUMMIT, CALLING IT 'RIDICULOUS' FOR US TO PERSIST ON 'ONE SIDED PATH' The Burden-Sharing Reckoning Since 2017, European Allies and Canada have increased defense investment by more than $1.2 trillion. That is real money, and it reflects a real shift in political will. Since the Hague Summit alone, Allies have committed nearly $139 billion — roughly half of it spent on American equipment that the United States alone can produce at scale. Allies currently hold over $60 billion in orders with American defense companies, and that number keeps growing. We build the best equipment in the world, and our friends know it. Yet the picture remains uneven. Some Allies are shouldering more of the burden than others, and the United States will continue to press every member of this Alliance to honor its commitments. In an era of complex new threats — drone swarms, hybrid attacks, hypersonic missiles — a weak link anywhere degrades collective security everywhere. PENTAGON SLASHES NATO COMBAT COMMITMENTS AS TRUMP PUSHES EUROPE TO DEFEND ITSELF The goal, however, is not simply to spend more. It is to shift the conventional defense of Europe to Europeans, with the United States providing critical but more focused support — including our nuclear umbrella. That means an Alliance that is stronger, more lethal, and less dependent on the United States. It means air and missile defense networks built to counter the drone and missile threats that have reshaped the modern battlefield in Ukraine. It means tougher training and more demanding exercises for our combined forces. And it means a NATO that can fight and win with Europeans in the lead. The Defense Industrial Imperative The most consequential development in the Alliance today is not happening around conference tables. It is happening on factory floors. UKRAINE’S BATTLEFIELD IS TRANSFORMING THE FUTURE OF NATO We must build more military equipment, build it faster, and out-innovate our adversaries. That requires expanded industrial capacity on both sides of the Atlantic: more partnerships between American defense companies and European industry to develop, produce, and sustain together. It requires more flexible contracting, including the long-term contracts Congress has now authorized, to give American companies the certainty they need to invest in expanded production; and new pathways for our most innovative small businesses to bring best-in-class technology to the Alliance. This is the virtuous cycle we need. Allied demand drives American production. American production drives Allied capability. Allied capability drives deterrence. And deterrence keeps the peace. The Summit Ahead Ankara must be a summit of action. The Hague gave us the mandate; Ankara must give us the momentum — concrete milestones, measurable capability targets, and mechanisms that ensure Allies deliver. President Reagan said peace through strength is not a slogan but a fact of life. We must, like President Trump, see the world as it is, not as we wish it to be. A dangerous world demands a strong America and strong Allies. The United States has been the backbone of NATO, and we will remain a proud, stalwart Ally. But a stronger Europe, armed with real capabilities, is the prerequisite for an Alliance that can defend every inch of NATO territory — as equal Allies, not dependents. Our adversaries must look at our capabilities and conclude that the cost of aggression is too high. That is the NATO we are building. The direction is clear. The commitment is real. Now is the time to act. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4be17cc2ca79de23647695 If you use Google, you’re training its AI. Here’s how to opt out. te 2026-07-06T17:10:20.464Z If you use Google, you’re training its AI. Here’s how to opt out. PSA: A change to Google's privacy settings let it train its AI on more of your data. Here's how to opt out. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bdf39c2ca79de23647669 Senate hopeful says Texas home to the 'best drag queens in the nation' in resurfaced comments te 2026-07-06T17:00:41.990Z Senate hopeful says Texas home to the 'best drag queens in the nation' in resurfaced comments Senate hopeful James Talarico is on the defensive after remarks resurfaced in which he lavished praise on Texas drag queens as "some of the best" in the country. Talarico, the Democrats' nominee in Texas’ hotly contested Senate race, made the comment in May 2023 while criticizing a bill in the state legislature banning "sexually oriented performances" on public property and in the presence of minors — a measure that would have likely restricted some drag shows. He voted "present" on the legislation at the urging of the Texas House LGBTQ Caucus after language explicitly referencing drag performers was stripped from an earlier version, arguing the revised bill would better protect their performances. "I think Texas is obviously the best state in the nation and I think we produce some of the best drag queens in the nation," Talarico told The Texas Newsroom. "And I didn’t want any legislation to target them or hurt that industry." TALARICO SAYS HE 'HATES CHRISTIANITY' IN UNEARTHED INTERVIEW WITH TRANSGENDER 'LATINX' THEOLOGIAN Talarico, a 37-year-old state legislator and seminarian, has repeatedly sparked controversy over past remarks on Christianity and gender issues in which he argued, "God is nonbinary," claimed there are six biological sexes and gushed over transgender children. The former middle school teacher also raised eyebrows in a resurfaced clip from 2022 in which he argued that scaling back meat consumption is "existential" to combating climate change and praised a left-wing activist group that advocated for dismantling the state’s massive oil and gas industry. Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton’s campaign hammered Talarico’s drag queen praise in a statement to Fox News Digital. "This is just one more addition to the long list of out-of-touch, extreme views James Talarico holds that are out of step with the people of Texas," Paxton spokeswoman Madison Cercy said. Talarico's remarks also prompted sharp criticism from the Republican National Committee (RNC), which is working aggressively to keep the open seat currently held by retiring Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, in Republican hands. "He needs to stay away from kids and stop forcing his creepy trans-for-all agenda on Texas," RNC spokesman Zach Kraft told Fox News Digital. Fox News Digital reached out to Talarico’s campaign for comment. JOHN THUNE GOES 'ALL IN' FOR KEN PAXTON AFTER BITTER PRIMARY RIPPED GOP APART Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, signed the legislation, known as Senate Bill 12, in June 2023, but its enforcement has been subject to years-long legal challenges brought by LGBTQ organizations over alleged violations of First Amendment rights. Under the law, businesses can face up to a $10,000 fine for hosting a prohibited performance and drag performers could also be subject to criminal penalties. In February, a federal appeals court allowed the state law regulating drag shows to go into effect, while a legal fight over its constitutionality continues. "I will always work to shield our children from exposure to erotic and inappropriate sexually-oriented performances," Paxton wrote in a November 2025 press release. "It is an honor to have defended this law, ensuring that our state remains safe for families and children, and I look forward to continuing to vigorously defend it on remand before the district court." Republicans’ criticism comes as Talarico is locked in a dead heat with Paxton just months ahead of the November midterm elections, according to recent polling. A New York Times/Siena College survey released last week found that both candidates are tied, with 47% of the vote among likely voters in Texas. According to the poll, approximately half of the respondents said Paxton, a Trump ally aligned with the MAGA movement, is too extreme, while just 43% viewed Talarico that way. Additionally, less than four in 10 respondents believe Paxton has good character or the right kind of morals, while 56% and 51% of voters, respectively, said Talarico does, the survey found. However, the poll indicated that Talarico could struggle to overcome Democrats’ toxic brand in the Lone Star state, with 53% of respondents viewing the party as too far to the left. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bdccdc2ca79de2364762c Trump rings stock market’s opening bell to celebrate Trump accounts. te 2026-07-06T16:50:21.219Z Trump rings stock market’s opening bell to celebrate Trump accounts. The government-funded savings accounts for children became available on Saturday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bdad6c2ca79de236475e6 America owes black women 'everything,' Rep. Jasmine Crockett rants over July 4 weekend te 2026-07-06T16:41:58.214Z America owes black women 'everything,' Rep. Jasmine Crockett rants over July 4 weekend Controversial and outspoken outgoing Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, is facing online backlash after comments she made over the Independence Day weekend revealing what she thinks the United States owes Black women. "When it comes to answering the question of what America owes black women, the answer is everything," the Texas congresswoman said during an interview at the Essence Festival of Black Culture, which was held in New Orleans over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. "When we think about the sacrifices that black women have made, from the moment we were stolen from our homelands and transported into this country, to the fact that black women continue to stand as the backbone — specifically of the Democratic Party — we know that black women are always the ones doing the labor, but we are also the ones that are the first targets of any harm," Crockett continued. DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKER CLAIMS BLACK AMERICANS WILL STOP VOTING IF THEY DON'T GET REPARATIONS The Essence Festival of Black Culture, which is linked to Essence Magazine, says it brings together iconic black voices to celebrate culture, community and commerce. Rapper Cardi B performed at the Big Easy event over the weekend, and Michelle Obama gave a speech. CRITICS ROAST JASMINE CROCKETT AFTER SHE CALLS HERSELF 'ONE OF THE 535 MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE' IN US Crockett said at the event, which coincided with the celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence: "So, this Fourth of July, I say celebrate a black woman that you know, because whether it's an invention that she made, or whether it's the very democracy that still hangs by a thread right now, there is black woman to thank for her contributions." The clip quickly made the rounds on social media, eliciting some incredulous responses. "I thought the point of Independence Day was to celebrate America as a country not individuals no matter what race they are," said one social media user. WATCH: HEARING TURMOIL AS JASMINE CROCKETT UNLOADS ON MLK'S NIECE IN WILD RACIALLY-CHARGED RANT "Democracy is not hanging by a thread. That’s insane," said another. A third claimed: "Your skin color doesn't make you special." "Thank God in 6 months she'll be gone," one remarked, referring to her impending departure from her position in Congress. Crockett opted instead of running for reelection bid for a U.S. Senate seat in Texas. She lost the primary against James Talarico, who marketed himself as a more moderate candidate to take on Republicans in the Lone Star State. The two-term congresswoman's decision not to run for reelection in her district came after its geographical boundaries were redrawn to be more red-leaning. Crockett's office did not return Fox News Digital's request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bdac2c2ca79de236475dd 'Mayhem' erupts in wealthy coastal enclave as hundreds arrested in massive takeover during July Fourth weekend te 2026-07-06T16:41:38.754Z 'Mayhem' erupts in wealthy coastal enclave as hundreds arrested in massive takeover during July Fourth weekend July Fourth chaos erupted over the weekend on the West Coast. More than 400 teens and young people were arrested during a massive teen takeover event in Newport Beach, California. Police say the mob descended upon the Balboa Peninsula neighborhood on July 4, with videos shared on social media depicting the madness with crowds appearing to set off fireworks in the middle of roadways, block busy streets and cause damage to local businesses. From Friday, July 3, through Sunday, July 5, police made 402 arrests, with the local fire department responding to 102 emergencies, including 10 fires; it is unclear if the fires and emergencies were related to the illegal takeover event. BROOKLYN BRIDGE CATCHES FIRE AMID NYC FIREWORKS DISPLAY AS TRUMP HAILS IT IN DC SPEECH In a post to social media, the City of Newport Beach said in part: "Social media posts drew a large influx of juveniles and young adults to the Newport Pier area within a matter of minutes. As the crowd quickly grew into the thousands, dangerous and unlawful behavior escalated, blocking roadways, preventing emergency access and putting families, visitors and first responders at risk." 📩 Send me a story idea: kelsie.cairns@fox.com 📸 Instagram: kelsiecairns_tv 🎥 Facebook: Kelsie Cairns More videos shared online appear to show possible looting and damage at a Pavilions grocery store in the area. Smashed produce and trash were seen strewn around the parking lot over the weekend. FBI SAYS NEW MISSION CENTER HAS IDENTIFIED 'NEFARIOUS' PROTEST FUNDING AND SUBJECTS The president of the Newport Beach Police Association, Joe DeJulio, posted a statement to social media that said, "a large group of agitators invaded Newport Beach spurred by an alleged 'TikTok Takeover.' These persons came to our city with the intent on causing harm, injury, and destruction, bringing harassment, disturbances, and mayhem." A spokesperson for TikTok confirmed to Fox News Digital any content posted on the platform that promotes theft, property damage, criminal activity, or dangerous behaviors that could cause serious harm, violates the app's Community Guidelines. Fox News Digital has reached out to Albertson's, the company that owns the Pavilions grocery store, for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bdaafc2ca79de236475d4 West Virginia man pleads guilty to making violent threats against Trump, ICE te 2026-07-06T16:41:19.297Z West Virginia man pleads guilty to making violent threats against Trump, ICE A man admitted to issuing threats regarding President Donald Trump and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, according to an announcement issued by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of West Virginia. An indictment earlier this year had alleged that the individual, Cody Lee Smith, threatened to rape and kill President Trump, and threatened to murder Trump supporters and ICE agents. He is facing "up to 5 years for the presidential threat charge and faces up to 10 years in federal prison for the threats against ICE," the Thursday news release announced. WEST VIRGINIA MAN ALLEGEDLY THREATENED TO KILL TRUMP SUPPORTERS, ICE AGENTS IN ONLINE VIDEOS: REPORT The indictment detailed the graphic threats the man allegedly made, including one in which he apparently referred to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The document states that Smith sent a direct message to Donald Trump Jr. on Instagram that declared, "I’m going to rape your worthless father while Benjamin netanyacuck sits in the oval CUCK throne and watches with his jugular cut while the life leaves his pathetic eyes and then after I’m done your getting raped." SECRET SERVICE MISSED 'MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES' TO PREVENT TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT: WATCHDOG The indictment reports that Smith asserted in an Instagram post, "Donald j Trump likes little boys and little girls and is an Israeli asset he deserves to be raped and murdered @REALDONALDTRUMP @donaldjtrumpjr I will kill you b[----] a[--] dad." It also alleges that the man posted, "If I see a single trump supporter I don’t care the relation[,] I don’t care their age[,] I don’t care if they are mentally handicap[,] I’m murdering them in front of their entire family[,] same goes to the first war supporter or service member who’s willing to bootlick." He called the ICE tip line and "threatened to kill ICE agents in Clarksburg, West Virginia, the tip line operator, and the operator’s family," the indictment alleged. OBAMA JUDGE HANDS PROGRESSIVES A WIN OVER ANTI-TRUMP '86 47' MESSAGE AMID RISING THREATS The document also alleged that Smith had declared in a post, "Donald Trump just announced the godd[---] hunger games[.] IMPEACH THIS MOTHERF[-----] WITH A .308." — the indictment noted that the post featured a Leathermouth song titled, "I Am Going to Kill the President of the United States of America." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bda9bc2ca79de236475cb Jimmy Kimmel joins Obama-produced HBO show to mock Trump te 2026-07-06T16:40:59.841Z Jimmy Kimmel joins Obama-produced HBO show to mock Trump ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel made a cameo appearance on Larry David’s Obama-produced HBO program on July 3 to attack President Donald Trump.  Longtime Trump critic Rob Reiner, who was killed late last year, made a posthumous appearance as George Washington, who announced he will not seek a third term in office and proposed Congress pursue a constitutional amendment prohibiting presidential power on "Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America." The new HBO satire series, which touts Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as executive producers, lampooned Trump without saying his name.  David’s character, dressed in colonial attire, asked, "Well, what if there’s some a------ in office, some narcissistic p---- who doesn’t follow the Constitution?" LARRY DAVID BRISTLED AT SOME OF BARACK OBAMA'S CREATIVE NOTES ON NEW COMEDY COLLABORATION, DIRECTOR SAYS Reiner’s Washington stressed the importance of a peaceful transfer of power before David’s character interjects, warning that the president could attack the free press to silence criticism. Then another man in the crowd, played by fellow longtime Trump antagonist Kimmel, came into focus.  "Come on, that could never happen," Kimmel’s character shouted.  David’s character snarked, "That’s what you think." "Are you suggesting that the president would taketh the time to challenge anyone who dare make fun of him, as if he were a big baby? I don’t see it," Kimmel’s character said.  Kimmel, who earlier this year joked that first lady Melania Trump had the glow of an "expectant widow," has ramped up his liberal political commentary in recent years. JIMMY KIMMEL REMAINS DEFIANT, INSISTS 'EXPECTANT WIDOW' JAB AGAINST TRUMPS WAS ABOUT AGE DIFFERENCE The "widow" joke went viral just days later when an armed assailant stormed a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in April. Kimmel, who insisted it was a joke about Trump’s age and not an assassination jab, mocks Trump on a nightly basis.  Trump has repeatedly urged ABC to fire Kimmel, to no avail.  "When is ABC Fake News Network firing seriously unfunny Jimmy Kimmel, who incompetently presides over one of the Lowest Rated shows on Television? People are angry. It better be soon!!!" Trump wrote in April.  ROB REINER'S FINAL ROLE DRAWS FIERCE CRITICISM 6 MONTHS AFTER LEGENDARY DIRECTOR'S TRAGIC DEATH Last year, Kimmel was briefly suspended by Disney after controversial remarks about the assassination of Charlie Kirk sparked outrage, and ABC said the show would be preempted indefinitely. He returned to the air days later and insisted he never intended to make light of Kirk’s death.  Fox News Digital's Tracy Wright contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bda74c2ca79de236475c0 te 2026-07-06T16:40:20.935Z The government-funded savings accounts for children became available on Saturday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bd86ac2ca79de2364758b Explosive House report reveals secret operation inside China at center of South Korea's fight with US company te 2026-07-06T16:31:38.825Z Explosive House report reveals secret operation inside China at center of South Korea's fight with US company The House Judiciary Committee released a scathing report detailing how the left-leaning South Korean government, which some lawmakers say is "aligned with China," has systematically discriminated against American-owned companies. The report heavily mentions the case of Coupang, a Seattle-based U.S. company dubbed the "Amazon of Korea," though it has no relation to Amazon. Coupang has faced strict scrutiny from the Korean government after a data breach. Coupang recently was fined roughly $410 million by South Korea, the largest privacy fine in South Korea's history. The Judiciary Committee outlined the timeline of how Coupang came under heavy fire by the South Korean government, from a secret laptop recovery mission to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service calling for Coupang Korea interim CEO Harold Rogers to be charged with perjury. He has yet to be formally charged or indicted and did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.  Last June, a Chinese national who was a former senior engineer at Coupang began accessing data and consumer information outside of Korea for several months. Coupang's security team confirmed the breach in November, and the Judiciary report detailed that the former employee admitted to stealing an authentication key to gain access to the data. CHAD WOLF: AMERICA CANNOT IGNORE CHINA’S ECONOMIC ATTACK ON US INDUSTRY Once confirmed last November, Coupang reported the breach to the Korea Internet & Security Agency and said roughly 3,000 accounts had been accessed, according to the report. In December, the committee said that Coupang was instructed to retrieve the stolen data, which was stored on a laptop and at the bottom of a murky river in China. The report alleged that Coupang was told by South Korea's National Intelligence Service to retrieve the laptop, leading to a covert mission in Chinese territory to recover the data. TIKTOK IN LEGAL HOT SEAT AS STATE ACCUSES APP OF EXPOSING KIDS TO HARMFUL CONTENT WHILE MISLEADING PARENTS Fox News Digital obtained a video of the laptop ultimately being retrieved. The footage showed a man in scuba gear in a muddy river holding up a Coupang bag which contained the device and consumer data. Fox News Digital has not independently authenticated the footage.  Following the recovery, CEO Park Dae-jun resigned from the top job at Coupang Inc., and Harold Rogers was then appointed interim CEO of Coupang Corp., the South Korean subsidiary of the parent company, Coupang Inc. In late December, Rogers and Coupang executives appeared before the South Korean assembly, where he testified under oath that South Korea's National Intelligence Service instructed the company to retrieve the stolen data. The Judiciary Committee report backs Rogers' claim, but South Korean officials quickly berated him at the December hearing, and the South Korean government denied that instruction was given to enter Chinese territory and obtain the laptop. The committee report details documentation of a meeting that took place between Coupang and South Korea's National Intelligence Service where "officials ‘told [Coupang] that they were part of the joint government investigation,’ and that Coupang was ‘legally required’ to ‘work with them.’" After the denial, South Korean officials called for Rogers to face perjury charges, due to his testimony under oath, and the company would later be fined a historic $410 million in June. SOUTH KOREA'S PROPOSED PLATFORM LAW COULD COST US STATES $525B OVER THE NEXT DECADE, MODEL ESTIMATES "We regret the circumstances that led to the House Judiciary Committee’s investigation, and we remain committed to finding a constructive resolution so Coupang can once again serve as a bridge to strengthen the U.S.-Korea alliance, accelerating trade and investment that benefits both countries," a spokesperson for Coupang Inc. told Fox News Digital. The Judiciary Committee alleged that the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) "has been particularly aggressive in using competition policy to attack American companies," and that "South Korea has used digital laws and regulations as a way to target American companies and limit their ability to operate successfully in South Korea." Despite Coupang and the Judiciary Committee's pushback, a South Korean embassy spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the country "is fully committed to ensuring a fair and non-discriminatory business environment for all companies regardless of their nationality." "The Government of the Republic of Korea regrets that the interim staff report published by the U.S. House Judiciary Committee published appears to be largely based on the unilateral assertions of Coupang and respectfully disagrees with several characterizations in the report," the spokesperson told Fox News Digital.  The spokesperson went on to explain that the South Korean Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) imposed the penalties in accordance with their law and that the sanctions remain well below the statutory maximum – despite being the largest issued in Korea.  The spokesperson added that Coupang was given due process throughout the investigation and retains the right to challenge the decision in court, which the company has said it will do while reaffirming South Korea's commitment to its strategic partnership with the United States, saying their government will continue engaging with the U.S. Congress to strengthen bilateral economic ties.  Coupang stock plummeted as the events unfolded, and has tanked more than 45% since the company announced the breach and the South Korean government began retaliating. OVER 50 HOUSE MEMBERS ACCUSE SOUTH KOREA'S NEW LEFT-WING GOVERNMENT OF ATTACKING US COMPANIES, FAVORING CHINA The Judiciary report said that the "decrease has negatively affected U.S. investors, including public pension funds, mutual funds, and everyday Americans just trying to save for retirement." South Korea's government recently took a sharp turn to the left after Yoon Suk-yeol, a conservative from the People Power Party, was impeached in December 2024, largely because of his decision to implement martial law over "anti-state forces" that he said were led by the nation's Democratic Party. President Lee Jae-myung, a Democrat, narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election but won the presidency in 2025. The Democratic Party in South Korea already holds a substantial majority in the National Assembly, and the country is now operating at a full Democratic majority. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-California, sounded the alarm on South Korea’s distancing from the U.S. during an interview with Fox News Digital in April. Issa sits on the House Judiciary Committee as the most senior member after Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. "South Korea is still an important strategic partner, but their last election led to a left-wing government closely aligned with China that, among other things, has begun attacking American companies," Issa said. He explained that Coupang is "owned by and founded by a Korean-American and they have been systematically attacked quite frankly, probably because they're an American company and effectively a unicorn in South Korea," Issa added. "We're seeing that South Korea has adopted the European digital rules which are very much designed to localize rather than accept the great companies that have spread very well around the world because they've earned it." Issa joined a group of more than 50 GOP members of Congress in a letter to the South Korean Ambassador to the United States, Kyung-wha Kang, over what they deemed to be "discriminatory" business practices that are targeting American companies. A Competere Foundation model in June estimated a $525 billion loss in economic activity in U.S. states over the next decade, including a $123 billion loss for California, a $48.7 billion loss for Texas, a $33.9 billion loss for New York and a $27.4 billion loss for Washington, should South Korea continue to implement policies that would be harmful to U.S. businesses operating in the country. Proposed pending legislation in South Korea's assembly, would broaden the power of the KFTC, the same agency members of Congress are currently criticizing for unfairly treating American businesses. Shanker Singham, international trade and competition economist and CEO of the Competere Foundation, said, "Korea is already an increasingly unfriendly place for U.S. companies to do business," adding the "looming regulations will make that environment even worse." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bd857c2ca79de23647582 Spencer Pratt lights social media on fire with viral takedown of ‘vile, commie mayor’ Mamdani te 2026-07-06T16:31:19.369Z Spencer Pratt lights social media on fire with viral takedown of ‘vile, commie mayor’ Mamdani Spencer Pratt sparked widespread online reaction over Independence Day weekend after posting a sharp rebuke of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for using the July 4 holiday to criticize America's history. Pratt, a former reality TV star who drew attention with his surprise Los Angeles mayoral run, continued his political commentary by targeting Mamdani, who marked the nation's 250th Independence Day by delivering an immigration-themed address from George Washington's desk. Flanked by eight recently naturalized U.S. citizens, Mamdani criticized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, Elon Musk and what he described as the "arena of supremacy" in the United States. "As we mark 250 years, what do we see?" Mamdani asked. "We see a city of contradictions within a nation of contradictions. We see the wealthiest country in the history of the world — one where children go to sleep hungry while the world’s first trillionaire hungers for more. We see monopolies that dominate every industry and oligarchs who buy elections. We see masked agents terrorizing our streets, eating food cooked by our undocumented neighbors before spiriting them away in unmarked vans. We see a nation whose immense wealth has been built by those with calloused, dirt-streaked hands — those who toil on factory floors and chisel into stone — and we see a nation that has allowed so much of that wealth to be held instead in the soft hands of a precious few." In a viral response video, Pratt bashed Mamdani, saying, "Notice how the communists always attack your history." MAMDANI BLASTS ICE AGENTS, ELON MUSK AND 'SUPREMACY' IN AMERICA 250 SPEECH AHEAD OF JULY 4 WEEKEND Wearing a T-shirt reading "the anti-socialists social club" and sitting behind a foldout table beside an RV at the site where his home burned down in the Los Angeles Palisades fire last year, Pratt remarked, "We all had to sit and watch that vile, commie mayor sit on the wrong side of our founding father’s desk to try to lecture us about our own history." "The communists must attack your history," he continued. "Why? Because history is what anchors you, it’s what makes us attached to something." He referred to communism as "an evil, anti-human religion," seeking to "destroy what makes us human." "The communist destroys your history so he can take your home and rebuild it in his image. That’s why it is your patriotic duty to celebrate today unashamed. It’s ok to love America, not only is it ok to love America, it’s necessary to love America. We are the only bulwark against tyranny on this earth," said Pratt. Amid the burned ruins of his Los Angeles home, Pratt urged Americans to "think of your country like a home. What makes your home special? … It’s the memories you have there." TRUMP HAILS AMERICA AS 'MOST EXCEPTIONAL NATION EVER TO EXIST' IN MOUNT RUSHMORE SPEECH "Erasing history is how you demoralize people, how you unmoor them and detach them from their society so you can take it from them and rewrite it in your image," he said. Pratt granted that America’s history is not perfect, saying, "our history is messy, our history is violent" but "bad times are part of what makes us stronger, a part of what makes us who we are." Turning his fire back to Mamdani, Pratt said, "he has no place to rewrite our history and lecture us about what our country stands for." "As a country, we are batting 1,000. Not only is it a miracle that this radical experiment in self-governance even survived past 1776, but we are the champions of the world, be proud of that, be proud of your history," he said. During his address, Mamdani, a naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in Uganda, said that every American has "the power to determine what America means." "The powerful have always known their answer. America, in their view, is an arena of supremacy where only a select few are allowed freedom," Mamdani said. "Where not all are created equal. America, if you ask them, becomes less the more people it welcomes. America, they will tell you, belongs only to those with the right accent or the right shade of skin. The rest of us, they insist, should be grateful for merely being allowed to visit. How small they are, how weak, how unoriginal. At every moment in our past, those who led through exclusion and isolation have tried to win power and enrich themselves by turning us against one another." SPENCER PRATT'S UNEXPECTED POLITICAL RISE FROM MTV VILLAIN TO KAREN BASS CHALLENGER SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER He also remarked, "We are told that America is exceptional because we are richer, stronger, more powerful than everyone else. The truth, my friends, is that America is exceptional because here nothing is fixed into place." "The frontier may be closed, we may have walked on the moon, but the work of fulfilling the values first enshrined in the Declaration of Independence — that work endures, my friends, and it belongs to us all. It belongs too to our newest Americans, those standing here with me today." Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani's office for comment and had not received a response by publication. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bd843c2ca79de23647579 Newsom-backed commission transfers popular coastline to indigenous tribes te 2026-07-06T16:30:59.996Z Newsom-backed commission transfers popular coastline to indigenous tribes A popular stretch of California’s Mendocino County coastline is being handed over to an Indigenous peoples group after a Gov. Gavin Newsom-backed state commission approved the transfer of 136 acres of beach and coastal bluffs. The property, which includes Blues Beach just south of Westport, will be transferred from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to Kai Poma, a nonprofit founded by representatives of the Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Round Valley Indian Tribes and Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians. Caltrans gave final regulatory approval to the deal on June 26. "For the first time in California’s history, land managed by Caltrans and owned by the state was transferred to Kai Poma, a nonprofit established by three local Native American tribes with ancestral ties to the region," Caltrans District 1 announced in a statement last week. "Once transferred, Kai Poma will own and maintain the 136-acre site and protect sensitive natural resources and Native American cultural resources." NEWSOM'S CALIFORNIA RAIL PROJECT NOW EXPECTED TO COST $126B, OFFICIAL ADMITS, WITH STILL NO TRACKS LAID The state acquired the windswept shoreline and rocky bluffs in the 1960s as part of plans tied to Highway 1 expansion and the creation of a scenic overlook for motorists, according to the California Coastal Commission. In recent years, the beach has drawn large summer and holiday crowds, with public access largely unregulated. State planning documents say visitors have camped and partied on the beach, driven through sensitive areas, damaged cultural resources and left trash behind. NEWSOM TELLS GEORGIA CROWD, 'I AM LIKE YOU... I'M A 960 SAT GUY' Tribal leaders have described the land as culturally and spiritually significant. The coastal waters are used for traditional gathering, including seaweed and abalone, and the shore has hosted youth cultural camps. Kai Poma is expected to conduct cultural, archaeological and environmental surveys before developing a long-term resource management plan for the land. The nonprofit has also worked with the Coastal Commission on a public access plan that will keep the property open to visitors from sunrise to sunset. The transfer required years of work and a change in state law. Until 2021, Caltrans did not have authority to transfer state-owned property to tribal governments. That changed when Newsom signed legislation sponsored by state Sen. Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg, allowing such conveyances. "With 136 acres now officially transferred into tribal stewardship, one of the most spectacular stretches of the Mendocino Coast will be forever protected," McGuire said in a statement. "This agreement, the first of its kind in California, gives these three dynamic Native American tribes the rightful opportunity to reclaim sacred lands and cultural traditions on this special piece of earth. And it’s about damn time." SMITHSONIAN'S NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY PROMOTES 'EXTREME POLITICAL ACTIVISM,' WH REPORT ALLEGES The law bars commercial activity on the property and requires continued public access. Supporters say the transfer will protect one of the region’s most scenic stretches of coast while returning sacred land to the descendants of the people who historically stewarded it. "This is beyond huge," Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians Chair J. Carlos Rivera told the Los Angeles Times. "It’s enormous from our tribal perspective that we are basically obtaining the land that our people once lived on before colonization." With the commission’s approval complete, Caltrans staff are expected to record the deed transferring the property from the state to Kai Poma. Fox News Digital reached out Newsom, the coastal commission, Round Valley Indian Tribes and Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bd81cc2ca79de23647564 Apple brings back card payments for Apple Account purchases in India after a four-year hiatus te 2026-07-06T16:30:20.577Z Apple brings back card payments for Apple Account purchases in India after a four-year hiatus Apple has started a phased rollout of card payments for Apple Account purchases in India after adapting to the country's payments framework. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bd5edc2ca79de23647531 Toby Keith topped the most streamed songs on Spotify in America on Independence Day 2026 te 2026-07-06T16:21:01.223Z Toby Keith topped the most streamed songs on Spotify in America on Independence Day 2026 Americans were blasting Toby Keith's music over the weekend to celebrate the 4th of July. The beautiful country we are blessed to call home celebrated its 250th birthday on Saturday, and it was an epic moment. People fired up their grills, cracked open plenty of beer and celebrated the greatest country on the planet. LEE GREENWOOD SAYS HE'S 'VERY PROUD' TO STAND NEXT TO TRUMP DURING AMERICA'S 250TH CELEBRATION What do you need for a great Independence Day? A fire playlist, and that includes Toby Keith. Toby Keith's legendary song "Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue (The Angry American)" was the most streamed song on Spotify in America on the 4th of July, according to Chart Data. Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A." was second and Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas" took the number three spot. COUNTRY SUPERSTAR ELLA LANGLEY PULLS OFF INCREDIBLE CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENT ON THE MUSIC CHARTS It shouldn't surprise anyone that Toby Keith's most famous song dominated Spotify on the 4th of July. It's an incredible song. "Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue" will make you want to run through a brick wall to celebrate America. It's patriotism at its best and that's what Independence Day is all about. It's also a bit funny because I tweeted this on Friday night, and I meant it! AARON TIPPIN SAYS PATRIOTISM IS 'VERY STRONG IN AMERICA' AHEAD OF FORT CAMPBELL 4TH OF JULY SHOW What music did you have fired up on the 4th of July? Let me know at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bd5d9c2ca79de2364751d Dutton Ranch season one finale wows fans with a shootout cliffhanger that feels like vintage Yellowstone te 2026-07-06T16:20:41.769Z Dutton Ranch season one finale wows fans with a shootout cliffhanger that feels like vintage Yellowstone "Dutton Ranch" wrapped up season one with an absolute bang. The "Yellowstone" spin-off focused on Beth and Rip has been a monster hit since the moment it premiered on Paramount+. It's another entertainment masterclass for Taylor Sheridan. It's gritty, dark, violent, full of surprises and it's simply a lot of fun. DUTTON RANCH STAR NATALIE ALYN LIND DROPS BEHIND THE SCENES PHOTOS AHEAD OF SEASON FINALE THIS FRIDAY Now, season one is in the books. There was a ton of hype going into the season one finale, and it lived up to expectations, in my humble opinion. I won't get into all the spoilers, but there was an awesome shootout scene that felt like old school "Yellowstone." CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK CULTURE COVERAGE There was also a death and kidnapping that left fans desperate for answers. Nothing beats an epic cliffhanger to wrap up the season. 'DUTTON RANCH' STAR NATALIE ALYN LIND STIRS UP SPECULATION ABOUT SHOW'S FUTURE WITH SIMPLE COMMENTS Reactions also quickly poured in on Reddit from fans. Check out some of the reactions below, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com: . .COLE HAUSER SAYS HIS FAMILY HELPED SHAPE MONTANA AS FANS FOLLOW TAYLOR SHERIDAN FROM TREASURE STATE TO TEXAS Overall, season one of "Dutton Ranch" was excellent. Unlike "Marshals," the series about Rip and Beth actually feels like "Yellowstone." It carries the same vibe and energy as Sheridan's legendary neo-Western, and season one's cliffhanger guarantees season two will be electric. Do you have any thoughts on the season one finale? Let me know at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bd3d0c2ca79de236474df Europe is furious over Balogun reprieve but FIFA suspended red card bans for Ronaldo and others before this te 2026-07-06T16:12:00.847Z Europe is furious over Balogun reprieve but FIFA suspended red card bans for Ronaldo and others before this FIFA clearing Folarin Balogun to play for the United States against Belgium one day before their World Cup knockout match was always going to send the soccer world into hysterics. The situation was practically engineered for an international soccer meltdown, with a controversial red card, a suspended one-match ban, President Donald Trump reportedly getting involved and the United States getting its leading scorer back just in time. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE But while the reaction has been loud, the central claim coming from some critics — that FIFA just invented a brand-new loophole for the Americans — is not quite right. Balogun was initially expected to miss Monday’s Round of 16 match after being shown a red card in the Americans’ win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The card came after a VAR review determined Balogun had stepped on the ankle of Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic. The call was controversial from the beginning. U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino said it was unjust, and midfielder Weston McKennie questioned the decision after the match. "Obviously the referee made a decision that he made, but I think it’s questionable," McKennie said. "I think there’s been many other plays like that throughout the tournament on other players that a card wasn’t given at all. It’s disappointing." Balogun later said he thought a yellow card "would have been fair." Still, under FIFA rules, a red card generally triggers an automatic one-match suspension. That is why Balogun was expected to be unavailable against Belgium. Then FIFA stepped in. TRUMP CALLED FIFA PRESIDENT TO REVIEW FOLARIN BALOGUN'S RED CARD AHEAD OF USA-BELGIUM MATCH, SOURCE SAYS The governing body suspended the implementation of Balogun’s automatic suspension for a one-year probationary period, which means he is eligible to play Monday night. If Balogun receives another red card during that probationary period, the suspended sanction can be enforced along with any additional punishment. Europe, naturally, handled this decision with great composure and perspective. Just kidding. Belgium’s federation said it was "astonished." UEFA claimed FIFA had "crossed a red line." Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter wrote, "Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls. They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies." That last part sounds nice. It also leaves out the inconvenient detail that FIFA relied on an actual rule in its disciplinary code. As OutKick previously reported, FIFA cited Article 27, which allows a judicial body to "fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure." In other words, FIFA did not necessarily erase the red card. It just suspended enforcement of the automatic ban. This is where the "unprecedented" argument starts to fall apart. Because FIFA has recently used the same basic mechanism for a much bigger name: Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo received a red card against Ireland in a World Cup qualifier in 2025, which initially put him in danger of missing World Cup matches for Portugal. Instead, FIFA used Article 27 to suspend part of his punishment. Ronaldo served one match in a pre-tournament game, while the remaining portion of the suspension was delayed under a probationary period. So if the argument is that FIFA has never used this disciplinary flexibility to help a star player avoid missing a major World Cup match, that is simply not true. Of course, the Balogun case is not identical to Ronaldo’s. Ronaldo’s red card came in qualifying, and Balogun’s came during the World Cup itself. But "different" and "unprecedented" are not the same thing. Ronaldo is the most obvious comparison to Balogun, but FIFA’s suspension rules have not been nearly as rigid as the outrage suggests. Ecuador’s Moises Caicedo and Argentina’s Nicolas Otamendi also avoided carrying pending punishments into the World Cup. While those cases were not the same as Balogun’s Article 27 situation, they do show FIFA’s disciplinary system isn’t fixed for the sole benefit of the United States. There is also older World Cup history of a red card not automatically leading to a player missing the next match. At the 1962 World Cup, Brazil star Garrincha was sent off in the semifinal against Chile. At that time, red cards did not automatically trigger next-match suspensions the way they do now. A disciplinary panel reviewed the case and let him off with a warning, allowing him to play in the final. Brazil won. Again, that does not make the Garrincha case identical to Balogun’s. Soccer’s disciplinary rules have changed dramatically since 1962. But it does weaken the idea that a player being sent off and still being available for the next World Cup match is some never-before-seen American conspiracy. The real issue here is not whether FIFA had a rule available. It did. The real issue is optics. Trump reportedly called FIFA president Gianni Infantino after the match and urged FIFA to review the red card. He later thanked FIFA for "doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!" That was always going to make European soccer fans combust. It is one thing for FIFA to apply a disciplinary provision. It is another thing for the U.S. president to get involved. The optics are messy. No one is denying that. But messy doesn't mean illegal or unprecedented. Even England coach Thomas Tuchel, who questioned where this process could lead, admitted the original Balogun decision was not a red card. "I think first of all to be very clear that it is not a red card [for Balogun]," Tuchel said. That is the part getting buried under all the outrage. A lot of people seem to agree the original call was harsh. The United States already played the final 30 minutes against Bosnia and Herzegovina with 10 men because of it. Pochettino said the Americans had been "punished enough" after what he called a "completely unfair" decision. Now Balogun is back for Belgium, and Europe is furious. Which is maybe understandable, but them’s the breaks. FIFA did not invent Article 27 for the United States. It did not create the idea of suspended disciplinary punishments overnight. And it certainly did not wait until Balogun’s red card to discover that its judicial body has discretion in disciplinary cases. The Americans got a huge break. No argument there. Balogun is the team’s leading scorer in the tournament, and losing him for a knockout match would have been a massive blow. But if Europe wants to be mad, it should at least be mad accurately. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bd3bdc2ca79de236474d6 Thanks to Trump, a rested Team USA has the ultimate edge over a furious Belgium in the 2026 World Cup te 2026-07-06T16:11:41.396Z Thanks to Trump, a rested Team USA has the ultimate edge over a furious Belgium in the 2026 World Cup Team USA is trying to accomplish what the other two host nations of the 2026 FIFA World Cup failed to: advance to the quarterfinals. The United States hosts Belgium for its Round of 16 game at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, Monday for an 8 p.m. ET kickoff. Unless you've been living under a rock, you're aware of FIFA President Gianni Infantino's controversial decision to suspend American striker Folarin Balogun's one-game ban after he was issued a bogus red card in the USA's 2-0 victory vs. Bosnia in the Round of 32. TRUMP ADDRESSES FIFA'S DECISION ON USA STAR FOLARIN BALOGUN'S WORLD CUP SUSPENSION Obviously, the Belgians are heated, and honestly, I'd be too. BELGIUM 'CONSIDERING ALL POSSIBLE OPTIONS' AFTER FIFA CLEARS TEAM USA’S FOLARIN BALOGUN However, we deserve it. Even though VAR somehow upheld it, any reasonable person would agree that Balogun shouldn't have gotten a red card. Also, between our infrastructure, hospitality and Americana, we have done a phenomenal job hosting the 2026 World Cup. Nonetheless, it's all hands on deck for the United States for this game. Belgium is the ninth-ranked team in the world, and Team USA is 16th, according to FIFA. The Red Devils smoked the Stars and Stripes 5-2 in an international friendly back in March. Besides home-field advantage, which is huge in soccer, we should have a fitness edge over Belgium Monday. The United States is younger and more athletic, and the Belgians beat Senegal 3-2 in a draining 133-minute Round of 32 game. ESPN WRITER HATES TEAM USA GETTING FOLARIN BALOGUN BACK, SAYS ANY WORLD CUP SUCCESS IS NOW 'TAINTED' Furthermore, with Balogun miraculously reinstated alongside Christian Pulisic and Malik Tillman, Team USA will look to use their athletic advantage to press Belgium's older backline, who could be fatigued from that extra-time game vs. Senegal five days ago. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM As you can probably tell by my we's and our's, I'm not exactly an objective analyst here. So, take my pick for this game with a pinch of salt. But, based on the four American World Cup games I've watched, there is no way we get eliminated by Belgium Monday. GIMME TEAM USA TO ADVANCE (-130). _____________________________ Follow me on X @Geoffery-Clark, and check out my "OutKick Bets Podcast" for more betting content and random rants. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bd3a9c2ca79de236474cd North Charleston officer attacked by crowd in viral video after gunfire erupts at block party te 2026-07-06T16:11:21.935Z North Charleston officer attacked by crowd in viral video after gunfire erupts at block party A viral video shows multiple people attacking a North Charleston, South Carolina, police officer during a chaotic response to a permitted Fourth of July block party where authorities say gunfire erupted and multiple officers were assaulted. The North Charleston Police Department said the confrontation unfolded after officers responded to a permitted neighborhood block party in the Chicora-Cherokee community at about 8:30 p.m. on July 4. Officers received reports of people firing fireworks toward passing vehicles before learning that several attendees had begun discharging firearms. FEDS DISMANTLE ALLEGED GUN TRAFFICKING RING THAT FUNNELED DOZENS OF FIREARMS FROM GEORGIA TO CHICAGO GANGS Police repeatedly announced that the event had ended and instructed attendees to leave the area in an effort to de-escalate the situation. Despite those efforts, multiple fights broke out and additional gunshots were fired, prompting officers to exit their patrol vehicles to separate those involved and restore order. During the response, multiple officers were assaulted, including two female officers who suffered minor injuries. The department also released photographs showing multiple handguns and what it described as a makeshift spear recovered at the scene. AMERICA'S WOUNDED COPS FIND HOPE, HEALING AND SECOND CHANCE THROUGH OFFICERS WHO REFUSE TO LEAVE THEM BEHIND Police told Fox News Digital investigators are still working to determine whether any of the recovered firearms were discharged and whether the makeshift spear was used during the assaults. Police said no civilians reported injuries during the incident. Video shared online by The Carolina Courier shows a female officer attempting to detain a woman when several people rush in and pull the officer to the ground. As the officer is pinned down, one person repeatedly punches her in the head while another appears to strike her with an unidentified object before a second officer intervenes. The video then shows the responding officer deploying what appears to be a stun gun on one individual, who retreats, before restraining another person who had been holding the female officer down, allowing her to get back on her feet. By the end of the clip, at least two people appeared to be in custody. REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: CHICAGO COP KILLED AFTER SUSPECT RELEASED UNDER SAFE-T ACT "Attacks on law enforcement are unacceptable and those responsible will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," the department said in a statement. Four people have been arrested so far — one adult and three juveniles — and the arrests are related to the assaults on law enforcement seen in the viral videos, police told Fox News Digital. Authorities said they are still determining the charges, and additional arrests are possible as the investigation continues. The North Charleston Police Department said it is continuing to investigate the shootings and other criminal activity connected to the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact investigators through the department's CRIMEWATCH app. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bd396c2ca79de236474c4 Brown Jackson’s latest spotlight moment fuels accusations she’s forgetting her day job: 'Not celebrities' te 2026-07-06T16:11:02.479Z Brown Jackson’s latest spotlight moment fuels accusations she’s forgetting her day job: 'Not celebrities' Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson appeared on the cover of the most recent issue of Essence magazine, spurring critics to argue that she is seeking publicity in ways that are inappropriate for a member of the Supreme Court. "Supreme Court Justices are not celebrities and should not be treated like celebrities," Andrew Fleischman, a Georgia trial and appeal lawyer, wrote of the cover. The magazine’s cover features a picture of Jackson wearing a purple coat and smiling directly at the reader. Underneath Jackson’s photo is a caption that reads "the people’s champion." TRUMP BLASTS KETANJI BROWN JACKSON AS 'LOW IQ PERSON' IN SUPREME COURT TIRADE Essence Magazine describes itself as the "premiere lifestyle, fashion and beauty magazine for African-American women." "As America celebrates its 250th birthday, ESSENCE is honored to unveil the first magazine cover of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s historic career," Essence tweeted on the 4th of July, accompanied by a photo of the cover.  "As the first Black woman to serve on the nation’s highest court, there is no better moment to celebrate her extraordinary legacy. Ketanji Brown Jackson represents the American Dream and serves as a powerful voice for those simply seeking the God-given birthrights promised to every American," the tweet continued.  Jackson’s public appearances outside the court have drawn periodic criticism from some conservatives and legal observers, who argue that events such as the Grammy Awards, Broadway appearances and a Vogue photoshoot risk blurring the line between judicial service and celebrity. "Ketanji Brown Jackson isn't supposed to be ‘the people's champion,’" Billy Binion, a reporter for a libertarian magazine, wrote on X. "She's not a politician. She's supposed to interpret the law, not make it. This kind of thing is why so many people misunderstand how our government works at a basic level." SUPREME COURT FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES REVEAL CONCERT TICKETS FROM BAD BUNNY'S LABEL, MILLIONS IN BOOK PAYMENTS "Supreme Court justices shouldn’t be celebrities," Laura Powell, a civil liberties attorney, wrote of the cover. "They don’t have to run for office and don’t need political slogans like ‘The People’s Champion.’ They should simply do their job of interpreting the law according to constitutional principles." Jackson is not the only justice whose outside activities have drawn scrutiny. Other members of the court have reported book income, teaching payments, travel reimbursements and gifts in annual financial disclosures. Sitting Supreme Court Justices have previously appeared on magazine covers, including the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg in 2015 and Sonia Sotomayor in 2009.  Michelle Zier, an adjunct professor at Concordia University Chicago, pointed out that Alexander Hamilton explicitly warned that the judges would need to avoid the temptation to be seen as champions of the people. "But it is easy to see that it would require an uncommon portion of fortitude in the judges to do their duty as faithful guardians of the Constitution, where legislative invasions of it had been instigated by the major voice of the community," Hamilton wrote in Federalist 78. HARRIS' 'NO BAD IDEA BRAINSTORM' FOR DEMS INCLUDES PACKING SCOTUS, ELIMINATING ELECTORAL COLLEGE Even some on the left took issue with Jackson’s magazine cover.  "Obviously, nowhere near the worst or weirdest thing is sitting justice has done but yeah we really need that SCOTUS code of ethics," Sam Weinberg, who runs a progressive advocacy group, wrote of the cover. Responding to criticism over her attendance at the Grammy Awards, Jackson argued that part of her job is "public outreach and education." "When the justices are on recess — which is what we are doing right now — we really have an opportunity to go out into the community in various different ways," she told The View in February. Fox News Digital reached out to the Supreme Court and Essence magazine on Monday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bd383c2ca79de236474bb Fake Booking.com travel credit scam targets travelers te 2026-07-06T16:10:43.032Z Fake Booking.com travel credit scam targets travelers Summer travel already costs enough. So, an email promising a $500 Booking.com travel credit can feel like a lucky break. That is exactly why this message we received deserves a closer look. It uses a familiar travel brand, a big reward and a deadline to push you toward a blue "Redeem Now" button. The email also uses my real name in three places, which makes the message feel more personal and convincing. However, the details in this email raise several red flags. The sender address does not even appear to relate to Booking.com. The subject line feels vague. The reward sounds broad. The deadline adds pressure. Scammers know people are booking flights, hotels and last-minute trips right now. A fake travel credit can catch someone at the perfect moment. BOOKING A SUMMER TRIP? HERE'S WHAT YOU'RE GIVING SCAMMERS Before you click anything, let's break down what makes this email look suspicious. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report The subject line says "(1) Pending." That wording is a red flag. It sounds urgent, but it does not clearly explain what is pending. Scammers often use vague subject lines because they spark curiosity. You may open the message just to find out what needs your attention. Also, the number "(1)" makes the email feel like an account alert. It hints that one item needs action. That can push you to click faster. A real travel reward email should explain the offer clearly. It should not rely on mystery to get your attention. The biggest giveaway is the sender address. The display name uses a Booking. com-style label. However, the actual email address does not appear to relate to Booking.com at all. That is a major warning sign. Scammers can copy a logo, brand colors and a button. Still, the sender address often exposes the fake. Always open the full sender details before clicking. Look past the display name. If the real address uses a strange domain, random letters or an unrelated company name, stop. That one detail can save you from a stolen password or a fake payment page. One detail makes this scam feel more personal: the email uses my real name in three places. That can make a fake message feel more legitimate. Scammers use names, account-style details and fake customer IDs to lower your guard. They want you to think, "Well, they know who I am, so this must be real." But a real name does not prove an email is legitimate. Your name may already appear in old breaches, data broker lists, leaked marketing databases or public records. That personal touch should make you more cautious, not less. GLOBAL SCAM CRACKDOWN LEADS TO 276 ARRESTS Another strange detail appears near the top of the message. The email itself shows "March 2026," but it was actually sent to us on June 23, 2026. That mismatch matters because real travel reward emails usually have consistent dates, campaign timing and account details. A March label on a June email can suggest a reused template, a sloppy scam setup or a copied brand-style message. Scammers often move fast and recycle old layouts. So, when the date inside an email does not match when it arrived, treat that as another reason to pause before clicking. The message says you are eligible for a CA$500 Booking.com travel credit. That amount feels big enough to matter. It also feels believable enough to make you curious. That combination is dangerous. Scammers do not always use wild dollar amounts. They often choose a number that feels exciting but still possible. The email also says the credit can be applied toward hotels, flights or a Booking.com reservation in Canada. That broad wording makes the offer sound useful to almost anyone planning travel. However, real travel rewards should be easy to confirm inside your official account. You should not need to click an email button to find out if a credit exists. The message mentions a Spring Genius Loyalty Event. That sounds official because Booking.com has used the Genius name for its loyalty program. Scammers use familiar program names because they make fake emails feel more believable. Still, the email does not give enough proof. It does not explain real terms. It does not tell you to verify inside your account. It mainly pushes you toward the "Redeem Now" button. That is another red flag. Real rewards usually appear in your official account, app or wallet area. A surprise email should never be your only proof. The message says your activity placed you among a select number of loyal members. That line tries to make the reward feel personal. It suggests you earned something special because of your booking history. However, the wording stays broad. It could apply to almost anyone. Scammers often use flattery to lower your guard. When a message makes you feel chosen, you may spend less time checking the details. That is exactly what the scammer wants. The message says you must respond before June 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.. That exact deadline adds pressure. It makes the credit feel like it could disappear at midnight. Then the email says the allocation will be released if you take no action. In other words, it wants you to move quickly before you inspect the sender, links or account details. Urgency is one of the most common scam tactics. When an email mixes a reward with a deadline, slow down. A real company will let you verify rewards by logging in safely through the official app or website. The blue "Redeem Now" button is the part to avoid. A scam link can take you to a fake Booking.com sign-in page. From there, scammers may try to steal your email address, password, payment details or verification codes. Some fake pages look convincing. They may use the same colors, fonts and logo style as the real site. However, the link behind the button tells the real story. Since you cannot fully trust a button in a suspicious email, do not click it. Open Booking.com through the official app instead. You can also type the website into your browser. FIVE DATA BROKER OPT-OUT MYTHS THAT LEAVE RETIREES EXPOSED This email landed in our junk folder, and that is worth noting. Spam filters can flag suspicious sender patterns, bulk messages, strange links or known scam behavior. They are not perfect, but they can give you a useful warning. So, when a reward email appears in junk, treat it with extra caution. Do not click first and investigate later. The safer move is to delete the message and check your account directly. CyberGuy reached out to Booking.com about the suspicious email. Booking.com responded with general safety guidance for travelers and said it uses dedicated teams and machine learning tools to monitor, detect and block suspicious activity around the clock. Booking.com responded to CyberGuy after we reached out about the suspicious email. The company did not specifically verify this email, but said cybercrime and online fraud are not new or unique to Booking.com or the travel industry. "At Booking.com, the security and data protection of our partners and travelers is a top priority. We have dedicated teams and employ machine learning tooling to monitor, detect and block suspicious activity around the clock and continuously work to enhance the robust security measures we have in place," Booking.com said. Booking.com also advises travelers to keep communication and payment on its platform, watch for unusual host requests or last-minute listing changes and report suspicious messages through its official customer service channels. A fake travel credit can look convincing at first, but a few quick checks can help you avoid a stolen login, fake payment page or follow-up scam. Do not trust the display name alone. A scam email can say Booking.com, while the real sender address has nothing to do with the company. Open the sender details and look closely. Strange domains, random letters or unrelated addresses are clear warning signs. Do not assume an email is safe because it knows your name. Scammers can get names from data breaches, people-search sites and marketing lists. If a message uses your name while pushing a deadline, reward or login link, treat it as suspicious. Do not click "Redeem Now" from the email. Instead, open the Booking.com app or type the website into your browser. Then check your account for rewards, wallet credits or official messages. If the credit is real, it should appear there. Booking.com also advises travelers not to move communication or payment outside its platform because scammers often use that tactic to avoid platform protections. Words like Pending, Confirm, Final notice and Limited time can push you to act fast. Slow down when an email adds a deadline. Scammers use urgency because it keeps you from checking the facts. Never enter your password, payment details or verification codes from an email link. Also, use a password manager. It can help you avoid fake sign-in pages because it usually will not autofill your saved password on the wrong site. Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) or passkeys for your Booking.com account, email account and payment accounts. That extra step can help block a scammer who steals your password. Never share a one-time code with anyone who contacts you by email, text or phone. Use strong antivirus software on your devices to help detect malicious links, fake websites and suspicious downloads. That extra layer can help stop a scam before it steals your information or infects your device. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com. Scammers can use your exposed personal information to make phishing emails feel more believable. A data removal service can help reduce how much of your personal data appears on people-search sites and data broker lists. That can make it harder for scammers to target you with personalized travel scams. 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. Report the message as phishing or junk in your email app. You can also forward suspicious Booking.com-related emails to Booking.com's customer service or report them through your account. This helps the platform track scams that impersonate its brand. Booking.com says travelers should report suspicious listings or communications through its official customer service channels so they can be investigated quickly. Since this email already appeared in the junk folder, your spam filter likely spotted something suspicious. Mark it as junk and delete it. If you already clicked, change your Booking.com password through the official site. Then check your card activity. Also, watch for follow-up scam messages that mention travel credits, refunds or account problems. This fake Booking.com email works because it shows up when travel is already on your mind. A $500 credit sounds helpful when hotels and flights feel expensive. But the warning signs are clear. The vague subject line creates curiosity. The sender address does not appear connected to Booking.com. The use of a real name makes the scam feel more personal. The deadline adds pressure. The "Redeem Now" button pushes you toward a risky click. That is important because travel scams often work fast. One fake login page can hand scammers your account, payment details or personal information. The safest move is to ignore the email and check your account directly. If the credit is real, it should appear inside your Booking.com account. If it is fake, you just avoided a costly summer scam. With scammers using trusted travel brands to push fake credits, should companies like Booking.com do more to protect customers before they fall for the click? 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/6a4bd129c2ca79de2364746b Sharon Osbourne marks first wedding anniversary since Ozzy’s death and says their love survives te 2026-07-06T16:00:41.428Z Sharon Osbourne marks first wedding anniversary since Ozzy’s death and says their love survives Sharon Osbourne is paying tribute to her late husband, Ozzy Osbourne, on what would have been their 46th wedding anniversary. On Saturday, the 73-year-old took to social media to share a heartfelt message to the Black Sabbath frontman, who died at the age of 76 on July 22, 2025. "Today would have been our 46th wedding anniversary," Sharon wrote alongside an intimate photo of the couple holding hands. "Instead, it is a celebration of a love that even death could not diminish. I miss your hand in mine, but I carry your love with me every step of the way. Forever my husband. Forever my heart." OZZY OSBOURNE'S DAUGHTER KELLY ADMITS SHE WON'T BE ‘OK FOR A WHILE’ AFTER ICON'S DEATH She received an outpouring of love in the comments. "I am sending you all my love Mrs. O," Nicole Scherzinger wrote. "Dancing with the Stars" judge Carrie Ann Inaba wrote, "Sending you so much love. I have this digital photo frame that chooses photos and videos randomly from my feed and it often chooses photos from Ozzy's birthday. And I have this one photo of you two holding hands and it always reminds me of the most beautiful love. An eternally beautiful love." "Sending you all the love Mrs. All of it," Amanda Kloots commented, while Carmen Electra wrote, "I love u so much." APP USERS CLICK HERE TO VIEW POST The couple met in the early 1970s, and after Ozzy left Black Sabbath in 1979, Sharon became his manager and helped launch his successful solo career. They married in Maui, Hawaii, on July 4, 1982, and had three children together: Aimee, Kelly, and Jack. Over more than four decades of marriage, they faced many challenges, including addiction, health setbacks, and periods of personal turmoil, but remained committed to one another through it all. Their relationship dynamic became widely known through MTV's "The Osbournes," which showcased their family life and Sharon's unwavering support for Ozzy until his death. KELLY OSBOURNE SLAMS ‘DISGUSTING’ BODY-SHAMERS AFTER FACING WEIGHT LOSS SCRUTINY In celebration of her parents' anniversary, Kelly also shared an emotional letter to Sharon on social media. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS  "Today feels different," Kelly wrote on Instagram on July 4. "A day that was once filled with celebration now carries a quiet ache. This is your first wedding anniversary without Daddy by your side, and I can only imagine how heavy your heart must feel. There are some dates that remind us just how deeply we have loved, and today is one of them." APP USERS CLICK HERE TO VIEW POST "I hope you know that love like yours doesn’t end when a life does," Kelly continued. "It changes shape. It becomes the warmth of the sun on your face when you need comfort, the memories that make you smile through tears, the quiet moments when you somehow know he’s near. Daddy may no longer walk beside you, but he will never stop walking with you." "I know he would want you to see yourself through his eyes: resilient, compassionate, courageous, and endlessly loving," she added. "Every day since he left, you’ve had to learn how to carry both grief and hope in the same heart, and somehow, you’ve continued to do it with extraordinary grace. He would be so incredibly proud of the woman you are becoming." "We will hold your hand when the days are too heavy," Kelly wrote, "celebrate your victories, sit with you in your sadness and remind you whenever you need reminding that love is still all around you." A statement provided to Fox News Digital at the time of the Black Sabbath lead singer's death noted that he "was with his family and surrounded by love." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER According to the Daily Mail, Ozzy desired to be buried near a lake on his 250-acre property. During a private memorial, a huge floral tribute on the grounds of the mansion spelled out, "OZZY F---ING OSBOURNE," on the banks of the Osbournes' lake. In a "Dear Ozzy" column for The Times in 2011, Osbourne shared his wishes for what he hoped his future funeral would be like after a fan asked if it was "too morbid to plan your own funeral? Or is it a thoughtful gift for your surviving relatives?" "I honestly don’t care what they play at my funeral; they can put on a medley of Justin Bieber, Susan Boyle and We Are the Diddymen if it makes ’em happy," Osbourne wrote. "But I do want to make sure it’s a celebration, not a mope-fest." "I’d also like some pranks: maybe the sound of knocking inside the coffin; or a video of me asking my doctor for a second opinion on his diagnosis of ‘death,’" he continued. "There’ll be no harping on the bad times." "So to answer your question, yes, a bit of planning is the right thing to do for the family you leave behind," he said. "It’s worth remembering that a lot of people see nothing but misery their whole lives. So by any measure, most of us in this country – especially rock stars like me – are very lucky." "That’s why I don’t want my funeral to be sad. I want it to be a time to say ‘thanks.’" Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bcee5c2ca79de23647442 Heat risk expected to climb across Mohave County, Lake Havasu area this week te 2026-07-06T15:51:01.855Z Heat risk expected to climb across Mohave County, Lake Havasu area this week Rising temperatures will push heat risk higher across Mohave County and the lower Colorado River Valley this week, with the National Weather Service forecasting moderate to major heat impacts by midweek through the weekend. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bced1c2ca79de23647420 'The View' eased up on political candidate bookings amid FCC inquiry, report says te 2026-07-06T15:50:41.366Z 'The View' eased up on political candidate bookings amid FCC inquiry, report says ABC News' "The View" has eased up on booking political guests, according to a report from Semafor, amid a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) inquiry into the liberal talk show. Earlier this year, the FCC launched an investigation into ABC's "The View" amid the agency's crackdown on equal time for political candidates after Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico appeared on the daytime gabfest. Disney’s ABC believes "The View" is bona fide news and, therefore, exempt from the equal time rule. The program hasn't hosted anyone running in a competitive midterm race since Talarico. ABC TOUTS JD VANCE INTERVIEW AMID FCC’S WAR WITH ‘THE VIEW’ OVER EQUAL TIME FOR POLITICAL CANDIDATES Semafor reported Monday that the inquiry compelled the show to "hedge" the show's guests. An ABC source said that "The View" is not known for booking non-elected political candidates and has traditionally had a high bar for political interviews. Semafor reported that a representative for Mamdani attempted to get socialists Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez, who he backed for Congress, on the show. ABC's "The View" reportedly said they couldn't accommodate the socialist candidates, who just came out victorious in New York's primary elections. MAMDANI-BACKED SOCIALIST IN HOT SEAT AGAIN OVER DELETED POSTS PRAISING COMMUNISM, MARXISM: 'CRAZYPANTS' Co-hosts Alyssa Farah Griffin and Sara Haines have pushed back on some of the socialist candidates' controversial statements during the show. "I’m gonna full-blown call her an antisemite. She would proudly call herself that, trust me," Haines said of Chevalier, who has faced backlash over several problematic statements. ABC launched an on-air campaign urging viewers to support "The View" and eight Disney-owned ABC affiliates in its battle with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). ABC’s new campaign features a petition to declare that "The View" indeed qualifies as a bona fide news interview program. A commercial debuted Monday during the program that declared, "’The View has welcomed your favorite guests for nearly 30 years. Now the FCC wants to control who is allowed to appear on the show. Tell the FCC to let the viewers decide. You have until July 6th." ABC's liberal talk show overwhelmingly hosts Democratic guests, and all the hosts regularly criticize President Donald Trump. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE In 2026, the show has brought on more Republicans, though many were guest hosts to fill in for Alyssa Farah Griffin, the lone Republican co-host, who was on maternity leave earlier this year. The show hosted Vice President JD Vance, former Trump lawyer Alina Habba and former GOP lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene in 2026. In the first seven months of 2025, the show hosted 102 left-leaning guests and zero conservatives, according to the Media Research Center (MRC). Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bca34c2ca79de236473ac Socialist House hopeful under fire for pro-Palestinian July 4 message te 2026-07-06T15:31:00.266Z Socialist House hopeful under fire for pro-Palestinian July 4 message New York Assembly member Claire Valdez's Fourth of July social media post featuring a pro-Palestinian message sparked backlash over the weekend, with commentators across the political spectrum blasting her priorities. Valdez, a socialist poised to represent a deep-blue New York City congressional district in Congress, made the comments Saturday as Americans nationwide celebrated the country’s 250th birthday. The Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidate’s post did not appear to praise any aspect of the United States or pay tribute to the country’s founding. Valdez wrote that she would continue to "fight for liberation from Palestine to Puerto Rico, for a Green New Deal, for the world we deserve," on the social media platform X. MAMDANI BLASTS ICE AGENTS, ELON MUSK AND 'SUPREMACY' IN AMERICA 250 SPEECH AHEAD OF JULY 4 WEEKEND "Actually, the Fourth of July isn't about Palestine," commentator Stephen Miller griped at Valdez in response. "Modern Democratic Party: The Fourth of July is a fight to free Palestine," Salem Radio Network host Scott Jennings observed. "These people have no idea what the Declaration is for no[r] any understanding of the purpose of our government," journalist Brianna Lyman wrote. Valdez won a Democratic primary election in June for an open House seat spanning Brooklyn and Queens, with the backing of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Given the progressive bastion’s heavily Democratic tilt, the House hopeful is expected to face little competition in November’s general election. She is one of several socialists who trounced establishment-aligned Democrats in the Empire State’s primaries, marking a major victory for the far-left wing of the party. Valdez and the other Democratic nominees — former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and activist Darializa Avila Chevalier — have called for ending military aid to Israel, enacting Green New Deal-style legislation and Medicare for All, which would create a government-run single-payer system. The trio is likely to push Democrats to support tax hikes on the highest earners if elected to Congress and have frequently argued that the wealthy and big corporations are responsible for the country’s problems. JOSH SHAPIRO WARNS DEMOCRATS FACE ‘BATTLE OVER WHAT WE BELIEVE IN’ AFTER SOCIALIST’S UPSET PRIMARY VICTORIES "Freedom is only possible when we have the conditions for the good life — healthcare, housing, education, and dignity on the job," Valdez also wrote on social media Saturday. "But the system is rigged and our planet poisoned by billionaires, bosses, and war profiteers." Commentators hammered Valdez for focusing on what she viewed as the country's flaws on Independence Day, while blasting her socialist policies. "The commitment some people have to being absolutely insufferable and miserable is almost admirable," former Biden White House press office Chief of Staff Yemisi Egbewole wrote on social media. "It’s the Fourth of July. Eat a hot dog. Watch fireworks. Call your family. Love the country that gave you the freedom to post this nonsense. "Claire Valdez won her district’s rich precincts and high-education ones 64 to 27. She lost low-income areas by 32 points and Black ones by 50 points," NewsNation’s Batya Ungar-Sargon observed. "This anti-America claptrap is trust fund socialism — vanity morals of the elite that operate as a smokescreen for their privilege." Valdez's post echoed Mamdani's Fourth of July message, in which he sharply criticized the wealthiest Americans — and the capitalism that made their affluence possible — while railing against various chapters of American history. "We see the wealthiest country in the history of the world, one where children go to sleep hungry while the world's first trillionaire hungers for more," Mamdani said in his remarks, referencing SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk without naming him. "We see monopolies that dominate every industry, and oligarchs who buy elections," Mamdani continued. Fox News Digital reached out to Valdez’s campaign for comment but did not immediately hear back. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bca0cc2ca79de23647398 Reddit is using LLMs to solve a problem LLMs largely created te 2026-07-06T15:30:20.335Z Reddit is using LLMs to solve a problem LLMs largely created In the AI era, platforms have no choice but to fight fire with fire to cull spam. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bc5d6c2ca79de23647345 Historic World Cup furor at 'incomprehensible' FIFA decision to let U.S. forward Balogun play te 2026-07-06T15:12:22.695Z Historic World Cup furor at 'incomprehensible' FIFA decision to let U.S. forward Balogun play GENEVA — An all-time controversy in the World Cup’s 96-year history was raging Monday ahead of the co-host United States and forward Folarin Balogun facing Belgium with a quarterfinals place at stake. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bc5abc2ca79de2364731a Trump addresses FIFA's decision on USA star Folarin Balogun's World Cup suspension te 2026-07-06T15:11:39.171Z Trump addresses FIFA's decision on USA star Folarin Balogun's World Cup suspension President Donald Trump said Monday he asked FIFA to review the decision to give U.S. men’s soccer team star Folarin Balogun a red card during last week’s win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup knockout stage. Balogun was given a red card after a VAR review to look at a play in which Balogun stepped on the ankle of a defender. He would have been suspended for the team’s match against Belgium but FIFA decided to suspend the one-game ban. A source told Fox News that Trump asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to have the organization review it. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Trump addressed the controversy in the Oval Office. "All I did was, I asked for a review, because I didn’t think it was a foul," the president said. "And again, I’m good at this stuff. I didn’t think it was a foul. I thought it was two great athletes who crashed into each other and got entangled. That was not a guy punching somebody in the face or anything that would be different. "I think it’s a terrible … if they wouldn’t allow a top player, maybe the best, maybe among the best on the team, to play, I think it would have had a big stain. I relayed it. I didn’t tell him what to do. I don’t believe he made the decision. I think it was a committee that made the decision and they made the right decision because, No. 1, it wasn’t a foul and you want to see a game with your best players." Trump said the feeling would be the same if Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo or Harry Kane would have been given a red card in a similar way. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM He also took issue with the call itself. "If you would have taken him out, I think it would have really stained this incredible championship," Trump continued. "We gotta have our best players and Belgium, Belgium’s got a great team by the way. We have our best players and they have to have their best. If we win or we lose, it’s fair. Otherwise, let’s say we lost to them, then we lost the game. It would be a terrible thing. I think they made a really brilliant decision. "I think the referee’s call was horrible and nobody talks about that. They talk about the red card like it’s fine. The referee’s decision to red card, I didn’t know what the hell a red card was and when I found out I said, ‘You gotta be kidding.’ … I said, ‘Wow, that’s a lot of power, that’s terrible.’ And then I looked at his past and it wasn’t so great." Belgium said it "sent a letter to FIFA requesting a copy of the decision, an explanation of the process that had been followed, and setting out its position regarding the applicable regulations." "As its only response, FIFA sent a letter to the RBFA stating that it considered this correspondence to constitute an appeal, that a judge had been appointed, and that the RBFA had only a few hours to complete that appeal. No information whatsoever was provided by FIFA," the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said. "For an appeal to be admissible, FIFA’s own regulations state that the reasoned decision must first have been communicated to the appellant. While the RBFA was merely seeking legitimate explanations, FIFA itself created an appeal and immediately ensured that it would be declared inadmissible." The RBFA added that FIFA has not responded to its requests. "Regardless of the sporting outcome of this match, the RBFA is deeply concerned by the course of events and will continue to fight in the coming hours, days and months in defence of the fundamental principles of ethics, fair competition, and the interests of football as a whole." The U.S. and Belgium play in the Round of 16 on Monday night at 8 p.m. ET. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bc597c2ca79de23647311 Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal face Spain as World Cup Round of 16's biggest upset opportunity te 2026-07-06T15:11:19.714Z Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal face Spain as World Cup Round of 16's biggest upset opportunity If you missed the World Cup games last night, you probably missed the best game of the entire tournament. Even the first game between Norway and Brazil was fantastic. It is always fun seeing the best players do their thing and dominate games. Erling Haaland did that for Norway, heading in the first goal, and then booting a blast past everyone for a goal. It was quite impressive. Mexico and England followed that performance up with the game of the World Cup. England was down to 10 players for almost half of the game and seemingly played defense the rest of the night. They won 3-2 with both teams getting a penalty kick. It was fantastic. Today's games do have the potential to meet or exceed yesterday's games, but it will be a tough task. We went 1-1 in the games, and I'm hoping no matter how much fun the games are to watch, today is one we get 2-0 in betting. VAR DENIES CROATIA'S GAME-TYING GOAL AS CRISTIANO RONALDO LEADS PORTUGAL TO ROUND OF 16 If you want to look at this game from the team that FIFA would probably prefer to have win, it would be Portugal. They have one of the most well-known players in the world in Cristiano Ronaldo. He has had quite a bit of conversation around him during this World Cup. Many are saying he is hurting the team, and he really hasn't had a fantastic Cup. He does have three goals, two of which came against Uzbekistan, and one came in his last game against Croatia. Portugal has won both games he has scored in and had draws in the other two matches. Spain is the favorite to win this game in 90 minutes at -110. After opening the World Cup with a draw at 0-0 against Cape Verde, they seem like they've found their way. In their last three games, they've won against Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, and Austria. None of those teams are all that impressive, and Portugal should be the stiffest competition that Spain has had to face in the World Cup. Overall, Spain is up 8-0 on goals in their four games. There have not been many upsets in the Round of 32 or even 16, but I think there is a good possibility for it to happen with Portugal today. Spain is the better team, but they haven't faced that tough of competition. I'm going to take a swing on Portugal at +295 for the 90 minute moneyline. HOW TO WATCH USA VS BELGIUM: LIVE STREAM THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP ROUND OF 16 So... there was some news yesterday. The United States, which had one of its best players on the team, Folarin Balogun, had his suspension suspended for this game. This news was a big deal for the US, but it also has Belgium up in arms. Balogun scored in the USA's previous match in the Round of 32, but then, not much later in the match, he was given a red card for spiking someone. It was clearly an accident; there was no intent whatsoever. We know the US has had a decent draw as the host country, but this should be a tough game for them. Belgium has some right to be upset, but this has happened before. FIFA has done something similarly so that Ronaldo could play in the World Cup. They started their tournament with back-to-back draws over Egypt and Iran. Then they broke open with a win over New Zealand, and then beat Senegal 3-2 in the Round of 32. It is interesting because they haven't been elite in the tournament, but they are a good team. America was given a gift of getting Balogun back, and I think Belgium has mentally focused on this addition too much at this point. The US looks good, but they definitely have some cracks that need to be filled. I think this game will be a bit chippy, but I also think that they both will be decent with scoring. I'm going to back the over 3 at +100. You can do this by going to Spread/Total and selecting the Asian Total on sites like DraftKings. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bc570c2ca79de23647304 Key Moments in the Case of Charlie Kirk’s Assassination te 2026-07-06T15:10:40.802Z Key Moments in the Case of Charlie Kirk’s Assassination The case against the defendant, Tyler Robinson, has played out since last September. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bc55cc2ca79de236472f3 Microsoft lays off nearly 5,000 employees across Xbox, commercial sales te 2026-07-06T15:10:20.845Z Microsoft lays off nearly 5,000 employees across Xbox, commercial sales Microsoft cut around 4,800 roles, or 2.1% of its global workforce, on Monday — the latest in a series of layoffs that’s stoking fears of AI replacing jobs. The layoffs will hit Xbox and commercial sales the hardest. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bc319c2ca79de236472c5 Netanyahu warns Turkey should not get F-35s, citing Erdoğan's hostility toward NATO allies te 2026-07-06T15:00:41.784Z Netanyahu warns Turkey should not get F-35s, citing Erdoğan's hostility toward NATO allies Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged President Donald Trump not to reopen the path for Turkey to acquire U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets during an appearance Monday, saying President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's hostility toward Israel and other nations makes the NATO ally an unacceptable security risk. "For a regime infected by the Muslim Brotherhood, an extreme movement that hates America and chants 'Death to America,' from that side of the spectrum, I don't think they should be given F-35s or the engines for their fighter jets," he said, warning the move could "upset the power balance in the Middle East." Netanyahu's remarks come ahead of Trump's attendance at this week's NATO summit in Ankara. The president has signaled a willingness to revisit Turkey's participation in the F-35 program, years after Ankara was removed from the program because of its acquisition of the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system. TRUMP ENVOY TO TURKEY DOUBLES DOWN AFTER BACKLASH, PUSHES ‘PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH’ POLICY Netanyahu maintained that the region's security rests on Israel's air superiority and the United States' military posture, arguing that providing Turkey with the weaponry would jeopardize that balance. The Israeli leader pointed to Erdoğan's calls for Israel's destruction, Turkey's support for Hamas and its threats against fellow NATO member Greece as evidence that Ankara should not be entrusted with advanced military technology. SOCIALIST COLORADO CANDIDATE BLAMES ISRAEL FOR 'PUTTING JEWISH PEOPLE IN GREAT DANGER' "[Turkey] is governed by a man who calls openly for the annihilation of Israel," he warned. "He's threatening Greece, another NATO country, and he talks openly about conquering Jerusalem." "His foreign minister... said that the Jewish state hasn't a place among humanity. Basically, it has to be wiped out. His interior minister, he said he looks forward to be the governor of Jerusalem." Netanyahu also warned about Iran, claiming the country's leadership remains committed to anti-American and anti-Israel values despite recent military setbacks, pointing to chants of "Death to Trump" and "Death to America" at the funeral of senior commanders killed in strikes. "They are not America's friend, and we should not let them have nuclear weapons or the means to deliver them... this is a battle of freedom versus fanaticism," he cautioned. Fox News' Morgan Phillips contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bc0acc2ca79de2364723e Canadian spy agency says it hacked drug traffickers, extremists and a ransomware gang last year te 2026-07-06T14:50:20.196Z Canadian spy agency says it hacked drug traffickers, extremists and a ransomware gang last year The hacking operations disclosed in a Canadian spy agency's annual report underscores some pressing national security threats facing the country and its top allies. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bbe97c2ca79de23646d23 5 antojitos congelados para mantenerse fresco este Verano te 2026-07-06T14:41:27.594Z 5 antojitos congelados para mantenerse fresco este Verano (Feature Impact) El calor del verano puede ser difícil de sobrellevar sin una estrategia fresca y refrescante. Cuando las temperaturas suben, refrésquese con antojitos congelados preparados con anticipación que pueden hacer que casi cualquier tarde sofocante se sienta como unas… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bbe83c2ca79de23646d1a 5 antojitos congelados para mantenerse fresco este Verano te 2026-07-06T14:41:07.633Z 5 antojitos congelados para mantenerse fresco este Verano Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bbbfdc2ca79de23646c9a Who Was Charlie Kirk? te 2026-07-06T14:30:21.232Z Who Was Charlie Kirk? Mr. Kirk, an influential right-wing activist, has become a modern-day martyr for conservative evangelical Christians. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bb9a4c2ca79de23646c42 How to reserve and change your WhatsApp username te 2026-07-06T14:20:20.265Z How to reserve and change your WhatsApp username WhatsApp now lets users reserve usernames ahead of the feature’s full rollout, making it possible to connect without sharing a phone number once usernames go live. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bb773c2ca79de23646c1e Medicaid again to cover non-abortion care at Planned Parenthood as GOP ban ends te 2026-07-06T14:10:59.839Z Medicaid again to cover non-abortion care at Planned Parenthood as GOP ban ends A volunteer clinic escort holds a sign outside a Planned Parenthood clinic in Columbia, South Carolina, on March 28, 2025. (Photo by Skylar Laird/SC Daily Gazette) WASHINGTON — Republicans celebrated last year when they barred Medicaid payments from going to Planned Parenthood for one year, predicting the financial impact would hollow out the organization.  A year later, with that section of the “big, beautiful” law set to expire July 4, GOP lawmakers are trying to find a way to keep the nationwide prohibition in place, though they won’t be able to accomplish that before the deadline.  That means states will now determine whether people enrolled in the program for lower-income individuals can, once again, get routine healthcare services from the Planned Parenthood clinics that remain open.   Nora Walsh-DeVries, vice president of political and legislative affairs at Planned Parenthood Action Fund, said the law forced the organization to close nearly 30 of its healthcare centers. “The impact is really horrible for us and some of it is unfortunately irreversible,” she said. “And it’s tough to try to deal with what’s happened in this past year, kind of also knowing that there is an intention from Republicans to permanently defund us.” Some Planned Parenthood clinics, she said, tried to find ways to keep treating Medicaid enrollees, but ultimately that was “unsustainable” and not something every affiliate could manage.  The result meant “tens of thousands of patients have been denied access to basic care services like cancer screenings, which I think we can all agree is something we should want people to get when they need it, where they need it, how they need it,” Walsh-DeVries said.  The impact was ultimately less widespread than Planned Parenthood originally predicted, when its president said in a statement just days before the law took effect that “nearly 200 Planned Parenthood health centers in 24 states across the country are at risk of closure.” The expiration won’t have an impact on abortion access for Medicaid enrollees, since a decades-old rider on government spending bills, which blocks taxpayer dollars from going to abortion with limited exceptions, remains in place.  Republicans view the closures as a victory and are trying to renew the provision in an attempt to shutter more Planned Parenthood clinics. They believe any healthcare organization that provides abortions, even if those largely aren’t covered by taxpayer dollars, shouldn’t be included in any federal health programs.  Pressure from conservatives The House Freedom Caucus, a collection of far-right Republicans, wrote to Speaker Mike Johnson in late June, pressing him to include a similar prohibition in another party-line bill.  “The American people rightfully expect a Republican-led Congress to deliver real results, not excuses or half-measures,” they wrote. “After years of broken promises, voters have entrusted us with majorities in both the House and Senate. This is our last and best chance to prove they were right to send us here to fight for them.” They added that another reconciliation bill must prohibit “federal funding for abortion providers to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not being used to subsidize the radical abortion industry.” Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser and other anti-abortion organizations are lobbying Republicans to again block Medicaid funding from going to Planned Parenthood. “Defunding Big Abortion is now the default expectation of the pro-life movement,” Dannenfelser wrote in a statement. “When they return to D.C., Republicans must do all they can through reconciliation to once again block taxpayer dollars from Planned Parenthood and abortion businesses.” Republicans used the complex budget reconciliation process to enact their “big, beautiful” law and the $70 billion package to fund immigration enforcement. The special process allowed GOP leaders to get around procedural votes in the Senate that would otherwise require bipartisanship as long as each provision has an impact on federal revenues or spending that is not deemed “merely incidental” by that chamber’s parliamentarian. Strained system Subasri Narasimhan, research director at the Center on Reproductive Health, Law, and Policy at UCLA Law School, said there often aren’t other health centers to cover the gaps left when a Planned Parenthood closes or is no longer reimbursed for treating a Medicaid enrollee.  “We have a pretty strained healthcare system in so many different respects, but we’re looking at an extremely strained system when it comes to reproductive healthcare,” Narasimhan said.  Some state governments, she said, tried to cover the budget holes created during the last year, though ultimately weren’t able to fully replace the loss of federal funding.  Republicans reinstituting the same prohibition on Medicaid payments for non-abortion healthcare services, she said, would likely lead more people on the program to delay or skip preventative care altogether.  “We’re looking at folks who are quite vulnerable and often use Planned Parenthood as their primary source of care,” she said. “And so there’s no option to look for another health center.” Kathleen Adams, professor in the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, said that if a program can vary state to state, it will, and this was no exception.  “What I’m seeing is the states are finding emergency funds, other ways to channel funds to Planned Parenthood to sort of keep that part of their system active,” she said.  There are also other programs and clinics, like federally qualified health centers and safety-net providers, that Adams said could play a part in filling some of the gaps. “I don’t lose heart so much as we might otherwise about these provisions to Planned Parenthood because states are aware of these issues,” she said. “And if they don’t provide access to contraceptives, they’re more likely to get unintended pregnancies, or pregnancies amongst uninsured women.” State action Laurie Sobel, associate director for Women’s Health Policy at KFF, wrote in a post that after the nationwide moratorium expires, a Supreme Court ruling from late June 2025 will allow state governments to block certain healthcare providers, like Planned Parenthood, from participating in their Medicaid programs.  “This ruling marked a significant departure from longstanding interpretations of the Medicaid ‘free choice of provider’ provision, which guarantees enrollees the right to obtain care from any qualified and willing Medicaid provider,” Sobel wrote. Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas have either blocked or tried to block Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood, according to Sobel’s analysis. Other states, she wrote, “may follow suit” once the nationwide Medicaid prohibition expires July 4. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bb75fc2ca79de23646bfd Toby Keith topped the most streamed songs on Spotify in America on Independence Day 2025 te 2026-07-06T14:10:39.876Z Toby Keith topped the most streamed songs on Spotify in America on Independence Day 2025 Americans were blasting Toby Keith's music over the weekend to celebrate the 4th of July. The beautiful country we are blessed to call home celebrated its 250th birthday on Saturday, and it was an epic moment. People fired up their grills, cracked open plenty of beer and celebrated the greatest country on the planet. LEE GREENWOOD SAYS HE'S 'VERY PROUD' TO STAND NEXT TO TRUMP DURING AMERICA'S 250TH CELEBRATION What do you need for a great Independence Day? A fire playlist, and that includes Toby Keith. Toby Keith's legendary song "Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue (The Angry American)" was the most streamed song on Spotify in America on the 4th of July, according to Chart Data. Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A." was second and Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas" took the number three spot. COUNTRY SUPERSTAR ELLA LANGLEY PULLS OFF INCREDIBLE CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENT ON THE MUSIC CHARTS It shouldn't surprise anyone that Toby Keith's most famous song dominated Spotify on the 4th of July. It's an incredible song. "Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue" will make you want to run through a brick wall to celebrate America. It's patriotism at its best and that's what Independence Day is all about. It's also a bit funny because I tweeted this on Friday night, and I meant it! AARON TIPPIN SAYS PATRIOTISM IS 'VERY STRONG IN AMERICA' AHEAD OF FORT CAMPBELL 4TH OF JULY SHOW What music did you have fired up on the 4th of July? Let me know at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bb533c2ca79de23646bd1 Bliss’ bill turns soliciting sex into a felony te 2026-07-06T14:01:23.497Z Bliss’ bill turns soliciting sex into a felony Laws target those who purchase prostitution Paying for sex is now a class 6 felony in Arizona following the signing of House Bill 2720, by Gov. Katie Hobbs [D] on June 5. Prostitution will remain a misdemeanor under the legislation sponsored by Arizona State Rep. Selina Bliss [R-District 1], with a Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bb520c2ca79de23646bc8 Yavapai College board places president on leave te 2026-07-06T14:01:04.040Z Yavapai College board places president on leave Unanimous vote suspends Lisa Rhine; Provost Doug Berry to take her place during indefinite absence The Yavapai College Governing Board voted unanimously to place President Lisa Rhine, Ph.D., on paid administrative leave effective immediately during its meeting on Tuesday, June 30. The vote, which ha Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bb50ac2ca79de23646ba5 Member of 1994 USA World Cup team knows how much soccer can grow if this year's team keeps up its success te 2026-07-06T14:00:42.033Z Member of 1994 USA World Cup team knows how much soccer can grow if this year's team keeps up its success The United States men's national team has an opportunity to make history on Monday night by reaching the World Cup quarterfinals in a game played on its home soil. With a win on Monday over Belgium, Team USA will be one of the "elite eight" remaining in the World Cup, making it the furthest they've gone since 2002. Soccer's popularity grew immensely when the 1994 USA team made it to the knockout stage on home soil, and John Harkes, one of the members of that team, which is the focal point of FOX ONE's "Summer of '94" docuseries, believes this year is a "full-circle moment." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "I was with my son and his wife and our grandson and my wife at the (Round of 32) game, and the national anthem always hits me hard, and the emotions come. You look back on the years that we played and what we contributed to the game back in 1990 and '94. It was massive being here. Thirty-two years on now, it's really important for us to tell the stories because these are new audiences, and they need to know the stories. They need to know the history of the game, and that's part of the education that goes on in our country," Harkes told Fox News Digital in a recent interview. "We're always trying to tell those stories the right way and have those platforms. The best way to do that is to win. And now we have guys that are competing and playing all over the world with great talent, great skill, and we're seeing them now. But the emotions that come out in the stadium at these games are unreal for me to really control. But I love it. I'm just so excited and happy that this is happening." Harkes admitted to feeling the added "pressure" of trying to grow the game in his home country, all while competing for soccer's most coveted trophy. But it was something they had to "accept." They did that with the help of defeating Colombia to get into the knockout stage, and this year's team is on the path to doing the same after last week's thrilling 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. LANDON DONOVAN RECALLS LIFE-CHANGING WORLD CUP MOMENT AMID PLAYERS' 'RESPONSIBILITY' OF GROWING GAME IN USA "When you do something like that, that wakes up a nation," Harkes added. Harkes is now a technical director at McLean Youth Soccer in Virginia and an assistant coach for the USA U15 team, and as the sport grows, he wants respectful coaches to grow, as well. "We are building platforms for these kids to not just have fun and compete but to have life skills. We need to be mentors. It is a mentorship that you take on, and when you take on that responsibility, you are there for the player, you are there for the kids, and you're also there for the parents too," Harkes, a part of the "Yes, Coach!" team, said. "We're in a really good situation right now across the game in this country where coaches need to step in with full responsibility, clear communication, and be good role models. If you can become that good role model and help mentor other coaches to be good coaches where they are putting the player first, these are the life skills that they need, and they need to be able to understand the game and respect the game. "We see too many coaches that want a win-at-all-cost mentality. I see them yelling from the sideline at kids, and kids are second-guessing everything. They're not even having fun. It's not work. It's supposed to be a sport. It's supposed to be for fun, for them to be together as a team, to have camaraderie, to understand what sacrifice means for the player next to you, your friend, and that you grow in these relationships. So the more that we can mentor coaches to understand that part and their roles and what they do with these children is the most important part of the game, and there's no better platform than to do it right now." Harkes knows what the 1994 World Cup did to soccer, and he also knows how much more this year's event can do. "That summer of '94, it was incredible. It was unprecedented what we did in '94, to be honest with you..." Harkes said. "And we've got this opportunity now, we've created so much passion around the men's game. These stories are now preserved from the past. People know who they are. We carry that forward into the game today and what they're doing on the field. It's just a perfect match. It really is. So a lot of success is coming out of that. And I'm really excited about what we've done in the past and what we're doing now. So let's keep supporting our U.S. team and push them on as far as they can go." 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/6a4bb058c2ca79de23646b2f Europeans are crying over Team USA getting Balogun back, America went hard for the 4th & beaches are overrated te 2026-07-06T13:40:40.125Z Europeans are crying over Team USA getting Balogun back, America went hard for the 4th & beaches are overrated How am I feeling on this Monday morning after vacation and the historic Fourth of July weekend? Look, I'm not going to lie, I'm a little groggy, and we could get POUNDED by an historic rain event off of Lake Erie today, but I'm fire up for Monday Screencaps. We're officially in that dead period where we have the World Cup, the Tour de France, the MLB All-Star break and maybe some NASCAR, if you're desperate, before we open NFL training camps later this month. This is when the cream of the content world rises to the top. With that in mind, let's start this morning with the Euros crying over Team USA getting it's goal threat, Balogun, back for tonight's game against Belgium. I know many of you are furious that I would dare write about soccer, but we have to address this, because now the Euros are crying over the U.S. in soccer. ESPN WRITER HATES TEAM USA GETTING FOLARIN BALOGUN BACK, SAYS ANY WORLD CUP SUCCESS IS NOW 'TAINTED' Let this sink in. These guys have never cared about American soccer, especially the men's team. We were the team with the dorks wearing rubber bands in our hair. We were the MLS dorks with the dork fans in the stands trying to act Euro with our chants and those dorky scarves that woke dorks would hold up during matches. Now we have Trump possibly getting in the middle of a red card situation and it's instant tears from fans around the world who used to laugh at us. What a pivot it's been. The rubber band dorks are gone. The scarf dorks are in hiding. Trump's political power is being thrown around and this country truly seems to be on a legitimate trajectory in this sport. Will I care about soccer the minute this all ends? No chance. DEMOCRATS REPORTEDLY FORCED TO 'GRAPPLE UNCOMFORTABLY' WITH WORLD CUP SUCCESS UNDER DONALD TRUMP I am just loving that Megan Rapinoe, her fellow miserable fans, and the Euros whiners have to sit there and watch the men's team succeed. I'm literally rooting for these guys HARD as a giant f-you to Rapinoe, and you should, too. Trust me, it feels good. Contact me! 📩 Email: joe.kinsey@outkick.com Send photos, stories, tips, rants—whatever you've got. 📰 Screencaps Page: 👉 Read the latest Screencaps ▶️ YouTube: Screencaps with Joe Kinsey Subscribe for videos, rants, and behind-the-scenes. 🐦 Twitter/X: @JoeKinseyexp Tag me or drop a DM. 📸 Instagram: @OutKickScreencaps You guys need to start tagging me on content you're seeing. 📘 Facebook Page: Screencaps on Facebook 👥 Facebook Group: Join the Screencaps Community 📬 Mail (Thursday Night Mowing League): 27072 Carronade Dr, Unit A 155 Perrysburg, OH 43551 🗞️ Newsletter: 👉 Subscribe here Like I was saying, this is the time of the year when you guys have to get creative with the content until we get to football season. WATCH THIS! Wasn't I just having this beach conversation with you guys like 3 months ago? I'm still not convinced that people read books at the beach. I believe books are just a social resume flex where people take photos of themselves reading at the beach because it looks good on social media like when LeBron had those books in his locker room. I don't really know how to use gaslighting in a sentence, but I'll try --- people pretending to read books at the beach feels like gaslighting. 'What's in the bag?' and what's your thermostat set at? – Britt asks: Great golf trip recap! I think you’ve sent before, but we need a "What’s in the Bag" recap for you, with a picture and associated listing (no headcovers). I think it would also be fun to hear about (and see a similar pic) of the clubs the best player who went on the trip uses. Guarantee most of us readers play something more like what you do than what that guy does! Would also love to see other readers’ clubs. Further on the golf trip, some of those courses are just tough. I shot 106 at Ballybunion as a 10 HDCP. I think the best player with us was a 2, and I think he shot 94. We wanted weather in Ireland, and we got it. (Fun fact: Karen T played about 6 times on an Ireland golf trip….and used one ball; I think I had to buy more when I was over there). Thermostat in Northern VA upstairs set to 68, main level at 72 (is 102 today). Costs what it costs. I’d rather spend my money on that than anything else. I’m looking into buying an ice- and water-filled portable AC for my garage….because I’m an idiot who has the most awesome basement ever, but like to watch TV in my awesome garage (Karen T designed all of both, so I get no credit for anything other than spending time in both). Best buy has a ton for anyone who might be interested in what I am looking at (#not sponsored). USA! USA! USA! Great choices on the ladies today. Ivanka forever, Jenna is awesome, Heather still getting it done, and Megan can sing a little (she’s terrific) while also being "kinda cute" haha. Thanks, Joe. Glad you had a great trip. Kinsey: I use Cleveland irons and wedges (graphite shafts) and a no-name driver I bought for $40 at the Toledo Golf Show like six years ago and a no-name 3w I bought with the driver. My most recent purchase is a Cleveland 7w with 23-degree loft that was a great buy off eBay. It literally showed up at my door the day I was leaving to go Up North. What happened to the Reds? – Jase rubs it in: What has happened to your Reds?  I thought they'd at least contend for a playoff berth this year, but it looks like they will be lucky to stay out of last place in the NL Central.  Do you think they can still turn it around?   – Kinsey: Jase, it was fun while it lasted. I had one month of fun before reality set in as the schedule got harder. No, they're no turnaround coming. Have you seen what MY Reds are facing in the NL Central? Their offense is useless against the pitching they'll face down the stretch. MY Reds face the toughest remaining schedule in Major League Baseball (.535%). This isn't going to be good. ############## And that is it this morning as we all try to get back into the groove. There will be one more vacation at the end of the month before I hunker down for football season and the long run all the way to the winter holidays. It's back to Zoom meetings and trying to figure out how to take OutKick to the next level. Let's get after it. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bae17c2ca79de23646ae8 Forrest Galante says most shark bites are a case of mistaken identity as Florida attacks lead the US te 2026-07-06T13:31:03.896Z Forrest Galante says most shark bites are a case of mistaken identity as Florida attacks lead the US Shark attacks and sightings are once again making headlines across the United States. And with summer beach season in full swing, it can feel like every other day brings another report of a shark encounter somewhere along the coast. But are there actually more sharks? Are more people being attacked? Or are we all just paying closer attention? CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE FROM OUTKICK According to wildlife biologist, TV personality and Shark Week host Forrest Galante, the answer is D) all of the above. "It's a little bit of everything," Galante told OutKick Outdoors. "Shark populations in a lot of places, like California and Florida, have rebounded because historically, 20, 30, 40, 50 years ago, we had overfished a lot of that area, and the sharks had moved out. So with good conservation efforts, the predators are coming back." In other words, seeing more sharks in some areas is not necessarily a sign that something has gone wrong. It may be the opposite, actually. But at the same time, there are also more people in the water, more cameras capturing every encounter and more media attention any time something happens. "We have cell phones, so the media around it is happening," Galante said. "Summertime is when sharks like to hunt coastally and come close to the beaches, which is of course where and when we're swimming. So when you put all these factors together, that's why we see this spike in shark bites every single summer." Watch Forrest Galante's full interview with OutKick Outdoors here: According to the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File, researchers confirmed 65 unprovoked shark bites worldwide in 2025, slightly below the 10-year average of 72. Nine of those bites were fatal. The United States recorded 25 unprovoked bites, the most of any country, with Florida leading the nation at 11 reported incidents. No surprise there, given how much time Floridians spend in the water. That said, the numbers don’t suggest sharks are suddenly hunting people in record numbers. In fact, the Florida Museum noted that U.S. shark bite numbers have decreased overall during the past five years. That’s despite more sharks in U.S. waters. The recent headlines, however, have been hard to miss. In early June, a Navy base employee was critically injured by a suspected bull shark while swimming near a marina in Panama City, Fla. Just days earlier, a child swimming in knee-deep water at WaterColor, Fla., suffered wounds to the leg, prompting a 5-mile double-red-flag beach closure. And outside the U.S., a 38-year-old man was killed in May after being bitten by a large great white shark while swimming at Rottnest Island off the coast of Western Australia. In mid-June, a 34-year-old school teacher was also critically injured while swimming at a heavily patrolled beach in Sydney. TrackingSharks.com, a privately run shark-safety and journalism site, had recorded 30 shark attack bites worldwide in 2026 as of July 5 — including seven fatal incidents. SHARK SIGHTINGS SPIKE NEAR AMERICA'S BEACHES AS JULY 4 CROWDS HEAD TO SHORE FOR WEEKEND Still, this doesn’t mean we all need to run terrified from the beaches this summer. Galante stressed that most shark-human interactions do not end badly. "It's nothing to do with the sharks wanting to eat us," he said. "It's everything to do with this perfect confluence of situations that lead to more interactions in general, and it's a fraction of a percent of those interactions that end up being negative. That is what we're all talking about." That may be the part that gets lost in the panic. Sharks are predators, yes. The ocean comes with risk, obviously. But humans are not generally on the menu. "They say that something like 99% of shark bites are a case of mistaken identity," Galante said. "You see a flash from a sparkly bit of jewelry or something, and the shark goes, ‘Oh wow, is that food?’ Unfortunately, when a shark asks the question, ‘Is that food?’ they do so by taking an investigative bite." And unlike a curious dog sniffing your hand, a shark's "investigative bite" can have devastating consequences. "They don’t have hands," Galante said. "They can’t feel it, so that investigative bite can be very, very damaging and, in some cases, fatal. So when they’re trying to figure out if something is or isn’t food, that can be a problem. Most of the time, we’re not even on the menu. They’re just trying to figure out if we are." Galante knows sharks better than most. He’s spent plenty of time diving with them and studying their behavior. His upcoming Shark Week special, Alien Sharks: Untamed America, premieres July 29 on Discovery. The special follows Galante across the United States in search of some of the strangest and least-known shark species living in American waters. The project is tied to America’s 250th anniversary, and Galante said one of his goals is to remind viewers that the United States has extraordinary wildlife right in its own backyard. "People that live here think that you have to travel to the far reaches of the globe to see cool wildlife," he said. "We have some of the most incredible, most iconic wildlife on the entire planet right here in the United States, none more so than our amazing diversity of sharks and stingrays." In the special, Galante said he highlights everything from glow-in-the-dark swell sharks to bonnethead sharks, to school-bus-sized basking sharks and sawfish that look like something out of Star Wars . "We have some of the coolest, the largest, the smallest, the weirdest and the most bizarre and incredible sharks right here in the United States," he said. Of course, appreciating sharks does not mean ignoring basic beach safety. Galante said beachgoers can reduce their already slim chances of a negative shark encounter by being smart about where and when they get in the water. "Don’t go in the water at dawn or dusk," he said. "Don’t swim near river mouths. That’s when sharks are feeding. Don’t go swimming by yourself. If you see no one on the beach, that’s usually not a good place to go swimming, and on the flip side of that, don’t go swimming where people are fishing and throwing bait in the water." There are also smaller details many people may not consider. "The crackling of a water bottle or even the crunching of a beer can sounds a lot like the crunching of fish bones to a shark, and it can make them come and investigate," Galante said. "Wearing something highly shiny, like jewelry or sequins or anything with those little mirrors that put out light, can look like a school of bait fish." Enjoy your vacation. Enjoy the ocean. Just make sure to respect it, too. "Just taking a few very simple precautions can greatly reduce your already very slim chance of having a negative encounter," Galante said. So yes, shark stories are everywhere right now. But there’s no need to panic. Unless of, of course, you hear that creepy cello music from Jaws. Then it’s time to pack it in. Love all things wildlife and outdoors? Follow OutKick Outdoors on Instagram and TikTok! Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4bae04c2ca79de23646adf Trump says he 'immediately overturned' decision to cancel July 4 festivities in DC te 2026-07-06T13:30:44.444Z Trump says he 'immediately overturned' decision to cancel July 4 festivities in DC President Donald Trump said in a Sunday Truth Social post that he had "overturned" a decision to cancel festivities in Washington D.C. on Saturday due to weather. "The Crowd at 7:05 in the evening was 422,000 people! All were forced to leave because of the weather, the event was cancelled, and everyone was gone because of lightning. When I heard that it was cancelled, I immediately overturned that decision, and waited a while for people to come back. Incredibly, at least 150,000 people returned, and it was an even more spectacular evening than it would have been as normalized! It showed work under pressure," Trump declared in the post. "Congratulations to the Secret Service and Law Enforcement on being able to get so many people back into the Arena in such rapid fashion! It was an amazing evening made even more spectacular by the fact that, immediately after the Great Fireworks ended, the rains came down, full blast!" he added. TOP HIGHLIGHTS FROM TRUMP'S LATE NIGHT JULY 4 ADDRESS: 'NO DREAM IN HISTORY IS BIGGER' People flocked to attend Independence Day festivities in D.C. as Americans around the nation celebrated the country's 250th anniversary, but attendees were asked to evacuate and take shelter on Saturday evening. "Due to approaching severe storms, Freedom 250, United States Secret Service, United States Park Police, National Park Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and all public safety partners are asking all guests to evacuate event grounds and seek temporary shelter in a nearby building," Freedom 250 spokesperson Danielle Alvarez noted in part of a Saturday evening statement. TRUMP SHARES NEWS OF 'CRYSTAL CLEAR' REFLECTING POOL, CALLS FOR VANDALISM SUSPECT'S ARREST But in another post on X later that night, Freedom 250 declared, "At President Donald J. Trump's direction, gates to the National Mall will reopen at 9:45 PM." Trump ultimately delivered a speech later on Saturday night, which was followed shortly thereafter by a massive fireworks show that began at about midnight. AMERICA 250 KICKS OFF IN NATION'S CAPITAL AS AMERICANS BRAVE WEATHER TO CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY "I would like to congratulate Freedom 250, a Great White House Commission, and Pyrotecnico, on producing the Most Spectacular Fireworks Show I have ever seen, and I’ve seen them all. Congratulations on a job well done!" Trump declared in a Truth Social post on Sunday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4baba9c2ca79de23646aa3 Smithsonian's National Museum of American History promotes 'extreme political activism,' WH report alleges te 2026-07-06T13:20:41.133Z Smithsonian's National Museum of American History promotes 'extreme political activism,' WH report alleges A sweeping new White House report concluded that the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History (NMAH) has become a taxpayer-backed institution of "ideological capture" and "extreme political activism." "The report concludes that the Smithsonian Institution, and the National Museum of American History in particular, under its current leadership and current interpretive ideology, cannot be trusted to tell America’s story honestly and in a way that is inspiring, unifying, and worthy of our great republic," the White House Domestic Policy Council wrote in its July 4 report following up on President Donald Trump’s March 27 executive order. "By the intention and at the direction of current Museum and Smithsonian leadership, NMAH has become subject to institutional capture by a radical, activist ideology that is fundamentally opposed to telling the noble, honest story of the great country we know and love." According to the 162-page "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History" report, delivered on America's 250th birthday, NMAH treats the American story as a political tool rather than a shared national inheritance. "At the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, visitors young and old should encounter the story of the United States told with honesty, seriousness, and pride," the report's executive summary began. "In particular, it should help the American people understand where America came from, what makes it distinctive, and why it is worth preserving." TOP HIGHLIGHTS FROM TRUMP'S LATE-NIGHT JULY 4 ADDRESS: 'NO DREAM IN HISTORY IS BIGGER' Instead, the museum has moved "away from straightforward historical education and scholarship" and toward activism, the report found. "Anthea Hartig, NMAH’s director since 2019, has explicitly stated that she sees history as a 'prime tool of social justice' and one of her roles as connecting 'research and scholarship to activism and advocacy,'" the summary noted. TRUMP'S MOUNT RUSHMORE ADDRESS FEATURES 28 MINUTES OF ICONIC WORDS, 23 MINUTES OF DAZZLING LIGHT, FIREWORKS "Hartig has also stated that 'we work to reframe the traditional celebratory narrative of U.S. history for visitors.' She claims to have had a personal head start 'propped up as I was and I am by the cushions of whiteness and the pillows of the bourgeoisie,'" the report said. "These are not the words of an objective historian, but rather those of an activist advancing an ideological agenda contradictory to the Museum’s founding purpose of fostering patriotism." THE REVOLUTIONARY LANDMARKS WHERE WASHINGTON, ADAMS AND JEFFERSON CHANGED AMERICA The report made five key conclusions about the museum: "One of the most significant findings in this report concerns what is missing," the report stated. "A visitor to the Museum today will find no major exhibit dedicated to America’s Founding era, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, other Founding Fathers, the Continental Congress, the Pilgrims, the Puritans, or major moments of the American Revolution, such as Washington’s crossing of the Delaware. "Instead, visitors will find Founders, such as Benjamin Franklin, introduced chiefly through their connection to slavery while their decisive roles in building the Republic and their anti-slavery efforts are minimized or ignored." TRUMP HAILS AMERICA AS 'MOST EXCEPTIONAL NATION EVER TO EXIST' IN MOUNT RUSHMORE SPEECH The NMAH presented revisionist history, using terms that exist now but not then, including "a popular term-of-art to 'Critical Social Justice,'" the report found. "The Museum is not merely neglecting America’s central story," it stated. "It is intentionally withholding and subverting it." Noted was the political revision of "its mission statement under current leadership, which replaced the phrases 'infinite richness' and 'American history' with language about empowering people to create 'a more just and compassionate future' by exploring 'the complexity of our past.'" "The Museum has shifted from scholarship to activism," the report read, "pointing to Museum leadership's own public statements tying 'research and scholarship to activism and advocacy,' dismantling inherited narratives, using history as a 'prime tool of social justice,' calling for American history to be 'reframed,' and describing museum work in terms of 'reparations,' 'restorative history,' 'systemic intervention, 'decolonization, 'social justice.'" The report also criticizes the museum’s approach to race, immigration, gender and sexuality, alleging that exhibits and programming have been shaped by modern activist priorities rather than neutral historical scholarship. The Smithsonian Institution receives more than $1 billion annually in taxpayer support and its ideology does not comport with Trump's executive order and initiatives to remove political influence in government entities, according to the Domestic Policy Council. "As this report shows, confirmed in the words of Museum leadership, this ideological capture has moved the Museum’s mission away from straightforward historical education and scholarship toward an extreme political activism that seeks to transform our country," it wrote. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4ba99ec2ca79de23646a6a NASCAR winner's pro-America message will make the left fume, Bubba Wallace's Fourth of July memo & fans fight! te 2026-07-06T13:11:58.670Z NASCAR winner's pro-America message will make the left fume, Bubba Wallace's Fourth of July memo & fans fight! With all due respect to soccer and baseball, you ain't getting much more American than winning a NASCAR race on Fourth of July weekend. I know the series ain't what it used to be — Lord knows you guys tell me all the time — but some things never change. And NASCAR being the most Pro-America sport on the planet is one of them. Chase Briscoe won in the series' return to Chicagoland Speedway Sunday night, and he did it in the red, white & blue Bass Pro Shops Toyota. DALE EARNHARDT JR. BROUGHT NASCAR BACK TO LIFE 25 YEARS AGO THIS WEEKEND, BUT THE PAIN IS BACK Would I have preferred it be a Ford or Chevy? Of course. But, beggars can't be choosers. He won, it looked incredible, and Briscoe made it clear he loved this great country after taking the checkers. You'll see. What else should we talk about today? Dealer's choice. I'm coming off a holiday weekend, so I'm in a good mood! How about Austin Hill channeling his inner-Kyle Busch and giving Shane Van Gisbergen some payback in Kyle's old RCR Chevy? Not sure Hill comes out looking great here, but I still appreciate the effort. I've also got Bubba Wallace' Fourth of July message dividing fans (stunner!), a FIGHT breaking out behind the NASCAR on TNT set after the race (I use that term loosely), and our newest Cup winner, Corey Heim, turned 24 over the weekend so we'll check in with him and Taylor Reimer on the way out. Mainly Taylor, though. It's been too long. Four tires, enough fuel to get us safely out of crime-riddled Chicago without being shot, and maybe a big 'ol Foster's for SVG and Austin Hill so they can work this thing out ... Monday Morning Pit-Stop — the 'Happy Birthday, America!' edition — is LIVE! Look, we're not gonna hem and haw today. We got a good finish last night, but the race itself wasn't the best thing I've ever seen. So, the #content ain't exactly flowing today. We're gonna get down to business, celebrate this great country, and then move on with our weeks. Sound good? Good! Chase Briscoe won for the first time in 2026, holding on for dear life over the final few laps because Christopher Bell was coming. If this race was another mile or two, I think we have a different winner today. Luckily, though, it wasn't. And instead of Christopher Bell in Victory Lane, we got THIS: "I feel so American, winning in the Bass Pro Shops Red, White and Blue car, Fourth of July weekend, 250 years. Man, what an unbelievable race car," Briscoe said after the race before oozing out more patriotism in the media center later on. "I feel like that’s the most American I’ll ever feel in my life," he continued. "Just the whole Bass Pro Shops group. It's a huge thing, obviously they so big on being proud to be an American. To win on this weekend, it means a lot to all of us." Lordy. Not that they needed an endorsement, but if you weren't shopping at the Bass Pro Shops already, maybe swing on by there today and pick you something out. Plus, they have an incredible fish tank in the back that's mesmerizing. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM As for Briscoe, he wasn't done shoving NASCAR's big weekend down the Libs' throats: Pro-American AND Pro-God? I mean, did Chase Briscoe nail this one, or what? A prayer before the race, a prayer after it, and praising America? Maybe NASCAR's back? I don't know. I'm feeling things right now. I'm feeling tingly. Stay tuned! OK, let's hop back on the track and check in with Austin Hill, who is now in Kyle Busch's remastered No. 33 Chevy, and SVG. Austin wrecked (allegedly) SVG a few weeks back at San Diego, and it appears (allegedly) Shane retaliated in Chicago: Well ... thoughts? First impressions? I think Austin Hill may be in trouble here. I think he was fine until the end, when his team told him to bring the car around to the garage and stay on the apron, only for him to slide up the track and ram SVG's right-front. A couple little radio nuggets: OK, couple quickies on the way out. First up? If you all thought that fight was good, wait till you see what happened after the race: Incredible. A totally real fight between two totally real, totally sober dudes. God, I love this country. Absolute patriots. The random kick. The delayed water-spit. The punching. It was all top-notch stuff. What a fanbase. What a series. Next? Where do we stand on this Fourth of July message from Bubba Wallace? Some fans are FIRED up about it, for different reasons: 250 years. This country is beautiful, complicated, and a work in progress. Which is a massive privilege, and is exactly what makes it so great. The freedom to use our voices, challenge the status quo, and responsibility to shape the future can easily be taken for granted. You don't have to agree with someone to have the same pride in the country we share. Real progress happens when we realize staying unified is bigger than our differences. USA! I think it's fine, for what it's worth. Now, the only issue I can see is the predictable "Happy birthday, America, BUT ..." structure that Bubba went with here. "This country is beautiful, complicated, and a work in progress." Could he have just stopped at "This country is beautiful"? Sure. Fans, shockingly, noticed: Yikes. Not great! Again, though, I have no issue with 99% of it. Frankly, it could've been a lot worse. Lord knows we've seen worse. A decent amount of the comments were positive, which is an anomaly when it comes to Bubba posting about anything, much less the U S of A. See? It's not all bad! This one, though, was easily my favorite. You ready for a wild little ride? I don’t think it’s worth celebrating July 4th. It really is white people freedom and that’s it. I celebrate Juneteenth as that is the real freedom for all but I get what you are saying. I’m black and Native American-my family has been really hurt by this country. Yes, these people really do exist, and they're incredible. Imagine, just for a second, waking up and actually thinking those things? Imagine how miserable of an existence that must be? Not me. Not you. We're all sane. Like Chase Briscoe, we love this great country. Now, take us home, Taylor Reimer! Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4ba98bc2ca79de23646a61 Trump bets on former NATO troublemaker as Turkey's strategic value surges te 2026-07-06T13:11:39.214Z Trump bets on former NATO troublemaker as Turkey's strategic value surges President Donald Trump says he's attending the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, for one reason: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. "I'm going because of Erdoğan," Trump told reporters June 24, calling the Turkish leader "a friend" and "a respected leader" while signaling that closer defense cooperation between Washington and Ankara could be on the horizon. The summit will begin Tuesday in Ankara, Turkey. The remarks underscore a striking shift in the relationship between Washington and Turkey. Just a few years ago, after Turkey took delivery of Russia's S-400 air defense system in 2019, Washington expelled it from the multinational F-35 fighter program and, the following year, imposed sanctions on Turkey's defense procurement agency, cementing its reputation as one of NATO's most difficult allies. TRUMP'S TURKEY ARMS SALE PROPOSAL SPARKS CONGRESSIONAL QUESTIONS BEFORE NATO SUMMIT Today, despite many of those disputes remaining unresolved, Turkey has become increasingly difficult for the alliance to sideline as NATO confronts Russia, instability across the Middle East and an increasingly contested Black Sea, analysts and former officials say. "Turkey is crucial to the Trump administration," former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey James Jeffrey, who served as Trump's special representative for Syria during his first term, told Fox News Digital. "President Trump has a great relationship with President Erdoğan of Turkey, who has been an incredible partner in the region," White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told Fox News Digital in a statement, adding that Trump would have a bilateral meeting with Erdoğan at the NATO Summit.  Jeffrey said Trump's affinity for Erdoğan is genuine but reflects more than personal chemistry. TRUMP'S PERSONAL FEUDS WITH ALLIES FROM ITALY TO ISRAEL REVEAL HOW PERSONALITY DRIVES HIS FOREIGN POLICY "The first reason, which is unique to Trump, is he really likes Erdoğan, and Erdoğan likes him," Jeffrey said. "It's the idea of a tough guy who is decisive." But Jeffrey argued the strategic rationale extends well beyond the relationship between the two leaders, describing Turkey as "essential to maintaining the U.S. perimeter around Eurasia" because of its military strength, geographic position and willingness to project power. NATO is returning to the fundamentals of collective defense after decades focused largely on counterterrorism, said Hudson Institute think tank Senior Fellow Can Kasapoğlu Kasapoğlu, placing renewed pressure on allies to bring significant military capability to the table. "When the alliance is back to its Cold War default, the question of what you are bringing to the table is getting more important," he said. "The nations bringing hard-power capability to NATO are going to get VIP treatment." NATO agreed to a defense spending target of 5% of GDP for all allies in 2025, after years of Trump complaining that European allies and their weak defense spending were "ripping off" the U.S. Both Trump’s attacks on NATO and the Russian war on Ukraine changed the calculus. Turkey fields NATO's second-largest military after the United States. It controls the Bosporus and Dardanelles, borders Syria, Iraq and Iran, and has built one of NATO's largest defense industries. "There is no real security for NATO without full integration of Turkey," Rich Outzen, a former State Department advisor and nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, said during a recent NATO summit preview. Russia's invasion of Ukraine, instability across the Middle East and the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria have only heightened Turkey's strategic value, analysts say. Jeffrey argued Turkey "has been essential to Ukraine staying in the fight," citing Ankara's enforcement of the 1936 Montreux Convention, which prevented additional Russian naval reinforcements from entering the Black Sea, its early provision of Bayraktar drones to Kyiv and its role as an intermediary between Ukraine and Russia. "You can't contain Russia in the Black Sea without Turkey," Jeffrey said. The collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime also has brought Washington and Turkey into closer strategic alignment after years of disagreements over Syria. Jeffrey argued Turkey played a central role in backing the opposition that ultimately toppled Assad, dealing a major blow to both Iran and Russia. "One of Iran's big losses in the past three years has been Syria—and that's all Erdogan," he said. Not everyone is convinced Turkey's growing strategic value should outweigh those concerns. Critics argue Turkey's foreign policy has increasingly diverged from that of many NATO allies under Erdoğan. They point to Turkey's vocal support for Hamas following the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, its continued possession of the Russian-made S-400 air defense system, and its efforts to deepen ties with non-Western blocs such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, organizations in which China and Russia play leading roles. "Turkey is the only member country inside of NATO that has applied for membership in entities such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS," Sinan Ciddi, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said during a press briefing Wednesday. He also argued Turkey is unique within the alliance in openly supporting Hamas while seeking expanded access to advanced U.S. defense technology. Erdoğan repeatedly has defended Hamas and rejected efforts to classify the group as a terrorist organization, putting Turkey at odds with Washington and many other NATO allies. Critics argue that position complicates efforts to deepen U.S.-Turkey defense ties — despite Trump’s personal affection for the Turkish leader. "The only thing that really stands in the way against Erdoğan's wishes is essentially the United States Congress," Ciddi said. The Trump administration faced congressional pushback, largely from Democrats, over its decision to move forward with a $700 million arms sale to Turkey. The administration already has faced congressional pushback over the proposed $700 million arms sale.  Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, accused the State Department of failing to justify the decision or adequately address concerns about Turkey's continued possession of the Russian-made S-400 system. The Turkish embassy could not immediately be reached for comment.  Jeffrey said the proposed $700 million sale of F110 fighter engines is a more manageable issue than restoring Turkey to the F-35 program, arguing the latter remains constrained by the S-400 because operating the Russian air defense system alongside America's most advanced stealth fighter could compromise sensitive technology. "The F-35 is a different issue," Jeffrey said, arguing that operating the Russian-made S-400 alongside America's fifth-generation fighter presents a technical — not merely political — problem because it could expose sensitive U.S. technology. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4ba977c2ca79de23646a58 'Game of Thrones' star says she mistook psychiatric hospital for a palace after joining wellness cult te 2026-07-06T13:11:19.760Z 'Game of Thrones' star says she mistook psychiatric hospital for a palace after joining wellness cult After Hannah Murray's mental health crisis landed her in the hospital, the "Game of Thrones" actress — who had joined what she described as a wellness cult months earlier in 2017 — was so deeply immersed in its beliefs that she was convinced the psychiatric institution was a palace. In her new book, "The Make-Believe: A Memoir of Magic and Madness," the 36-year-old detailed the intense circumstances surrounding her 28-day stay at Gordon Hospital in Bloomsbury, London and explained how she was able to begin to break free from the influence of the group's leader, whom she describes as leading an "evil cult." "I had met a man who I believed was God, and I was ready to join him, to rule the world at his side, to travel to other dimensions and universes," she wrote, recalling her awakening at the hospital. "But now I saw that I had misunderstood." CARA DELEVINGNE ADMITS SHE USED PARTY DRUG GHB DAILY BEFORE TERRIFYING SEIZURES FORCED HER SOBER Murray, who played Gilly on "Game of Thrones," was first introduced to the cult through an "energy healer" she had met on the set of her 2017 movie "Detroit," in which she played an 18-year-old who was sexually assaulted by the police. Because the "violent and dark" subject matter of the film took a toll on Murray, she sought guidance from an energy healer she referred to as Grace. Murray said she first participated in a $150 "healing" session that eventually led the actress to attend more classes with other members of the organization — which she did not name. Eventually, Murray met the cult's leader — a man she referred to as Steve. "He exuded power in a way I had never known anyone to exude it," she wrote in her book, out now. "Magical power… I knew I was in the presence of a magician." Murray's intense hallucinations during a 5-day retreat in London with fellow cult members led to her psychotic break and hospital stay. "Where am I? I am in my chariot. The chariot has just arrived outside the palace. I enter the palace. I enter the room. Where is he?" she recalled asking, while detailing the hospital room in her book. "But the room feels like heaven. The room feels like him. The air is tingling with a warm energy. There is a sofa and chair and they are both blue. The blanket I am wrapped in is blue. And, of course, this is the color, because the last time I saw him was in a room with blue carpet, blue chairs, blue wallpaper and his blue eyes." "The door to the room opens. A man enters the room. He is a Black man, bald and overweight. He is dressed in uniform. Blue uniform, a blue lanyard that reads ‘NHS.' But I know he is a magician. I know he can appear in disguise. I approach the man and try to kiss him. He does not let me kiss him. Then no. It is not Steve." Murray recalled drinking her own urine at one point as part of a cult "ritual". "I am alone in the room again, and I urinate into the cup and drink that too," she wrote. "I am a Ritual Master. And this, drinking my own urine, is a powerful ritual. This is all I need now to survive. It is the most potent of potions I can drink. I am a self-contained, utterly self-sufficient being. I will never need to eat again. I survive on liquids and air and Light." After days in the hospital and after seeing her family and friends, Murray said she began to see glimpses of her old self and question Steve's intentions. "I begin to understand this is all a lot more complicated than I thought," she wrote. "There is no other way to describe it. My mind turning inside out and crumbling, the earth shaking beneath me, my vision shattered by jagged black lines. Steve was there for that, talking to me with an intense urgency and telling me, Magic is real. It felt like I was dying, but it felt like more than that. It felt like the end of everything, the end of life as we know it." "The return of my phone was like a window opening. A window onto the world, letting in fresh air and light and a little more reality," she added. From there, she began to question Steve via text. "I need some more f---ing clarity on what the f--- has happened to me," she allegedly wrote in a text to Steve. "‘If I run an evil cult, I am the worst cult leader in history,’" Murray alleged Steve wrote back to her. "‘I don’t have a compound to put people in. I don’t control people’s sleep or eating patterns. And I tell people to get their own life in order instead of being people’s ‘guru.’’" Murray said she was still "not well" when she was discharged from the psychiatric ward 28 days later. "I was not well when I left hospital. This is not the story of my recovery — or at least not a simple, straightforward one. I did not enter ill and leave well. I entered extremely psychotic and left somewhat less so," she wrote. In an interview with The Guardian, the English actress opened up about her troubling experience and detailed how she was able to escape the organization. "There's not enough critical thought about wellness, particularly the way it’s been transformed into an industry," Murray told the outlet. "It's easy to go, ‘Well, that would never happen to me,' but we do ourselves a disservice when we start saying that, because you don't know." "I was well-educated, from a middle-class family; everything should have been fine," she continued. "I thought, ‘I'm smart. I make good choices.' Well, I made terrible choices. But it's important to understand why people do these things, rather than going, ‘Oh, they must be idiots.' Or, ‘How stupid could you be?'" These days, Murray is no longer acting and is wary of anything wellness-related. "I hear so much, 'We need to talk more about mental health,'" she told the outlet. "What they mean is, like, anxiety and depression. We're all happy to talk about that. But there's such a taboo around the idea of people who are sectioned. They are beyond the pale." "It felt really important to say, 'I went through this,'" she added. "Lots of people go through this. That doesn't mean they are bad or f---ed up forever." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4ba964c2ca79de23646a4f Banned former FIFA president criticizes organization's decision on Folarin Balogun te 2026-07-06T13:11:00.305Z Banned former FIFA president criticizes organization's decision on Folarin Balogun Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter reacted to the soccer organization’s decision to suspend USA World Cup star Folarin Balogun’s red card ban ahead of the squad’s match against Belgium. Blatter was banned twice by FIFA after a corruption investigation and remains suspended from participating in organization activities until 2027. Current FIFA President Gianni Infantino ultimately replaced Blatter as the head. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Balogun received a red card during the U.S. win over Bosnia and Herzegovina for stepping on the ankle of a defender while trying to corral a ball. The card was issued after a VAR review. Amid the uproar, a source told Fox News that President Donald Trump called Infantino and asked that FIFA review the play. On Sunday, the reversal was announced. "Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls," Blatter wrote on X. "They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies. If a U.S. President intervenes with the FIFA President — and a player is suddenly cleared before a World Cup knockout match — the question is unavoidable: Quo vadis, FIFA? "Football must never become a playground for political power." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik and White House task force leader Andrew Giuliani put together a team of lawyers outside the White House to challenge the use of slow-motion replay to give Balogun the red card, according to OutKick founder and Fox News contributor Clay Travis. It’s unclear how much FIFA took the approach into account. Belgium reportedly was granted the right to appeal the decision and asked FIFA for a comprehensive explanation on why the suspension was put off. The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it was "astonished" and Belgium coach Rudi Garcia mocked FIFA’s ruling. "I didn’t know that in the offices of FIFA the fifth of July was the first of April in Europe," Garcia said through a translator. "The Belgian federation does not defend itself, it does not protect the national team. She defends football in general, she defends her integrity, her ethics. I think it’s the first time in the history of the World Cup that there is this kind of decision." UEFA also said that FIFA’s decision "crossed a red line." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4ba93cc2ca79de23646a38 Station F ramps up as a launchpad for Europe’s hottest AI startups te 2026-07-06T13:10:20.884Z Station F ramps up as a launchpad for Europe’s hottest AI startups Station F, a Paris-based startup hub founded by French billionaire Xavier Niel, is gearing up for a new edition of its F/ai accelerator program in a bid to strengthen its positioning as a stepping stone for promising AI startups. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4ba765c2ca79de23646a2b Building Brighter Futures: Helping Young People Succeed in a Changing Economy te 2026-07-06T13:02:29.839Z Building Brighter Futures: Helping Young People Succeed in a Changing Economy Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4ba751c2ca79de23646a22 Building Brighter Futures: Helping Young People Succeed in a Changing Economy te 2026-07-06T13:02:09.870Z Building Brighter Futures: Helping Young People Succeed in a Changing Economy Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4ba73dc2ca79de23646a16 Our View: Arizona is right to rethink school grades te 2026-07-06T13:01:49.911Z Our View: Arizona is right to rethink school grades The letters on a school report card used to get a lot of attention. An A was a point of pride. A D or F raised hard questions. Since the pandemic, Arizona's A-F school grading system has faded from the… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4ba729c2ca79de23646a0d Today's poll: Should Arizona change its A-F school grading system to better reflect student achievement? te 2026-07-06T13:01:29.934Z Today's poll: Should Arizona change its A-F school grading system to better reflect student achievement? Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4ba715c2ca79de23646a04 Paul Smith: Why are Democrats excluded? te 2026-07-06T13:01:09.972Z Paul Smith: Why are Democrats excluded? Editor: The Democrat running for LD30 was excluded from participating in the Election Forum at Lake Havasu High that was sponsored by Today’s News-Herald, Radio Central, and the Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce. Brian McMahan is currently a qualified… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4ba4b3c2ca79de23646985 Heel Turn: Pro wrestling fans hit with cold dose of reality about top stars and more te 2026-07-06T12:50:59.595Z Heel Turn: Pro wrestling fans hit with cold dose of reality about top stars and more Pro wrestling fans were reminded last week about how close their favorite superstars are to the end than the beginning. It first happened on "Monday Night Raw." Seth Rollins came out in the last segment to challenge Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam. The prospect of Reigns and Rollins going head-to-head again may have seemed a bit tiresome on the surface, but Rollins explained to Reigns that it could be one of the last times, if not the last time, they ever do battle in the ring again. COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL "This may be your last chance to close that loop. You and me, we came into this company together. We came through that crowd. We knocked down the door. The kicked the old generation to the curb. We made this place our own. We created the greatest generation in the history of this industry. You and me. We did that together," Rollins said. "My man, we are much closer to the end than we are to the beginning. And just like it was when we came in, young, hungry, ready to take over there is a new generation of young men and women coming in and ready to do the same thing to us. "So, I say again, this may be our last chance to do this dance, brother. What do you want your legacy to be? When you are retired, you will go down as one of the greatest of all time. No doubt about it. Probably No. 1. You are a sure-fire Hall of Famer. Hell, they should just give you your own Hall of Fame show. You’d be the only one and I might even be there to induct you. But if you don’t accept this challenge, you will never be able to escape the ghost of Seth Rollins." Rollins and Reigns are each in their 40s and have, at points, shown they could perform for longer than people expect. But Rollins has experienced several injuries since the build-up to WrestleMania 40. He knows better than anyone about how much longer it takes to recover from the injuries. On All Elite Wrestling’s "Dynamite," the hint of pro wrestling stars come into the twilight of their careers was a little more subtle. Omega agreed to the stipulation to go up against MJF for the AEW World Championship on next week’s "Dynamite." If he loses to MJF, he will no longer we allowed to challenge for the title. "There’s been no greater passion, no greater pleasure than stepping through these ropes and giving you people everything that I have," Omega said. "Whether it be when I was a 14-year-old boy or a 42-year-old broken down man, you still get the same 100% Kenny Omega every single time. I’ve won titles. I’ve broken records, records that may never be broken again. I have a career I could probably hang my hat on and be proud of, look back upon fondly, but you see, there’s this selfish part about me that knows it just isn’t enough. "There’s this part of me that thinks there’s still a little bit left in the tank. There’s a part of me that thinks if I can believe, if Will (Ospreay) can believe, if the Young Bucks can believe, if you people can believe just one more time, then I know I could be a champion that each and every one of you can be proud of and I could stand on the greatest stage that AEW has ever stepped foot on in Wembley Stadium and I can represent All Elite Wrestling where the best wrestle, where I can face Will Ospreay, the winner of the Owen Hart Cup." The moments are a reminder to fans that the generational talents that have built professional wrestling for the last two decades are slowly breaking down. It’s a reminder to bask in the glory of the greats while they are still around. Reigns vs. Rollins will be at SummerSlam while Omega takes on MJF this Wednesday. == Sami Zayn pulled off a shocking win at WWE Night of Champions to close out June and it left a few people on the WWE roster trying to climb over each other to get a chance at the Undisputed WWE Championship. Jey Uso lost to Oba Femi and decided to waltz over to SmackDown to try to get a shot at Zayn’s title. Cody Rhodes, however, was pinned by Zayn to lose the championship Uso and Rhodes would be forced to battle it out to earn the No. 1 contender spot. Rhodes hit multiple Cross Rhodes maneuvers on Uso before pinning him for the win. Zayn and Rhodes will meet for the Undisputed WWE Championship on "Monday Night Raw" in Chicago. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM == Willow Nightingale going down with an injury left two major holes in AEW. She was forced out of the Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament and needed to drop the TBS Championship. AEW announced a Survival of the Fittest match to crown the new TBS champion. Hikaru Shida, Harley Cameron, Kris Statlander, Maika, Persephone and Queen Aminata each qualified for the match, which took place Wednesday night on "Dynamite." Persephone looked strong has she eliminated two opponents but she ran into Statlander, who rolled her up and pinned her. Persephone got her revenge on Statlander when she hit her with the TBS title belt. Shida put Statlander into a submission hold and the referee called the match as Statlander was knocked out. It’s Shida’s first reign as champion. == Kendal Grey defeated Lola Vice for the WWE NXT Women’s Championship at The Great American Bash. On Tuesday, she cut her first promo as champion. Grey came off as relatable, acknowledging that she’s not the best on the microphone but vowed to wrestle like the champion she is. "I know I might not look like your normal champion. I mean, last week, I sat across the table from Lola Vice with her designer dresses, her heels, being all glammed up. And I thought to myself in that moment, ‘That’s what a champion looks like.’ But that’s not me. That’s not my style. I mean I can’t even sit in the makeup chair for five minutes without going crazy. And to be honest with you guys, I wipe off half the makeup they put on me before I come out here every time. "So, yeah, I’m probably not going to be comfortable dressing up like a ‘Barbie.’ And I’ll probably be nervous as hell every time I talk to you guys and I can’t guarantee that every time I talk I’m going to sound like a champion but when the bell rings, I’m damn sure gonna wrestle like a champion. I’m ready to take this division to another level – a level that no one has seen before. And if this title puts a target on my back, good. I welcome that target. I thrive under pressure. I thrive in the competition and when you step in the ring with Kendal Grey, it’s my match, it’s my tempo, it’s my pace and all the other girls in the locker room right now sooner or later are gonna find out that they just can’t keep up with Kendal. Grey certainly has a target on her back. Kali Armstrong wanted to be Grey’s first opponent and GM Rob Stone told her that "actions speak louder than words. Armstrong took it to heart when she attacked Grey later in the night. Still, it didn’t seem to be enough to get that title shot right away. Grey will ahve her first title defense opportunity this week against Nattie Neidhart. == Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4ba4a0c2ca79de2364697c Sources corroborate whistleblower claims of corruption, quid pro quo culture inside powerful NYC union te 2026-07-06T12:50:40.145Z Sources corroborate whistleblower claims of corruption, quid pro quo culture inside powerful NYC union FIRST ON FOX: A scathing whistleblower letter alleges corruption inside New York City’s powerful hotel workers union, including claims that union leaders accepted gifts from hotel executives, manipulated lease arrangements and improperly influenced union business in a culture of quid pro quo dealings — claims that were corroborated by union sources who spoke with Fox News Digital. The letter, reviewed by Fox News Digital, asserts that top officials within the New York Hotel Trades Council and UNITE HERE Local 6, including President Richard Maroko, participated in actions that violated internal policies, fiduciary obligations and possibly federal law. The union denies all allegations of impropriety and organized two internal investigations carried out by third-party lawyers who found the whistleblower's claims to be unsubstantiated. Fox News Digital spoke with the whistleblower and multiple sources with knowledge of the union’s inner dealings but is not identifying them by name due to fear of retaliation. EXPLOSIVE REPORT UNEARTHS PROMINENT UNION MONEY TRAIL LABELED A 'STUNNING BETRAYAL' OF MAGA MEMBERS "Mr. Maroko had personal knowledge of, and either directly participated or directed others to misappropriate millions of dollars of retail income," the letter states. "He accepted and allowed his Elected Officers to accept gifts of Hotel Rooms, Liquor, Gourmet Food and Electronic Items from Hotel Officials on a Quid Pro Quo System." A source with intimate knowledge of union operations told Fox News Digital that there was a sudden shift in HTC’s culture after Maroko ascended to the presidency in fall 2020. "For 25 years, maybe 24 years, there was a standard then that was really adhered to. [The former president] was very disciplined about it as far as receiving gifts and what you did and didn't do," the source, who has decades of experience working with the union, said. "And the past five years when the new president came in, that was completely tossed." "Pretty soon," the source said, referring to when the rules were relaxed when Maroko took over. "It wasn't like they flipped the switch, but … it just wasn't important to him. I brought a bunch of things to his attention that he just wasn't interested [in]." Crain’s New York Business reported in June that the Hotel Association of New York City, a trade group representing hotel interests, retained former Southern District of New York public corruption chief Brendan McGuire to investigate allegations contained in the letter. "Two exhaustive, independent investigations, including one by a former federal prosecutor, have concluded that these anonymous claims are frivolous, lack any factual basis, and were clearly an attempt to derail contract negotiations between the union and hotel management," HTC spokesman Austin Shafran told Fox News Digital. "Thankfully, these efforts failed as our union secured the best contract in its history that will provide unprecedented wage increases and benefits to tens of thousands of hotel workers. Nothing will ever deter the union from working every day to better the lives of our members and their families." NEW YORK TIMES ACCUSED OF DEPLOYING AI SURVEILLANCE ON TECH STAFF WITHOUT NOTIFYING THEIR UNION Key components of the letter are supported by documents and accounts from multiple individuals with firsthand knowledge and insight into the day-to-day operations inside the union’s 8th Avenue headquarters in New York City, a Fox News Digital review found. The whistleblower letter alleges that hotel industry figures, including former Highgate labor executive Robert Lafferty and former Hyatt labor executive Michael Grosso, provided union officials with gifts including food, top-shelf liquor and electronic items. The two investigations organized by the union, however, found no evidence of improper gift-giving. Highgate is one of the largest lodging operators in the nation and Hyatt is a major hotel owner. In addition to providing gifts to union officials, a former union leader told Fox News Digital that the duo of hotel executives served as "inside guys" who could keep HTC union leadership informed about what was going on in boardrooms so that they could protect their own power. These favors, according to the longtime union leader, preceded contracts that benefited hotel owners to the detriment of workers. "If I could cut away one department [from being unionized], you’re talking about millions of dollars per year over the life of a contract, and if Lafferty could deliver that to the owners, then what he’s now doing is changing the entire economic structure of hundreds of millions of dollars in a real estate transaction," the former union leader told Fox News Digital. UNION RACKED UP MASSIVE TAB ON SWANK DC HOTEL STAY TO BATTLE TRUMP — AND STILL LOST "The union’s ability to make your property profitable or not is all its leverage. So that’s the inside that’s what’s going on there," they continued. "If you look at every time Lafferty made a deal with [Maroko] on one of these new properties, you’re going to see that all these weird deals are made where bargaining unit members are cut out. How come at your properties there’s no front desk agents? How come at your properties food and beverage isn’t under the union contract, but it is everywhere else?" Fox News Digital has reviewed photos that appear to show hotel industry figures or their associates entering union offices with shopping bags. Two people familiar with the union’s internal operations told Fox News Digital the gift-giving was not isolated and that accepting items from hotel management would have violated longstanding union norms and policies. Two internal investigations conducted by third-party lawyers on behalf of the union could not corroborate claims of improper gift-giving made by the whistleblower. The longtime union member and leader attested to an unusual relationship between Lafferty, Grosso and the HTC’s leadership when speaking with Fox News Digital. "What I witnessed was Lafferty would come upstairs and have, like, really different access than most people," the source said. "You don’t get buzzed in and meet me at the conference room. That doesn’t happen … This is like the count room in a casino. You don’t just get to walk around." The source explained that allowing someone like Lafferty to have such open access to union offices is unheard of as management and labor have conflicting interests, and access would enable the former to potentially outmaneuver the latter in negotiations. Union leadership, per the source, allowed Lafferty into their legal office, where he could have seen plans for organizational activity. Fox News Digital could not independently confirm that Lafferty viewed union plans or that he used them in labor negotiations. UNIONS THAT PARALYZED NEW YORK COMMUTE OVER PAY SPENT MILLIONS ON LUXURY TRAVEL, FILINGS SHOW The former union leader went on to explain that, while they initially thought Lafferty was simply "moving up in the world" with his frequent visits, they eventually noticed that he would often bring over luxury food items from an establishment operated by Highgate to share with union officials. "In what universe does that look good, a bunch of union reps hanging out with management eating lobster rolls at the union office?" the source said. Another source, who had worked with the union for decades, confirmed the former leader’s account. "They had unfettered access to the building, which I couldn't believe, they just came and went and that was just so like opposite of what we're about and any business for that matter," the source told Fox News Digital. "And they had unfettered access to the, I used to call it the Bermuda Triangle, they would go to legal, they would go to the union officials and they would go to [Maroko.]" The HTC spokesman denied that there was anything unusual about the meetings. "Yes, the union regularly meets with hotel management for negotiations and to resolve issues, and those individuals had no different access than any other hotel representative," Shafran said. The longtime union leader said that it is inappropriate for union officials to accept meals paid for by management as it may create an appearance of impropriety or amount to an illegal gift if not properly reported. Neither Grosso nor Lafferty have been convicted of illegal gift-giving as of publishing. Photographs reviewed by Fox News Digital also appear to show Grosso carrying large shopping bags into union offices. The HTC acknowledged the veracity of these photographs, but claimed that the bags only contained a pie, not expensive food and drink. UNIONIZED NURSING HOMES IN DEEP-BLUE STATE TRAIL THE PACK AS ANALYSIS REVEALS RATINGS GAP Following his allegedly uncharacteristically cozy relationship with union leadership, Lafferty was given a job as the chief operating officer of HTC’s Health Benefit Fund where he pulls in a total compensation of over $650,000 per year, according to the most recent financial disclosures. "Lafferty underwent a rigorous background check and was supported equally by both union and management representatives, as well as the CEO of the Funds," the HTC spokesman told Fox News Digital. Before Lafferty left Highgate, the whistleblower’s letter alleges that Lafferty and Maroko pressured an arbitrator on the union's independent conflict resolution board to render a decision favorable to Highgate. A federal district court later upheld the arbitrator’s rationale in the matter as well-grounded. Maroko allegedly threatened the job of both the arbitrator and his son unless he ruled that Highgate would be absolved of monetary obligations to union members after it ceased managing a property, passing those obligations to the financial institution seeking to take over the hotel. Maroko’s newly minted compensation package, worth nearly $1 million annually, has also come under scrutiny recently by the Center for Union Facts, an organization critical of labor unions. CUF argues that Maroko is using his members’ dues for self-enrichment. Also in contention is Maroko’s decision to rent a building owned by UNITE HERE Local 6 to HTC at a rate allegedly far below what the space would go for on the open market. Maroko, who leads both labor entities, is accused of depriving UNITE HERE Local 6 of up to $3 million in rental revenue by allowing HTC to use its real estate at a severely discounted rate, according to the whistleblower letter. Two sources told Fox News Digital that the lease was not approved by the union’s executive board. "The lease was signed over 40 years ago and renewed over 20 years ago," Shafran, the HTC spokesman, told Fox News Digital. "The current administration had nothing to do with this lease and, notwithstanding that, the terms are fully legal. The lease payments were accurately and routinely reported in public filings and consistent with applicable federal law." FRUSTRATED BLUE-COLLAR UNION BOSSES RIP SOCIALIST POLITICIANS, WARN OF LABOR EXODUS FROM DEM PARTY Fox News Digital is also told that the union launched an in-house investigation into the letter, which it received months ago. Sources who spoke with Fox News Digital say it was a farce that dismissed the seriousness of the situation and left out key information while the union maintains the review clears it of any wrongdoing. Vincent Pitta, the chairman of the law firm that conducted the first investigation, declined to comment on it, stating that it was "created after a preliminary and expedited review" of the whistleblower's allegations pending the union's retention of a former prosecutor to conduct another investigation. Pitta also said that the document "was a client-attorney privileged document which was stolen from our client’s offices." A copy of the union’s in-house investigation obtained by Fox News Digital claims that its lawyers questioned 16 people across 23 total interviews, reviewed reams of documents and found that the allegations within the whistleblower report were "completely devoid of merit" and "frivolous." The internal review purports to have found no evidence of internal gift-giving. "We found no evidence during our investigation that supported the allegations that HTC and/or Local 6 officers accepted gifts of free hotel or discounted hotel rooms, expensive bottles of liquor, gourmet food or electronics from hotel management representatives," the report reads. "This provision of a pie and other pastries by a hotel representative during business meetings with the Union did not constitute any improper conduct whatsoever on the part of any Union or hotel management representatives and is permissible under federal laws and regulations." Additionally, the review claims to have found that the allegedly below-market rental agreement offered to HTC was actually determined by a third-party firm and was thus not set by Maroko. "Our investigation revealed that just two years ago, the lease between Local 6 and the Funds was re-negotiated based on a market value study conducted by an outside company retained by the Funds. The Funds’ management trustees then retained another outside company as an independent fiduciary to review all terms of the proposed, re-negotiated lease," the union review claims. Pitta declined to provide documentation showing how his firm came to these conclusions.  INSIDE TEACHERS' UNION MAY DAY 'DRESS REHEARSAL' CRITICS WARN WILL 'GROOM' STUDENTS INTO DEM 'FOOT SOLDIERS' Regarding the arbitration process, the internal investigation claims that the whistleblower conflated two separate arbitration processes as one alleged scheme that involved highly technical questions and produced no damages or penalties, did not lead to later lender-liability awards and did not harm hotel lending. It also said all relevant witnesses denied coercion and that the arbitration process gave both sides a fair chance to present evidence, citing a federal court ruling. "Because the [arbitrator] acted within the scope of his authority and did not exhibit a manifest disregard for the law or issue an Award that violates public policy, the Court finds that the Award should be confirmed," a federal court wrote, explaining why it upheld the findings of the arbitration process. One union source close to the situation who claims to have had direct knowledge of the alleged misconduct, however, told Fox News Digital that they were not interviewed as part of the internal probe. "I kept on saying, 'When are they going to interview me?' and [Maroko] wanted no part of that. They wouldn't interview me because, from the beginning, I explained to him that it's all true," they said. Shafran, however, maintains that the whistleblower never came forward and thus could not be interviewed. UNEARTHED FILING SHOWS TOP TEACHERS UNION FUNNELING MILLIONS TO FAR LEFT ORGS The summary of a second internal investigation conducted by a third-party law firm obtained by Fox News Digital further maintains that the whistleblower’s letter is factually unfounded. Citing internal messages and interviews with union leadership, the investigation acknowledges that a hotel industry representative entered the union’s office, but maintained that the bag of purported gifts he brought only contained a "pie or cake." Additionally, the investigation purports to have interviewed three people involved in the arbitration dispute, all of whom denied foul play. The report concluded that the allegations may have been a plot to provide the hotel industry with leverage during labor negotiations. A union representative declined to provide Fox News Digital with the primary source evidence supporting the findings of either of its investigations. Fox News Digital reached out to Grosso and Lafferty for comment. A veteran hotel industry leader who has dealt extensively with HTC told Fox News Digital that the allegations detailed related to improper gift-giving in the whistleblower letter were "not shocking." They did, however, call the allegations of arbitration tampering "surprising and alarming." "It’s a letter, it’s not signed, it’s allegations, it’s not proof positive," the industry veteran went on, speaking about the whistleblower letter generally. "But its allegations are alarming, and it should absolutely be looked into because if any or all of these are true, it’s a big deal." To date, the allegations made by whistleblowers have yet to be corroborated by any independent review or legal authority. Neither Grosso nor Lafferty have been charged with crimes connected to their alleged misconduct. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b9d9bc2ca79de236468d3 Starship delivery robots leave campuses for cities te 2026-07-06T12:20:43.498Z Starship delivery robots leave campuses for cities Those little white robots that once rolled across college sidewalks with lattes, fries and late-night snacks are getting a new assignment. Starship Technologies recently announced that it will wind down its U.S. university campus operations and redeploy more than 1,200 robots toward grocery chains and hot food delivery in cities across the United States and Europe. If you have ever watched one of these robots patiently wait at a crosswalk like a polite cooler on wheels, you know why students got attached. They became part campus convenience, part mascot. Now, the company is moving from a controlled campus setting into a much tougher public test. CHINA'S ROBOT-RUN HOTEL OPENS TO PUBLIC IN 2027 That raises the bigger question: will these cute campus robots be just as welcome when they start sharing crowded city sidewalks with you? Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report Starship says the decision comes down to focus. The company says its grocery delivery operations are on a 10x growth trajectory over the next two years, driven by demand from major retailers in the United States and Europe. In Finland, Starship says its robots already complete roughly one in five grocery deliveries. That gives the company a real-world model it wants to repeat elsewhere. To support that expansion, more than 1,200 robots from U.S. campus fleets will be moved into grocery delivery. For Starship, that is a major pivot. Campuses helped the company build its brand in the U.S. They also gave the robots a place to learn. Starship made a big U.S. splash at George Mason University in 2019, when the school became the first U.S. university to offer autonomous robot deliveries from Starship. From there, the robots spread to dozens of campuses. That made sense. College students are often hungry at odd hours. Many live without a full kitchen. They also tend to be open to new tech, especially when it brings food to the dorm without small talk. During the pandemic, contactless delivery became even more appealing. A robot that could roll up with lunch while limiting person-to-person contact suddenly felt useful in a very different way. Starship says it has worked with its university campuses and industry partners to keep service running through the 2026–2027 back-to-school season, with transition plans in place to reduce disruption. So, this does not appear to be an instant shutdown where every campus robot disappears at once. Instead, the company is moving away from the university model while preparing its fleet for a bigger push into grocery and restaurant delivery. For students who loved the bots, it may still feel like the end of an era. For Starship, though, it is a move toward the market where the company believes the economics are stronger. Starship CEO and co-founder Ahti Heinla says the company's robots can deliver groceries at a cost $3-$4 lower per delivery than traditional courier fulfillment. That is the kind of claim that gets the attention of retailers trying to make last-mile delivery less expensive. ZOOX ROBOTAXI REDESIGN BRINGS BIG RIDER UPGRADES The next phase could get messy. Delivery robots have to share sidewalks with people who are walking, pushing strollers, using wheelchairs, carrying groceries or trying to catch a bus. That means every design choice matters. A robot that blocks a curb ramp can create a real problem. A robot that pauses in the wrong spot can turn from cute to irritating fast. If one reverses unexpectedly or gets stuck near a crosswalk, the novelty wears off even faster. There have already been warning signs. Reports have described delivery robots bumping into people, getting stuck in odd places and raising accessibility concerns. Chicago has also seen local pushback and safety concerns around sidewalk delivery robots, which shows Starship still has work to do if it wants city residents to embrace them. That is the challenge Starship now faces. The same robot that felt charming on a campus may feel like clutter on a narrow sidewalk. Grocery delivery is a different business from campus food delivery. A college order might be a sandwich, a soda or a late-night snack. A grocery run can involve heavier items, more frequent routes and customers who expect reliability every time. If Starship can make that work, the payoff could be huge. Grocery stores want cheaper local delivery. Customers want speed without sky-high fees. Cities want fewer cars clogging short delivery routes. Starship says the global food delivery market is now worth $650 billion and needs delivery systems with higher autonomy levels. The company also says it has completed more than 10 million deliveries, which gives it a sizable head start in the sidewalk robot category. However, the public will need convincing. People may welcome a robot bringing milk and eggs on a rainy night. They may also get annoyed if that same robot blocks a sidewalk during the morning rush. That will all decide whether sidewalk robots become normal or face more local limits. Starship was founded in Tallinn, Estonia, in 2014 by Ahti Heinla and Janus Friis. Estonia remains home to the company's core engineering and AI development team. That is important because this shift is not only about where the robots operate. Starship's move shows where the delivery robot business is headed. College campuses helped make the robots likable. Grocery delivery may determine whether they become profitable. Still, the sidewalks belong to the public. That means companies need more than clever machines. They need trust, clear rules and designs that respect people who move through cities in different ways. A delivery robot should never make a sidewalk harder to use for someone with a cane, stroller or wheelchair. It should not turn public space into an obstacle course. If companies want these robots to feel normal, they need to prove they can operate without making daily life more frustrating. ARE HUMANOID ROBOTS NOW COMING FOR RETAIL JOBS? You may start seeing more delivery robots near grocery stores, restaurants and apartment-heavy neighborhoods. If that happens, pay attention to how they behave in your area. Look for whether they yield to pedestrians, avoid curb ramps and handle crowded sidewalks well. Also, check whether your city has rules for personal delivery devices. Some places allow pilot programs, while others limit where these robots can operate. If a robot causes a problem, document it safely. Take a photo or video, note the location and report it to your city or the delivery company. That is important because local officials need real examples, not vague frustration, when they decide what rules should apply. There is also a privacy angle. These robots use sensors and cameras to navigate. Companies may say the data supports safe operation, but you still deserve clear answers about what gets collected, how long it is kept and whether law enforcement can request it. Your phone holds your email, passwords, photos, banking apps and personal data. In this free CyberGuy Live replay, Kurt the CyberGuy walks you step by step through simple phone security fixes you can do at your own pace. You’ll learn how to improve your privacy settings, spot the latest phone scams, use trusted security tools and walk away with a simple checklist to stay protected. Watch the replay and get our checklist here: CyberGuyLive.com Starship's campus exit feels like the end of a quirky era, especially for students who got used to seeing the little robots rolling around campus. But this shift also tells us something bigger about where autonomous delivery is going. The next battle will happen on city sidewalks, not college campuses. If these robots save money and reduce short car trips, they could become very useful. But if they crowd walkways or create safety headaches, people will push back hard. To me, the real test is pretty clear. Robot delivery needs to work for everyone on the sidewalk, including people who never ordered anything. Would you be ok with a delivery robot on your block, or would you rather keep your sidewalks robot-free? 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/6a4b9b55c2ca79de23646894 Doctors say 8 forgotten habits could help fight stress, obesity and chronic disease te 2026-07-06T12:11:01.302Z Doctors say 8 forgotten habits could help fight stress, obesity and chronic disease Rates of chronic disease, obesity and stress continue to rise across America. Experts warn that some of the healthiest habits from the nation's earlier centuries may have fallen by the wayside. From walking as a way of life to eating seasonal foods and spending more time outdoors, they say some of these forgotten routines are worth reviving. AMERICAN VACCINES THAT TRANSFORMED PUBLIC HEALTH OVER 250 YEARS: 'OUTWEIGHS HARM' "America needs to get back to its roots healthwise," Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, told Fox News Digital. Check out this smart list. Dr. Kenneth J. Perry, a physician based in South Carolina, said walking has decreased as people have moved to the suburbs. "As Americans moved further out of the city center for more space and larger homes, they spent more time sitting in a car rather than walking to work," he told Fox News Digital. AMERICA'S NATIONAL PARKS COULD ADD YEARS TO YOUR LIFE — HERE'S HOW THEY BOOST HEALTH A study published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine showed that prolonged commuting times have been directly linked to increases in BMI (body mass index), waist circumference and overall decrease in metabolic health, the doctor noted. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week (about 30 minutes a day, five days a week), which would include brisk walking. Only about one in four U.S. adults meet the recommended guidelines for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity, per the CDC. "We are a country of wide open spaces and beautiful vistas – we need to walk more and breathe our fresh air," Siegel added. Exposure to morning light has been shown to support circadian health and better sleep, and sunlight is the body's primary natural source of vitamin D. "Some individuals may have severe difficulty with sleep, and therefore are having difficulty regulating their personal day-night cycles," Perry said.  "It is well-known that early sunlight helps to regulate the circadian rhythm of animals and may be helpful in regulating sleep patterns." THE '1776 DIET': WHAT AMERICANS REALLY ATE DURING THE NATION'S FOUNDING Sunlight exposure can also have positive effects on health, the doctor said. "The hormonal balance that is regulated by the circadian rhythm can also lead to better weight management and blood pressure control." Surveys show that nearly half of U.S. adults spend less than five hours per week in nature – but time outdoors is known to be a natural health-booster. A landmark study of nearly 20,000 adults found that people who got at least 120 minutes per week in nature were significantly more likely to be in good health than those who spent no time outside. Another review found that combining exercise with time outdoors was more beneficial than just exercise or nature exposure alone, with improvements seen in mental health and chronic disease risk. There are some health benefits to turning in earlier, research has shown. Observational studies have found that people with very late bedtimes often have higher risks of heart disease, metabolic disorders and mortality. THIS ONE QUESTION MAY REVEAL WHETHER YOUR BODY IS GETTING THE REST IT NEEDS, STUDY FINDS "As we know that the only steadfast way to lose weight is to be in a calorie deficit, if an individual is using the late night hours to overindulge, going to bed earlier may help maintain better overall health," Perry added. The National Sleep Foundation recommends seven to nine hours of sleep for adults aged 18-64 and seven to eight hours for adults 65 and up. Americans now get more than half of their daily calories from ultraprocessed foods, according to NIH-supported research. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "We know that excess calories, specifically calories from extra sugar in the diet, can lead to diabetes, obesity, hypertension and a multitude of downstream health problems," Perry said. "Local, minimally processed foods are going to be much better for the overall health of society." Siegel echoed the importance of embracing more whole foods. "We are a country of farmers – we need to eat our own fresh produce more and not the chemically laced products that can give us cancer and heart disease," he told Fox News Digital. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER "We need to eat more at home, and treasure our great home chefs, who make everything from turkey to apple sauce, to fried chicken, to big healthy salads, to good old apple pie." Gardening and growing food has also been linked to improved mental well-being, increased physical activity, reduced social isolation and better overall health outcomes. A study published in BMJ Open found that older adults who performed more light and heavy housework had better physical performance — including faster chair-rise times (a measure of lower-body strength) and improved balance — than those who did less housework. Encouraging older adults to perform more household activities could help ensure that they meet physical activity recommendations, particularly for those who don’t participate in regular exercise routines, experts say. "Performing more household tasks can help individuals maintain strength and mobility. This is especially helpful for elderly individuals to maximize their physical strength and decrease the risk of being sedentary," said Perry.  Records show that communal meals were once a routine part of American life rather than just happening on special occasions. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES The health benefits of being social are "innumerable," Perry said. "We know that social connections can minimize depression, reduce the incidence of dementia and actually lead to longer lives," he told Fox News Digital. "Eating a meal with a group of people is a deeply powerful human event that can help improve lives." Siegel agreed, advocating for going back to "sharing kindness and goodwill with each other at community meals that are non-political." "We need to take pride in repairing our own houses the way we always have." Intermittent fasting has been shown to contribute to decreased obesity, better glucose management and overall improved health, Perry confirmed. "There are some anecdotal reasons for this, given the evolutionary pressures that our species has had to endure," he said. "We are now in a world where food is plentiful, but for much of our history, we had to search for food, and it was often scarce. This type of eating pattern mimics the pattern of our ancestors, which is directly connected with our innate metabolism." While not all historical habits were healthier, these evidence-backed practices from earlier generations may still offer lessons for modern Americans, experts agree. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b9b41c2ca79de23646884 Ancient inscription revealing Christianity's clash with mysterious cult decoded by researchers te 2026-07-06T12:10:41.852Z Ancient inscription revealing Christianity's clash with mysterious cult decoded by researchers Archaeologists recently unveiled rare written evidence of Christianity's rise over a Roman mystery religion. They found an ancient inscription, written in the same language that was spoken by Jesus Christ. The engraving was found at an underground Mithras temple at Zerzevan Castle, a Turkish fortification roughly 40 miles north of the Syrian border.  The inscription back 1,700 years and was written in Aramaic, which was widely spoken across the ancient Near East, including by Jesus Christ. ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNEARTH ANCIENT TREASURE CACHE AT BIBLICAL CITY CONNECTED TO GENESIS The temple was dedicated to Mithras, a deity worshiped by followers of a "mystery cult" associated with light and cosmic order. During the second and third centuries A.D., Mithraism was widespread throughout the Roman Empire — and the Zerzevan underground sanctuary is regarded as one of its best-preserved temples. The inscription is located at the entrance of the temple, along with a depiction of a cross. Its meaning had eluded researchers since it was discovered in 2017. The engraving is the first known Aramaic inscription documenting the closure of a Mithras temple, Mardin Artuklu University professor Mehmet Sait Toprak told Turkish state news outlet Anadolu Agency (AA), which first reported the discovery. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Toprak analyzed the inscription's language and letter forms to determine its meaning. Comparing it with Old Syriac and Aramaic inscriptions from the second and third centuries A.D., he concluded the inscription dates to the third or fourth century A.D. The inscription mentions both Mithras and Jesus Christ — symbolizing the shift from one faith to the other, according to Toprak. The professor told AA the engraving also contains references to the Holy Cross. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "This is an extremely important archaeological discovery," Toprak told the outlet. Excavation director Aytaç Coşkun told AA that earlier coin discoveries had suggested the temple was abandoned in the third or fourth century, but the newly deciphered inscription provides new direct evidence that it was closed and symbolically sealed by Christians. He added that, once fourth-century Roman emperors embraced Christianity, Mithraism was seen as a rival religion. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES The latest discovery is one of many early Christian finds resurfacing in Asia Minor. Last summer, archaeologists excavating the ancient city of Olympus uncovered the remains of a fifth-century Christian church, bearing an inscription hidden for more than 1,000 years. The same year, archaeologists excavating Kaunos found the remains of a Roman hospital that was later transformed into a Christian sanctuary. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b98fec2ca79de23646856 Colorado River uncertainty looms over Arizona's nuclear ambitions te 2026-07-06T12:01:02.121Z Colorado River uncertainty looms over Arizona's nuclear ambitions PHOENIX — Arizona's push to build another nuclear power plant faces a familiar obstacle: water. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b98e9c2ca79de2364682e New York Harbor whale strike sinks fire rescue boat after July 4 celebrations te 2026-07-06T12:00:41.132Z New York Harbor whale strike sinks fire rescue boat after July 4 celebrations A surfacing whale struck a New Jersey fire department boat Friday, forcing firefighters to abandon the vessel as it returned from a July 4 marine security assignment in New York Harbor, officials said. The Carteret Fire Department said Marine Unit 2 was returning to Carteret waters around 4:30 p.m. Friday after assisting with a regional special operations marine security detail in the New York/New Jersey Port area when a whale breached beneath the vessel's stern near the mouth of Raritan Bay. The department said the whale strike caused catastrophic damage to the boat, which immediately began taking on water, giving firefighters only seconds to abandon the vessel. PILOT DECLARES MAYDAY BEFORE SEAPLANE COMES DOWN IN NEW YORK CITY’S EAST RIVER All firefighters aboard escaped without injury, according to the department. Officials said a nearby recreational jet ski operator and another boater immediately came to the firefighters' aid before members of the Perth Amboy Fire Department's marine unit arrived and helped rescue the crew from the water. A nearby recreational vessel reported seeing multiple whales breaching before and after the collision, the Carteret Fire Department said. THREE DEAD, 7 RESCUED IN BOATING TRAGEDY AS SEVERE HOLIDAY WEEKEND STORM RAVAGES WISCONSIN TOURIST HOT SPOT The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under review, and officials said additional information will be released as it becomes available. Mayor Dan Reiman described the incident as a "harrowing experience" in a public statement, saying the surfacing whale struck the vessel beneath its stern and caused catastrophic damage. "While the Carteret Fire Department Marine Unit regularly trains to rescue civilians from the water and respond to marine emergencies, fires, and vehicle incidents, an event of this nature is something no one anticipates," the fire department said. "Understandably, it has left those involved shaken, but we are incredibly thankful that everyone returned home safely to their families." The department used the incident to remind boaters, jet ski operators and kayakers to wear properly fitted life jackets, noting that every firefighter aboard was wearing one when the boat was damaged. Officials have not identified the species of whale involved. It was not clear whether the animal was injured. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b968fc2ca79de236467de Far-left House candidate ripped for 'disgusting' vote on misgendering bill: 'Disqualifying' te 2026-07-06T11:50:39.828Z Far-left House candidate ripped for 'disgusting' vote on misgendering bill: 'Disqualifying' Manny Rutinel, a far-left state legislator and House candidate in Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, voted in support of a bill that instructed courts to take pronoun use into consideration as a factor when deciding child custody cases. In particular, the Kelly Loving Act required courts to deem "deadnaming" and "misgendering" as a kind of coercive control "A court shall consider reports of coercive control when determining the allocation of parental responsibilities in accordance with the best interest of the child," the bill initially read when Rutinel voted for it. MAMDANI COMPARISONS FOLLOW COLORADO DEMOCRAT INTO PIVOTAL HOUSE RACE AFTER PRIMARY WIN Rutinel’s past vote in favor of the package is drawing scrutiny as he wages a bid to unseat incumbent Rep. Gabe Evans, R-Colo., in one of the country’s most competitive congressional races, raising questions about his position on parental authority when it comes to issues like gender. To at least one Republican strategist, the vote speaks for itself. "Far-left liberal Manny Rutinel wants the government to take away your kids if you don’t adopt his radical transgender agenda. Disgusting and disqualifying. Rutinel will be resoundingly rejected by Coloradans this fall," Zach Bannon, a spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee, said in a statement to Fox News Digital. Rutinel’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the bill or what led him to support it. The Kelly Loving Act, named after a 40-year-old transgender woman who was one of the five victims in the 2022 Club Q mass shooting in Colorado Springs, deals largely with how the state plans to handle preferred pronouns. It would allow residents to change the sex designation on official documents like birth certificates and state identification and, for schools that make policies about names, instruct education providers to include "all reasons" that a student might adopt a name different from their legal one. BILL REPLACING 'MOTHER' AND 'FATHER' WITH GENDER-NEUTRAL TERMS PASSES IN NEW YORK, HEADS TO HOCHUL'S DESK The bill would also make it a "discriminatory practice" and unlawful to publish materials that misgender a person. The bill passed out of the Colorado House of Representatives in a 40-24 vote. At the time of its passage, the bill drew criticism from groups like the Colorado Parent Advocacy Network that filed lawsuits against the bill, citing First Amendment concerns. "The Act’s new definition of ‘gender expression’ is unconstitutionally overbroad," their lawsuit read. "Because it covers any treatment based on the use of a ‘chosen name’ or other forms of preferred ‘address,’ it punishes many forms of constitutionally protected speech." Notably, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, like Rutinel, did not issue a statement at the time of its passage despite controversy that had made it a matter of national attention. Although the bill passed both chambers of the Colorado State legislature and was signed into law in May 2025, some of the most controversial provisions, including misgendering, were stripped out weeks after Rutinel's vote. A number of cases, including the one from Colorado Parent Advocacy Network, are still under consideration. COLORADO SUPREME COURT ORDERS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL TO RESUME GENDER TRANSITION TREATMENTS FOR MINORS Having clinched the Democratic nomination for his congressional bid last week, Rutinel will face off against Evans in the state’s general election on Nov. 3. Evans won his seat in 2024 in a 49.0% to 48.2% victory over Democratic incumbent Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Colo. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b944cc2ca79de23646788 Accused Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson fights back against state's evidence and more top headlines te 2026-07-06T11:41:00.642Z Accused Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson fights back against state's evidence and more top headlines 1.  Accused Charlie Kirk assassin fights back as prosecutors' sprawling case comes into focus  2. Belgium reportedly granted right to appeal FIFA's decision on USA World Cup star 3. NYC health officials sound the alarm as disease outbreak grows near Central Park FOR CLICKS — Man accused of mowing down two girls in alleged double murder exposes twisted reason he kept streaming. Continue reading … SIGNS OF LIFE — Toddler’s morgue miracle after pool scare leads to possible felony charges. Continue reading … AIR SCARE — Fireworks mortar strikes Delta jet during holiday descent into major airport. Continue reading … LEGAL RECKONING — Ex-NFL Pro Bowler, 'Real Housewives' husband charged with domestic battery. Continue reading … NO JOKE — Rob Reiner cameo meant to needle Trump instead sets off online uproar. Continue reading … -- CALLING IT QUITS — Major twist shakes up Michigan Senate race just weeks before primary. Continue reading … SPARKS FLY — Clinton rips Trump in America 250 speech, warns of 'serious threats' to democracy. Continue reading … MIND THE GAP — Gavin Newsom's 'fishing expedition' claim has a serious timeline problem. Continue reading … AMERICAN DREAM LOST — Refugee from communism reveals 'vicious cycle' playing out in US socialist rise. Continue reading … Click here for more cartoons…   HOME PRIDE — New survey reveals America's most and least patriotic states. Continue reading … FREE SPEECH PAYOUT — Teacher receives almost $300k settlement over Charlie Kirk assassination post. Continue reading … CITY HALL PASS — Mamdani told New Yorkers to cut AC while his wife flew off to Mallorca. Continue reading … MALL RENOVATION — Burgum unloads on Dana Bash, says Trump 'finally' fixed the iconic pool. Continue reading … STEVE MOORE — Politicians are blaming the wrong villain for America’s rising food prices. Continue reading …  STEVE FORBES — Working families would foot the bill if the senator's grocer act passes. Continue reading … -- 'UNJUSTIFIABLE' — UEFA says FIFA 'crossed a red line' with unprecedented move to let Balogun play. Continue reading … STEERING CLEAR — King Charles hopes to reunite with Prince Harry, but Queen Camilla is drawing one firm line. Continue reading … PERSONAL MILESTONE — Country star's dramatic transformation has him eyeing a bold new target weight. Continue reading … AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ — Test yourself on Founding Fathers and vaccine victories. Take the quiz here … Tune in to hear why more young adults are living with their parents and what today's housing market could mean for the future of homeownership. 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 Tuesday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b9439c2ca79de2364677f Media attacks Donald Trump's Fourth of July celebration claiming it 'sullied' America 250 te 2026-07-06T11:40:41.193Z Media attacks Donald Trump's Fourth of July celebration claiming it 'sullied' America 250 Mainstream media and media pundits accused President Donald Trump of ruining America 250 and July 4 celebrations over the last week, even prior to nationwide celebrations. A direct example came on Friday when The New York Times opinion writer Robin Givhan wrote her op-ed titled "Trump Ruined the Fourth of July for Me." "But this year, I can barely tolerate the sight of red, white and blue," Givhan wrote. "When combined into a maximalist display of nationalist cheerleading, the colors make my heart ache. The flags on federal buildings are grand, but they hang alongside banners featuring President Trump’s scowling face."  BILL MAHER TELLS LIBERALS TO STOP 'PARTISAN SULKING' AND JOIN AMERICA 250 PARTY The negative sentiment against Trump was also present in an article from The Atlantic on Wednesday. Staff writer Anne Applebaum described how Trump "inevitably" had "destroyed the nation’s 250th-anniversary celebrations" based on his partisan stance. "This year is different, because the White House is inhabited by people who don’t believe in the 'abstractions' that we usually celebrate on the Fourth of July," Applebaum wrote. "And this affects the rest of us, whether we want it to or not. Congress’s celebration, planned for a decade, has been usurped by the president’s celebration, funded by private donors and featuring a political speech by himself. Other institutions in and around Washington postponed or reduced their 250th celebrations, so as not to get in the way of the president. Many people who might have participated will not attend, pay attention, or care." Though less critical, The Washington Post reporters Natalie Allison and Cleve R. Wootson Jr. made similar comments in their piece on Saturday, claiming that Trump had made himself "central" to the America 250 celebration. HOLLYWOOD CELEBRITIES CRASH AMERICA'S 250TH BIRTHDAY WITH A GRIM HOLIDAY WARNING ABOUT TRUMP "As he has throughout the anniversary celebration, Trump cast himself as central to the story he wants the country to tell about itself: that America was diminished before him, revived by him and is now celebrating its founding through his restoration — a promised 'Golden Age.' At Mount Rushmore on Friday night, he told the crowd that he 'saved, almost single-handedly,' the Second Amendment and that he was going to 'give our country its identity back,'" they wrote. Former NBC host Chuck Todd was more livid at Trump's role in the America 250 celebrations during his show on Saturday. Todd went as far as to claim that Trump not only ruined July 4 celebrations but the image of America itself. "Trump’s doing all of us a favor by selfishly trying to steal this anniversary from us. We now see who he really is. So no, it’s not the celebration we deserve. It’s not the one we could have had. But we get a mirror, and the mirror is telling us something. The country is a lot bigger than Donald Trump. It is bigger than any president, and it’s obviously bigger than any political party. And there’s no one definition of patriotism," Todd said. MS NOW GUEST ADMITS 'GREAT TREPIDATION' ABOUT CELEBRATING AMERICA'S 250TH, CLAIMS COUNTRY IS BEING DESTROYED He continued, "But it still needs leaders who understand that it still needs citizens who insist on it. And it still needs people willing to say that the national story belongs to all of us, not just whoever happens to hold power at any one moment. America at 250 may be a lost opportunity. Donald Trump has absolutely sullied the brand of America. But America 275 does not have to be." Todd also said he felt angry and "betrayed as an American," and that Trump "cheapened" the country. "This is why I’m so p----- off. Not because I love the country less, but because I love the idea of America enough to resent seeing it cheapened by this man. America deserved better at 250. Some day, I believe it will get better. But it's in your hands," Todd said. Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment. Trump celebrated America's 250th birthday with a 28-minute speech at Mount Rushmore followed by a 23-minute fireworks display. "The American dream still lives, and the American flag still flies more proudly than ever before over the people who will not quit," Trump said. "The nation that will not fail, the country that will not fall no matter how hard the enemy tries, we cannot be beaten." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b91e0c2ca79de23646741 ESPN writer hates Team USA getting Folarin Balogun back, says any World Cup success is now 'tainted' te 2026-07-06T11:30:40.608Z ESPN writer hates Team USA getting Folarin Balogun back, says any World Cup success is now 'tainted' Team USA is hours away from its biggest home-soil match in a generation. ESPN has somehow decided it's the villain. Instead of building excitement for Monday night's World Cup Round of 16 showdown against Belgium in Seattle, ESPN senior writer Mark Ogden spent the eve of the match explaining why Team USA shouldn't feel too good about getting Folarin Balogun back. His headline says it all: "Nobody benefits from FIFA letting Balogun off the hook -- not even the USMNT." FIFA MAKES FINAL RULING ON US SOCCER STAR FOLARIN BALOGUN'S CONTROVERSIAL RED CARD SUSPENSION Rather than seeing a controversial decision corrected, Ogden argues the reversal hurts the tournament, hurts FIFA and, somehow, even hurts Team USA. A VAR review turned what many viewed as an accidental step on an opponent's ankle into a straight red card for Balogun during Team USA's 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The decision was immediately criticized as excessive, with Mauricio Pochettino among those arguing it never warranted a straight red. FIFA's disciplinary committee ultimately suspended the automatic one-match ban under Article 27, clearing Balogun to play Monday. President Donald Trump spoke with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, arguing the punishment was unjust before FIFA reversed course, a source told Fox News. Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik and White House task force leader Andrew Giuliani put together a team of lawyers outside the White House to challenge the use of slow-motion replay to give Balogun the red card, according to OutKick founder and Fox News contributor Clay Travis. That should have settled the matter. Instead, Ogden argued that correcting the decision is what hurts the integrity of the World Cup. He writes: "If the U.S. defeats Belgium on Monday, the global soccer community will not view it as a hard-fought, tactical triumph... Instead, it will forever carry an asterisk, tainted by the perception that the host nation used corrupt, backroom political maneuvers to alter the tournament's rules." That's quite the way to preview the biggest American soccer match in decades. Rather than seeing an overly harsh punishment reversed, Ogden is warning fans that any victory should come with an apology attached. He doubles down from there, arguing FIFA has "damaged the credibility of its own tournament," warning the decision creates "a dangerous precedent," and concluding that "nobody benefits" from Balogun being allowed to play, not Belgium, not FIFA and "not even the USMNT." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Rather than celebrating the overturning of a controversial suspension, Ogden is telling Team USA fans they should feel bad if their team wins. The column also argueed FIFA would never have made the same decision for a smaller nation, treating American influence as a moral failing instead of acknowledging a reality that has existed for decades: host nations enjoy advantages. Home crowds matter. Host nations have advantages. That's international sports. If FIFA ultimately concluded an obviously controversial call deserved another look, that's an indictment of the original officiating, not the United States. So Monday night, Team USA will field its best eleven players, exactly as it should. ESPN can keep clutching its pearls. USA by a million. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b8f9cc2ca79de23646704 Zelenskyy pressures US and Europe for more 'air defense' assistance amid ongoing war with Russia te 2026-07-06T11:21:00.514Z Zelenskyy pressures US and Europe for more 'air defense' assistance amid ongoing war with Russia Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is pressuring the U.S. and Europe to provide more missiles to help Ukraine defend against Russian attacks. "Last night, Kyiv came under a massive Russian attack. Russia launched 68 missiles and 351 attack drones," Zelenskyy noted in part of a Monday post on X. President Donald Trump is slated to attend the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in Ankara, Turkey, this week. Zelenskyy is calling for the U.S. and European allies to emerge from the meeting "with strong decisions in support of" Ukraine's "air defense." TRUMP CALLS OUT NATO AHEAD OF SUMMIT, CALLING IT 'RIDICULOUS' FOR US TO PERSIST ON 'ONE SIDED PATH' "Our warriors performed well today in intercepting drones and cruise missiles, but unfortunately not Russian ballistic missiles. And the reason lies in the insufficient supply of interceptor missiles. It is critically important that the world – first and foremost the United States and our European partners – come out of the NATO Summit in Ankara with strong decisions in support of our air defense, and thus the protection of ordinary people’s lives," he noted in the post. WORLD LEADERS, DIGNITARIES PAY TRIBUTE TO AMERICA ON HISTORIC 250TH BIRTHDAY "As long as Patriot missiles remain in our allies' stockpiles, Russia is only encouraged to keep 'vanquishing' residential buildings. The United States and Europe have enough strength to stop this terror," he asserted. Zelenskyy's comments come amid the ongoing, years-long war between Russia and Ukraine. RUSSIAN GENERALS' ASSASSINATIONS EXPOSE GROWING RIFT INSIDE PUTIN'S SECURITY APPARATUS Reuters reported that Zelenskyy, new South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, European Council President Antonio Costa ​and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are expected to have dinner with NATO leaders on Tuesday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b8f89c2ca79de236466fb Here's the unique, little-known rule that FIFA used to overturn Folarin Balogun red card suspension te 2026-07-06T11:20:41.066Z Here's the unique, little-known rule that FIFA used to overturn Folarin Balogun red card suspension When Folarin Balogun received a red card in the U.S. men's national team match against Bosnia and Herzegovina after VAR review, it was immediately controversial. The contact between Balogun and the Bosnian player was clearly incidental, with both going for the ball, leading to the awkward foot placement. Players, coaches, and analysts all agreed that the red card was harsh at best, and inaccurately given at worst. Mauricio Pochettino said it was unjust. Weston McKennie said something similar. "Obviously the referee made a decision that he made, but I think it’s questionable," McKennie explained. "I think there’s been many other plays like that throughout the tournament on other players that a card wasn’t given at all. It’s disappointing." YES, THE UNITED STATES WAS TREATED UNFAIRLY BY THE CONTROVERSIAL FOLARIN BALOGUN RED CARD DECISION And a former top-level referee wrote that the entire process was against FIFA's own rules. "VAR made their recommendation to the referee based on slow-motion and still replays, which is not aligned with VAR protocols, as these should be used for only point-of-contact purposes in a red card tackle situation," said Andy Davies, a referee who worked in the Premier League and Championship and was a Select Group referee for over 12 seasons. On Sunday, FIFA apparently agreed. News broke that FIFA had overturned Balogun's red card suspension, allowing him to play against Belgium in Seattle on Monday night, despite there being no process allowing the USMNT or US Soccer to appeal the card. So how did this happen? An arcane rule, known as Article 27, the "Suspension of Implementation of Disciplinary Measures," allowed for FIFA to review the automatic red card suspension, and essentially delay it for a year. "By operation of Article 27 FDC, the implementation of the automatic suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one [1] year," the soccer governing body said in a statement. Article 27 says that "1. The judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure. 2. By suspending the implementation of the sanction, the judicial body subjects the person sanctioned to a probationary period of one to four years." TRUMP CALLED FIFA PRESIDENT TO REVIEW FOLARIN BALOGUN'S RED CARD AHEAD OF USA-BELGIUM MATCH, SOURCE SAYS Should Balogun receive another red card however, that "suspension shall be revoked by the judicial body and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement." Presumably, FIFA, encouraged by President Donald Trump and the White House team, used Article 27 in part because of the apparently improper process used by the VAR referee to recommend a review by the on-field ref. Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik and White House task force leader Andrew Giuliani put together a team of lawyers outside the White House to challenge the use of slow-motion replay to give Balogun the red card, according to OutKick founder and Fox News contributor Clay Travis. And while European fans, and the Belgian soccer federation, are furious about the overturn, FIFA used this same protocol to allow Cristiano Ronaldo to play for Portugal. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Ronaldo received a red card against Ireland in a World Cup qualifier in 2025, leading to a three-game suspension. But FIFA used Article 27 to delay his punishment for up to a year. He sat out one pre-tournament match, then chose to defer the final two until after the World Cup. Regardless, the wrong of Balogun's red card has been righted. And he'll make the USMNT that much more dangerous on Monday night against Belgium. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b8d56c2ca79de2364669b The numbers don’t lie. Young Americans are falling in love … with socialism te 2026-07-06T11:11:18.940Z The numbers don’t lie. Young Americans are falling in love … with socialism The socialist takeover of the Democratic Party is no longer theoretical. In New York, three radical candidates backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a self-described socialist, recently won Democratic congressional primaries. The candidates — Brad Lander, Claire Valdez, and Darializa Avila Chevalier — defeated establishment-backed opponents and proved again that the far left’s influence is not confined to college campuses, activist organizations or online echo chambers. Some conservatives will dismiss these victories as a "New York problem." They shouldn’t. New York is just the tip of the iceberg. Across the country, self-described socialists have been gaining increasingly more power at the local, state and federal levels. DSA’S THIRD MAJOR PRIMARY WIN DEEPENS DEMOCRATS’ FIGHT OVER THE PARTY’S FUTURE For example, 29-year-old socialist Melat Kiros just defeated Rep. Diana DeGette in the Democratic primaries for Colorado’s 1st Congressional District. DeGette has been in Congress for nearly three decades. The disturbing truth is that socialism is becoming more mainstream. It is no longer viewed by many Americans as a failed ideology responsible for poverty, tyranny and misery. It has been effectively repackaged as the answer to housing costs, student debt, medical bills, corporate power, artificial intelligence, loneliness, inequality and nearly every other anxiety facing younger generations. That does not mean young voters are experts in Marxist theory. They aren’t. But they do believe that the American Dream is slipping away, and the loudest voices on the left have convinced many that free-market capitalism is to blame. BIDEN'S ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION SURGE CAUSED HIGHER RENT AND HOME PRICES, FED STUDY FINDS They are wrong, of course, but conservatives should not ignore why young Americans are attracted to socialism. In 2025, The Heartland Institute and Rasmussen Reports conducted a series of national surveys of young American voters, and the results are both terrifying and deeply informative. In the September survey, 53% of likely voters aged 18 to 39 said they want a Democratic Socialist to win the 2028 presidential election. Even more alarming, 76% agreed that "major industries like health care, energy, and big tech should be nationalized to give more control and equity to the people." MAMDANI RIPPED FOR CLAIMING VICTORY OVER CAPITALISM AFTER NYC'S MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR TAXPAYER FUNDED BAILOUT Those results were confirmed in another Heartland/Rasmussen survey, released in November. It showed 51% of young voters want a Democratic Socialist to win the presidency in 2028, including 27% of those who voted for President Donald Trump in 2024. The same poll found that 52% of young voters have a favorable view of Mamdani, although his policies were even more popular. Sixty-two percent said they support expanding his proposals for more government housing and rent freezes nationwide, and 58% support expanding his plan for government-owned grocery stores to every town in America. This is the part conservatives cannot afford to miss: Socialism’s appeal is driven less by abstract ideology than by a deep and growing belief that the U.S. economy can no longer deliver a decent life to younger people. Housing is the clearest example. In the October/November poll, 74% of young voters said the cost of housing in America has reached a crisis level. In the September survey, when young voters who wanted a Democratic Socialist president were asked why, 31% said housing costs are too high, the most common answer. That finding fits the broader pattern. In the September survey, 62% said the American economy is unfair to young people. Thirty-six percent said they are struggling financially or in crisis. And 55% support a law that would confiscate Americans’ "excess wealth"—including second homes, luxury cars and private boats — to help young people buy their first home. The deeper issue, though, is not whether young people are embracing socialist ideas. They are. The real question is, where are these ideas coming from? In many homes, workplaces, classrooms, churches and online communities, younger Americans are being told a simple and fallacious story: They cannot afford a home because capitalism failed. They cannot build wealth because capitalism failed. They cannot get ahead because capitalism failed. They cannot trust Congress, corporations, banks, employers, landlords, or even the Constitution because the entire American system is supposedly designed to benefit the rich and powerful at everyone else’s expense. That narrative is false, but it remains powerful because it contains just enough truth to sound plausible. Many young Americans certainly are struggling. Housing, health care, groceries and higher education are too expensive. Large corporations have benefited from cronyism, subsidies, bailouts, regulatory favoritism, and special privileges. And for many voters under 40, the promise that hard work will lead to the American Dream feels increasingly hollow. The answer to these problems is not socialism. The solution is to restore the conditions that make the American Dream possible. That means increasing the supply of housing by removing unnecessary zoning restrictions, streamlining permitting rules, and stopping state and local governments from using regulations to make homebuilding slow, expensive and politically impossible. It means cutting reckless government spending, reducing inflationary pressure, lowering energy costs, reforming higher education and ending policies that have increased tuition, housing and everyday expenses. It means attacking crony capitalism. Young Americans are right to be angry when powerful corporations use government to protect themselves from competition, secure special benefits, or impose political agendas. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION The political opportunity for both parties is astounding. In the October/November poll, 42% of young Democrats said they would vote for a Republican presidential candidate if he or she offered the best plan to reduce housing costs. Forty-five percent of young Republicans said they would vote for a Democrat for the same reason. That should be a wake-up call for both parties. Conservatives will never defeat socialism if they pretend everything is fine. It is not enough to repeat slogans about capitalism while millions of young Americans believe they will never own a home, build wealth or live better than their parents. The way to defeat socialism is to prove that freedom still works. Chris Talgo is a research fellow at The Heartland Institute and the managing editor of StoppingSocialism.com. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM JUSTIN HASKINS Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b8d43c2ca79de23646692 Doctors say 8 forgotten habits could help fight stress, obesity and chronic disease te 2026-07-06T11:10:59.484Z Doctors say 8 forgotten habits could help fight stress, obesity and chronic disease Rates of chronic disease, obesity and stress continue to rise across America. Experts warn that some of the healthiest habits from the nation's earlier centuries may have fallen by the wayside. From walking as a way of life to eating seasonal foods and spending more time outdoors, they say some of these forgotten routines are worth reviving. AMERICAN VACCINES THAT TRANSFORMED PUBLIC HEALTH OVER 250 YEARS: 'OUTWEIGHS HARM' "America needs to get back to its roots healthwise," Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, told Fox News Digital. IMAGE Dr. Kenneth J. Perry, a physician based in South Carolina, said walking has decreased as people have moved to the suburbs. "As Americans moved further out of the city center for more space and larger homes, they spent more time sitting in a car rather than walking to work," he told Fox News Digital. AMERICA'S NATIONAL PARKS COULD ADD YEARS TO YOUR LIFE — HERE'S HOW THEY BOOST HEALTH A study published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine showed that prolonged commuting times have been directly linked to increases in BMI (body mass index), waist circumference and overall decrease in metabolic health, the doctor noted. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week (about 30 minutes a day, five days a week), which would include brisk walking. IMAGE Only about one in four U.S. adults meet the recommended guidelines for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity, per the CDC. "We are a country of wide open spaces and beautiful vistas – we need to walk more and breathe our fresh air," Siegel added. Exposure to morning light has been shown to support circadian health and better sleep, and sunlight is the body's primary natural source of vitamin D. "Some individuals may have severe difficulty with sleep, and therefore are having difficulty regulating their personal day-night cycles," Perry said. "It is well-known that early sunlight helps to regulate the circadian rhythm of animals and may be helpful in regulating sleep patterns." THE '1776 DIET': WHAT AMERICANS REALLY ATE DURING THE NATION'S FOUNDING Sunlight exposure can also have positive effects on health, the doctor said. "The hormonal balance that is regulated by the circadian rhythm can also lead to better weight management and blood pressure control." Surveys show that nearly half of U.S. adults spend less than five hours per week in nature – but time outdoors is known to be a natural health-booster. A landmark study of nearly 20,000 adults found that people who got at least 120 minutes per week in nature were significantly more likely to be in good health than those who spent no time outside. Another review found that combining exercise with time outdoors was more beneficial than just exercise or nature exposure alone, with improvements seen in mental health and chronic disease risk. There are some health benefits to turning in earlier, research has shown. Observational studies have found that people with very late bedtimes often have higher risks of heart disease, metabolic disorders and mortality. THIS ONE QUESTION MAY REVEAL WHETHER YOUR BODY IS GETTING THE REST IT NEEDS, STUDY FINDS "As we know that the only steadfast way to lose weight is to be in a calorie deficit, if an individual is using the late night hours to overindulge, going to bed earlier may help maintain better overall health," Perry added. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ The National Sleep Foundation recommends seven to nine hours of sleep for adults aged 18-64 and seven to eight hours for adults 65 and up. Americans now get more than half of their daily calories from ultraprocessed foods, according to NIH-supported research. "We know that excess calories, specifically calories from extra sugar in the diet, can lead to diabetes, obesity, hypertension and a multitude of downstream health problems," Perry said. "Local, minimally processed foods are going to be much better for the overall health of society." IMAGE Siegel echoed the importance of embracing more whole foods. "We are a country of farmers – we need to eat our own fresh produce more and not the chemically laced products that can give us cancer and heart disease," he told Fox News Digital. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER "We need to eat more at home, and treasure our great home chefs, who make everything from turkey to apple sauce, to fried chicken, to big healthy salads, to good old apple pie." Gardening and growing food has also been linked to improved mental well-being, increased physical activity, reduced social isolation and better overall health outcomes. A study published in BMJ Open found that older adults who performed more light and heavy housework had better physical performance — including faster chair-rise times (a measure of lower-body strength) and improved balance — than those who did less housework. IMAGE Encouraging older adults to perform more household activities could help ensure that they meet physical activity recommendations, particularly for those who don’t participate in regular exercise routines, experts say. "Performing more household tasks can help individuals maintain strength and mobility," Perry said. "This is especially helpful for elderly individuals to maximize their physical strength and decrease the risk of being sedentary." Records show that communal meals were once a routine part of American life rather than just happening on special occasions. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES The health benefits of being social are "innumerable," Perry said. "We know that social connections can minimize depression, reduce the incidence of dementia and actually lead to longer lives," he told Fox News Digital. "Eating a meal with a group of people is a deeply powerful human event that can help improve lives." IMAGE Siegel agreed, advocating for going back to "sharing kindness and goodwill with each other at community meals that are non-political." "We need to take pride in repairing our own houses the way we always have." Intermittent fasting has been shown to contribute to decreased obesity, better glucose management and overall improved health, Perry confirmed. "There are some anecdotal reasons for this, given the evolutionary pressures that our species has had to endure," he said. "We are now in a world where food is plentiful, but for much of our history, we had to search for food, and it was often scarce. This type of eating pattern mimics the pattern of our ancestors, which is directly connected with our innate metabolism." While not all historical habits were healthier, these evidence-backed practices from earlier generations may still offer lessons for modern Americans, experts agree. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b8d30c2ca79de23646689 England player injures wrist hopping over ad board during team's World Cup victory celebration vs Mexico te 2026-07-06T11:10:40.033Z England player injures wrist hopping over ad board during team's World Cup victory celebration vs Mexico England was jubilant after taking down Mexico in their Round of 16 World Cup match on Sunday night but a small slip-up amid a celebration after the 3-2 win may have cost them a player. English midfielder Jordan Henderson was taken to the hospital after he injured his wrist, coach Thomas Tuchel said. Henderson suffered the injury when he tumbled over an advertising board during the post-match celebration. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "I have mixed feelings; I am sad because Jordan injured his wrist and it is quite serious. It just does not fit with the evening that Jordan is not with us," Tuchel said. "I do not know the procedure; the doctor told me that he is in the hospital." Henderson slipped as he put his hand on the board to hop over it. Henderson’s teammates immediately called over for medical trainers to tend to him. He was stretchered off the field. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM It was Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane lifted England over Mexico. Bellingham scored two goals 98 seconds apart in the first half. Then, Kane converted a penalty to give England a two-goal lead. "It was a crazy game. We had to fight," Kane said. "I can't really talk, but the occasion, the team, everything against us, we found a way." The defeat handed Mexico’s first World Cup loss at Estadio Azteca. "We’ve done something incredible tonight, no doubt about it, and we’ll enjoy it. And we’ll sing songs until we lose our voices on the plane and whatnot, but we’ll have a couple of days recovering, then it’s straight back to business in terms of facing Norway," Bellingham said. England will play Norway in the quarterfinals on Saturday in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b8b05c2ca79de2364665e Havasupai Tribe objects to aquifer protection permit change for uranium mine near Grand Canyon te 2026-07-06T11:01:25.170Z Havasupai Tribe objects to aquifer protection permit change for uranium mine near Grand Canyon The Havasupai Tribe is pushing back against a planned amendment to the state-issued aquifer protection permit for the Pinyon Plain uranium mine near Grand Canyon, which would raise the allowable threshold for arsenic in a monitoring well at the mine… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b8af1c2ca79de23646655 Acoma detour planned as paving continues te 2026-07-06T11:01:05.202Z Acoma detour planned as paving continues Acoma Boulevard road work will include an overnight detour Tuesday as Lake Havasu City continues milling and paving operations between Daytona Avenue and McCulloch Boulevard. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b8addc2ca79de2364664c Havasu seeks voter arguments on 2026 General Plan ballot measure te 2026-07-06T11:00:45.242Z Havasu seeks voter arguments on 2026 General Plan ballot measure Lake Havasu City is seeking public arguments for and against the city’s proposed 2026 General Plan, which will go before voters in the Nov. 3 general election. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b8628c2ca79de236465b1 UEFA issues blistering statement over FIFA's Folarin Balogun's decision te 2026-07-06T10:40:40.278Z UEFA issues blistering statement over FIFA's Folarin Balogun's decision European soccer’s governing body issued a blistering statement on Monday after FIFA suspended the red card ban issued to USA World Cup star Folarin Balogun. UEFA said FIFA’s decision to suspend the implementation of Balogun’s one-game suspension "crossed a red line." ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "Football, like any other sports, relies on rules, which are the basis for fair, honest and transparent competition," UEFA said. "Sometimes rules are open to interpretation. In this case not. A minimum automatic suspension of one match following a red card is not a discretionary option and does not require the decision of a competent body to be enacted. It is a principle embedded in regulations, which cannot be made subject to exceptions, let alone in the middle of a tournament where several other players have been in the same situation and regularly served their suspension." UEFA expressed concerns with setting a precedent in the tournament and adding questions to the "integrity of the game." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "Football is the most loved sport in the world because it is a beautiful game and is trusted because it is played everywhere with the same laws," the statement continued. "A tournament is never a pure standalone and, if the tournament in question is the World Cup, it has the power to drive positive or negative consequences on the game as a whole. "We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision." Balogun will be available to play on Monday in the Round of 16 match. President Donald Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to ask for a review of the decision, a source told Fox News. Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik and White House task force leader Andrew Giuliani put together a team of lawyers outside the White House to challenge the use of slow-motion replay to give Balogun the red card, according to OutKick founder and Fox News contributor Clay Travis. Belgium was reportedly granted the right to appeal the decision. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b8177c2ca79de2364652b Belgium makes move after USA World Cup star's red card suspension was lifted: report te 2026-07-06T10:20:39.864Z Belgium makes move after USA World Cup star's red card suspension was lifted: report Belgium’s soccer federation on Monday was reportedly given the right to appeal FIFA’s decision to suspend the red card ban it gave USA World Cup star Folarin Balogun. The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) requested a full explanation from FIFA over its decision to suspend USA World Cup star Folarin Balogun’s red card ban, The Athletic reported Monday. The RBFA is also requesting a report from FIFA’s officiating body, according to the report. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! The U.S. and Belgium start their Round of 16 game in Seattle at 8 p.m. ET. FIFA made its decision to lift the suspension on Balogun on Sunday. It appeared to be the first time since 1962 that a red card during a World Cup didn’t result in a suspension. Balogun initially received the red card for stepping on the ankle of Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic after a VAR review. The RBFA said it was "astonished" and Belgium coach Rudi Garcia mocked FIFA’s ruling. "I didn’t know that in the offices of FIFA the fifth of July was the first of April in Europe," Garcia said through a translator. "The Belgian federation does not defend itself, it does not protect the national team. She defends football in general, she defends her integrity, her ethics. I think it’s the first time in the history of the World Cup that there is this kind of decision." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Garcia wouldn’t respond when asked about a possible appeal to the Court of the Arbitration for Sport or whether he thought President Donald Trump impacted FIFA’s action. "In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options," the RBFA said. Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to ask the organization to review the red card, a source told Fox News. "The implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year," FIFA announced. "If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement." U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino lauded FIFA’s move. "We were punished enough against Bosnia and Herzegovina to play with 10 men (for) 30 minutes in a decision that was completely unfair," he said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b7f4cc2ca79de236464ef King Charles hopes to reunite with Prince Harry, but Queen Camilla is drawing one firm line: experts te 2026-07-06T10:11:24.340Z King Charles hopes to reunite with Prince Harry, but Queen Camilla is drawing one firm line: experts Queen Camilla is said to support King Charles III's hopes of repairing his fractured relationship with Prince Harry, but she has no intention of getting personally involved. The claim was made by several royal experts who spoke to Fox News Digital. Harry is expected to travel to the U.K. on July 7 for events marking the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, a milestone closely tied to his signature charitable initiative. The BBC reported that Meghan Markle and the couple's two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, will not accompany him to London after it was confirmed the family would not receive taxpayer-funded police protection. KING CHARLES ‘CAUTIOUS AND WARY’ OF PRINCE HARRY’S LATEST ATTEMPT TO MEND ROYAL RIFT: EXPERT According to the outlet, Meghan, Archie and Lilibet could still join Harry later in the week. It remains unclear whether the revised schedule will allow the king to meet his grandchildren, whom he has not seen in person for four years. Royal experts told Fox News Digital that while Camilla wants the king, who continues to undergo cancer treatment, to have the opportunity to spend time with his young grandchildren, she remains cautious. They said that despite any desire for reconciliation, trust within the House of Windsor has yet to be fully restored. "Personally, I feel Camilla has been supporting Charles in his ambition to reunite with Harry, [but] Camilla regularly protects Charles' interests," royal broadcaster Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital. "Camilla is a believer in duty. She cares for the king and knows the rift has caused him worry," royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams also told Fox News Digital. WATCH: PRINCE WILLIAM UNLIKELY TO RECONCILE WITH PRINCE HARRY SOON: EXPERT "While Camilla has been a force for stability and is unlikely to block Charles if he really wants to meet with Harry, she'll be keeping her distance," British royal expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital. "She prefers to avoid complicating matters. She and the king are in lockstep, preferring calm over any confrontation. If the king does meet with Harry, given the high level of trust issues, it's likely to be just them rather than any extended family." Their statements came after reports from the Daily Express previously claimed that Camilla is "steering well clear" of the couple during the visit and is "not going to be around when they arrive." Fox News Digital reached out to Buckingham Palace for comment. Katie Nicholl, Vanity Fair royal correspondent and co-host of "The Royals Uncensored," told Fox News Digital that Camilla is known for carving out time to spend with her own children and grandchildren. "The queen is a very family-oriented woman, and there are many weekends when she doesn't spend the weekend at Highgrove with the king," Nicholl explained. "She goes back to Ray Mill, her family home, and spends time with her children and grandchildren." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "Family has been and always has been hugely important to Camilla," Nicholl said. "I know that she has very much encouraged the king to sometimes put his pen down and, instead of working, go and spend some time with his grandchildren and has encouraged him to be more family-focused. And I think if Camilla has been behind the scenes trying to encourage this reconciliation, that shows enormous strength of character on her part." In 2023, after Harry's memoir "Spare" was published, the prince accused his stepmother of leaking private conversations to the media to burnish her reputation. In interviews, he accused family members of getting "into bed with the devil" to gain favorable tabloid coverage. He singled out Camilla's efforts to rehabilitate her image with the British public after her long-running relationship with his father. Camilla, who was once shunned by the public, eventually won over many royal watchers through her charitable work and support of the king. Charles was crowned in 2023. Nicholl said Harry's book and subsequent interviews "infuriated" his older brother, Prince William, and greatly upset the king. "Camilla has stepped in as queen and is doing a very good job as a loyal consort," Nicholl said. "So, if Camilla has been quietly behind the scenes trying to help broker the peace between [father and son], then I think she shoots up in everyone's estimation, really, given what Harry has said about her." LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS In 2025, after losing a court battle over his publicly funded security, Harry told the BBC that he wants to reconcile with his family. "I would love reconciliation with my family," he told the outlet. "There's no point in continuing to fight anymore. I don't know how much longer my father has." British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard said Camilla would back a private meeting between Charles and Harry. "Queen Camilla has more than proved herself as a valued, hardworking senior royal," Chard said. "She stepped up, doing her best for the king and country. Despite not trusting the Sussexes, she is adamant she wants the best for her husband. However, she doesn't suffer fools. [Still], she will support a father-son meeting away from prying eyes." "Camilla will be nowhere to be seen," Chard said. "Most likely, she will be at her beloved Ray Mill house in Wiltshire." People magazine previously reported that the king offered the Sussexes accommodation on a royal estate during their visit. There has been no public response to the reported offer. The outlet also reported that the monarch previously offered Harry accommodations at Buckingham Palace, which he declined. An Archewell spokesperson told Fox News Digital that, for security reasons, the organization would not comment on the couple's accommodations. Fitzwilliams said that while the king may be eager to spend time with his grandchildren, the high-profile visit remains a complicated matter. "The king clearly wants to see his grandchildren," he said. "[But] the royal family's distrust of the Sussexes remains acute. There are no circumstances under which Prince William appears prepared to see his brother." "There is also sensitivity over the cost of taxpayer-funded security, which the Sussexes forfeited when they stepped down as senior working royals. Harry has campaigned for years to regain security for himself and his family. It is extraordinary that RAVEC, the committee responsible, is taking so long to decide." "Harry attacked Camilla in his memoir, and it was that which reportedly led to the Sussexes being evicted from Frogmore Cottage, their U.K. home," he argued. "I doubt Camilla is inclined to be lenient. [But], if the king and the Sussexes do meet, it could mark the beginning of reconciliation rather than an immediate reset." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b7f38c2ca79de236464e6 Tennis great Raphael Nadal swears by breakfast with nutrient-packed tiny fish te 2026-07-06T10:11:04.884Z Tennis great Raphael Nadal swears by breakfast with nutrient-packed tiny fish Rafael Nadal, a two-time Wimbledon champion and one of the most successful tennis players of all time, recently revealed that his go-to breakfast is toast with anchovies. Nadal, who retired in 2024, told The Wall Street Journal that he started incorporating anchovies into his morning meal while he was still a professional athlete. "I was not a breakfast guy," Nadal said. "But later on in my career with the nutritionist [I learned] you have to eat some protein, some carbs." AMERICANS STILL CRAVE PROTEIN DESPITE RECORD BEEF PRICES AS EXPERT REVEALS THE 'HEALTHIEST BURGER' Anchovies are saltwater fish that average about five or six inches in length and are typically preserved in salt and packed in olive oil. They have long been a staple of Mediterranean cooking, particularly in Nadal's native Spain. They have grown in popularity in the U.S. in recent years, along with other seafood in the tinned-fish category, as Americans increasingly seek healthy, convenient foods. "Anchovies are an absolute nutritional dynamo," Sudi Pigott, a London-based anchovy sommelier and author of "Consider the Anchovy: A Journey in Pursuit of the Little Fish with the Big Flavour," told Fox News Digital. They are "surprisingly high in protein" for their size, according to the Cleveland Clinic. They're also "packed with nutrients" and are "among the best fish sources of omega-3 fatty acids, a type of healthy fat your body needs to work well," according to the medical institution. Research has linked diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids to a lower risk of age-related macular degeneration, Pigott said. "Eating anchovies regularly may also reduce triglyceride levels, slow the buildup of plaque in one's arteries and reduce blood pressure, as well as [lower the] risk of blood clotting," she said. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Additionally, anchovies are a plentiful source of B vitamins, calcium, iron, potassium and zinc. They also contain selenium, a powerful antioxidant, she added. Health experts recommend people keep in mind that anchovies typically contain a lot of salt and to eat them in moderation if sodium consumption is a concern. The global tinned-fish market size is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.18% between 2026 and 2031, market research firm Mordor Intelligence reported. The demand for convenience foods that are not processed is also influencing consumer demand toward tinned fish, the company reported. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS TikTok interest in tinned fish increased by 91% between 2024 and 2025, Vogue reported. The boom is due in part to new companies like the Fishwife Tinned Seafood Co. that have emerged and rebranded tinned fish in trendy, chic ways. "For years, tinned fish had one reputation: bland, dry, back-of-the-pantry food," declared a Fishwife TikTok post explaining how the company became "one of the fastest-growing seafood brands in America." Sustainable seafood advocate Casson Trenor recommends choosing species known as hikari-mono, a Japanese term for silver-skinned fish. "This includes mackerels, sardines, anchovies and more," Trenor, who lives in Washington state, told Fox News Digital. "These are fast-growing nutritional powerhouses that are generally low in mercury." Pigott said she sometimes eats anchovies for breakfast, either on toast with plenty of butter or on a cheese scone. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "Another good way to eat anchovies for breakfast would be with scrambled eggs," she said. An old-fashioned British dish she recommended is Scotch Woodcock, which calls for "a layer of anchovy paste or anchovy butter to be spread on hot toast, topped with scrambled egg and finished with a couple of fine, whole, salt-cured anchovies in oil." Anchovy spread can be rolled into a log shape and kept in the refrigerator, Pigott said. Her book also contains recipes that incorporate anchovies into salad dressings, pastas and many other dishes. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "Eating anchovies does make you thirsty, and I wouldn't suggest eating too many at any one time," Pigott said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b7f25c2ca79de236464dd Man accused of mowing down two girls in alleged double murder exposes twisted reason he kept streaming te 2026-07-06T10:10:45.434Z Man accused of mowing down two girls in alleged double murder exposes twisted reason he kept streaming The New Jersey man accused of killing two teen girls laughed off his critics in a livestream just one day after he allegedly killed them, boasting about the "engagement" he was getting. Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, both 17, were riding electric bikes on Sept. 29, 2025, in Cranford, New Jersey, when now-18-year-old Vincent Battiloro deliberately struck them with his vehicle, prosecutors allege. He was charged with murder as an adult on Friday, June 26. Just one day after allegedly killing the two 17-year-olds, Battiloro got on a YouTube video game livestream and boasted about the "engagement" he was getting from people commenting on the killings. NEW JERSEY MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING WIFE WITH BARBELL ALLEGEDLY CONFESSED IN MESSAGES TO RELATIVES: REPORT "The more you guys engage in the chat, the more you give me engagement and I get paid for YouTube. Just letting you all know. That's fine. That's fine. Y'all are just giving me engagement, that's fine," he said. ""I'm not doing s--- until people stop messaging negativity." After people watching the stream continually commented about the deaths of Niotis and Salas, Battiloro eventually got fed up and briefly addressed the situation. SEND US A TIP HERE "There has been a lot of misinformation going on over the internet. But I will say this. I wish my sincerest condolences to those two girls lost in that tragic accident. It is an absolute unfortunate situation. And there's more to the story that you're not getting," Battiloro said. "But when the time comes. I will explain it in greater detail. I'm not authorized to talk about the whole thing." DHS CONFIRMS DUI CHARGE AGAINST NON-ENGLISH-SPEAKING DRIVER IN VIRGINIA CRASH THAT KILLED 5 Police said Battiloro's own dash camera showed him getting inside a Jeep Compass on Sept. 29, 2025, and driving to the area of Burnside Avenue in Cranford, near the home of one of the victims. After he parked, according to police, both teen girls were seen on electric bikes headed in the opposite direction. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST The suspect then made a U-turn to follow the victims while he accelerated the Jeep, according to detectives, who said that the video shows both girls being struck at a high rate of speed before the vehicle ultimately stopped. Battiloro then fled the scene by foot, officials said. DELAWARE HOSPITAL SHOOTING SUSPECT IDENTIFIED, FACES MULTIPLE CHARGES INCLUDING FIRST-DEGREE MURDER Battiloro's identity was previously withheld because he was a minor when allegedly committing the crimes, but his case was transferred to adult court on Friday, June 26. He is now charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Brent Bramnick, who is representing Niotis’ family, told Fox News Digital they are thankful the case was moved to adult court. "The decision to try the defendant as an adult is a welcomed sliver of justice. We are grateful to the Prosecutor’s Office for their efforts as well as the community at large for continuing to keep Maria and Isabella’s memories alive," Bramnick said. Battiloro allegedly swatted the family's home in Cranford twice in September 2025, according to Bramnick. He said both incidents took place between Sept. 1 and Sept. 15 in 2025. After the two incidents, Bramnick said the Niotis family wants to know "what went on?" "What investigation, if any, went on after all that the family reported and all the information that the police had in their possession. That's the question. So we need those questions answered," Bramnick said. "And that's why we're involved, because we're doing our own investigations to try to get to the bottom of those questions." Fox News Digital reached out to Battiloro's attorney for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b7846c2ca79de23646412 Rep. Crane Backs Federal Plan To Address “Lawfare” Complaints From Farmers And Ranchers te 2026-07-06T09:41:26.486Z Rep. Crane Backs Federal Plan To Address “Lawfare” Complaints From Farmers And Ranchers By Staff Reporter | Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ-02) has backed an arrangement to secure lawfare protections for American farmers and ranchers. Crane was present for the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Small Business Administration (SBA) that establishes a joint process to intake, investigate, and resolve lawfare complaints.  As part of the signing, the two agencies hosted a roundtable where farmers and ranchers shared personal testimonies of alleged regulatory and legal overreach.  Two Arizona rancher families impacted by that kind of alleged overreach were present at the event: Dustin and Becki Ross of Windmill Mountain Ranch, and Casey and Meggan Murph of H Bar and Y Ranch.  The Ross family has endured a two-year-long stall on their grazing allotment due to archaeological-clearance requirements, affecting their property maintenance and herd management.  The Murph family faces the potential loss of their grazing leases to a foreign company’s solar project. Their family has worked the land for over 100 years, predating Arizona statehood.  In a press release, Crane accused the federal government of historically siding with environmentalists to target farmers and ranchers. However, Crane said the Trump administration has taken a novel, friendlier approach to the welfare of families like the Rosses and Murphs.  “Farmers and ranchers are the foundation of a strong and thriving nation. Despite their tremendous contributions to our way of life, the federal government has too often stood by as radical environmentalists targeted them,” said Crane. “Thanks to the leadership of President Trump, Secretary Rollins, and Administrator Loeffler, those days of bureaucratic neglect are over. This Memorandum of Understanding will help protect America’s producers from senseless red tape and litigation. We look forward to continuing this critical partnership and laying the groundwork for a healthy, robust industry for generations to come.” Under this lawfare protection arrangement, the USDA will collect complaints and the SBA will handle case management and resolution.  The SBA said in its announcement of the memorandum of understanding that the Trump administration has taken a posture of believing the plight of farmers and ranchers first, and seeking justification for the regulations and legal actions that allegedly burden them.  “The goal is to identify patterns of abuse and eliminate regulations that drive up costs and drive down productivity,” stated the SBA. “Family farmers do not have the time or legal resources to fight back when Washington gets it wrong. Under POTUS, we are answering to the producers who power this country, not the bureaucrats who hold them back. SBA and @USDA have signed a new MOU to help farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses report costly federal rules and lawfare. Under this partnership, USDA will collect complaints and share them with SBA for case management and resolution. The goal is to identify patterns… pic.twitter.com/qAM3KnLA2l — SBA (@SBAgov) July 2, 2026 USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said their agency’s Lawfare Portal received over 600 submissions from producers across 47 states, including Arizona, who she says were “unfairly targeted by their own government.”  The USDA launched its Lawfare Portal last April in the wake of a high-profile criminal trespass trial involving a South Dakota ranching couple in a land dispute with the U.S. Forest Service. Like the Arizona families at Thursday’s event, the South Dakota couple’s family have worked the land for over 100 years. There is still so much more work to do. Since launching USDA's Lawfare Portal last April, we've received more than 600 submissions from producers across 47 states—farmers and ranchers who have been unfairly targeted by their own government. We review every single case because… pic.twitter.com/KLg0w1ykR5 — Secretary Brooke Rollins (@SecRollins) July 2, 2026 AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link. The post Rep. Crane Backs Federal Plan To Address “Lawfare” Complaints From Farmers And Ranchers first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b7832c2ca79de23646409 Stand For Health Freedom Endorses Biggs In Arizona Governor’s Race te 2026-07-06T09:41:06.006Z Stand For Health Freedom Endorses Biggs In Arizona Governor’s Race By Matthew Holloway | Stand for Health Freedom has endorsed U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs in Arizona’s governor race, adding another national organization to the growing list of groups and elected officials backing his campaign. The endorsement was announced Wednesday by the organization and the Biggs campaign. Stand for Health Freedom, which describes itself as a grassroots organization representing nearly one million Americans, advocates for policies centered on medical freedom, informed consent, parental rights, religious liberty, privacy, and free speech. According to the organization, it endorsed Biggs based on his record supporting those issues. @andybiggs4az has a proven track record of taking a stand for health freedom, we are proud to endorse his race for Governor! https://t.co/CqSumVeHSu — Stand for Health Freedom (@standforhealth1) July 2, 2026 “We must protect the medical freedoms of Arizonans and ensure everyone can make the right health decisions for their families,” Biggs said in a statement. “From my bipartisan work in passing Right to Try legislation in Congress to pushing back against outrageous and nonsensical COVID mandates, I’ve fought for the MAHA agenda throughout my time as a legislator. As Governor, I’ll make sure Arizona is the healthiest and freest state in the country so our citizens can thrive and prosper without government overreach into health decisions. I thank the Stand for Health Freedom coalition for their support and I look forward to getting their many Arizona members out to vote in 2026.” The campaign said Biggs has made outreach to supporters of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement a key component of his gubernatorial campaign, including discussing MAHA priorities during the June Republican gubernatorial debate, television interviews, and meetings with health freedom advocates. The endorsement comes as health freedom legislation and medical autonomy continue to be active issues in Arizona politics. Lawmakers introduced numerous bills addressing vaccines, medical interventions, parental rights, and informed consent during this year’s legislative session, reflecting the continued prominence of health policy debates that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Biggs has built much of his congressional record around limiting federal involvement in health care decisions. In December 2025, he introduced the Putting Patients First Healthcare Freedom Act, a legislative package consolidating conservative health care proposals focused on expanding health savings accounts, increasing price transparency, strengthening health care sharing ministries, and other market-based reforms. Biggs also co-sponsored the Right to Try for Individualized Treatments Act alongside Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), the companion of a Senate measure from Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI). According to the campaign, the endorsement adds to support Biggs has already received from President Donald Trump, the late Charlie Kirk, Erika Kirk, U.S. Reps. Eli Crane, Paul Gosar, and Abe Hamadeh, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Maricopa County Supervisors Debbie Lesko and Mark Stewart, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller, along with several conservative organizations and more than 40 current and former Arizona legislators. The campaign further cited multiple publicly released polls showing Biggs leading the Republican gubernatorial primary field, including surveys conducted by Noble Predictive Insights, Emerson College, GrayHouse, Pulse Decision Science, NextGen Polling, and Stealth Analytics. It also reported raising approximately $2.7 million during the 2026 election cycle while reporting roughly $1.1 million cash on hand. 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 Stand For Health Freedom Endorses Biggs In Arizona Governor’s Race first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b781dc2ca79de23646400 ICE Facility Project In Surprise Paused Pending Environmental Review Agreement te 2026-07-06T09:40:45.540Z ICE Facility Project In Surprise Paused Pending Environmental Review Agreement By Staff Reporter | The planned opening of a new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Arizona has been delayed. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ICE, and Attorney General Kris Mayes have entered an agreement to pause the conversion of a property in Surprise into an immigration detention center pending an environmental review.  Mayes sued to halt the property conversion in April, claiming DHS and ICE failed to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).  The agreement reached on Tuesday acknowledged the Trump administration’s duty to adhere to the former through an environmental analysis, but didn’t address the latter allegation pertaining to the federal government’s duty to arrange for “appropriate” places for immigration detention.  Mayes described the agreement as a “significant win” in a press release issued on Wednesday. “Federal agencies must complete the environmental review process required by federal law before moving forward with these types of projects,” said Mayes. This agreement is a significant win for the people of Surprise and for the rule of law. Federal agencies must complete the environmental review process required by federal law before moving forward with these types of projects. Press Release: https://t.co/dotlFZXPFR pic.twitter.com/ox62Aonuj8 — AZ Attorney General Kris Mayes (@AZAGMayes) July 1, 2026 Similar legal challenges alleging NEPA noncompliance have impacted other immigration detention facility projects in other states: Maryland, Michigan, and New Jersey. The Trump administration initially attempted to argue its conversion projects were exempt from the NEPA, but after losing to a challenge in Maryland the administration pivoted on its approach to the Michigan and New Jersey challenges to agree to environmental reviews.  Environmental reviews take typically months, if not years, to complete. However, the Trump administration has recently made a point of expediting environmental reviews in other politically pressing situations.  Last spring, the Department of the Interior announced it would accelerate the review process to be completed in under a month in order to meet the demands of President Donald Trump’s declaration of a National Energy Emergency.  No reports have emerged indicating that the Trump administration plans to undertake similar expediting measures to get the Surprise or other planned immigration detention facilities up and running.  There may not be much of a desire for an expedited turnaround given another recent development.  New leadership within the Trump administration has indicated plans to reverse course on the national buildout of additional detention facilities. ICE announced last month that it would be selling or passing along to other agencies seven of the 11 facilities it had initially purchased to convert into detention facilities. The Surprise facility wasn’t among the seven facilities identified for offloading. Kristi Noem, former DHS secretary, had directed the facility purchases and guided the conversion plans. The new DHS secretary, Markwayne Mullin, said in a statement to The New York Times that ICE would be prioritizing plans that facilitated the expedited removal of illegal aliens, not prolonged “hous[ing of them] on American soil at the taxpayer’s expense.” Instead, DHS will maximize the use of existing detention space through state and county partners.  At present, ICE has four facilities in Arizona: the Central Arizona Florence Correctional Center in Florence, the Florence Service Processing Center in Florence, the Eloy Detention Center in Eloy, and the San Luis Regional Detention Center in San Luis. AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link. The post ICE Facility Project In Surprise Paused Pending Environmental Review Agreement first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b7185c2ca79de23646319 GINGRICH, JINDAL: Seniors deserve to age at home without scams draining Medicare dollars te 2026-07-06T09:12:37.425Z GINGRICH, JINDAL: Seniors deserve to age at home without scams draining Medicare dollars One of the most important transformations in American healthcare is taking place outside hospitals and nursing homes. Advances in artificial intelligence, telehealth, remote monitoring, home health services, and new care delivery models are making it possible for more Americans to receive high-quality care in the place they most want to be: their own homes. For seniors, this transformation represents an extraordinary opportunity. Most older Americans want to remain in their homes, maintaining their independence and connection to family and community. Aging in place is not simply a personal preference. It is a matter of dignity and quality of life. NEWT GINGRICH: ALZHEIMER’S IS WAGING A WAR ON MILLIONS. CONGRESS COULD HELP US WIN IT President Donald Trump recognized this reality when he pledged to help seniors remain in their homes longer. Since returning to office, his administration has taken meaningful steps toward this goal. Earlier this year, President Trump signed legislation extending Medicare's Acute Hospital Care at Home program through 2030, allowing eligible seniors to receive hospital-level care without leaving their homes. His administration has continued implementation of the GUIDE dementia model, helping patients with Alzheimer's disease and related conditions remain at home longer while supporting family caregivers. It has also preserved Medicare telehealth flexibilities that allow more care to be delivered directly to patients rather than requiring unnecessary trips to hospitals and clinics. Together, these initiatives point toward a broader vision for healthcare: bringing care to the patient rather than forcing patients into institutions. For many seniors, this means receiving care in a more comfortable setting while maintaining greater independence and stronger family connections. Yet the success of home-based care depends on public confidence that these programs are operating as intended. Unfortunately, recent years have revealed that some of the very programs designed to help seniors remain independent have become attractive targets for fraud. Home health services, hospice care, personal care services, and other home-based benefits have increasingly been exploited by bad actors seeking to profit from Medicare and Medicaid. DR OZ SAYS 800 HOSPICE PROVIDERS SUSPENDED IN CALIFORNIA OVER ALLEGED $1B MEDICARE FRAUD SCHEME The examples are troubling. In Los Angeles County, investigators identified an extraordinary concentration of hospice and home health providers, including more than 100 hospices operating from a single office building. Investigators have also uncovered sophisticated home health fraud networks that repeatedly cycled the same Medicare beneficiaries among multiple agencies to generate new rounds of federal payments while avoiding traditional fraud detection systems. While it’s not specific to eldercare, the recent announcement that more than 1 million people signed up for Obamacare benefits without valid Social Security numbers is alarming. Every major expansion of healthcare benefits depends on public trust. If taxpayers conclude these programs are vulnerable to widespread waste and abuse, support for continued expansion will weaken, honest providers will face greater scrutiny, and seniors who rely on these services may ultimately pay the price. I'M OHIO'S STATE AUDITOR — MEDICAID FRAUD IS NOT JUST A WASHINGTON PROBLEM This is why President Trump's efforts to combat fraud deserve as much attention as his efforts to expand access. The administration has launched major healthcare fraud investigations, established a government-wide anti-fraud task force chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance, expanded enforcement efforts in known fraud hotspots, and increased scrutiny of providers suspected of abusing federal healthcare programs. These efforts are not separate from the administration's broader commitment to helping seniors age in place. They are an essential part of making that vision sustainable. The administration's six-month hospice enrollment moratorium should be viewed as an opportunity to strengthen the system. The objective is not to repeatedly extend temporary restrictions, but to use this period to improve provider screening, ownership verification, and oversight so legitimate providers can continue expanding access to care. Success should not be measured by the number of moratoria we impose. It should be measured by whether we build a system strong enough that we no longer need them. Recent scandals also reveal a deeper challenge. The federal government provides most of the funding for these programs, but oversight responsibilities are divided among states, contractors, accrediting organizations, and multiple federal agencies. When hundreds of providers operate from the same address, suspicious ownership structures persist for years, or known fraud hotspots continue to expand unchecked, it should be clear who is responsible for identifying and investigating those risks. Strengthening provider enrollment standards, verifying the true owners behind home health and hospice companies, and improving coordination among federal and state oversight agencies should all be important priorities moving forward. Regulators should also modernize fraud detection systems by looking not only at suspicious providers, but also at suspicious patterns of beneficiary enrollment and movement across multiple providers. Artificial intelligence systems could greatly help this effort. Seniors should receive clear notification whenever they are enrolled in home health or hospice services, making it far more difficult for fraudulent operators to exploit beneficiaries without their knowledge. America’s aging population will make home-based care increasingly important in the years ahead. President Trump deserves credit both for expanding these options and for recognizing that they must be protected from fraud if they are to achieve their full potential. Helping more Americans remain in their homes as they age and protecting taxpayers from abuse are not competing priorities. They are two parts of the same mission. If we want more seniors to age with dignity, independence, and security, we must continue expanding home-based care while ensuring that these programs remain worthy of the public's trust. Bobby Jindal was the governor of Louisiana from 2008-2016 and a candidate for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. He chairs the Center for a Healthy America at the America First Policy Institute. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b7171c2ca79de23646310 STEVE MOORE: Politicians are blaming the wrong villain for America’s rising food prices te 2026-07-06T09:12:17.961Z STEVE MOORE: Politicians are blaming the wrong villain for America’s rising food prices When food prices rise, politicians and activists alike instinctively look for a villain to blame. Amid current instability, many will be tempted to settle on domestic manufacturers as the scapegoat for skyrocketing prices. This narrative might be politically convenient for some, but it gets the economics of global supply chains exactly backwards. The real reason the price of key inputs in American food supply — like fertilizer — is rising is not corporate greed or mismanagement. It is a combination of global disruptions, geopolitical instability, and misguided government policies both here and abroad. All of these factors have come together to make it harder to produce the inputs on which American agriculture relies. Fertilizer, for example, is one of the most important building blocks of the global food supply chain. Without it, crop yields fall. When crop yields fall, food production also declines, causing grocery bills to rise. Yet fertilizer does not appear out of thin air. It relies on a complex combination of materials such as sulfur, ammonia and phosphate rock. TRUMP DECLARES FOOD SUPPLY EMERGENCY, SUSPENDS TARIFFS ON KEY FERTILIZER IMPORTS These raw materials are sourced from all corners of the world and rely on international transportation networks. Many of these supply chains are currently under significant stress. The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine continues to disrupt key commodity markets and trade routes. Russia produced 7.5 million metric tons of sulfur last year, making it the third-largest producer in the world. This is because Russia is an oil-rich nation, and sulfur is a byproduct of oil refining. Lately, Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia’s oil and fertilizer infrastructure have drastically cut Russia’s ability to supply the world with sulfur. Russia’s ammonia exports have also fallen to roughly 80% below pre-war levels. IRAN WARNS SHIPS OF 'FORCEFUL RESPONSE' AS US-BACKED HORMUZ ROUTE CHALLENGES TEHRAN'S GRIP Tensions in the Middle East have only added to the uncertainty around energy production and shipping routes. With the Strait of Hormuz effectively at a standstill, roughly 16 million tons of fertilizer remain in limbo while geopolitical events remain unresolved. Additionally, roughly half of the world’s supply of sulfur transits the strait, adding more stress on key input costs. When supplies of critical raw materials shrink and the cost of accessing them rises, prices for consumers will also naturally rise. As unfortunate as this is, it is not evidence of a market failure. On the contrary, this is the market responding to scarcity as it would in any other scenario. The bright economic minds of this administration must realize this. If policymakers want to lower prices for Americans, it would be a mistake to punish producers. The answer is to find ways to increase supply, relieving the pressure created by global uncertainty. CHAD WOLF: AMERICA CANNOT IGNORE CHINA’S ECONOMIC ATTACK ON US INDUSTRY This starts with eliminating policies that unnecessarily raise costs for domestic manufacturers. Permitting delays, burdensome regulations, and restrictions on energy development all make it more difficult to produce fertilizer in the U.S. America has abundant resources and tremendous production capability. Policymakers should be doing everything possible to ensure American companies can source the raw materials they need right here at home. At the same time, policymakers need to be clear-eyed about misguided trade practices. Whenever possible, we need to source inputs from a variety of trusted partners, both foreign and domestic, to help meet our domestic demand. Many overseas producers are facing the same squeeze. This would be akin to trying to fill an empty glass with an empty pitcher. The root problem remains. Meanwhile, countries like China are exacerbating the issue with unfair trade practices of their own. China is the world’s second-largest exporter of fertilizer. However, China has restricted the export of fertilizer and its raw inputs, like sulfuric acid. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION American leaders must pursue a policy that promotes a level playing field and diversified supply chains that are not subject to global unrest. This is not only good economics but wise food security policy. If these issues persist until next year’s planting season, Americans will feel the sting even more than they have this year, when many farmers had already purchased their fertilizer in advance of these disruptions. The laws of economics have not changed. When supplies are constrained, prices rise. When food production and input supply rise again, prices will fall. If Washington is serious about lowering food costs and ensuring America stays well fed, it needs to stop searching for scapegoats. Addressing this crisis requires a look at the root causes. A traffic jam can’t be fixed by blaming the car at the back of the line. The obstacles in the road need to be cleared. There is no shortage of obstacles to address. America’s leaders need to fix their gaze there. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM STEPHEN MOORE Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b715ec2ca79de23646307 STEVE FORBES: Chuck Schumer has a beef with beef, but doesn’t even know how to grill it te 2026-07-06T09:11:58.504Z STEVE FORBES: Chuck Schumer has a beef with beef, but doesn’t even know how to grill it Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has never worked a cattle ranch. He has never run a meatpacking plant. And after America saw his backyard grilling stunt, it is fair to ask whether he knows how to properly grill a cheeseburger. Yet as Americans prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence this July 4th — in the heart of summer grilling season — Schumer wants Washington to muscle its way into the U.S. beef industry. What could possibly go wrong? TRUMP WILL WELCOME FARMERS AND RANCHERS TO WHITE HOUSE DINNER TO CELEBRATE TRADE, TAX WINS Plenty. Schumer’s so-called "Family Grocer and Farmer Relief Act" is classic Washington liberalism: find a real problem, misdiagnose the cause, prescribe a cure that makes things worse and call it "relief." We have seen this in healthcare, energy, housing and education. Politicians create or worsen a crisis, blame private enterprise and then use the pain as an excuse to expand government control. Beef prices are high. Families feel it every time they go to the grocery store. But the cause is not a cartoon conspiracy by meatpackers. It is basic economics: strong demand and tight supply. AMERICANS STILL CRAVE PROTEIN DESPITE RECORD BEEF PRICES AS EXPERT REVEALS THE 'HEALTHIEST BURGER' Retail beef demand rose sharply from 2019 to 2025, while America’s cattle herd fell to its lowest level in 75 years. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, total U.S. cattle and calves stood at just 86.2 million head as of Jan. 1, 2026. That is down sharply from Jan. 1, 2019, when the inventory stood at 94.8 million head, a drop of roughly 9% in seven years. The 2025 calf crop was a record-low 32.9 million head, the second consecutive year a new record low was set. That is not price gouging. That is supply and demand. For years, drought battered major cattle-producing states. Ranchers faced soaring feed, energy, land, labor and regulatory costs. Inflationary Biden-era policies — backed by Schumer and his allies — made everything more expensive for farmers, processors and consumers alike. Now Schumer wants to punish the very supply chain families depend on. Cattle are not widgets. Congress cannot pass a bill and produce more beef. Chickens can be raised for market in weeks. Beef cattle take years. From the birth of a heifer to the point where her offspring can ultimately enter beef production, the process can take roughly three years. That long cycle depends on weather, feed, financing, land, labor, trade policy and confidence that government will not suddenly change the rules midstream. No Senate press conference can speed up biology. The facts on meatpacking also demolish the Democratic price-gouging narrative. Beef packer margins in 2025 averaged a loss of roughly $138 per head. Tyson Foods reported an operating loss of more than $1 billion in its beef division that year. These are not the numbers of monopolists pocketing windfall profits. They are the numbers of a capital-intensive industry squeezed by the tightest cattle supply in more than three generations. But Schumer’s bill ignores all that. It also ignores the damage done by years of anti-business policies imposed by the same politicians now pretending to be champions of consumers. Instead of lowering costs, reducing regulatory barriers, encouraging investment, expanding processing capacity and keeping trade channels open, Schumer wants Washington to politically restructure the beef industry in the middle of a supply crunch. That is economic malpractice. Breaking up companies may make for good populist sound bites, but it is rarely clean, quick or cheap. In meat processing, forced restructuring would mean duplicated infrastructure, higher financing costs, stalled investment, litigation and uncertainty across the supply chain. The likely result: fewer efficiencies, less capacity, more risk and higher prices at the meat counter. Wealthy shoppers buying prime cuts from boutique butchers may barely notice. Working families buying ground beef for burgers, tacos, meatloaf and weeknight dinners will. There is a better way. Washington should reduce the cost pressures that made beef more expensive in the first place. Ease unnecessary regulatory burdens on farmers, ranchers and processors. Lower energy and transportation costs. Keep import and export markets open during changing supply cycles. Reduce tariff and input-cost pressures that make herd rebuilding slower and more expensive. Most of all, let markets work. And let us not forget who is pushing this scheme. Schumer’s allies include the Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., wing of politics — the same crowd that has spent years demonizing beef, lecturing Americans about what they eat, and flirting with Green New Deal ideas that would make food, fuel and electricity more expensive. One day they tell us to eat less beef to save the planet. The next day they pretend to be shocked that beef is more expensive. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION America’s beef market will recover, but not if Washington turns a supply problem into a government-control problem. Herds can be rebuilt. Investment can return. Prices can ease. But that requires stability, lower costs and confidence — not politicians threatening to remake an entire industry for a campaign talking point. As America marks 250 years of independence, we should remember what made this country prosperous: private enterprise, property rights, limited government and free markets. Chuck Schumer may not know how to grill a cheeseburger. But he should know enough not to burn down the beef industry. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM STEVE FORBES Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b7137c2ca79de236462fc Research Universities Are Admitting Fewer Ph.D.s, a Bad Sign for Science te 2026-07-06T09:11:19.591Z Research Universities Are Admitting Fewer Ph.D.s, a Bad Sign for Science Some of the nation’s top research universities are shrinking doctoral programs because of uncertain federal funding. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b7124c2ca79de236462f3 Prosecutors to Detail Case Against Man Accused of Killing Charlie Kirk te 2026-07-06T09:11:00.137Z Prosecutors to Detail Case Against Man Accused of Killing Charlie Kirk A judge will determine whether there is enough evidence to go to trial. Mr. Kirk’s widow and parents are expected to be in court. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b7110c2ca79de236462ea In Trump’s Second Midterm, Democrats Are Looking for Fighters te 2026-07-06T09:10:40.678Z In Trump’s Second Midterm, Democrats Are Looking for Fighters Attitudes in the party have shifted, Democrats say, with a growing appetite for outsider candidates vowing to overhaul the system. Some worry that the trend could be costly in November. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b70fcc2ca79de236462d6 Smart glasses maker Even Realities hits $1B valuation with $150M funding led by Meituan, Tencent te 2026-07-06T09:10:20.719Z Smart glasses maker Even Realities hits $1B valuation with $150M funding led by Meituan, Tencent Even Realities, an ex-Apple team building camera-free smart glasses, raised $150M from Meituan and Tencent at a $1B valuation. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b67ddc2ca79de236458c9 Best Bets: Monday, July 6, 2026 te 2026-07-06T08:31:25.235Z Best Bets: Monday, July 6, 2026 Coming Up Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b67c9c2ca79de236458c0 Davis Dam releases for July 6 te 2026-07-06T08:31:05.266Z Davis Dam releases for July 6 Monday Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b67b5c2ca79de236458b7 Gas prices July 6 te 2026-07-06T08:30:45.305Z Gas prices July 6 National average: $3.84 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b5990c2ca79de23645374 Preservation cases head to planning te 2026-07-06T07:30:24.177Z Preservation cases head to planning The Historic Preservation overlay zoning case for Acacia Library will be heard by the North Mountain Village Planning Committee on July 15 (photo by Kathryn M. Miller). At its June 15 meeting, the Historic Preservation Commission unanimously recommended two North Central properties for Historic Preservation Overlay zoning. The first, case number Z-34-26-3, is Acacia Library, located at 750 E. Townley Ave. The library was designed by Bennie M. Gonzales Associates and opened to the public on Jan. 5, 1969. The second, case number Z-35-26-6, is Roman Roads, a 24-unit townhome complex located at 1691 E. Maryland Ave. Primarily designed by Alfred Newman Beadle, the first five buildings were built between 1963-1964. The Roman Roads case will be heard by the Camelback East Village Planning Committee (VPC) on July 7. The Acacia Library case will be heard by the North Mountain VPC on July 15. Both will be presented to the Planning Commission on Aug. 6, and City Council on Sept. 9. Learn more at www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/pdd/historic-preservation.html. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b528cc2ca79de23645234 Idaho mom who claimed vaccines killed her twin babies charged with murdering her kids te 2026-07-06T07:00:28.124Z Idaho mom who claimed vaccines killed her twin babies charged with murdering her kids An Idaho mother who claimed her twins died last year after receiving vaccinations has now been charged with murder in connection with the death of the 18-month-olds. Andrea Shaw, 23, was indicted on two counts of first-degree murder, the Payette Police Department announced last week. She was arrested in Boise on Tuesday. Police previously said the boy and girl were found dead in a shared bed on May 1, 2025. TODDLER DECLARED DEAD AFTER NEAR-DROWNING WAS FOUND ALIVE IN HOSPITAL MORGUE HOURS LATER, POLICE SAY Police did not publicly state the kids' cause of death, but an indictment filed in Payette accuses Shaw of killing her twin toddlers, Dallas and Tyson, by suffocation, according to KTVB. Just days after their children died, Shaw and her husband appeared on a podcast funded by Children's Health Defense, an anti-vaccine group previously led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., in which she alleged that the twins became sick and died shortly after receiving three vaccinations. Shaw's attorney, Joe Filicetti, said he still believes the children's deaths were linked to the vaccinations without providing evidence to support that claim. "They were looking at it as a vaccine death, and that's still what I believe it to be," he told KTVB. Filicetti also said Shaw recently gave birth to another baby prematurely through a cesarean section and that her husband is taking care of the child. Shaw was initially held at the Ada County Jail before being extradited to Payette County. She is being held on a $2 million bond. BOYFRIEND ACCUSED OF STABBING DEFENSE TECH ENGINEER 15 TIMES DENIED BOND AFTER 911 CALL PLAYED IN COURT She appeared virtually for her arraignment at the Payette County District court on Thursday. During the hearing, the court read the charges and informed her of the potential penalties, including the possibility of the death penalty. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b46cec2ca79de236450b2 This humanoid robotics company is going public, but its CEO isn’t promising a robot in your home anytime soon te 2026-07-06T06:10:22.165Z This humanoid robotics company is going public, but its CEO isn’t promising a robot in your home anytime soon While other humanoid startups chase sky-high valuations, Agility Robotics is betting its future on execution — and a SPAC. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b2aacc2ca79de23644ab2 Accused Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson fights back as prosecutors' sprawling case comes into focus te 2026-07-06T04:10:20.885Z Accused Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson fights back as prosecutors' sprawling case comes into focus PROVO, Utah – Tyler Robinson, the 23-year-old man accused of assassinating Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University last year, is due in court Monday for a week-long preliminary hearing that will determine whether prosecutors have enough evidence to move the case toward trial. While in many cases, prosecutors secure a grand jury indictment behind closed doors and without giving defense lawyers a chance to challenge the evidence, Robinson was charged by information, meaning prosecutors must establish probable cause at a public preliminary hearing before the case can move to trial. Defense attorneys will be able to cross-examine witnesses. But unlike an actual trial, there is a lower burden of proof. Prosecutors need to show probable cause for the charges against Robinson. They do not have to prove guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. That comes at trial, in front of a jury. CHARLIE KIRK'S PARENTS, WIDOW TO ATTEND TYLER ROBINSON'S PRELIMINARY HEARING NEXT WEEK Kirk, a 31-year-old father of two, was speaking at a TPUSA event in front of thousands of young people when a sniper's bullet fatally struck him in the neck. His widow and parents are expected to attend the hearing. Prosecutors have alleged that investigators found Robinson's DNA on the trigger of the suspected murder weapon, his grandfather's Mauser rifle; a towel they found wrapped around it; three of the four bullets inside — and a screwdriver recovered near the suspected rooftop sniper's perch. Digital evidence against Robinson is expected to include alleged confessions over text messages and the Discord communications app. ALLEGED CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSIN TYLER ROBINSON'S ROOMMATE AND LOVER RECEIVED LIMITED IMMUNITY: PROSECUTORS Police recovered the rifle in a patch of woods near the UVU campus, along the suspect's escape route. Robinson is accused of sending text messages to his lover, Lance Twiggs, about wanting to retrieve the rifle, and law enforcement sources have said he is believed to have come face-to-face with an officer manning the perimeter nearby. "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." Twiggs, whom Robinson allegedly left a handwritten note confessing to the crime, is cooperating with investigators and has not been charged. CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION SUSPECT'S LAWYERS MIRROR NOTORIOUS KILLER'S TACTICAL DELAY STRATEGY: FMR PROSECUTOR While the suspect's lover won't take the witness stand at the week-long preliminary hearing, prosecutors are expected to play a video of his interview with police. While Robinson's defense played up the fact the ATF was unable to conclusively match the bullet that killed Kirk to the Mauser, analysts couldn't rule it out either. They found it was a consistent caliber and recovered a spent casing that did match. Witnesses are also expected to place Robinson at the scene — when he lived a four-hour drive away in Washington, Utah. In addition to allegedly shooting Kirk, he is also accused of witness tampering, committing a violent offense in the presence of a child, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors have alleged Robinson targeted Kirk because of his political views, tried to conceal the rifle and the clothes he wore during the shooting and urged Twiggs to delete incriminating messages, destroy the note and stay silent if police questioned him. Robinson has not yet entered a plea and won't be required to do so unless prosecutors prevail at the preliminary hearing. The top charge against him, aggravated murder, carries the potential death penalty. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b286dc2ca79de23644a85 2026 Rockets Over the River te 2026-07-06T04:00:45.416Z 2026 Rockets Over the River The 36th annual Rockets Over the River fireworks display, presented July 4 by the Laughlin Chamber of Commerce and the City of Bullhead City, lit up the sky for a 19 minutes of brilliant colors in the finale of the… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b25fec2ca79de23644a14 England stuns Mexico 3-2 in instant World Cup classic, hands team first World Cup loss at Estadio Azteca te 2026-07-06T03:50:22.256Z England stuns Mexico 3-2 in instant World Cup classic, hands team first World Cup loss at Estadio Azteca One of the tournament's instant classics unfolded Sunday at the historic Estadio Azteca, where 87,500 screaming fans created a deafening atmosphere. England weathered the storm, silencing the sea of green with a ruthless finishing display to escape with a dramatic 3-2 victory. Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane combined to crush El Tri's World Cup dreams. El Tri is a popular nickname for the Mexican men's national team.  WORLD CUP ROUND OF 32 SOCCER PREVIEW AS ENGLAND, BELGIUM AND USA ALL SEEK REGULATION WINS ON A PACKED DAY In a stunning two-minute span in the first half, Bellingham struck twice, leaving Mexico's defense completely shell-shocked. But before halftime, Julian Quinones gave El Tri a lifeline. He buried a clutch goal, trimming the deficit to 2-1. The second half was as electric as the first. USA WORLD CUP STAR CALLS LACK OF APPEAL PROCESS FOR TEAMMATE'S RED CARD 'BOGUS' In the 53rd minute, England went down to 10 men after Jarell Quansah was shown a straight red card. Suddenly, the momentum appeared to swing in Mexico's favor. Instead of capitalizing on the numerical advantage, however, Mexico gifted England a golden opportunity. Goalkeeper Raul Rangel recklessly brought down Anthony Gordon inside the penalty area, conceding a spot kick. Captain Harry Kane calmly stepped up and buried the penalty, restoring England's two-goal cushion at 3-1. Still, Mexico refused to fold. In the 69th minute, the referee pointed to the spot once again, awarding Mexico a penalty after another frantic sequence inside England's box. Raul Jimenez confidently converted, cutting the deficit to 3-2 and setting up an edgy finish. From there, England dug in, despite being down to 10 men. England absorbed wave after wave of Mexican pressure before hanging on for a gritty 3-2 victory, advancing to the quarterfinals against Norway. England booked its place in the quarterfinals and handed Mexico its first-ever World Cup defeat at the Estadio. Traveling England supporters celebrated by belting out "Wonderwall" one more time. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4b079bc2ca79de2364462c NYC health officials warn Central Park visitors after Legionnaires’ outbreak grows on Upper East Side te 2026-07-06T01:40:43.612Z NYC health officials warn Central Park visitors after Legionnaires’ outbreak grows on Upper East Side A Legionnaires’ disease outbreak on Manhattan’s Upper East Side has grown to 14 confirmed cases, New York City health officials said Sunday. The cases are tied to ZIP codes 10028, 10128 and 10075, covering parts of the Upper East Side, including Yorkville and Carnegie Hill. At least one patient lives, works or recently visited the 10075 area, health officials said. Officials are also urging anyone who spent time along the east side of Central Park between East 76th Street and East 97th Street to watch for flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, chills and muscle aches. MYSTERY PARASITE LEAVES AMERICANS BATTLING ‘EXPLOSIVE' ILLNESS AS CDC INVESTIGATES "I want to acknowledge the NYC Health Department’s staff of epidemiologists, water ecologists, community health workers, and many more who spent the last few days working to keep New Yorkers on the Upper East Side informed and safe," NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin said in a statement. Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. People can become infected by breathing in contaminated water droplets, and the illness can be dangerous — even deadly — without quick treatment. WEST NILE VIRUS DETECTED IN SOUTHERN STATE AS HEALTH OFFICIALS WARN RESIDENTS ABOUT MOSQUITOES The source of the outbreak remains under investigation. Officials say they are testing cooling towers in the affected area as a possible source, though no specific source has been identified. Cooling towers, often found on rooftops, can release mist carrying Legionella bacteria. The Health Department said all cooling towers in the affected area are being tested. The cluster was first announced Thursday, when only two cases had been confirmed. The area of investigation has since expanded as more illnesses were reported. RARE TICK-BORNE VIRUS TURNS DEADLY FAST AS US CASES REACH RECORD HIGH, EXPERTS WARN "We identified the cluster early when there were just two confirmed cases, and we’ve acted swiftly and decisively, setting holiday plans aside to step up for our fellow New Yorkers. There is more work to do in the days ahead as we learn more about the source of exposure and confirmed cases," Martin said.  New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the outbreak is not tied to building plumbing or indoor air conditioning units, and residents in the area can safely drink tap water, bathe, shower, cook and use their AC at home. Officials said they will continue providing updates as more information becomes available. "Please contact a health care provider immediately if you live, work or visited the area since late June and are experiencing flu-like symptoms, such as cough, fever or difficulty breathing," Mamdani wrote on X. Last summer, a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Central Harlem led to more than 100 confirmed illnesses, according to FOX 5. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4afe26c2ca79de236444f7 How Trump Put Himself in the Middle of America’s 250th te 2026-07-06T01:00:22.780Z How Trump Put Himself in the Middle of America’s 250th The president placed his image and initiatives front and center, blurring the line, critics said, between loyalty to nation and loyalty to him. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4afbccc2ca79de236444a4 First American Woman Rows Solo From California to Hawaii te 2026-07-06T00:50:20.459Z First American Woman Rows Solo From California to Hawaii Kelsey Pfendler, a Grand Canyon river-rafting guide, completed the journey of more than 2,300 miles in a rowboat named Lily in just under 44 days, according to data from the Ocean Rowing Society International. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4af516c2ca79de236443e4 Georgia teacher receives almost $300K settlement over Charlie Kirk assassination post te 2026-07-06T00:21:42.360Z Georgia teacher receives almost $300K settlement over Charlie Kirk assassination post Former Georgia teacher Michelle Mickens settled her lawsuit with the Oglethorpe County School District on Wednesday after claiming she was unfairly punished over quotes related to Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk after his assassination. In October, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) filed a lawsuit on behalf of Mickens after she was placed on indefinite leave and reportedly encouraged to resign for making controversial comments about Kirk's assassination on her private Facebook page in September. "I think it's worth it. I think it's worth to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights.- Charlie Kirk," her initial post read. MARYLAND TEACHER FACES CALLS FOR RESIGNATION OVER CONTROVERSIAL CHARLIE KIRK MEME Mickens later took part in a discussion with a Facebook friend who disagreed with her post, where she condemned political violence but added that the world was "safer" without Kirk. "Yeah, you took this way too far. You make a lot of horrible assumptions here, but that says more about you than it does about me. I don’t condone violence of any kind, and I certainly don’t condone this, but he was a horrible person, a fascist full of hate for anyone who was different," Mickens wrote. Her post continued, "While I’m sad that we live in a country where gun violence is an epidemic, the world is a bit safer without him. I didn’t respect him at all, and he’s part of the hatred and vitriolic language we hear so much now. I pray that without him, people can be kinder and more tolerant to one another." MIKE DAVIS: CHICAGOLAND, WHERE TEACHERS CAN SUPPORT CHARLIE KIRK'S KILLING, BUT NOT ICE After a former classmate shared the post across X, Mickens was called to the office to address a complaint regarding her comments. Mickens claimed that while the principal and superintendent initially suggested she delete the post and issue an apology, she was later asked to remain home with access to her school emails revoked. According to records obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Mickens received approximately $270,420 for "alleged emotional distress" as well as $17,080 to cover legal fees. Mickens also agreed to not seek employment at the district again. Fox News Digital reached out to the Oglethorpe County School District superintendent and SPLC for comment. PROFESSOR FIGHTING DISMISSAL FOR CALLING CHARLIE KIRK A 'NAZI' HANDED LEGAL WIN, FUELING FREE SPEECH DEBATE In a press release after the settlement, SPLC senior supervising attorney Sam Boyd said, "We are pleased to reach a mutually amicable settlement of this matter. As courts across the country have recognized in other cases involving firings over comments about Charlie Kirk, and many other topics, ‘public school employees, including teachers, have a constitutionally protected right to free speech.’" In the immediate days following Kirk's assassination at Utah Valley University, several teachers faced suspension and even termination for social media comments that justified or celebrated Kirk's death. Since then, some teachers have been reinstated following controversial statements or lawsuits. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4af502c2ca79de236443db How to watch USA vs Belgium: Live stream the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 te 2026-07-06T00:21:22.904Z How to watch USA vs Belgium: Live stream the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 Momentum is in full gear for Team USA following their win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32. And what was originally a bittersweet ending in the San Francisco Bay Area due to the red card to striker Folarin Balogun has since changed thanks to FIFA’s announcement that the USMNT star will be able to play in the Round of 16 against Belgium on Monday night. Balogun’s controversial red card, which came in the 64th minute of the 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, changed the trajectory of the USMNT’s hopes to make a World Cup Final run. After all, Balogun has been the perfect striker for this squad since the start of the tournament, securing his third World Cup goal in the Round of 32. WATCH THE WORLD CUP FINAL ON FOX ONE FIFA MAKES FINAL RULING ON US SOCCER STAR FOLARIN BALOGUN'S CONTROVERSIAL RED CARD SUSPENSION However, Balogun will now be available for the U.S. in a stunning twist following the uproar over his red card. The Athletic, which first reported Balogun’s playing status on Sunday, noted that part of FIFA’s disciplinary code is "the judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure." "If the person benefiting from a suspended sanction commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked by the judicial body and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement," the rule added. FOX Sports also confirmed that Balogun would be able to play. The report noted that the play should not have been flagged to head referee Raphael Claus, who ultimately gave Balogun the red card after a VAR review. WATCH USA VS BELGIUM In turn, head coach Mauricio Pochettino will be able to run with his regular starting XI instead of having to figure out what to do about Balogun. On the other side, Belgium was 10 minutes plus stoppage time away from a shocker against Senegal in the Round of 32. Senegal owned a 2-0 lead late in the second half, but Belgium was able to force extra time with some clutch goals from Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans. BELGIUM COMPLETES STUNNING WORLD CUP COMEBACK AGAINST SENEGAL TO SET UP POTENTIAL SHOWDOWN WITH USA In extra time, just before a penalty shootout appeared to be the only way to solve the deadlock, a foul was committed by Senegal in their own box, and Tielemans was awarded a penalty to decide the match. The veteran didn’t squander the opportunity, and Belgium kept their World Cup alive. Now, both these squads will meet in Seattle, which was an electric atmosphere for the USMNT’s victory over Australia in the group stage. It’s expected to be even more raucous, as the U.S. aims to do what only one team in its history had done prior – reach the quarterfinals. Here's how to watch the game, including start time, TV information and streaming options. When: Monday, July 6 at 8 p.m. ET Where : Seattle Stadium, Seattle, Washington TV: FOX Stream: Watch on FOX One and FOX Sports Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4af4efc2ca79de236443d2 Pilot declares mayday before seaplane comes down in New York City’s East River te 2026-07-06T00:21:03.456Z Pilot declares mayday before seaplane comes down in New York City’s East River Eight people were rescued after a seaplane made a hard landing in New York City's East River on Sunday afternoon, prompting a swift emergency response from firefighters after the aircraft came down near the city's only seaplane terminal, officials said. The New York City Fire Department told Fox News Digital it received a call at 12:01 p.m. reporting a plane in the water near the NY Skyport at East 23rd Street and FDR Drive in Manhattan. Fire crews arrived to find the seaplane upright in the water. FDNY units removed all eight people aboard before the aircraft was towed back to a nearby dock, the department said. Two civilians suffered minor injuries but declined medical attention at the scene, according to the FDNY. No additional injuries were immediately reported. FAA PROBES JFK NEAR MISS AFTER ANOTHER RECENT CLOSE CALL FUELS SCRUTINY OF AIR TRAFFIC SAFETY The Federal Aviation Administration identified the aircraft as a Kodiak 100 seaplane and told Fox News Digital the pilot made a hard landing in the East River at about noon local time, causing a wing strut to snap. The aircraft departed East Hampton Airport on Long Island and was headed to the Skyport seaplane terminal in Manhattan, according to The New York Times and CNN. WATCH: HARROWING FOOTAGE CAPTURES MOMENT UNITED FLIGHT'S LANDING GEAR STRIKES TRACTOR TRAILER The NY Skyport on Manhattan's East Side is New York City's only seaplane terminal, serving scheduled and charter flights to destinations throughout the Northeast. The FAA said eight people were aboard the aircraft, which is registered as N726SH. The agency said it is investigating the incident and noted the information released Sunday is preliminary and subject to change. Air traffic control recordings captured the moments surrounding the incident, including the pilot declaring a mayday before the aircraft came down in the river. Separate radio traffic captured a New York City Police Department helicopter responding to reports of a "plane down in the water." HELICOPTER REPORTS NEAR MISS WITH RC PLANE NEAR JFK AFTER JETBLUE DRONE STRIKE Authorities have not identified the pilot or passengers, and it was not immediately clear what led to the hard landing. Video from the scene showed first responders surrounding the aircraft as it floated upright in the East River while rescue crews worked to remove those aboard. Additional video showed the seaplane being towed back toward the dock after the rescue operation concluded. The incident prompted a large emergency response to the East River waterfront as FDNY marine units and other first responders converged on the area. The FAA directed questions regarding the people on board to local authorities. Fox News Digital has reached out to the New York City Police Department for additional information. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4af040c2ca79de23644345 Erling Haaland fires Norway past Brazil to end up in World Cup quarterfinals for first time in history te 2026-07-06T00:01:04.352Z Erling Haaland fires Norway past Brazil to end up in World Cup quarterfinals for first time in history The Viking row continues on at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and it’s the superstar Erling Haaland who every Norwegian can thank for that after another masterful performance Sunday against Brazil. Norway is moving on to its first-ever quarterfinals at the World Cup after Haaland scored twice in the 2-1 victory over Brazil, which heads home earlier than they likely expected. But this tournament has proven Haaland, no matter how many touches he gets on the ball, is just like Thanos: he’s inevitable. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Norway, which had grade-A chances throughout the match, as did Brazil including a key penalty shot very early on, found yet another in the box when a short cross came across the goal front. The Brazil defense lost track of Haaland for a split second, and that’s all the 6-foot-5 Norwegian needed to leap and flick his head onto the ball, which went past goalkeeper Allison for the go-ahead goal. It was the 79th minute of the match, and it felt like that was finally the decider in a back-and-forth bout between these two countries. KYLIAN MBAPPÉ'S SEVENTH GOAL OF THE WORLD CUP LIFTS FRANCE PAST PARAGUAY IN PHYSICAL ROUND OF 16 MATCH Both keepers, including Norway’s Ørjan Nyland, had a tremendous match. But Nyland’s save on a penalty kick by Bruno Guimarães in the 14th minute changed the trajectory of this match. Many wondered why Vini Jr., a superstar who had four goals in the World Cup before this match, handed the ball to Guimarães to take his first career penalty for Brazil. And they were justified considering the result. Brazil had other threats on Norway, including a dangerous cross of the boot of Gabriel Martinelli in the first half, but Nyland once again kept the door slammed shut with a 0-0 draw. Haaland’s breakthrough late in the second half turned Norway into a defensive-minded squad, while Brazil, which had subbed in Neymar Jr. to the delight of the sold-out crowd in New Jersey, was trying desperately to tie things up again. But leave it to the Manchester City superstar striker to find an opening and exploit it. Haaland sealed victory for Norway when he inched the ball forward with his left foot just outside Brazil’s box and fired a low strike to the right side past the sprawling Allison to make it 2-0 at the 90th minute. There was no pomp and circumstance by Haaland, though his teammates screamed and jumped on his back. This is what he does – score goals. He now has seven in this World Cup, tying him with France's Kylian Mbappé and Argentina's Lionel Messi as they contend for the Golden Boot Award as the top goalscorer in the tournament. Brazil was awarded another penalty shot shortly after Haaland’s second goal, which Neymar took this time. After he and Nyland were seen jawing back and forth, Neymar buried the attempt, which was ultimately a consolation goal. He and Nyland exchanged words again, but Norway was the only ones delighted when the whistle blew at New York/New Jersey Stadium. This is Norway’s first World Cup in 28 years, and they’ve done more than just represent their country well. They’ve taken down a five-time champion in Brazil to keep their title hopes alive, and Haaland continues to play a large role in making it happen for his squad. It’s why there was no other person to lead that Viking row in the stands after the match, as Haaland gleefully banged the drum to orchestrate one of the best celebrations this tournament has seen throughout a fantastic World Cup. 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/6a4aeb8ec2ca79de236442ad How a 93-year-old soccer referee credits wartime rations and discipline for his longevity te 2026-07-05T23:41:02.033Z How a 93-year-old soccer referee credits wartime rations and discipline for his longevity At 93, sprightly referee Frank Foster is still brandishing red and yellow cards and running the field three times a week for his local soccer association. Having taken charge of around 5,500 matches over a 46-year officiating career, the great-grandfather credits his longevity and match-day stamina to a lifetime of healthy habits and a foundational diet, news agency SWNS reported. Foster puts his remarkable fitness down to the strict wartime rations he was fed as a teenager, noting that it ensured he grew up eating "healthy food" rather than "sweets and cakes." FITNESS EXPERT REVEALS 6 PILLARS OF STRENGTH TRAINING THAT OLDER ADULTS SHOULD MASTER Decades later, his game-day preparation is still fueled by wholesome nutrition, always starting with a morning bowl of oatmeal, cereal or marmalade on toast to give him the energy to last the full 90 minutes. The meal keeps him active enough to referee men's, women's and children's games, a hobby he jokes he will never blow the final whistle on. His sharp mind and authoritative presence on the field are just as strong as his physical endurance. A military veteran who aced his referee exam in 1980 with a 98% score, Foster relies on old-school discipline to keep matches under control, SWNS reported. 7 COMMON FITNESS MISTAKES OLDER ADULTS MAKE AND HOW TO AVOID THEM FOR BETTER WORKOUTS He believes modern elite officials are too "soft" and allow player antics to ruin the sport. To maintain order and keep players from acting out, he lays down strict ground rules before kickoff. He has no patience for intimidation or theatrical diving. "Those who go down like they have been shot, well, I would just book them," he said.  He is equally uncompromising when squads try to crowd him on the field. "I wouldn't let them surround me at all," Foster told SWNS. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES "I would say to the players, 'Stay where you are,' and 'If you move one more inch, I will give you a yellow card.' You need to stamp your authority and let them know who is in control." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER He also avoids the modern stress of video-reviewing plays, which he believes creates unnecessary "aggression and disappointment" over microscopic offside calls, adding, "I think it spoils the game." "Sometimes it is only the player's toe that is offside — it is ridiculous." TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Foster says he "never thought" he’d still be doing this at age 93, but he makes the most of that gift. He keeps his kit freshly washed, making sure it is "neat and tidy" for when he gets on that field. Foster, of South Yorkshire, England, also scrubs his black Adidas boots after every game, making sure they are "nice and clean" for his next match. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4add7ec2ca79de23643f03 Ex-NFL Pro Bowler Marcellus Wiley arrested, charged with domestic battery during Fourth of July te 2026-07-05T22:41:02.899Z Ex-NFL Pro Bowler Marcellus Wiley arrested, charged with domestic battery during Fourth of July Marcellus Wiley, the former NFL Pro Bowler and sports broadcaster, was arrested on charges of domestic battery on Saturday. Wiley was arrested by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, which court records showed. He is currently being held without bond. There have been no additional details provided on Wiley’s arrest. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM This arrest of Wiley, 51, comes after a recent Rolling Stone article, which cited accusations of sexual assault by four women in April 2026. FOUR MORE WOMEN ACCUSE FORMER NFL PLAYER OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AMID EXISTING ALLEGATIONS: 'BLATANT LIES' Wiley was also previously sued by three women for allegedly raping them while at Columbia, where he played his college football. He denied those allegations on his "More To It with Marcellus Wiley" podcast, claiming to have evidence to prove what he called "alleged misrepresentations." Wiley had also called the allegations while at Columbia "B.S." Wiley’s wife is Annemarie Wiley, who used to star on "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." The Rolling Stone article notes two of the women who claim Wiley sexually assaulted them came between 1995-1999. There was another woman who claimed that Wiley groomed her since she was 13 years old during his time playing for the Buffalo Bills. Then, she claims that Wiley raped her when she was 18 in Dallas. She claims to have been flown out by Wiley as he was playing for the Cowboys, per Rolling Stone. "Marcellus Wiley raped me on my 18th birthday, after grooming me from the age of 13," the victim wrote, adding that he referred to her as ‘little momma.’ "If Columbia had properly pursued the complaints… I would never have been groomed and raped." Also, a woman who used to be a production assistant at ESPN – Wiley has worked as a broadcaster for ESPN and FOX Sports – alleged Wiley deceived her about joining him in a hotel room for a working meeting in 2009. But she claims h sexually assaulted her during that time. "The assault was devastating to me, and I will live with the effects to this day," the fourth woman wrote in a court filing, per Rolling Stone. Wiley was the 52nd overall pick of the 1997 NFL Draft out of Columbia, landing with the Bills where he would play for his first four NFL seasons. But Wiley earned his first and only Pro Bowl nod in 2001 with the San Diego Chargers, where he would star for three years. He also played with the Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars before his playing career came to an end after the 2006 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/6a4adb25c2ca79de23643e92 WWE Hall of Famer John Bradshaw Layfield finds new tag partner in social media company focused on sports te 2026-07-05T22:31:01.550Z WWE Hall of Famer John Bradshaw Layfield finds new tag partner in social media company focused on sports WWE Hall of Famer John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL) is throwing his hat into the social media ring after decades in pro wrestling and is doing so with BZZR. BZZR is one of the newest social media platforms to hit the internet vowing to unite sports fans and cut out the noise. The company has already bolstered its roster with famous names in pro wrestling, including MVP, Kayla Becker and Dwayne Swayze. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Layfield told Fox News Digital he decided to partner with BZZR after learning that his favorite baseball team, the Texas Rangers, were doing business with the company. "I got a good friend, I call him ‘Shooter’ (Chris) Dunn. He’s been with WWE before. He’s now with BZZR. BZZR seems like a great platform," he said. "I’m a huge Texas Rangers fan and the Rangers have partnered with BZZR. My grandfather was blind but before he passed away and for several years he used to listen to the Rangers on the radio every afternoon and every night and I’d go over and sit there with him. "I’m huge Ranger fan because of that and they’re working with BZZR so it kinda got my interest because the Texas Rangers are involved with them but it seems like such a wonderful platform so I’m glad to be involved." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Layfield said one feature spoke to him specifically – keeping the platform about sports only. BZZR calls itself "the world’s first streaming and social media platform built exclusively for sports without any nonsense or slop." "Isn’t that amazing? You actually go on something and you don’t expect anyone to tell you, ‘You suck’ or you ‘look stupid’ or you don’t know anything about anything. ‘Remember back in the 1930s there a big,’ No. I don’t actually remember because I have a life," he told Fox News Digital. "It’s unbelievable. I don’t know what you do with the social media but the one thing BZZR is doing, which is great, I think you have to have your name on there, you have to have your picture. The people that hide behind psyedonyms or can become keyword warriors – it gives people a voice that some should not have a voice. Some should but some should not." Layfield was the 20th Triple Crown champion in WWE history and 10th Grand Slam champion. He’s also appeared as a commentator for AAA Lucha Libre Worldwide. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4ad6b3c2ca79de23643e0b Delta flight struck by fireworks while landing in Chicago on Fourth of July, FAA investigates te 2026-07-05T22:12:03.325Z Delta flight struck by fireworks while landing in Chicago on Fourth of July, FAA investigates A Delta Air Lines flight was struck by a fireworks mortar while descending into Chicago Midway International Airport on the Fourth of July, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Delta Flight 1076 landed safely at Midway around 8:30 p.m. local time Saturday after the crew reported that a fireworks mortar struck the aircraft shortly before landing, the FAA said in a statement. The flight departed Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta at 7:51 p.m. ET and landed at Midway at 8:33 p.m. CT, a spokesperson for Delta Air Lines told Fox News Digital. HELICOPTER REPORTS NEAR MISS WITH RC PLANE NEAR JFK AFTER JETBLUE DRONE STRIKE The Airbus A319 was carrying 52 passengers and six crew members. No injuries were reported, Delta said. "The flight safely landed and taxied to the gate," a Delta spokesperson said. The crew did not declare an emergency, and the aircraft landed without incident, according to the airline. Delta said mechanics inspected the aircraft after it arrived at the gate and found no damage. FAA PROBES JFK NEAR MISS AFTER ANOTHER RECENT CLOSE CALL FUELS SCRUTINY OF AIR TRAFFIC SAFETY Chicago police told CBS Chicago the firework caused minor paint damage to the aircraft and that the plane was undergoing additional inspections to determine whether it sustained further damage. Delta, however, told Fox News Digital that mechanics found no damage during its post-flight inspection. The FAA said it will investigate the incident. It remains unclear where the fireworks were launched from or whether authorities have identified those responsible. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Chicago Department of Aviation and the Chicago Police Department for additional information. Delta said it will fully cooperate with the FAA and other authorities as they review what happened. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4ad69fc2ca79de23643e02 Josh Shapiro warns Democrats face ‘battle over what we believe in’ after socialist’s upset primary victories te 2026-07-05T22:11:43.372Z Josh Shapiro warns Democrats face ‘battle over what we believe in’ after socialist’s upset primary victories Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a Sunday "State of the Union" interview that Democrats must confront a fight over the party's direction after New York Democratic socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., in their party's primary. "I think what our party has to go through that will be very healthy and something we’ve not really done since the 1992 election cycle is to have a battle over what we believe in," Shapiro said. "To have a battle over the ideas that we are going to hold on to and campaign on and then deliver on as a way to make people’s lives better." Shapiro was asked by CNN’s Dana Bash what message he took from Democratic voters in New York choosing three candidates backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whom Bash described as "far left and Democratic socialist candidates." BILL MAHER'S DIRE MIDTERM ELECTION WARNING TO DEMS AFTER 'REALLY CRAZY' SOCIALISTS WIN PRIMARIES "Those were races in individual districts in a whole other state," Shapiro said. "I think you’re seeing very different-looking congressional races and certainly different Democratic candidates here in Pennsylvania." The Pennsylvania Democrat said candidates who generate activist enthusiasm will now have to show they can govern. "I think what is important are the people who are making a lot of noise, who are engaging in these performative politics, have to now figure out how to deliver results," Shapiro said. FETTERMAN UNLEASHES ON 'DIRTBAG' WING OF DEMS AFTER FAR-LEFT VICTORIES: 'ORGY OF SOCIALISM' Shapiro said campaign rhetoric was not enough for voters facing economic pressure, healthcare concerns and cost-of-living issues. "It’s one thing to speak in platitudes during a campaign," Shapiro said. "It’s a whole other thing to actually deliver for people who are genuinely hurting." When asked specifically about Chevalier, Shapiro said voters in her district made their choice but made clear he had little in common with her politics. MAMDANI-BACKED SOCIALIST IN HOT SEAT AGAIN OVER DELETED POSTS PRAISING COMMUNISM, MARXISM: 'CRAZYPANTS' "Her district voted for her, but I have profound differences from that particular candidate," Shapiro said. "And she’s not someone who seemingly I would agree with on many things or that we share similar values." Chevalier defeated Espaillat, D-N.Y., after the Associated Press projected her the winner of the Democratic primary. With more than 86% of the expected vote counted, Chevalier had 49.4% of the vote to Espaillat's 45.9%, according to NY1. The district includes parts of Upper Manhattan, including Harlem, and parts of the Bronx. Chevalier, a Democratic Socialists of America member, was one of Mamdani's endorsed congressional candidates. Chevalier told supporters after her primary win that the result marked a political turning point for the district. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "I know that each of us are seeing what I’m seeing right now: a new dawn for this district," Avila Chevalier said, according to NY1. Her campaign website lists priorities including "Abolish ICE," "Babies, Not Bombs," "Medicare-for-all," "Housing for All," "Quality Education" and "Fighting Corporate Greed." Avila Chevalier has pushed back on criticism over past social media posts, saying the focus should be on the district’s future. "My opponent wants to live in the past," Avila Chevalier told CNN, according to The National News Desk. "I have grown considerably since in the years since these tweets, and I am focused on our community and our community’s future." Shapiro also said Democrats should focus on nominees who can turn campaign promises into results. "I think we, as a party, need to find our way toward candidates who actually can deliver for people and make their lives better," Shapiro said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4ad68ac2ca79de23643ded Pa. House committee unanimously advances foster youth benefit bill te 2026-07-05T22:11:22.877Z Pa. House committee unanimously advances foster youth benefit bill A bipartisan bill to prevent state entities from intercepting foster youths’ Social Security benefits has advanced from the Children and Youth Committee and will soon go to a full House vote. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4ad676c2ca79de23643de4 County Attorney could get $15,000 boost for deferred prosecution program te 2026-07-05T22:11:02.917Z County Attorney could get $15,000 boost for deferred prosecution program There are criminal defendants in Mohave County who can benefit more from the county’s deferred prosecution program than incarceration. But that requires money and manpower, and the program is currently lacking both. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4ad1c6c2ca79de23643d3e Country singer drops 70 pounds, sets new weight loss goal after years of breathlessness on stage te 2026-07-05T21:51:02.962Z Country singer drops 70 pounds, sets new weight loss goal after years of breathlessness on stage Nate Smith is a new man thanks to his weight loss journey. The country music star admitted he used to feel out of breath performing simple tasks, but losing more than 70 pounds has given him his life back. While attending the Sports Illustrated and Tight End University's Tight Ends & Friends Concert at The Pinnacle in Nashville last month, the "Bulletproof" singer told People magazine he has a new goal in mind. BILLY RAY CYRUS CHEATED DEATH DURING SEPSIS, VOCAL PARALYSIS BATTLE BEFORE STAGING MUSIC COMEBACK "I think I want to get under 200 lbs.," Smith said. "So I was like 275 lbs., somewhere in that world. But I want to get down to like 185 lbs. again." When asked what motivates the "Whiskey on You" singer to pursue a healthier lifestyle, Smith said he wanted to be able to perform at his best for his fans. LIONEL RICHIE REASSURES FANS HE IS 'DOING WELL' AFTER DIZZY SPELL FORCED CONCERT CANCELLATIONS "Keeping the energy on stage and making sure I do that, because I think that takes care of the fans," Smith noted before adding, "I just feel better. It's nice to be able to wear clothes that I like." While referring to his red carpet attire, Smith said, "This is a large. I've been double X for the last five or six years, so I'm feeling really good." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER The "World on Fire" musician boasted about the endless positive benefits from his change. "I don't sweat anymore, which is amazing," Smith said. "I used to be totally out of breath tying my shoes." LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS He added, "I can jump around a lot more." Following a medical scare in 2024, Smith began addressing health issues including overeating and drinking too much. Within a few months, the singer was already down nearly 50lbs. from simply reducing his daily caloric intake. "I still struggle with some binge eating," Smith also told the outlet at the time. "And if I want to have it, I'm going to have it. "But I want to find a way to make it a treat versus a lifestyle thing. If I decide I'm going to have mac and cheese, it's okay." He added, "I'm not even close to my goal. But I'm way happier where I'm at, and I feel like better about the way I look." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4acf44c2ca79de23643ccc Uber’s European expansion plans may have hit a speed bump te 2026-07-05T21:40:20.569Z Uber’s European expansion plans may have hit a speed bump Back in February, Uber announced ambitious plans to launch in seven new European markets in 2026 — but now five of those launches are reportedly on hold. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4accedc2ca79de23643c8d Shootings in Nine States Mar Fourth of July Celebrations te 2026-07-05T21:30:21.991Z Shootings in Nine States Mar Fourth of July Celebrations Shootings occurred across the country, including in New York, Florida, Texas, Illinois and Tennessee. More than 50 people were shot, and at least five people have died. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4acabec2ca79de23643c5f Lionel Richie reassures fans he is 'doing well' after dizzy spell forced concert cancellations te 2026-07-05T21:21:02.537Z Lionel Richie reassures fans he is 'doing well' after dizzy spell forced concert cancellations Lionel Richie thanked his fans for their support after suffering a health scare on stage which forced him to cancel a string of shows. Richie, 77, smiled widely and danced on stage in a carousel of concert images posted on Instagram over the weekend. "Thank you for every message, every kind word, and for all your love," he wrote online. "I’m doing well, and I’m grateful for all of you. LIONEL RICHIE HOSPITALIZED AFTER OPENING NIGHT HEALTH SCARE TRIGGERS CONCERT CANCELLATIONS "Pittsburgh and Detroit were an absolute joy. The energy, the dancing, the faces in the crowd… we made real memories together." Richie added, "See you in Toronto... let’s party all night long!" Nearly one week ago, Richie was singing a less optimistic tune after he was forced to postpone shows from falling "dizzy" during his tour-opener in Minnesota. COUNTRY STAR RADNEY FOSTER CANCELS UPCOMING SHOWS AFTER SERIOUS INFECTION SENDS HIM TO THE ICU The United Center announced at the time that Richie's scheduled concerts in Chicago, and Columbus, Ohio, would no longer take place due to doctors' orders. APP USERS CLICK HERE TO VIEW POST  "Under advisement by doctors to rest and return to full health, Lionel Richie has postponed his next two shows," the Instagram post read in part. "Lionel is heartbroken to postpone these two shows and cannot wait to be back performing for his fans." A St. Paul Fire Department public information officer confirmed to Fox News Digital last month that an individual was "transported from Grand Casino Arena late on June 24, 2026, to a local hospital by Saint Paul Fire-EMS." ROD STEWART CALLED 'TONE-DEAF' FOR ATTENDING WORLD CUP GAME A DAY CANCELING CONCERT DUE TO HEALTH ISSUES No additional details about the nature of Richie's health scare have been released. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER The "American Idol" judge was nearly an hour into his concert at the Grand Casino Arena when fans noticed a change in Richie. While performing his upbeat classic "Dancing on the Ceiling," Richie paused and took a seat on a platform before later revealing to the crowd that he was feeling lightheaded, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. "When you're feeling dizzy, sit your a-- down," he joked. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS In a fan video, Richie transitioned to the piano, where he delivered a seated performance of "Three Times a Lady." Shortly afterward, he stepped away for what audience members initially believed would be a brief intermission. Fans waited nearly 40 additional minutes before receiving an official update of the show cancellation, according to the outlet. Fox News Digital's Stephanie Giang-Paunon contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4ac868c2ca79de23643c01 Toddler declared dead after near-drowning was found alive in hospital morgue hours later, police say te 2026-07-05T21:11:04.868Z Toddler declared dead after near-drowning was found alive in hospital morgue hours later, police say Arizona police have recommended felony child abuse charges against the parents of an 18-month-old boy who investigators say nearly drowned after they admitted using marijuana and failed to properly supervise him during a Super Bowl party earlier this year. The child later drew national attention after he was mistakenly declared dead before being found alive hours later in a hospital morgue. The Maricopa County Attorney's Office is reviewing the Gilbert Police Department's recommendation that Vincent Fiordilino's parents face felony child abuse charges, according to AZFamily. No charges have been filed. Investigators say Vincent disappeared from his parents' view during the gathering before guests found him floating face down in a backyard swimming pool. According to a police report obtained by AZFamily, both parents later admitted to smoking marijuana during the party. The report alleges Vincent's fall into the pool went unnoticed because both parents were impaired by marijuana and/or other mind-altering substances. After Vincent was pulled from the water, first responders transported him to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, where a doctor pronounced him dead that evening, according to police. The case took an extraordinary turn hours later when medical personnel discovered the toddler was alive and breathing after he had already been transferred to the hospital's morgue around 7:23 p.m., according to police. Vincent was immediately airlifted to Phoenix Children's Hospital for treatment. MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER, RELEASED AFTER ALLEGEDLY FORCING TODDLER INTO CROCODILE ENCLOSURE AT ZOO The police report alleges responding officers and Vincent's parents questioned whether the toddler had actually died before he was pronounced dead, saying they believed he was still showing signs of life. Hospital staff reportedly told them Vincent was exhibiting agonal breathing, an involuntary reflex that can occur near death. According to the report, a nurse later reported detecting a pulse after the child had been pronounced dead. Detectives allege the physician who made the initial determination maintained his assessment was correct and instructed hospital staff to stop lifesaving measures despite concerns from Vincent's parents and responding officers that the toddler still appeared to be breathing. Police did not recommend criminal charges against the physician, according to AZFamily. EX-NFL PLAYER DOUG MARTIN'S FAMILY SUE OAKLAND POLICE, ALLEGE RESTRAINT ASPHYXIA IN FATAL MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS According to AZFamily, a Dignity Health spokesperson said the hospital conducted a review following the incident. "This is a heartbreaking situation. We immediately conducted a thorough review of all aspects of the care that was provided to learn what happened and to make meaningful changes to strengthen our care," the spokesperson said in a statement. "Out of respect for the patient's privacy, we cannot discuss details. We continue to work with the family and their representative. Patient safety and exceptional care is our highest priority." A GoFundMe campaign created for the family described Vincent as a "miracle baby" after he survived the ordeal. "Vincent was declared deceased," the fundraiser says. "His devastated parents were sent home in unimaginable grief. But God had other plans. A little after 11:30 p.m., the family received a call no one expected: the medical examiner had detected a faint heartbeat." According to the fundraiser, Vincent's kidneys, lungs and liver began shutting down after he arrived at Phoenix Children's Hospital. An MRI initially identified two small areas of potential brain damage, but later testing reportedly found no brain damage. The fundraiser says Vincent continues to require extensive therapy, ongoing medical monitoring and treatment as he recovers. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, Gilbert Police Department, Mercy Gilbert Medical Center and Phoenix Children's Hospital for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4ac3b3c2ca79de23643b4f Trump called FIFA president to review Folarin Balogun's red card ahead of USA-Belgium match, source says te 2026-07-05T20:50:59.356Z Trump called FIFA president to review Folarin Balogun's red card ahead of USA-Belgium match, source says President Donald Trump intervened in Folarin Balogun’s red card controversy in the World Cup, calling FIFA president Gianni Infantino to ask for a review of the controversial decision in the Round of 32 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina, a source confirmed to Fox News. It’s unknown what exactly Trump said to Infantino, who the 45th and 47th president has called a "great leader in sports" and a friend. The USMNT striker, who has three goals in this World Cup including one prior to his red card in the Round of 32 match, has been cleared to play in a stunning twist of events. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM The Athletic, which first reported Balogun’s playing status on Sunday, noted that part of FIFA’s disciplinary code stated, "the judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure." "If the person benefiting from a suspended sanction commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked by the judicial body and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement," the rule added. FIFA MAKES FINAL RULING ON US SOCCER STAR FOLARIN BALOGUN'S CONTROVERSIAL RED CARD SUSPENSION FIFA confirmed Balogun’s suspension was for a probationary period of one year. "We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow," U.S. Soccer said. "Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans." Meanwhile, Belgium, which narrowly escaped Senegal in the Round of 32, was "astonished" by FIFA’s decision to allow Balogun the right to play on Monday night. The Royal Belgian Football Association said it will be " investigating all potential options" to reverse this decision on Balogun. Team USA manager Mauricio Pochettino and his staff were thinking about how to replace Balogun atop their formation, but now that has all changed, allowing them to run out their regular starting XI against a formidable Belgium squad. While the USMNT will hope to beat Belgium, and other opponents moving forward, Trump and Infantino will be together at New York/New Jersey Stadium on July 19 for the World Cup Final. Just as they did last year at the FIFA Club World Cup Final, Trump will hand out the World Cup trophy to the winning team’s captain on the field, which Infantino said on " Fox & Friends." If the USMNT takes down Belgium on Monday night, they would just be the second team in the country’s history to reach the quarterfinals. They would also face the winner of Portugal and Spain if they can take care of Belgium first. Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4ac39fc2ca79de23643b46 Belgium 'considering all possible options' after FIFA clears Team USA's Folarin Balogun te 2026-07-05T20:50:39.907Z Belgium 'considering all possible options' after FIFA clears Team USA's Folarin Balogun Belgium is crying foul after FIFA cleared USMNT star Folarin Balogun before Monday's World Cup Round of 16 showdown in Seattle. The Royal Belgian Football Association released a statement on the overturned suspension, saying they were "stunned by FIFA's decision to declare suspended American player Folarin Balogun eligible to play," arguing the ruling violates both the FIFA Disciplinary Code and World Cup regulations. The federation concluded by saying it is "considering all possible options" to protect "the legitimate rights of all participating teams and preserve the fundamental principles of fair play." FIFA MAKES FINAL RULING ON US SOCCER STAR FOLARIN BALOGUN'S CONTROVERSIAL RED CARD SUSPENSION FIFA, however, wasn't persuaded. "Pursuant to article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the application of the automatic suspension of American player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year," the FIFA Disciplinary Committee said in an official statement. The ruling means Balogun, who was sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina, is eligible to face Belgium on Monday night. USA WORLD CUP STAR CALLS LACK OF APPEAL PROCESS FOR TEAMMATE'S RED CARD 'BOGUS' President Trump celebrated the ruling on Truth Social, thanking FIFA "for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!" Trump also praised Balogun's reinstatement and predicted a strong performance from the Americans against Belgium. It's not hard to see why Belgium wanted Balogun sidelined. The American striker leads the United States with three goals this tournament. Balogun scored against Bosnia and Herzegovina before being shown a red card in the 64th minute after a VAR review upgraded the challenge. FORMER TEAM USA STAR WANTS TO SEE RED CARD RULE CHANGE AFTER FOLARIN BALOGUN CONTROVERSY The dismissal immediately sparked debate among fans and pundits, many of whom believed the punishment was overly harsh. The U.S. learned of FIFA's decision while arriving for Sunday morning training in the Seattle area. Belgium enters Monday's Round of 16 match ranked No. 9 in the FIFA World Rankings after handing the United States a 5-2 loss in a March friendly. But World Cup knockout soccer is a different animal. Come kickoff Monday night in Seattle, Balogun will be exactly where Belgium hoped he wouldn't be: on the field. "The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) is stunned by FIFA's decision to declare suspended American player Folarin Balogun eligible to play in the United States-Belgium match scheduled for Monday, July 6 at 5 p.m. (Seattle time). "FIFA bases its decision on article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. This provision states that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee may decide to suspend the application of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction. "However, article 66.4 of the same FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card (sending-off) automatically results in a suspension for the team's next match, as has been the case for all red cards shown earlier during this FIFA World Cup. "Moreover, and independently of the above, this decision directly contradicts the provisions of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Regulations, as set out in article 10.5: "'If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), he will be automatically suspended for his team's next match. In addition, further sanctions may be imposed.' "The automatic nature of such a suspension was also explicitly reaffirmed in FIFA World Cup 2026 circular no. 16, which was distributed to all participating member associations on May 12, 2026. "This rule is reiterated at every FIFA World Cup 2026 match coordination meeting before each game and appears in all workshop presentations dedicated to the FIFA World Cup 2026. "In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and preserve the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both during this FIFA World Cup and in future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is considering all possible options." Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4ac15dc2ca79de23643af0 Trump's bold prediction for historic UFC White House fight revealed in new Fox Nation documentary te 2026-07-05T20:41:01.016Z Trump's bold prediction for historic UFC White House fight revealed in new Fox Nation documentary The UFC Freedom 250 event made history as the first professional sporting event held on the White House lawn. Now for the first time, mixed martial arts fans can uncover how the Trump administration and event organizers helped put on the star-studded event. "UFC Fight House: The Making of the Biggest Fight in History" is a two-part documentary now streaming on Fox Nation. The episodic event details the intense planning and logistics behind how the White House pulled off hosting the big fight, including the construction of 'the Claw,' which held seating for thousands of attendees. New, exclusive commentary features UFC President and CEO Dana White and President Donald Trump, alongside many of his prominent allies. White compared the idea of the event to a Hollywood film, reflecting on the significance of what he and his team pulled off. TRUMP SHOWS RENDERINGS FOR UFC WHITE HOUSE EVENT: 'GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH' "You just couldn't write a better script than this," White said. "If you scripted this out like a movie, this is a documentary of what really happened. If this were a script of a movie, you'd call bullsh-- on a hundred things that happened; it's pretty amazing. You could never imagine that this would happen. You could never imagine that we would be asked to do an event at the White House." "When President Trump tells you, 'Let's do something,' and you agree to it, now we have to deliver," he continued. "There isn't anything we can't do. You saw the idea of what we wanted to do. Now this is the reality." Nine long months was what it took to host the premier sporting event of America's 250th anniversary. But Trump said in the documentary that the UFC Freedom 250's legacy could last much longer than just one of many Independence Days. FEDERAL LAWSUIT SEEKS TO BLOCK UFC FREEDOM 250 FROM BEING HELD ON THE WHITE HOUSE SOUTH LAWN "I think this is going to go down as one of the greatest sporting events and maybe one of the greatest events ever," he said. The UFC Freedom 250's viewership numbers seemed to match the organizers' lofty ambitions. UFC announced its total global viewership for the event was an estimated 34 million people, making it one of the most-watched events in the sport's history. Paramount+ reported that 17 million viewers alone watched the event on their platform across the United States and Latin America, solidifying the event as a groundbreaking success. White revealed his more personal reasons for holding the UFC event at the White House, citing the country's history of fighting dating all the way back to the Revolutionary War. "Americans have been fighting since day one, since the birth of America," White said. "We fought to get independence and to build this country. It started with a fight. So to have a fight on the White House lawn on the 250th birthday of America, no other sport would make sense." TRUMP MARKS 80TH BIRTHDAY WITH PATRIOTIC UFC FREEDOM 250 SPECTACLE ON WHITE HOUSE SOUTH LAWN Fox Nation also takes viewers inside the mind of UFC executive producer Craig Borsari, the "architect" of the Freedom 250's production. Borsari in the documentary is seen at one point calmly sipping his morning coffee but clarified that outside those peaceful moments, preparing for the massive White House event was a constant rush of energy. "When I'm enjoying my cup of coffee, the rest of my day is anything but that," he said. "When you plan for an event of this magnitude, you kind of get that adrenaline rush. You want the adrenaline; you want that nervous kind of tension a little bit because it keeps you sharp. It keeps the team seeking out all the opportunities to make this event an incredible one." CLICK HERE TO JOIN FOX NATION Fox Nation programs are viewable on demand and from your mobile device app but only for FOX Nation subscribers. Go to Fox Nation to start a free trial and watch the extensive library from your favorite FOX Nation personalities. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4ac149c2ca79de23643ae7 Paige Spiranac insists 'great cans' aren't AI after Fourth of July post called into question te 2026-07-05T20:40:41.565Z Paige Spiranac insists 'great cans' aren't AI after Fourth of July post called into question When the Fourth of July rolls around, you can count on Paige Spiranac to deliver. Whether it's showing hot dogs who's boss or slipping into patriotic swimwear of various styles, she's there. This year she kept the tradition going and it shouldn’t surprise anyone. She's built an entire social media brand on her consistency, her authenticity, and her creativity. Her "Happy 4th of July!" message arrived as expected Saturday afternoon. What wasn't expected is that the image's authenticity would be called into question. NELLY KORDA ROCKS USA SOCCER JERSEY ON COURSE AT US WOMEN'S OPEN, DELIVERS PATRIOTIC MESSAGE That transpired shortly after Paige posted it. Doubt crept into the mind of at least one person who called out the golf influencer for using AI. The image included in the Fourth of July post features her wearing a patriotic bikini while standing in front of a background that isn't real. "Paige you’re better than AI!," the person questioning the image wrote. "Still, great cans." ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! The image, according to Paige, isn’t the product of AI and those cans featured in the string bikini are all hers. What people are seeing is the magic of a calendar photo shoot and the work of a graphic designer. "Not AI. This image was from my 2026 calendar," Paige responded. "We shot it in studio and then a graphic designer made the background." The explanation was good enough to erase any doubt from the mind of the person who had made the AI claim. They replied, "Forgive me!! You look spectacular!!!!" EPIC GOLF TRIP, GERMAN SOCCER FAN FREDDY STUNNED BY SMALL-TOWN OHIO IN CUP TRAVELS, SOFIA VERGARA STOPS & MEAT Still there are those who aren't going to buy it. Paige isn’t worried about them. She addressed it and moved on. She has golf content to make and more important concerns to address than what people believe is AI and what they believe isn't. It's always something. Before AI, it was filters and Photoshop. Some people choose to be miserable. For everyone else, happy Fourth of July from Paige Spiranac. Mark your calendars and we'll do it again next year. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4abeddc2ca79de23643a7b Trump memecoin investors lost $3.8 billion, analysis finds te 2026-07-05T20:30:21.242Z Trump memecoin investors lost $3.8 billion, analysis finds Nearly 1 million people have lost a total of $3.8 billion after buying President Donald Trump’s $TRUMP memecoin, while Trump made $636 million. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4abc98c2ca79de23643a45 Burgum clashes with CNN host, blasts media for questioning vandalism of Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool te 2026-07-05T20:20:40.534Z Burgum clashes with CNN host, blasts media for questioning vandalism of Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Interior Secretary Doug Burgum clashed with CNN's Dana Bash on Sunday over damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., saying officials can prove vandals cut the newly installed liner after she questioned whether the Trump administration’s renovation work had failed ahead of the Fourth of July celebration. Bash asked Burgum whether he was "100% sure" vandalism caused the damage and whether he could prove it. "Absolutely you can," Burgum said. "And as we drain it, we’ve got all the photographs we can see." FORMER US OLYMPIAN DAVID HEARN INDICTED IN ALLEGED REFLECTING POOL VANDALISM Bash pressed Burgum on whether officials had photographs of "a person or people cutting a 300 or 350 ft gash" in the bottom of the pool. "Dana, I’m not sure why you and others in the media think that you want to keep trying to question… this is an industrial liner," Burgum said. Burgum said the material installed in the pool was not paint, comparing it to the sprayed-on liner used in pickup truck beds. "Every farmer and rancher in America that’s had their pickup liner lined by this sprayed-on liner knows that you literally, literally, it would never just like peel off or fall off," Burgum said. "This is like a strong material, and it’s the size of eight football fields." TRUMP ANNOUNCES MAJOR NEW LANDMARK PROJECT IN DC'S WEST POTOMAC PARK HONORING AMERICA'S GREATEST HEROES Burgum said the pattern of the damage showed it had been deliberately cut. "The only way you can end up with actual slices in one spot and not the other is that someone physically cut it," Burgum said. The secretary said the pool itself had been fixed after leaking tens of thousands of gallons of water per day. "The pool itself, it’s not leaking," Burgum said. "It was leaking 45,000 gallons a day. It’s finally been fixed by President Trump and the American flag blue is working perfectly." JULY 4 HEAT DELAYS AMERICA 250 CELEBRATION AS STATE FAIR GUESTS SHARE LOVE OF USA Burgum said the broader issue was the condition of the nation’s capital before the renovation work. "The real scandal is about the fact that the state of our capital was in such total disrepair," Burgum said. "No one was reporting about the pro-Hamas graffiti." Bash noted that the Reflecting Pool was closed during the Fourth of July celebration. "It was closed because it’s surrounded by fireworks," Burgum said. "It’s closed every year on the Fourth of July." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Burgum said the fencing around the pool was tied to the fireworks display and would come down afterward. "You can’t have people around fireworks when they’re being set up," Burgum said. "The fence was there because of the fireworks." Bash also asked whether President Donald Trump’s motorcade could have damaged the coating when it crossed the pool in May. "No," Burgum said. "He didn’t take the Beast. We were driving in a… Cadillac Escalade." Burgum said the administration would use the same company to repair the damage rather than seek new bids. "We’ll use the same company because they did a fantastic job," Burgum said. "Thankfully, the vandalism was small. It was bad. I mean it could cost tens of thousands of dollars to repair." The Associated Press reported Sunday that Burgum said the pool would have to be at least partially drained in the coming week and that repairs would not be opened to new contractors. The report claimed Green Water Solutions received a $1.7 million contract for a water-purification system, while Atlantic Industrial Coatings received a $14.7 million contract to repaint and waterproof the pool’s concrete floor. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4ab5a3c2ca79de2364395b Rob Reiner's final role draws fierce criticism 6 months after legendary director's tragic death te 2026-07-05T19:50:59.795Z Rob Reiner's final role draws fierce criticism 6 months after legendary director's tragic death Rob Reiner's final on-screen appearance in Larry David's latest HBO comedy provoked online criticism. A once vocal critic of the current administration, the late director's surprise cameo in "Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America," was considered Reiner's "last laugh" against President Donald Trump, director Jeff Schaffer told Variety. "It’s coming out on Fourth of July weekend, and if it in any way spoils a sad octogenarian’s weekend, then oh well," Schaffer told the outlet. Social media users quickly criticized the posthumous cameo and its political framing nearly six months after Rob and wife Michele Reiner were found dead inside their Brentwood home. HOLLYWOOD CELEBRITIES CRASH AMERICA'S 250TH BIRTHDAY WITH A GRIM HOLIDAY WARNING ABOUT TRUMP "Pretty sure Reiner would have preferred to be alive instead of getting the 'last laugh' here," one user wrote, while another quipped: "I'm going to go ahead and say that he definitively did not get the last laugh." ROB REINER'S SON NICK FIGHTS FOR $1.5M TRUST FUND ACCESS TO BANKROLL HIGH-POWERED MURDER TRIAL DEFENSE "Sorry but if your son stabs you and your wife to death there are no 'last laughs,'" another user wrote. "That’s basically as bad a thing as could possibly happen. I know we’re 11 years into this now and you haven’t figured it out yet but you really don’t need to do this stuff anymore." Another X user noted, "The man and his wife were murdered by their son. He spent his last years on our planet obsessing over Trump and believing every media lie he was told. There isn’t a last laugh to be had. It was a tragic end."\ While portraying George Washington in the historical comedy, Reiner declares he will not seek a third term in office and proposes Congress pursue a constitutional amendment prohibiting presidential power. David, dressed in colonial attire, asked, "Well, what if there’s some a----le in office, some narcissistic p---k who doesn’t follow the Constitution?" NICK REINER LOSING POWERHOUSE DEFENSE ATTORNEY MAY COME DOWN TO MONEY, EXPERTS SAY Reiner stressed the importance of a peaceful transfer of power before David interjects, "He could use the presidency to enrich himself and his family. He could send troops into American cities to terrorize and even kill American citizens, all to distract from the fact that he’s friends with a pedophile!" Fellow Trump antagonist Jimmy Kimmel made a surprise appearance and offered, "Are you suggesting that the president would taketh the time to challenge anyone who dare make fun of him? As if he were a big baby?" As the colonists argue among themselves, Reiner notes, "We're f---ed" before an In Memoriam card honored the late "Princess Bride" director. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER The sketch was reportedly filmed on Nov. 13, nearly one month before Reiner's son, Nick Reiner, allegedly killed his parents. Los Angeles Fire Department officials responded to a Brentwood-area home at around 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 14, where two bodies were discovered. Officials later confirmed the bodies to be of Rob and his wife, Michele. Nick quickly became a person of interest and was taken into custody the night of Dec. 14. He was formally charged two days later with two counts of first-degree murder with a special circumstance of multiple murders. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Nick pleaded not guilty during his Feb. 23 arraignment. A spokesperson for the Reiner family told Fox News Digital, "They have the utmost trust in the legal process and will not comment further on matters related to the legal proceedings." Last month, Nick demanded access to his $1.5 million trust fund after he was allegedly blocked from a massive payout that would have funded his decision to hire top-notch celebrity attorney Alan Jackson. According to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital, the trustee's alleged refusal to release money forced Nick into using a court-appointed public defender despite Jackson's firm already devoting substantial resources to his defense. Nick is facing a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty after being charged with two counts of first-degree murder. White House representatives did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment about Reiner's cameo. Fox News Digital's Lauryn Overhultz contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4ab57cc2ca79de23643940 Trump Asked FIFA to Review Balogun’s Suspension. He Is Now Eligible to Play. te 2026-07-05T19:50:20.887Z Trump Asked FIFA to Review Balogun’s Suspension. He Is Now Eligible to Play. The reversal is highly unusual and the first time since 1962 that FIFA has allowed a player to appear in a game when they would have been suspended. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4ab34ec2ca79de236438fb 'Supergirl' suffers catastrophic 73% drop in, gets obliterated at box office by patriotic 'Young Washington' te 2026-07-05T19:41:02.270Z 'Supergirl' suffers catastrophic 73% drop in, gets obliterated at box office by patriotic 'Young Washington' James Gunn was supposed to revamp and revitalize DC Studios at Warner Bros. The director of "Guardians of the Galaxy" would, in theory, bring the type of overarching creative vision that Kevin Feige had so successfully demonstrated at Marvel Studios. Two movies into Gunn's vision of DC Studios, it's safe to say that this reboot has been an unmitigated failure. The 2025 edition of "Superman" was, at best, a moderate success. While hardly the type of franchise-changing success the studio and Gunn hoped for, box office results and reviews were acceptable, if not a bit underwhelming. Thanks in some part to Gunn's bewildering decision to tell audiences that the film was about politics, calling the Superman character an "immigrant." 'SUPERGIRL' PRE-RELEASE TRACKING LOOKS DISASTROUSLY BAD FOR HOLLYWOOD AFTER LEAD ACTRESS' BIZARRE COMMENTS But the real test for Gunn's reboot and the power of the DC Studios brand was the follow-up film, "Supergirl," starring Milly Alcock. And boy has it failed the test. Alcock spent most of the press campaign making herself as unlikeable as possible, insulting potential moviegoers, bizarrely claiming that audiences felt "ownership" of her body, then doubling down after the inevitable backlash. The trailers looked awful, with a predictably sloppy anti-hero feel, atrocious visual effects, and an uninteresting plot and villain. Still, as recently as May, hopes were that "Supergirl" could make as much as $65 million in its opening weekend. In actuality? It made just over $37 million. NEW STREAMING DATA PAINTS SHOCKINGLY GRIM PICTURE FOR DISNEY'S AWFUL "STAR WARS" SEQUELS With an estimated production budget of around $175 million, and a massive marketing campaign that likely cost Warner Bros. at least $100 million, the film needed to reach at least $450-500 million globally to break even. That opening weekend, and an anemic international debut, meant it was tracking towards a significant loss. The only hope? That positive word of mouth would overcome the apathy towards the film's plot and the off-putting remarks from Alcock. Well, we now have the second weekend box office data, and not only did word of mouth not help "Supergirl," it may have destroyed it. Friday grosses dropped an astonishing 80.4% from opening day on June 26 to just $3.6 million. Saturday estimates are for just $2.6 million, another 77% drop, despite the Independence Day holiday. All told, it's a remarkable 74% drop from the first weekend to the second. Total domestic gross for "Supergirl" now sits at just $58.4 million. On a $275 million production, from a major studio, with a massive marketing campaign, and the creative backing of James Gunn. If the third weekend has a similar fall, grosses would plummet to just $2.49 million. For an entire weekend. A film that needed to make $200 million+ at US theaters to break even may not even reach $80 million. And considering the woeful international numbers, it's going to cost Warner Bros. hundreds of millions in losses. For context, "Young Washington," a patriotic film about George Washington's early life and military service from Angel Studios, carried just a $20 million budget. It made an estimated $21 million in its first weekend, per tracking site The Numbers. Playing in just 2,700 theaters, that's a $7,721 per theater average. "Supergirl?" Just $2,665. That's what happens when your star insults moviegoers or goes off on tangents about the characters's sexuality. Unsurprisingly, "Young Washington" has received middling reviews from critics, but has an exceptional 92% positive audience score. With word of mouth that positive, could "Young Washington," a little-known, barely marketed film with a low budget, outgross "Supergirl" at the domestic box office when all is said and done? CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM If Hollywood had a shred of intelligence, awareness, and objectivity, it would realize the message they're getting. Nobody wanted a "Supergirl" movie, particularly not the one they made. Women weren't interested, as is typically the case with superhero films, and men were either put off by Alcock's divisive comments, or apathetic after seeing the underwhelming trailers. Meanwhile, "Young Washington" has been a tremendous success, because outside of the powerful progressive echo chamber in the entertainment industry, there is still an enormous appetite for stories about the United States, its founding, and prominent historical figures. Lazy, uninteresting stories made by people who obviously despise their audiences is a recipe for disaster. That's exactly what "Supergirl" is, a disaster. All while the polar opposite film is tracking towards being a massive financial success. Gunn started his tenure at DC off with an unforced error, then backed it up by losing his studio as much as $200 million on a vanity project. Between Star Wars and DC, it's hard to believe that two massive franchises are in such dire straits. But that's modern Hollywood for you. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4ab327c2ca79de236438e0 Trump Asked FIFA to Review Balogun’s Suspension. He Is Now Eligible to Play. te 2026-07-05T19:40:23.365Z Trump Asked FIFA to Review Balogun’s Suspension. He Is Now Eligible to Play. The reversal is highly unusual and the first time since 1962 that FIFA has allowed a player to appear in a game when they would have been suspended. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4aae89c2ca79de2364385e Michigan Democrat Mallory McMorrow drops out of Senate race weeks before primary te 2026-07-05T19:20:41.101Z Michigan Democrat Mallory McMorrow drops out of Senate race weeks before primary Mallory McMorrow announced Sunday that she is suspending her campaign for the U.S. Senate. The Michigan state senator's decision leaves the Democratic primary as a two-way race between Rep. Haley Stevens and former Wayne County Health Department Director Abdul El-Sayed.  McMorrow's name will remain on the ballot for the Aug. 4 primary as ballots have already been printed and distributed to absentee voters, according to Bridge Michigan. In a video posted on X announcing her decision, McMorrow did not provide a specific reason for ending her campaign. She instead thanked her staff and supporters for helping build what she described as a campaign powered by small-dollar donations and no corporate PAC money. MICHIGAN SENATE CANDIDATE ABDUL EL-SAYED TAKES HEAT FOR KHAMENEI COMMENTS, HASAN PIKER EVENT McMorrow also pledged to fully support whichever Democrat wins the Aug. 4 primary and will likely face Mike Rogers in November, in what is expected to be one of the nation's most competitive Senate races. "So here's what we do next. Every day through November 3rd. We win this Senate seat and send Mike Rogers back to Florida for good," she said. "Whoever wins this primary on August 4th will have my full support." MICHIGAN DEMOCRATIC SENATE CANDIDATE CLAIMS ISRAEL 'JUST AS EVIL' AS HAMAS Following McMorrow's announcement, Stevens praised her fellow Democrat by calling her an "important voice" for policies that benefit Michigan families.  Stevens then argued that she is the strongest Democratic candidate to win the primary and defeat Rogers in November.  "As we enter the final month of the primary election, I'm excited to continue to make my case to Michiganders why I'm the strongest Democrat to defeat Mike Rogers this November, lower costs, protect manufacturing jobs, and stand up to Trump's abuses of power." MAMDANI-BACKED SOCIALISTS LOOK TO TAKE NEW YORK PLAYBOOK NATIONWIDE AFTER PRIMARY VICTORIES In his statement, El-Sayed praised McMorrow for having the "courage" to challenge what he described as a rigged political system, accusing Democratic Party insiders of spending millions to influence the primary. While he did not name specific groups, the remarks appeared to reference corporate PACs and party leaders such as Chuck Schumer, who has endorsed Stevens.  He then invited McMorrow’s supporters to join his progressive movement to combat big money in politics and defeat the political establishment.  "Throughout this campaign, Senator McMorrow showed what it looks like to fight back against politics that rigs the system against too many of us. While we have policy disagreements, I never questioned whether Senator McMorrow would fight for a better America for my daughters and hers," he said.  "The same party insiders she had the courage to challenge have been bullying anyone who opposes their chosen candidate. After spending $30 million to drown Senator McMorrow and me out, they’re now spending even more to attack me. It’s everything we are standing up against." "I welcome her supporters to our movement to stand up against money in politics, to put money back in pockets, and pass Medicare for All. We cannot allow the establishment to decide our nominee for us." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4aa796c2ca79de23643779 NYPD detective, children shot in separate Brooklyn shootings over holiday weekend te 2026-07-05T18:51:02.739Z NYPD detective, children shot in separate Brooklyn shootings over holiday weekend A New York City police detective and four children were among those wounded in separate Brooklyn shootings over a violent Fourth of July holiday weekend. New York Police Department Detective Robert Karroll of the Sex Offender Monitoring Unit was shot in the back of his ballistic vest during an encounter with an armed 18-year-old in Crown Heights early Sunday morning, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed at a news conference hours later. Karroll was taken to Kings County Hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. A second officer suffered contusions to the face and shoulder during the incident. Detectives' Endowment Association President Scott Munro denounced the spate of violence. AMERICA'S WOUNDED COPS FIND HOPE, HEALING AND SECOND CHANCE THROUGH OFFICERS WHO REFUSE TO LEAVE THEM BEHIND "This has to stop," he said at a Sunday morning news conference. "Three weeks ago we had a detective shot – in the same hospital. This has the stop. Our members are out there day and night hours and hours protecting the people of the city of New York doing a job that they took an oath to take and they need to be respected and thank God this detective is going home." He sighed relief that "we're not planning a funeral today." Tisch said officers assigned to a mobile field force detail were parked in an unmarked police vehicle near Nostrand Avenue and St. Johns Place around 4:14 a.m. ET when a person approached the car. "Given the lack of body-worn camera in this incident, the circumstances of the approach are still unclear," Tisch said, adding the shooting happened "quickly and unexpectedly." MAMDANI WALKS BACK PLAN TO INCREASE NYPD HEADCOUNT FOLLOWING DSA PRESSURE That shooting came hours after four children were injured in Coney Island, where at least eight people were shot. The victims included two men, two women and four children, ages 14, 12, 7 and 6. All were taken to hospitals. Seven were listed in stable condition, while a 21-year-old woman was in critical condition, police said. In the shooting of the officers, Tisch said officers got out of the vehicle and tried to engage the armed suspect before three officers fired their weapons. The suspect was not struck, she said. The police vehicle had ballistic damage, including bullet holes in the front and rear windshields and on the passenger side. FEDS DISMANTLE ALLEGED GUN TRAFFICKING RING THAT FUNNELED DOZENS OF FIREARMS FROM GEORGIA TO CHICAGO GANGS After a foot chase, the suspect was apprehended several blocks away near Rogers Avenue and Union Street. Tisch said he resisted arrest and refused to be handcuffed before officers deployed a taser and took him into custody. A SAR 9mm firearm was recovered. "I'm relieved that the officer, Detective Robert Karroll, was wearing a bulletproof vest and was not seriously injured as a result of it," New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said at the news conference, relieved at the survival of "a husband and father of three children." Tisch said the officers had been reassigned to the area shortly before midnight as part of the department’s Fourth of July violence reduction plan targeting ongoing crew violence. Investigators were canvassing nearby businesses for surveillance footage because there was no body-camera video of the shooting itself. Reuters contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4aa540c2ca79de23643727 How a 93-year-old soccer referee credits war time rations and discipline for his longevity te 2026-07-05T18:41:04.048Z How a 93-year-old soccer referee credits war time rations and discipline for his longevity At 93, sprightly referee Frank Foster is still brandishing red and yellow cards and running the field three times a week for his local soccer association. Having taken charge of around 5,500 matches over a 46-year officiating career, SWNS reported that the great-grandfather credits his longevity and match-day stamina to a lifetime of healthy habits and a foundational diet. Foster puts his incredible fitness down to the strict wartime rations he was fed as a teenager, noting that it ensured he grew up eating "healthy food" rather than "sweets and cakes." FITNESS EXPERT REVEALS 6 PILLARS OF STRENGTH TRAINING THAT OLDER ADULTS SHOULD MASTER Decades later, his game-day preparation is still fueled by wholesome nutrition, always starting with a morning bowl of oatmeal, cereal, or marmalade on toast to give him the energy to last the full ninety minutes. The meal keeps him active enough to referee men's, women's, and children's games, a hobby he jokes he will never blow the final whistle on. His sharp mind and authoritative presence on the field are just as strong as his physical endurance. A former military veteran who aced his referee exam in 1980 with a 98 percent score, Foster relies on old-school discipline to keep matches under control. 7 COMMON FITNESS MISTAKES OLDER ADULTS MAKE AND HOW TO AVOID THEM FOR BETTER WORKOUTS He believes modern elite officials are too "soft" and allow player antics to ruin the sport. To maintain order and keep players from acting out, he lays down strict ground rules before kickoff. He has no patience for intimidation or theatrical diving, stating, "Those who go down like they have been shot, well I would just book them." He is equally uncompromising when squads try to crowd him on the field. "I wouldn't let them surround me at all," Foster told SWNS. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES "I would say to the players 'stay where you are' and 'if you move one more inch, I will give you a yellow card'. You need to stamp your authority and let them know who is in control." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER He also avoids the modern stress of video reviewing plays, which he believes creates unnecessary "aggression and disappointment" over microscopic offside calls, adding, "I think it spoils the game." "Sometimes it is only the player's toe which is offside — it is ridiculous." TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Foster says he "never thought" he’d still be doing this at 93, but he makes the most of that gift. He keeps his kit freshly washed, making sure it is "neat and tidy" for when he gets on that field. Foster also scrubs his black Adidas boots after every game making sure there are "nice and clean" for his next match. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a9e4ac2ca79de23643611 Trump shares news of 'crystal clear' Reflecting Pool, calls for vandalism suspect's arrest te 2026-07-05T18:11:22.024Z Trump shares news of 'crystal clear' Reflecting Pool, calls for vandalism suspect's arrest President Donald Trump and his Interior Department are declaring an America 250 victory over algae in the Lincoln Reflecting Pool. Trump shared photos on Truth Social on Sunday showing the pool and the reflection of the Washington Monument appearing clear and blue, and made a call out with a "Wanted" poster for vandals. "The U.S. Park Police is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the individual in the notice below in connection with a Destruction of Government Property investigation related to the Reflecting Pool," Trump wrote Sunday on Truth Social. Trump also shared an Interior Department statement crediting "advanced nanobubbler technology" and National Park Service cleanup work. FORMER US OLYMPIAN DAVID HEARN INDICTED IN ALLEGED REFLECTING POOL VANDALISM "The advanced nanobubbler technology very effectively killed the algae that has plagued every Lincoln Reflecting Pool reopening — most infamously Obama’s reopening — since 1922," Dei Gratia Minerals founder Greg Wischer, Interior’s deputy assistant secretary for land and minerals management, wrote in a letter shared with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Trump. "The Reflecting Pool water is crystal clear, and our National Park Service team is now vacuuming up the dead algae resting on the bottom of some parts of the Reflecting Pool — just like the destroyed Iranian Navy resting on the bottom of the Persian Gulf." The photos shared by Trump show the Reflecting Pool stretching toward the Washington Monument under blue skies. One image appears to show the pool from the Lincoln Memorial end, while a second closer view shows the Washington Monument reflected in the water. Trump also shared a U.S. Interior Press social media post hailing the technological success, quoting that Wischer memo. YOSEMITE, GRAND CANYON LEAD NOTABLE LIST OF NATIONAL PARK CAMPGROUNDS FOR AMERICA'S 250TH "The vacuuming is the final maintenance step after refilling the pool, and it will be complete in a few days," his memo continued. "Already, the section of the Reflecting Pool closest to the Lincoln Memorial has been vacuumed up, and the beautiful American Flag Blue coating on the bottom of the pool can be seen clearly." Trump's Interior Department has praised the technology for overcoming past challenges on keeping the pool clear, including dunking on former President Barack Obama. "Previous administrations — most notably under Obama — failed to maintain the Reflecting Pool, and after refilling the pool, the water would quickly become murky and thick with massive clumps of algae floating on the surface," the memo concluded. INTERNAL EMAILS EXPOSE HOW JULY 4TH BASH IS BEING DERAILED BY DEM-RUN COUNTY: 'OFFENSIVE' "The photos below show how the nanobubbler technology and vacuuming have been incredibly effective, making the water crystal clear with the American Flag Blue coating shining brightly on the bottom of the pool. "As our National Park Service team noted, the Reflecting Pool is now so 'blue' that the Fake News Media, which has been staked out at the Reflecting Pool for weeks, has fled!" The 6.75 million-gallon pool has been targeted by Trump critics and leftist anti-Trump activists for attacks both verbally and physical, Burgum discussed with ABC's "This Week" on Sunday. "The Reflecting Pool has been a big success," he said. "And we've got 340 million people in this country that are celebrating 250. We did have a few vandals, but all that's going to be repairable, and that'll all be fixed in the coming weeks as we go forward." Burgum now believes that the pool might not require a full draining after its "multiple gashes that add up to 350 feet," he added. "We don’t know if we need to drain the whole thing or not because, you know, the cutting happened on the edge, and, of course, it slopes from the edge," according to Burgum. "We may be able to partially drain it and do the repair. To be able to fix it, we may not have to drain the whole thing, but it could go very quickly." While the media and Trump critics are pointing to added costs of the reflecting pool refurbishment, Burgum pointed to the vandalism causing that. "We weren’t expecting that we were going to have a small group of people that wanted to try to destroy effectively what is part of the Lincoln Memorial," Burgum told ABC. "There’s plenty of cameras around the Lincoln statue and around the memorial, but the Reflecting Pool had gone for, you know, decades without vandalism." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a9e36c2ca79de23643608 99-year-old WWII veteran awarded Purple Heart after waiting more than 80 years te 2026-07-05T18:11:02.589Z 99-year-old WWII veteran awarded Purple Heart after waiting more than 80 years A Kentucky World War II veteran wounded fighting Nazi Germany has finally received one of the nation's most solemn military honors after waiting more than eight decades. For 81 years, Glenn Fisher lived without the Purple Heart he believed he earned on a World War II battlefield. On Wednesday, the 99-year-old Army veteran finally received it. "I've been so excited, I haven't been able to sleep at night thinking about what a wonderful thing is happening," Fisher said during Wednesday's ceremony at Louisville's Frazier History Museum. "Sometimes I'd wake up and say, 'now, is this really true?' And it is, it's really true." The Purple Heart, awarded to U.S. service members wounded or killed by enemy action, comes just months before Fisher's 100th birthday and follows years of unsuccessful efforts to have his wartime injuries formally recognized. ‘NOBODY SHOULD GO ALONE’: 1,500 STRANGERS HONOR WWII VETERAN WITH NO KNOWN FAMILY WHAS11 first reported Fisher's story in March as he sought to receive the award before turning 100. According to previous reporting by WHAS11, Fisher enlisted in the Army in 1943 at just 16 years old after obtaining his parents' permission. He later landed on Utah Beach in France and was wounded on March 25, 1945, while waiting to cross the Rhine River after German artillery struck his unit. Fisher previously said his injuries were never properly documented during the war, which he said delayed his receiving the Purple Heart. "Never did hear back from them," Fisher previously said of one of his early attempts to obtain the medal. Years later, he tried again but said the Army informed him it could not find sufficient evidence to approve the award. ‘NOBODY SHOULD GO ALONE’: 1,500 STRANGERS HONOR WWII VETERAN WITH NO KNOWN FAMILY Despite those setbacks, Fisher continued pursuing the recognition with help from longtime friend Jeff Thoke, who spent years researching Fisher's military service and compiling hundreds of pages of historical records for military officials. "He represents the best of America," Thoke said Wednesday. "We can't thank him enough for all that he has done. He loves his country; he's one of the most patriotic men." According to previous reporting, Fisher served with the Army's 556th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Weapons Battalion. He fought during the Battle of the Bulge before being wounded near the Rhine River in the closing months of World War II. WHAS11 reported Fisher returned to his unit weeks after being wounded, later met Soviet forces at the Elbe River one day before Victory in Europe Day and eventually served as part of the official escort for President Harry S. Truman during Truman's arrival in Antwerp, Belgium, before returning home. Wednesday's ceremony appeared to mark the end of a journey Fisher had spent decades pursuing. "It's really true," he said. Fox News Digital has reached out to the U.S. Army for additional information about Fisher's Purple Heart but did not immediately receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a9bf4c2ca79de236435cd Sedona native rides in 2026 Pan-Mass Challenge te 2026-07-05T18:01:24.525Z Sedona native rides in 2026 Pan-Mass Challenge Elizabeth McGinnis from Sedona will be among the more than 6,000 cyclists and 4,000 volunteers participating in the Pan-Mass Challenge, an annual bike-athon across Massachusetts, on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 1 and 2. The event is meant to raise money for cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cance Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a9be0c2ca79de236435ac World Cup comes between professional soccer couple, she loses and he gets kicked out of bed te 2026-07-05T18:01:04.560Z World Cup comes between professional soccer couple, she loses and he gets kicked out of bed There was a lot riding on the Portugal and Croatia match-up last week. Sure, the chance to advance to the Round of 16 in the World Cup was on the line, but for one professional soccer couple, their bed was also on the line. Depending on which team won, a one-way ticket to the couch was going to be issued. Croatian soccer player Ana Maria Markovic posted on Instagram, "Someone’s sleeping on the couch tonight." The announcement included pictures of her and her Portuguese soccer player boyfriend Tomas Ribeiro. He responded to the post he was tagged in, "Guess who's gonna be?" ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! The couple put on their opposing jerseys and headed out to watch the game. Let's be honest here for a second, Ribeiro was in a no-win situation from the word go. If his team loses, they're out. If his team wins, he ends up being kicked out of the couple's bed and can't even celebrate advancing to the next round from the comfort of his bed. To make matters worse for him, Markovic, once dubbed the "World's Most Beautiful Soccer Player," checked in during the game surrounded by fans rooting for Portugal. VAR DENIES CROATIA'S GAME-TYING GOAL AS CRISTIANO RONALDO LEADS PORTUGAL TO ROUND OF 16 "I’m literally the only Croatian here," she said from the bar where she and Ribeiro were watching the game, according to The Sun. Being in an environment like that had to make Croatia's 2-1 loss that much harder of a pill to swallow for the 26-year-old, who currently plays for Brooklyn FC of the USL Super League. You're not going to be shown an ounce of mercy after that. Markovic seemed to confirm that she had the bed all to herself after the loss and that it was a hard pill for her to swallow. WORLD CUP SUPERSTAR IVANA KNOLL INVADES AT&T STADIUM TO TURN HEADS AND SUPPORT CROATIA The Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa defender's team is taking on Spain on Monday afternoon. Maybe Ana Maria Markovic will decide to throw her support behind his team. Or maybe she'll do the right thing by rooting against him and keeping him on the couch until his team loses too. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a99acc2ca79de23643541 Netanyahu rejects reports of a rift with President Trump, says the two remain aligned on Iran te 2026-07-05T17:51:40.472Z Netanyahu rejects reports of a rift with President Trump, says the two remain aligned on Iran Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied a rift with President Donald Trump while drawing a hard line on Iran as Washington pursues a broader nuclear agreement with Tehran. Netanyahu said Israel and the U.S. shared the same goal on Iran, even as Trump pressed ahead with talks that have drawn criticism from some Israeli officials. "But I can tell you this, deal or no deal, as long as I’m prime minister, Iran will not have a nuclear weapon," Netanyahu told host Jacqui Heinrich on "The Sunday Briefing." TRUMP’S MASSIVE GOP FAITH BLOC RAISES RED FLAG ON IRAN DEAL: TRUST HIM, NOT HIS TEAM Asked whether his relationship with Trump had frayed over Iran, Netanyahu said any disagreements between the allies were being handled directly. "I don’t think there’s a rift," Netanyahu said. "I think America has no greater ally than Israel, and Israel has no greater ally than the United States." Netanyahu said Trump acts in U.S. interests while he acts in Israel's interests, but argued the two leaders usually align. AMERICA AND ISRAEL: A COVENANT, NOT A CONTRACT "President Trump is the leader of the United States. He does what’s good for America. I am the leader of Israel, the one and only Jewish state. I do what’s good for Israel," Netanyahu said. "Ninety-nine percent of the time we see eye-to-eye." Heinrich pressed Netanyahu on Trump's comments to Axios that the Israeli leader "knows who the boss is" and previous comments to the Financial Times saying Netanyahu would have "no choice" but to accept a U.S.-Iran deal. EXPERTS ‘DEEPLY’ CONCERNED OVER IRAN’S WORK AT UNDERGROUND NUCLEAR SITE Netanyahu said Washington and Jerusalem still had the same strategic objective. "We want to see Iran give up its nuclear weapons program," Netanyahu said. "We want to see the nuclear-enriched material removed. We want to see the enrichment sites for nuclear materials dismantled." When asked whether he was comfortable with talks extending past an August deadline, Netanyahu said he would judge the outcome only once negotiations conclude. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "I would say it’s not over. I would judge it when it’s over," Netanyahu said. Netanyahu also responded to Vice President JD Vance, who warned Israeli officials not to attack Trump over the Iran deal, saying the U.S. was the "only powerful ally" Israel has left. "First of all, I respect JD Vance. We have a very good relationship, but it doesn’t mean that I agree with everything that he says," Netanyahu said. Netanyahu said Trump remained Israel's strongest supporter in the White House. "Donald Trump is a great, the greatest friend we’ve ever had in the White House, and I stand by that completely," Netanyahu said. Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment, but did not immediately hear back. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a9970c2ca79de2364351a Mallory McMorrow Ends Senate Bid in Democrats’ Heated Michigan Primary te 2026-07-05T17:50:40.026Z Mallory McMorrow Ends Senate Bid in Democrats’ Heated Michigan Primary The state senator sought to carve a middle path between a left-wing candidate and one backed by the party establishment, but she gained little traction. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a995cc2ca79de23643505 Amazon will stop accepting new customers for Mechanical Turk te 2026-07-05T17:50:20.066Z Amazon will stop accepting new customers for Mechanical Turk These may be the last days of Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a9743c2ca79de236434cf Patriotic pride on display as America 250 guests share reflections: 'Awesome to be here' te 2026-07-05T17:41:23.032Z Patriotic pride on display as America 250 guests share reflections: 'Awesome to be here' The Great American State Fair was packed this Independence Day, drawing crowds for a mix of holiday celebration and personal reflection. As the festivities unfolded, attendees shared what spending the Fourth of July with their families means to them. "It kind of makes us emotional because of our country and the people who died, you know, and gave up what they've done," Tom Rutledge, a grandfather who traveled to the fair from Texas, told Fox News Digital. HEART ATTACKS AND STROKES RISING WITH EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS, RESEARCH SUGGESTS Rutledge brought his 13-year-old grandson along so he could experience the Fourth of July celebration firsthand. "I wanted him at 13 to experience this," Rutledge said. "There's a gap, maybe, in our younger generation. The education ... has not been really communicating what this country's about, how many people love it." Despite those concerns, the fair's youngest attendees showed plenty of patriotic spirit. Many young children expressed joy at being there, undeterred by long travels, storm warnings and summer heat waves. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES "I’m excited for the fireworks," one young girl told her father, while another child could be heard cheering as planes flew low overhead. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER For the adults in the crowd, the fair offered a welcome reminder of national unity. A father who traveled from Florida said the best part of the day was simply being surrounded by fellow patriots, from the youth to the service members who protect the nation. "I'm just looking forward to being around all the American citizens who make this country awesome," he said. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ That sense of community was on full display throughout the fairgrounds, where tight crowds seemed to bring out the best in people rather than testing their patience. "It is amazingly crowded, [and] people are amazingly nice," one couple said. "We’re making friends!" They then gestured to another couple next to them, whom they had just met while waiting in line for the Ferris wheel. Despite hailing from opposite corners of the country — Tennessee and New Jersey — the new friends had quickly bonded over their shared patriotism and holiday spirit. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a9705c2ca79de236434ae More Severe Weather Looms as Over 800,000 Remain Without Power te 2026-07-05T17:40:21.590Z More Severe Weather Looms as Over 800,000 Remain Without Power Strong storms knocked out power this week to customers from Oklahoma to Connecticut. As they waited on Sunday for the lights to come back on, the forecast called for more severe weather. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a9292c2ca79de23643037 USA World Cup star Folarin Balogun available to play vs Belgium in stunning twist te 2026-07-05T17:21:22.275Z USA World Cup star Folarin Balogun available to play vs Belgium in stunning twist USA World Cup star Folarin Balogun will be able to play in Monday’s game against Belgium in the Round of 16 match after all following an uproar over a red card he received against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Balogun received the red card after he stepped on the foot of Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic. The red card was given after Brazilian referee Raphael Claus stopped the match for a VAR review to determine whether Balogun had committed a severe foul. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! It was ruled that Balogun did and he was sent off. The Athletic, which first reported Balogun’s playing status on Sunday, noted that part of FIFA’s disciplinary code stated, "the judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure." "If the person benefiting from a suspended sanction commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked by the judicial body and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement," the rule added. FOX Sports confirmed that Balogun would be able to play. The report noted that the play should not have been flagged to Claus. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM FIFA confirmed that the suspension was suspended for a probationary period of one year. "We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow," U.S. Soccer said. "Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans." Balogun scored against Bosnia and Herzegovina. He spoke to reporters Friday about the red card. "First and foremost, it was totally unintentional, which I'm sure a lot of people know. But, you know, I think the choice of the referee was, of course, his choice, but I don't think it was the correct call," he said. "I think a yellow card would have been fair due to it not being intentional. There's not many places I can place my foot in such a scenario. But it's happened, and it's something that I have to accept and move forward from. "There’s been lots of different emotions. I’ve been upset, I’ve been happy, it’s been surreal to be honest," he added. "But for me it was just important to stay calm. I never want to react out of anger and emotion. There’s still lots of people we’re inspiring. Little kids, boys and girls are watching. We have to show them the correct way to handle things even when you think it’s unjust, so I felt I did that. I’m happy with the support, not just I’m receiving but the team. I think we’re all looking forward to seeing what we can do against Belgium." U.S. Soccer had no way to appeal the ruing. Article 9.6 of the 2026 World Cup regulations reads, "No protests may be made about the referee’s decisions regarding facts connected with play. Such decisions are final and not subject to appeal, unless otherwise stipulated in the FIFA Disciplinary Code." "If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team’s subsequent match," Article 10.5 adds. Fox News' Jonathan Hunt contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a927ec2ca79de2364302e Bill Clinton blasts Trump as Americans mark nation's 250th anniversary te 2026-07-05T17:21:02.832Z Bill Clinton blasts Trump as Americans mark nation's 250th anniversary Former President Bill Clinton took a swipe at President Donald Trump in a statement posted to X marking the nation's 250th birthday, urging Americans to reject division and embrace the country's founding ideals without mentioning Trump by name. In the statement, released Saturday, Clinton reflected on the nation's founding and warned that the United States was experiencing another period of deep political division. TOP HIGHLIGHTS FROM TRUMP'S LATE NIGHT JULY 4 ADDRESS: 'NO DREAM IN HISTORY IS BIGGER' "Today, we celebrate this milestone amid another period of deep division, renewed questions about America's future and role in the world, and serious threats to our own institutions and to our democracy itself," the former president wrote. Clinton, whose wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, was defeated by Trump in the 2016 presidential election, did not mention the president by name during his remarks. "The people in charge have unleashed masked agents on American communities to seize people from their homes, workplaces and the street," Clinton said.  "They have started an unconstitutional war on a whim, with no clear objectives or exit strategy, and zero regard for the consequences to the lives of millions of people around the world," he added. WE ASKED AMERICANS TO GRADE THE ECONOMY. THEN WE ASKED IF IT WOULD CHANGE THEIR VOTE The former president then broadened his criticism to the federal government and the courts. "With the help of lifetime appointees to the Supreme Court and a compliant Congress, they have weaponized government to settle personal scores, prosecute enemies, stamp out free speech and made the federal government a new profit center for themselves and their allies," he added. Clinton's statement came as Trump presided over separate America250 festivities in Washington, D.C., where he touted what he called America's "Golden Age" and highlighted his administration's accomplishments, the U.S. military and the country's economic outlook. Clinton encouraged Americans to think about the nation's future as it enters its next 250 years, arguing that preserving democratic institutions requires citizens to value common purpose over political grievance. Trump, meanwhile, used his Independence Day address to celebrate the nation's founding while touting his administration's achievements, criticizing progressive Democrats and promoting priorities including election integrity measures, border security and a renewed emphasis on patriotism. While both men celebrated the nation's founding, their messages highlighted vastly different views of the country's current political climate. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a8df7c2ca79de23642ee1 Mohave County supervisors to consider $115K underwater drone for Sheriff's Office te 2026-07-05T17:01:43.246Z Mohave County supervisors to consider $115K underwater drone for Sheriff's Office The Mohave County Board of Supervisors is expected to consider Monday whether to approve the purchase of an underwater drone system for the Mohave County Sheriff's Office using grant funding from the Arizona State Parks Board. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a8de3c2ca79de23642ed8 Mohave County to consider nursing student clinical partnership with Mohave College te 2026-07-05T17:01:23.279Z Mohave County to consider nursing student clinical partnership with Mohave College The Mohave County Board of Supervisors is expected to consider a two-year agreement Monday that would allow Mohave College nursing students to complete clinical practicums and externships with the Mohave County Department of Public Health. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a8dcfc2ca79de23642ecf Product Images (No Background) - 2 te 2026-07-05T17:01:03.317Z Product Images (No Background) - 2 SRV- 8 Professional Underwater ROV System Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a8b4cc2ca79de23642e51 Navy Ends Search for Missing Crew Member After Arabian Sea Helicopter Crash te 2026-07-05T16:50:20.856Z Navy Ends Search for Missing Crew Member After Arabian Sea Helicopter Crash The cause of the crash was still under investigation, but the military said it was not the result of hostile fire. A total of 14 U.S. service members have been killed in the war against Iran. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a86dbc2ca79de23642ddf NCAA president Charlie Baker reacts to Supreme Court ruling on transgender athletes te 2026-07-05T16:31:23.298Z NCAA president Charlie Baker reacts to Supreme Court ruling on transgender athletes NCAA president Charlie Baker said Sunday he doesn’t think the organization’s policy on transgender-athlete participation will be changed after the Supreme Court’s decision. The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of West Virginia and Idaho on Tuesday against trans athletes who sued to gain access to girls' sports. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! In the highly anticipated rulings in West Virginia v. B.P.J. and Little v. Hecox, the high court upheld state laws requiring student-athletes to compete on sports teams that correspond with their biological sex at birth rather than their gender identity. Baker appeared on CBS’ "Face the Nation" and was asked whether the NCAA will have to "tweak" its policy. "I don’t think so. I mean, generally speaking, we try to establish policies from most of our programs that can hopefully have a national standard to it," Baker said. "I’ve said to folks, Democrats and Republicans in Washington after I got this job, that we needed some sort of clarity around on what the national standard for this would be and we adopted and complied with the standard that was put forth by the Trump administration. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "I think what happens at the state level is a different question. Although, I do think our national standard is going to be what we expect our schools to use with respect to eligibility issues for college sports." The NCAA changed its gender-eligibility policy in February 2025 after President Donald Trump signed the "No Men in Women’s Sports" executive order. The new policy, which reversed a previous policy that had been in place since 2010 allowing trans athletes in women's sports, now states "a student-athlete assigned male at birth may practice on an NCAA women's team and receive all other benefits applicable to student-athletes." Many critics have insisted this policy does not go far enough or establish clear enough barriers to protect women's athletes in the college ranks. The most common criticism has been that the policy allegedly allows trans athletes to bypass the restriction by changing the gender on their birth certificate. In the U.S., 44 states do allow birth certificates to be altered to change a person's birth sex. The only states that do not allow this are Florida, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Montana. Meanwhile, there are 14 states that allow sex on a birth certificate to be changed without any medical documentation required, including California, New York, Massachusetts and Michigan. Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a86c7c2ca79de23642dd6 Hi Mom text scam: How to spot fake emergency texts te 2026-07-05T16:31:03.849Z Hi Mom text scam: How to spot fake emergency texts A scam text showed up today that would make many parents stop cold. The message said: "Hi mom, text me here on my work phone. Dropped my actual phone in the sink earlier and it's completely unresponsive now." The text came from an unknown number. Then it asked me to text a different unknown number. That detail is important. The scammer wants to move you into a new conversation before you stop and verify who is really on the other end. The message seems personal right away. There is no weird link. There is no obvious demand for money. Instead, it starts with a little family panic and a believable excuse. That is what makes the Hi Mom text scam so sneaky. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report YOUR FAMILY COULD BE ONE PHONE CALL FROM A BANK SCAM This scam works because it sounds ordinary. A child texting from a work phone seems possible. A phone dropped in a sink sounds believable. A short message from someone who sounds rushed can feel real enough to make you respond. That is exactly the point. Scammers know parents may react quickly when a child appears to need help. They do not need a perfect story. They only need a small opening. Once you reply, the scammer can keep the conversation going. Then the request may change from "text me here" to "can you help me pay for a new phone?" or "I need money right now." Here's how the scammer uses each part of the message to make a strange number feel believable. The scammer does not use a real name. That makes the message easier to send to many people. Still, if the person reading it is a mother, it suddenly feels personal. That one phrase tries to create an instant emotional connection. This tells you to respond on the scammer's terms. It also keeps the exchange inside text messages. That gives the scammer time to think, type and adjust the story based on how you respond. This explains why the number looks unfamiliar. The scammer knows you may wonder why your child is texting from a strange number. So the message gives you an excuse before you even ask. This is the hook. People drop phones in sinks, toilets, pools and puddles all the time. The detail feels normal enough that you may not question it. This word creates a fresh problem without giving many details. It suggests the accident just happened. However, it avoids specifics that you could check. This line blocks the most obvious verification step. If you try to call the real phone, the scammer has already given you a reason it may not work. That can make you more likely to text the new number instead. GLOBAL SCAM CRACKDOWN LEADS TO 276 ARRESTS The first message may seem harmless. The second one may start the real scam. The scammer may claim they need money for a replacement phone. They may ask you to pay a bill because their banking app is locked. They may push you to use Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, crypto or gift cards. Some scammers may also ask for a one-time security code. They may pretend the code is needed to restore the phone, verify an account or fix a payment problem. Do not share that code. A verification code can let a scammer break into your bank, email, Apple ID, Google account or phone carrier account. Parents are wired to respond when a child sounds stuck. Scammers know that. They use concern, timing and confusion to lower your guard. The message also avoids overexplaining. That makes it feel more natural. Many real texts from family members are short, rushed and a little messy. However, the biggest warning sign is the two-number setup. One unknown number sends the message. Another unknown number gets placed inside the text. That handoff is the scammer trying to pull you deeper into the trap. Before you respond to a message like this, run through these steps to make sure you are dealing with your real family member. Avoid answering, even to say the sender has the wrong number. A reply can confirm your number is active. That may lead to more scam texts later. Use the phone number already saved in your contacts. Do not call or text the number inside the suspicious message. If your child or family member does not answer, try another trusted way to reach them. Ask something only the real person would know. Make the question specific. Avoid anything a stranger could guess from social media. Pause before sending money because of any urgent family message. Be extra careful with Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, gift cards and crypto. These payment methods can be fast, and some are hard to reverse. Never send a one-time passcode from your bank, Apple ID, Gmail, phone carrier or payment app. A real family member should not need your private security code. Strong antivirus software can help protect your phone, tablet and computer from malicious links, phishing pages and hidden threats. This becomes even more important if a scammer sends a follow-up link after you reply. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com A data removal service can help reduce how much of your personal information appears online. That matters because scammers often use exposed details to make their messages feel more convincing. No service can remove every piece of data, but it can help cut down what strangers can find. 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. On iPhone, tap Report Spam or Report Junk if the option appears. Then delete the message. You can also forward unwanted texts to 7726 , which spells SPAM. On Android, block the sender and report the conversation as spam in Google Messages. If you already responded, focus on ending the conversation, protecting your accounts and saving proof before the scammer pushes harder. The Hi Mom text scam works because it feels familiar. The scammer starts with a small family problem instead of a big demand. That makes the message feel less suspicious and more urgent. The safest move is to pause before you reply. Call the real person using a number you already trust. If the story checks out, you can help. If it does not, report and block the message. That tiny pause could protect your money, your accounts and someone else in your family. Have you ever received a fake family emergency text that sounded almost believable, and what detail gave it away? 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/6a4a846ec2ca79de23642d80 Classes promote gentle fitness te 2026-07-05T16:21:02.916Z Classes promote gentle fitness The JFCS Center for Senior Enrichment and Creative Aging will offer two opportunities for the Valley’s older residents get active and support their health and wellbeing this month. Beginning July 14 at 10:30 a.m., join a gentle Zoom exercise class combining Tai Chi movements with relaxation breathing techniques to support overall health and wellness. The class focuses on improving balance, flexibility, coordination and stress reduction through simple stretching, mindful movement and guided practice. The class is designed for all levels. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Participants can wind down their week with Friday Cool Down: Fitness and Stretching led by Zoe. This energizing 35-minute class begins with 20 minutes of light movement to get your body moving, followed by 15 minutes of relaxing stretches designed to improve flexibility and leave you feeling refreshed. No weights are needed – just come ready to move and unwind. Find a complete list of available classes and registration information online at www.jfcsaz.org/our-services/older-adults-services. To contact staff, send an email to seniorcenter@jfcsaz.org or call 480-670-8073 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a823dc2ca79de23642d3c Princess Diana's honeymoon letter reveals a young bride 'playing with grown-ups' in the royal family te 2026-07-05T16:11:41.633Z Princess Diana's honeymoon letter reveals a young bride 'playing with grown-ups' in the royal family Princess Diana believed she was headed for a fairy-tale future with then-Prince Charles — until her dream unraveled. Katherine Hanbury, who attended West Heath Girls' School with the late Princess of Wales between 1973 and 1977, is partnering with U.K.-based auction house Gorringe's to auction photographs and letters beginning July 7. "She was completely hopeful," the royal's childhood friend told Fox News Digital. "She thought she'd met her prince. And we all hope, don't we, when we get married, that we've found somebody we're going to spend the rest of our lives with, have children with and have a lovely, happy life." PRINCESS DIANA'S BOLD REQUEST WAS THE ONE THING HER DESIGNER REFUSED: 'YOU ARE A PRINCESS' "She wanted to build a family of her own," Hanbury reflected. "She had all of those aspirations. She was such a lovely, caring girl. And that was definitely what she wanted more than anything else: to have a family of her own, to be loved and cared for, as we all do, really." "I've had these letters and photos in my desk for the last 45 years or so," Hanbury said. "I'm not getting any younger, and I can't take them with me. I thought now is the time to give somebody else the opportunity to have the pleasure and the joy of looking at and reading them, as they gave to me." At the girls' school, they became fast friends. Diana was described as "good fun" and "very ordinary" — meant as a compliment. "My memory of her was that she really enjoyed all the everyday girl things," Hanbury said. "She was very giggly, very caring. That's my memory of her: a young girl who was absolutely delightful. She was just Diana, another girl at the school in our group. She was actually Lady Diana Spencer, but she just went by Diana." WATCH: PRINCESS DIANA'S BALLET TEACHER RECALLS SURPRISE ‘UPTOWN GIRL’ DANCE "She loved all the domestic things," Hanbury said with a laugh. "I remember our headmistress had a small flat within the school, and she asked whether she could go in and clean it for her. She loved tidying people's rooms, organizing drawers and lockers. She loved the domestic side of life. And she was sporty, too. She was good at swimming and loved tennis." "I remember us riding our bikes down a hill," she continued. "We rode the whole way, just shrieking and hollering, making an awful lot of noise while pedaling as fast as we could. She just loved doing things with you. One of our simple pleasures was riding our bikes and screeching all the way down. She was just a girl like any of us." Diana left West Heath at 16. She remained in touch with Hanbury. Charles and Diana didn't begin dating until 1980. The couple married on July 29, 1981. "I remember her going home for the weekend and coming back so excited," Hanbury said. "Prince Charles had been at Althorp, her parents' country estate. Prince Charles was a friend of her two older sisters, and he happened to be there that weekend when she came home. So when she came back, she was thrilled because she had met the prince. Then the romance was revealed in the papers." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER It was through the press that Hanbury discovered her "ordinary" friend was engaged to the future king of England. "She was so young; she was only 20," Hanbury said. "She seemed barely out of school. It was portrayed as very romantic. She was definitely smitten with him. I'm sure when she was at school with us, she never thought that one day she would marry a prince. We were all surprised." The lot includes "The Honeymoon Letter," which the newly minted Princess of Wales wrote to her friend. "We had a blissful honeymoon with endless sun and luckily calm seas," Diana wrote. "We are now up in Scotland until the end of October, which is a big treat for us — I adore being outside all day & hate London! Its [sic] wonderful being married — I think its [sic] safe to say that after two months...!" In the letter, Diana hinted at what it was like adapting to her new life as a member of the royal family, writing, "Its [sic] a case of playing with grown-ups!" "You have to remember she was so young," Hanbury said. "It was all a new playground for her. I imagine she was thinking, 'I'm married, and now I'm a grown-up. I need to start my family.'" LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Hanbury believed Diana's future as a royal was set. "She was always caring for people," Hanbury said. "She was very thoughtful, kind and loving. She wanted to be loved by everybody. She was a giver. There was no other side to her. She was genuinely kind. When she entered this whole new world — the royal family — everything we saw of her was real. That was Diana. She never lost that, even when her life changed suddenly. That's who she was." The two women took dramatically different paths. While Diana was thrust onto the world stage, Hanbury continued her education and quietly built a life of her own. Even from afar, she never stopped thinking about her old friend. "I wondered what it would be like when Charles eventually became our king of England," said Hanbury. "There was always a lot of hope for Diana." Charles and Diana's marriage was marked by years of turmoil under relentless public scrutiny. After welcoming two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, the couple announced their separation in 1992. Their divorce was finalized in 1996. Less than a year later, on Aug. 31, 1997, Diana died after suffering injuries in a car crash in Paris. She was 36. "You could smell the flowers in London from miles away before you even got to where they were being laid in front of the palace gates," Hanbury said quietly. "It was unbelievably sad. I still can't put it into words. She was so young, and then to die in such a way after enduring all the awfulness that had come before, with her marriage falling apart. It was an absolute tragedy." "I felt immense sadness," she said. "But millions of people around the world felt the same way, which was remarkable. She was so loved, always. I don't think there will ever be anybody like her." Today, Hanbury hopes her letters and photographs will introduce the public to another side of the girl she called a friend. "She was the real deal," Hanbury said. "She never tried to be anyone or anything other than her real self. I think that's something that's missing in a lot of the royal family today, probably. But that's who she was. She was Diana." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a822ac2ca79de23642d33 Ryan Weathers' 0.66 day game ERA makes under 8.5 the smart bet in Yankees vs Twins matchup te 2026-07-05T16:11:22.176Z Ryan Weathers' 0.66 day game ERA makes under 8.5 the smart bet in Yankees vs Twins matchup It wasn't the most exciting day for me with baseball yesterday. I took the over and the St. Louis Cardinals on the moneyline as they took on the Chicago Cubs and split those plays. The good news is that the Cardinals were a plus-money play, so it wasn't a losing day. It has been that kind of baseball season for me so far, but each day gives an opportunity for a turnaround. Today, we shift over to the American League for a different series that closes out as the Minnesota Twins take on the New York Yankees. The Twins were one of those teams that was very surprising this season. Even though they've dropped below .500, they are still surprising. They are 43-47 for the year, which puts them on pace for about 80 wins this year. It is unlikely they will be able to win enough to make the postseason. Their team has the second and third-ranked players in terms of trade value. This was supposed to be a rebuild year for the Twins, but they've had more success. Part of that is because Byron Buxton (the second-ranked player) has been phenomenal. He would be a great addition for a lot of teams. Another big addition for teams would be today's starter, the third-ranked player, Joe Ryan. I wouldn't say that Ryan is going to lead your team as the starter through the postseason, but he absolutely could be a difference maker and a good possibility for being the second-best option in the rotation. For the season, Ryan is 5-5 with a 3.61 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM I could see him using this start as an audition for most of the teams that are looking. Ryan has been phenomenal in day games with a 1.21 ERA in six starts. However, he has been worse on the road with a 4.09 road ERA. He is coming off of his two worst starts of the season, allowing 10 earned runs over his past 10 innings. Yankees hitters have been decent against them at .231 over 65 at-bats. The Yankees are one of the best teams in baseball, and that was the expectation for this season. They are in the middle of a slump of sorts for them, but they are still 10 games over .500. Since June 18, they are 4-12. I fully expected them to start slipping after Aaron Judge went on the injured list, but they maintained their success until now. Perhaps this is just a blip in a long season. All teams go through something like this at some point, but when you're in it, the players and fans both start adding pressure. Looking to stop the skid a bit for the Yankees today is Ryan Weathers. For the season, Weathers is 3-6 with a 4.08 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. He has been better at home, throwing to a 3.74 ERA in Yankee Stadium. Even better news for the Yankees is that he has a 0.66 ERA during day games, having allowed just two earned runs over 27.1 innings. Weathers lasted just 1.2 innings in his last start, allowing two earned runs on seven hits. Twins hitters have very little experience against Weathers, getting three hits in 10 at-bats. Anthony Volpe has been great against Ryan with a 6-for-12 with two extra-base hits. Byron Buxton is 2-for-2 against Weathers with a double. Volpe is a little bit better of a sample to go off of, but I don't think either is especially reliable in this situation. Volpe is also better at hitting during the day, so maybe consider him for 2+ total bases. In today's game, the Yankees are the favorite, but the money is helping to move the line toward the Twins. I do think Ryan is the better pitcher, but this isn't the most ideal spot. Weathers is actually in a better spot when you consider all of his splits. I do think the best bet here is to take the under. Both of these starters have done well in day starts, and I think it continues here. Give me the under 8.5. For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a8216c2ca79de23642d2a Zohran Mamdani's wife skips America 250 for Islamic ‘spiritual wellness’ retreat in Spain te 2026-07-05T16:11:02.274Z Zohran Mamdani's wife skips America 250 for Islamic ‘spiritual wellness’ retreat in Spain Rama Duwaji, wife of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, faced criticism over the Fourth of July weekend after she reportedly traveled to Mallorca, Spain, for an Islamic "spiritual wellness" retreat while New York and the rest of the nation celebrated America's 250th anniversary. The New York Post reported that Duwaji was seen Monday at Newark International Airport before boarding a flight to Palma and heading to a sold-out retreat run by The Women Sanctuary. "Nothing says ‘America 250’ quite like skipping the celebration for a Mediterranean vacation, but I am not surprised because she has made her hatred for America very evident," Councilwoman Joann Ariola, R-Queens, told The Post. MAMDANI BLASTS ICE AGENTS, ELON MUSK AND 'SUPREMACY' IN AMERICA 250 SPEECH AHEAD OF JULY 4 WEEKEND Councilman Frank Morano, R-Staten Island, also criticized Duwaji’s absence during the semi-quincentennial celebration, saying officials’ family members can take trips but should recognize the importance of the milestone. "It’s disappointing that the First Lady chose to be overseas instead of taking part in one of the biggest civic events our city and country will mark this year," Morano told The Post. Morano said the issue was not whether Duwaji was allowed to travel, but whether she should have appeared at events in the city during the 250th anniversary. "No one is saying elected officials and their families can’t take vacations, but this was a moment to show up for the city and for the country, and she missed it," Morano said. INTERNAL EMAILS EXPOSE HOW JULY 4TH BASH IS BEING DERAILED BY DEM-RUN COUNTY: 'OFFENSIVE' Fox News Digital reached out to the mayor's office for comment, but did not immediately hear a response. Mamdani's office told The Post that Duwaji was not accompanied by officers assigned to the couple's taxpayer-funded NYPD detail. Conservative commentator Arynne Wexler posted photos of Duwaji at a United Airlines gate and criticized the timing of the trip. "Funny how when @ZohranKMamdani was telling New Yorkers to lower their AC his wife Rama Duwaji was boarding a flight to party in Mallorca," Wexler said on X, according to The Post. The Women Sanctuary’s website lists the event, "Plants Of The Quran | 6th Edition," as a sold-out retreat, among other sold-out events. A separate retreat page describes the Mallorca program as centered on plants mentioned in the Quran, including olives, pomegranates, dates and figs, with workshops, meals and spiritual reflection. Mamdani remained in New York City during a heat wave and the city's America 250 events. His office said July 1 that the city was expanding cooling centers, extending pool hours and asking businesses and New Yorkers to set thermostats to 78 degrees during peak demand. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a7fd2c2ca79de23642ce0 Brooklyn Bridge catches fire amid NYC fireworks display as Trump hails it in DC speech te 2026-07-05T16:01:22.842Z Brooklyn Bridge catches fire amid NYC fireworks display as Trump hails it in DC speech While President Donald Trump was hailing the Brooklyn Bridge in his National Mall speech as "one of the greatest architectural feats of all time," firefighters in New York City were fighting to protect it from burning down late Saturday night. It was a contrast of moments from a pair of incredible America 250 fireworks displays Saturday night into early Sunday morning between New York City and the nation's capital. A fire broke out on the Brooklyn Bridge in New York during the city’s July Fourth fireworks show. Crowdgoers on Saturday could see flames spreading on the bridge and setting off a plume of smoke before firefighters extinguished the blaze. No injuries were reported. JULY 4 HEAT DELAYS AMERICA 250 CELEBRATION AS STATE FAIR GUESTS SHARE LOVE OF USA The city's fire department said two fire engines were used to put out the blaze on the bridge, which had been closed to traffic during the show. The show was moved up early because of the threat of severe weather that canceled and delayed other celebrations along the East Coast. That includes Washington, D.C., where a storm prompted an evacuation of the crowd on the National Mall. Coincidentally, Trump was hailing that very bridge in his Salute to America 250 speech. LEE GREENWOOD SAYS HE'S 'VERY PROUD' TO STAND NEXT TO TRUMP DURING AMERICA'S 250TH CELEBRATION "We also have the first flag ever to fly over one of the greatest architectural feats of all time, a thing called the Brooklyn Bridge: One of the most beautiful bridges anywhere in the world – built a long time ago," Trump said in his 37-minute speech, which was also delayed by summer thunderstorms. Trump's mention of the Brooklyn Bridge came during his address, highlighting historic American flags, along with ancestors of some of America's iconic figures. "American grit, boldness and daring forged heroes like Davy Crockett, Wyatt Earp, Annie Oakley, Teddy Roosevelt, and the legend of the Wild West, Buffalo Bill Cody: These were great, powerful people whose incredible grandchildren happened to be with us tonight," Trump said, as one presented a flag that first waved over the Brooklyn Bridge. THE STORY BEHIND BETSY ROSS AND THE FIRST AMERICAN FLAG AS AMERICA CELEBRATES 250TH BIRTHDAY "And they stand alongside one of the first American flags ever to fly over our expanding nation. It was carried west just as Lewis and Clark began their journey in 1803. "Thank you very much. Great to have you. Great to have you to honor this audacious and indomitable soul of America." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a7fbfc2ca79de23642cd7 Dave Chappelle admits he sees why Trump ‘gets mad’ at CNN over American pride question te 2026-07-05T16:01:03.397Z Dave Chappelle admits he sees why Trump ‘gets mad’ at CNN over American pride question Comedian Dave Chappelle said Friday that he understood why President Donald Trump "gets mad" at CNN during a live interview with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen, as the network counted down to America's 250th birthday in New York City's Times Square. During the segment, Cohen asked Chappelle why he was proud to be an American and how he viewed the country. "Boy, that’s a loaded question," Chappelle said. "Now I see why Trump gets mad at y’all all the time. Why would you ask me that?" DAVE CHAPPELLE SAYS HE’S CONSIDERING REVISITING ‘CHAPPELLE’S SHOW’ DECADES AFTER WALKING AWAY Chappelle then answered the question by saying his pride in America came from the people who live in the country, not from every decision made by the government. "I don’t agree with everything that our government does, but the one thing that I’ve really consistently believe in that I love about being an American is my countrymen," Chappelle said. Chappelle said he felt a connection with Americans when he encountered them abroad. WORLD CUP SOCCER FANS ARE DISCOVERING AMERICA’S GREATNESS. IT’S TIME AMERICANS DID, TOO "If I’m overseas or around the world, anytime I see an American over there, we just give each other the 'Fight Club' look, because we live in a madness that only we really understand what it’s all about," he said. The comedian also said he remained optimistic about the country despite its political divisions. "And I have faith in my countrymen, no matter how crazy all of this will make it feel that the sun will rise and that I feel like I’m part of a very incredible community," Chappelle said. "So God bless my countrymen and let us make this country absolutely great." HOLLYWOOD CELEBRITIES CRASH AMERICA'S 250TH BIRTHDAY WITH A GRIM HOLIDAY WARNING ABOUT TRUMP Chappelle closed the exchange with a direct message to Trump about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, after Cohen and Cooper raised a toast to him. "Hey, give me a beer, would you?" Chappelle said. "And Mr. Trump, please leave those Haitians in Springfield alone. We love them. We love the Haitians." Springfield became a national political flashpoint during the 2024 campaign after Trump and others amplified claims about Haitian immigrants there. Chappelle also spoke about his "summer camp" show in Yellow Springs, which he said began in 2020 after COVID-19 shut down entertainment venues and after George Floyd was killed. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "What it is, is my neighbor’s cornfield was not in use," Chappelle said. "Every great production person in the state of Ohio was out of work. So we all got together and we just started throwing shows." He said Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine allowed the shows to proceed, and the comedian credited the series with becoming a local tradition. "We could have got shut down any minute, but shout out to the governor, DeWine," Chappelle said. "He gave us an opportunity to do these shows." Live Nation announced in June that "Dave Chappelle’s Summer Camp" would return to the Wirrig Pavilion in Yellow Springs with shows in July and August. The company described the shows as a pandemic-era response that grew into a summer tradition in Chappelle’s hometown. Chappelle said the first night of the event came after he recorded a piece about Floyd that was released through Netflix’s YouTube channel. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a7d66c2ca79de23642c67 Letter to the Editor: Congratulations on a successful Flagstaff Piano Festival te 2026-07-05T15:51:02.236Z Letter to the Editor: Congratulations on a successful Flagstaff Piano Festival Congratulations to Silvan Negrutiu, Director of Piano Studies at NAU, his piano colleagues in NAU’s Kitt School of Music Aimee Fincher and Ken Osowski, and Michelle Wachter (Executive Director of the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra). Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a7d52c2ca79de23642c5e Letter to the Editor: Catastrophic fires the norm without the timber industry te 2026-07-05T15:50:42.263Z Letter to the Editor: Catastrophic fires the norm without the timber industry “I told them that the forests would burn!” For decades, I’ve watched with sadness as wildfires have destroyed the forests I grew up in, along with homes and communities. My family spent four generations running sawmills and working in the… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a7d3ec2ca79de23642c55 Letter to the Editor: Put Flagstaff's heritage first te 2026-07-05T15:50:22.303Z Letter to the Editor: Put Flagstaff's heritage first This letter is to commend the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) for their stand to preserve the former City Hall on N. Beaver. The recent Arizona Daily Sun article mentions comments that say few locals are interested in historic preservation. I… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a7bafc2ca79de23642c21 Test your pop culture: From Hollywood to the Heartland te 2026-07-05T15:43:43.572Z Test your pop culture: From Hollywood to the Heartland The Pop Culture Quiz is your weekly test of what’s making headlines and breaking the Internet, from the Heartland to Hollywood. This week's quiz spotlights Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's love story and wedding buzz. Can you get all 7 questions right? For more Entertainment articles, visit www.foxnews.com/entertainment To try your hand at more quizzes from Fox News Digital, click here. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a7b88c2ca79de23642c11 WireFree seeks to expand broadband service to Havasu Heights, Donkey Acres, Crystal Beach and Yucca te 2026-07-05T15:43:04.143Z WireFree seeks to expand broadband service to Havasu Heights, Donkey Acres, Crystal Beach and Yucca Residents in Havasu Heights, Donkey Acres, Crystal Beach and Yucca could gain access to expanded broadband service under a proposed franchise agreement now headed to the Mohave County Board of Supervisors. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a7b74c2ca79de23642c08 Mohave County sheriff seeks $75,000 for first responder mental health training te 2026-07-05T15:42:44.173Z Mohave County sheriff seeks $75,000 for first responder mental health training KINGMAN — The Mohave County Sheriff's Office is asking the Board of Supervisors to accept a $75,000 award from Arizona Complete Health to help pay for mental health training for first responders. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a7b60c2ca79de23642bff Mohave County updates five-year road plan with new Kingman, Golden Valley projects te 2026-07-05T15:42:24.205Z Mohave County updates five-year road plan with new Kingman, Golden Valley projects Mohave County supervisors are scheduled to consider adopting an updated five-year Capital Improvement Road Program on July 6, adding several new transportation projects while removing two others from the county's long-range road construction plan. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a7b4cc2ca79de23642bf6 Arizona lottery results for Sunday, July 5, 2026 te 2026-07-05T15:42:04.272Z Arizona lottery results for Sunday, July 5, 2026 Powerball - July 1 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a7b38c2ca79de23642bed 13 air fryer recipes ’cause it’s too hot to turn on the oven te 2026-07-05T15:41:44.269Z 13 air fryer recipes ’cause it’s too hot to turn on the oven When the kitchen is already too warm, these 13 air fryer recipes keep dinner, snacks, sides, and dessert moving without the oven, from crisp wings to cookies and sweet potatoes.The post 13 air fryer recipes ’cause it’s too hot to… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a7b24c2ca79de23642be4 17 summer desserts for lazy summer afternoons te 2026-07-05T15:41:24.302Z 17 summer desserts for lazy summer afternoons Summer afternoons do not need heavy dessert planning. These 17 recipes cover ice cream, fruit cobbler, chilled bars, mousse cups, pie, and creamy cakes, with quick treats and make-ahead options in the mix.The post 17 summer desserts for lazy summer… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a7b10c2ca79de23642bdb 7 delicious beef recipes my family never gets tired of te 2026-07-05T15:41:04.341Z 7 delicious beef recipes my family never gets tired of Plain beef dinners get old fast. These 7 recipes cover air fryer steak bites, slow cooker rump roast, taco salad, stuffed vegetables, a burger, and cabbage casserole for more ways to serve it.The post 7 delicious beef recipes my family… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a78b6c2ca79de23642b94 Missouri mom of 5 fatally shot while buying slushies with children; police search for gunman te 2026-07-05T15:31:02.332Z Missouri mom of 5 fatally shot while buying slushies with children; police search for gunman A Missouri mother of five was fatally shot while buying slushies with two of her young children after gunfire erupted outside a gas station, leaving investigators searching for the shooter. Shakeela Martin, 35, was killed just before midnight Tuesday outside a BP gas station at South Florissant and Woodstock roads in Ferguson after an altercation that began inside the convenience store spilled into the parking lot, according to the Ferguson Police Department. Martin had stopped at the gas station with two of her children, ages 9 and 6, to buy frozen drinks on a hot summer night when multiple rounds of gunfire broke out outside, police said. Investigators believe Martin was an innocent bystander who was struck by gunfire as she walked back to her vehicle with the children. "She was here to purchase some soft drinks for her young kids," Ferguson Police Chief Troy Doyle told First Alert 4. "They’re physically unhurt but obviously hurt emotionally. You can only imagine what a child would go through watching their mom being murdered in front of them." PENNSYLVANIA MOTHER OF THREE FATALLY SHOT WHILE ALLEGEDLY TRYING TO PROTECT WOMAN OUTSIDE BAR: REPORT A second victim, an adult man, was also struck by gunfire and hospitalized in critical condition. Police have not said whether he was involved in the altercation or was the intended target. Investigators said the confrontation began inside the gas station before spilling into the parking lot, where shots were fired. No arrests have been announced, and the investigation remains ongoing. NFL STAR'S BROTHER CHARGED WITH MURDER OF MOTHER AFTER POLICE FOUND HIM SELF-BARRICADED NEAR BODY Martin leaves behind five children and a grieving family that says she was on the verge of beginning a new chapter in life. According to a GoFundMe campaign, Martin was preparing to move her family into a new home the day after she was killed. To celebrate, she had taken her children to the BP station for slushies before the family's plans were shattered by gunfire. "Our hearts are shattered as we mourn the unimaginable loss of our beloved Shakeela Martin, who was taken from us far too soon at just 35 years old," the fundraiser states. The campaign describes Martin as "a devoted mother to five beautiful children who were the center of her world" and says she did not have life insurance. Organizers said donations will help cover funeral and burial expenses, with any additional funds going toward the immediate needs of her children. "We will forever cherish Shakeela’s memory and the love she gave so freely to everyone around her," the fundraiser site says. The Ferguson Police Department is asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact investigators at 314-522-3100 or CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a7672c2ca79de23642b49 Newsom blames Trump for DOJ probe, but reports say investigation predates his administration te 2026-07-05T15:21:22.007Z Newsom blames Trump for DOJ probe, but reports say investigation predates his administration California Gov. Gavin Newsom's claims that President Donald Trump's Justice Department launched a politically motivated "fishing expedition" against him are facing new scrutiny after multiple reports indicated key federal investigations predate Trump's second administration. The timeline has emerged as a central point in the dispute. While Newsom argues the current Justice Department is weaponizing the investigations against a political rival, multiple news organizations, citing sources familiar with the matter, have reported that at least some of the investigative activity began before Trump returned to the White House. According to CalMatters, at least two criminal investigations involving Newsom's orbit have been underway for about a year in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California. The outlet, citing a Justice Department source familiar with the matter, reported the investigations originated from whistleblowers and local complaints in Sacramento, while one inquiry involving former Newsom chief of staff Dana Williamson was opened during the Biden administration. CBS News, Axios, the Financial Times and The Guardian have also reported similar timelines, citing sources familiar with the investigations. Newsom has maintained that the current Justice Department has expanded or politicized the investigations, even as the reported chronology has fueled questions over whether the inquiries themselves originated under Trump's administration. WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE NEWSOM-LINKED CHARITIES REPORTEDLY CAUGHT IN DOJ’S SIGHTS The outlet also reported that one investigation involving former Newsom chief of staff Dana Williamson was opened during the Biden administration. Williamson pleaded guilty earlier this year to corruption charges in a case that did not implicate Newsom. CBS News, Axios, the Financial Times and The Guardian have also reported, citing sources familiar with the investigations, that at least one federal inquiry began roughly a year ago and originated in California rather than at Justice Department headquarters in Washington. Despite that reported timeline, Newsom has maintained that the current Justice Department is weaponizing the investigations in retaliation for his criticism of Trump and his national political profile, describing the inquiry as a politically motivated "fishing expedition." His administration has also sought records through the Freedom of Information Act in an effort to determine who ordered or directed the current investigation. ACTING AG TODD BLANCHE SAYS NEWSOM'S DOJ CLAIMS ARE NOT 'GROUNDED IN FACT' Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche pushed back on that characterization this week. While declining to comment on any ongoing investigations, Blanche told reporters he was "not sure [Newsom's] words are in any way grounded in fact," adding that the California governor "would have to address that." Blanche did not confirm or deny whether any investigation exists. Newsom's office responded by mocking Blanche on social media, posting a meme captioned, "Why you always lyin," while the governor's press office said, "Trump goons know that it's not a crime to lie to a reporter." SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER According to CalMatters, Newsom's office contends federal prosecutors expanded their inquiries after failing to build a case from the Williamson investigation, broadening their scrutiny to include Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the couple's finances and their associates. The outlet reported investigators have examined the first partner's tax filings, nonprofit organizations and certain behested payments, though it did not allege those payments were unlawful. Fox News Digital previously reported, citing federal sources, that investigators have opened inquiries involving Jennifer Siebel Newsom, but that Fox News had not learned of any federal investigation directly targeting Gov. Newsom himself. The Department of Justice, the White House and Newsom's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a765ec2ca79de23642b40 Drivers urged to plan ahead as rest areas close along busy coastal corridor te 2026-07-05T15:21:02.045Z Drivers urged to plan ahead as rest areas close along busy coastal corridor Drivers traveling along California's scenic Highway 101 this summer will need to plan ahead after roadside rest areas in both directions of the highway closed because of a water shortage. The northbound and southbound Gaviota Roadside Rest Areas in Santa Barbara County closed July 1 and are expected to remain closed through Oct. 1, according to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). The closure affects both directions of Highway 101 near the Gaviota Tunnel, a heavily traveled stretch between Buellton and Goleta. The shutdown leaves travelers with roughly 35 miles without a state-operated roadside restroom, California publication Edhat reported. DOLLY PARTON REIMAGINES TRAVEL FOR TRUCKERS, FAMILIES AND ROAD TRIPPERS IN HOT NEW VENTURE The closure is due to a lack of available water needed to fully operate the facilities, Caltrans said. The Gaviota rest areas serve one of California's busiest coastal corridors, used by commuters, tourists and long-distance travelers moving between Southern and Central California. With the facilities unavailable, Caltrans is encouraging travelers to plan ahead by identifying alternate places to stop for fuel, food, restroom breaks and rest before beginning their trip. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Officials said the rest areas will remain closed until a reliable water supply is restored, with no reopening expected before Oct. 1. The issue appears to stem from the area's water supply rather than routine maintenance. Local reports indicate the facilities rely on water from an inland spring that is outside Caltrans' control, and the same rest area experienced a similar extended summer closure last year. The Gaviota shutdown comes as other California rest areas are also temporarily unavailable. In Kern County, Caltrans has closed the northbound and southbound Interstate 5 Tejon Pass rest areas while crews upgrade water and wastewater facilities, Caltrans said. That project is expected to continue through August 2027. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES The latest closure also sparked discussion among drivers familiar with the route, many of whom said the Gaviota rest areas have become known for frequent shutdowns. "Keeping the Gaviota rest stop open longer than six months ... impossible!" one Reddit user joked. Others said the closures have become so common that they now expect to find the facilities unavailable. "I don't remember ever seeing them open other than during holidays," another commenter wrote. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a742ec2ca79de23642af0 Mexico takes on Harry Kane and England in 2026 World Cup quarterfinal without conceding a single goal te 2026-07-05T15:11:42.032Z Mexico takes on Harry Kane and England in 2026 World Cup quarterfinal without conceding a single goal I hope everyone had a happy, safe, and fun Fourth of July. My daughter and I walked onto the front porch around 9:30 last night, and the entire block was filled with smoke from all the fireworks. That's how it should be with the 250th birthday celebration. While the fireworks were bursting, the bets were going up in flames as I lost both my World Cup plays from yesterday. Today we get another pair of games, and they could be fantastic. Let's try to make them enjoyable either way with some wins. The first game on the slate features two very strong teams. One of them probably is a better team (Brazil), and the other has one of the best goal scorers in the game (Norway). That's a clash that you really don't want to miss! After starting with a draw against Morocco, who won yesterday and looks like one of the better teams in the league, Brazil has won three straight. They beat Haiti and Scotland 3-0 in the two remaining games of the Group Stage. In the Round of 32, they escaped with a tough 2-1 win over Japan. I think one of my favorite things about this team is that they have a good balance of being aggressive, but also a strong defense. Brazil will need a strong defense against Norway and its attack. The team relies heavily on their forward Erling Haaland. He has five goals already this World Cup and has scored in each of the games he has played. They started their World Cup with a win over Iraq, a game that saw Haaland find the net twice. Then in the next match against Senegal, it was a tougher opponent, but Norway still prevailed at 3-2. Against France, Norway had nothing to gain, so they sat their starters and lost 4-1. The Ivory Coast made Norway sweat a bit as they tied the game late before a Haaland goal gave them a 2-1 lead for good. I think there is some value on Norway at +350, but I think you're relying on Brazil making a mistake. I think both teams will be aggressive, but it may be tough for them to get great looks. I'm going to take over 9.5 corners for this game. I expect a lot of deflected shots that should lead to the over. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Chicago has a very large Mexican population, and you can tell how excited many are for this game. Mexico looks like one of the best teams in the World Cup. Watching their last game against Ecuador, they seemed significantly faster than their opponent. They definitely are energized off of the crowd in Mexico City, and a lot of attention is given to the altitude change, which seems to be in favor of Mexico. This team has been solid in so many ways. They haven't allowed a goal in the World Cup, and they have won all of the games - no draws, only wins. If England plays the way they did in their last game, this could be a disaster of a game for them. They struggled to beat the Congo DR in the Round of 32. They did get a 2-1 victory after Harry Kane found a way to score two goals in the second half for them. I expect Mexico to put its full attention to stopping Kane, which means that someone else for England has to step up. Considering he has five goals for them and they've only scored eight goals for the World Cup, they will need someone. I fully expect that the game goes under 2.5, but at -160 it is pricey. I also like Mexico to win this game. I know England is good and has a strong history, but I think Mexico looks like a great team. Give me Mexico to win this game. I think they will win in 90 minutes as well. To advance is a little less risky, and I'll take both. For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a741ac2ca79de23642ae7 Noah Wyle, Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio still captivating audiences well into their 50s te 2026-07-05T15:11:22.574Z Noah Wyle, Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio still captivating audiences well into their 50s Hollywood actors are aging like fine wine. Born between 1965 and 1980, actors belonging to Generation X continue to win audiences over with their dapper good looks. With each new episode of "The Pitt," fans can't help but gush over how handsome Noah Wyle is, while Ryan Gosling recently won fans over again in his latest film, "Project Hail Mary." ‘THE PITT’ STAR NOAH WYLE CREDITS GEORGE CLOONEY FOR LESSONS HE STILL USES TODAY Here are some of the best-looking actors belonging to Generation X. Born in 1971, Wyle is still a Hollywood heartthrob at 55 years old. He first broke onto the scene in season one of "E.R.," playing Dr. John Carter. He continued on the show for over 250 episodes, and earned five Emmy Awards and three Golden Globe Award nominations. The actor went on to have a successful film and television career following his time on "E.R.," and has since returned to his medical drama roots in the highly successful HBO Max show "The Pitt," for which he received an Emmy Award. "What I’m enjoying now, is this very rare second lightning strike, which is allowing me an opportunity to be extremely grateful and humbled by it without feeling necessarily like I have to fake my way through it," he told The Hollywood Reporter in June about the success of "The Pitt." Born in 1970, the 55-year-old actor has had fans swooning over him since he first gained national attention for his Academy Award-winning movie, "Good Will Hunting." Damon won the award along with Ben Affleck for their work as screenwriters on the film, which led to both of them blossoming in their acting careers. Damon went on to star in "Saving Private Ryan" and "The Talented Mr. Ripley," before landing the starring role in the Jason Bourne Franchise. In addition to those films, Damon has been involved in other acclaimed movies, including "The Departed," "The Martian" and "Interstellar." "The journey is everything! It’s a cliché, but I have really felt it in my own life, in the 25 or 30 years I’ve been in this," he told The Talks in December 2019. "The goal is the process, really enjoying the process. You can’t really predict what is going to happen with movies… I have made movies that I thought were really going to be well received and successful, and they failed miserably. And I have made movies that were very successful that I didn’t see coming." Born in 1974, Leonardo DiCaprio has been stealing hearts since he first appeared on-screen as a child actor in "Parenthood." The 51-year-old actor earned his first Academy Award nomination at the age of 19 for his role in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape," following that up with notable roles in big movies before starring as Jack in his career-defining role in 1997's "Titanic." He continued starring in many acclaimed films, and was nominated for his roles in "The Aviator," "Blood Diamond," "The Wolf of Wall Street" and "The Revenant," which featured the role that finally won him the Oscar. He later received another nomination for "Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood." "I knew this was going to be somewhat of a silent performance; that’s part of what was exciting," he told Variety about "The Revenant" in January 2016. "But more than anything, I think I learned a lot about being an actor on this movie. It has a lot to do with trust. Trusting the people you’re working with, giving yourself over to a unique process, and trusting that if the people you’re working with are committed like Alejandro [González Iñárritu, the movie's director], you can focus on being in the moment and rely on your instincts and trust the journey." Born in 1975, the 51-year-old actor has often been referred to as an internet daddy. Pedro Pascal spent decades building his resume with small roles in popular TV shows before breaking through with the role of Prince Oberyn Martell in season four of "Game of Thrones." He continued the momentum that role earned him, starring in TV shows such as "Narcos," "The Mandalorian" and most recently, "The Last of Us," as well as films such as "Wonder Woman," "Gladiator II" and "Fantastic Four: First Steps." "The whole world of gaming really opened up to me when I took on this part," he told NPR in August 2025 about his role in "The Last of Us." "My nephews lost their minds when they found out that I had gotten this job and I hadn't heard of [the game]." Born in 1980, Gosling has been enchanting audiences since his days on "The Mickey Mouse Club" in the 90s. Following his time on the show, the 45-year-old actor appeared in a number of TV shows and movies, before capturing the audience's hearts as Noah in the 2004 movie "The Notebook." "The fact that I wasn’t really right for it was exactly why he thought I was right for it," Gosling told GQ in May 2023 about "The Notebook" director, Nick Cassavetes, adding he "straight up told me: ‘The fact that you have no natural leading man qualities is why I want you to be my leading man.’" He has since been a leading man in many films, including "Half Nelson," "La La Land" and "Barbie," all three of which earned him Oscar nominations. Born in 1971, Jon Hamm worked as a high school teacher before transitioning to acting with early roles in "CSI: Miami" and "The Division." The 55-year-old actor gained international recognition when he landed the leading role of Don Draper in the hit AMC show "Mad Men," which earned him an Emmy Award as well as many other nominations. "'Mad Men' was a show that penetrated the culture, and while a lot of that is luck and right place/right time stuff," he told USA Today in April 2025. "There are elements in this new show that speak directly to the times we're living through, specifically this bizarre fascination with more, (and) how 'more' has become the watchword, instead of 'enough.'" He followed that up with roles in films such as "Bridesmaids," "Baby Driver" and "Top Gun: Maverick," and television shows such as season five of "Fargo," "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" and "The Morning Show," most recently starring in season two of "Your Friends and Neighbors." Born in 1971, Bradley Cooper has only gotten better since starting his acting career with an appearance in a 1999 episode of "Sex and the City." The 51-year-old actor had his big break in the 2009 movie "The Hangover," following that up with multiple Academy Award-nominated roles in "Silver Linings Playbook," "American Hustle" and "American Sniper." In addition to voicing Rocket Racoon in multiple films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he also tried his hand at directing. His work on "A Star Is Born," "Nightmare Alley" and "Maestro" all went on to earn Academy Award nominations for best picture. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "As the director, you decide early on things that you will die on the sword for, because you know that they are necessary for the film," he told The Hollywood Reporter in February 2024 about directing "Maestro." "One example is when we were looking at locations, and we came across that Fairfield, Conn., house that they lived in. It was so concretized in my mind as the director that that was where we needed to film. That brought with its challenges, but as the producer, knowing that the director really felt that it was essential, we did everything we could to make that work." Born in 1968, Hugh Jackman has long been showing his chiseled abs on camera, as he's been playing Wolverine since his breakout role in 2000's "X-Men." The 57-year-old actor has since played the character in 10 films, most recently in the 2024 action/comedy "Deadpool & Wolverine." Aside from his roles in action movies, Jackman has also embraced his love of musical theater, appearing on Broadway in many musicals, even winning the Tony Award for best actor in a musical for his role in "The Boy From Oz." He's also starred in the movie musicals "Les Miserables," which earned him an Academy Award nomination, and "The Greatest Showman." LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "Vocally, sometimes you have those ‘I can do anything’ days, and the next day you’re at 80%, so on those days when you’re feeling great, we would just pop over to the studio and record," Jackman told Variety in December 2017 about "The Greatest Showman." "There’s a couple of bits where I sing notes that I’ve never sung. I couldn’t have done that live." Born in 1969, Matthew McConaughey has been charming audiences with his southern drawl since he first broke out onto the scene in "Dazed and Confused" in 1993. He continued to steal hearts as a leading man in many iconic romantic comedies, including "The Wedding Planner," "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" and "Fool's Gold." Around 2012, he began establishing himself as a dramatic actor, proving himself in "Dallas Buyers Club," which earned him an Oscar, and later in season one of "True Detective," which earned him an Emmy Award. "Every character is a journey into finding who are they in me, at some point," he told The Talks in September 2025. "Look, I can find a way to understand and believe in someone if they have identity — and boy, if you get good writing and the identity is there, like with Rustin Cole, my character in 'True Detective,' the identity was there. I didn’t have to act as much because the words were so good. It was just about understanding the words, believing in them and saying them. Don’t explain them!" Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a73dcc2ca79de23642ab8 5 desk gadgets that can make your workday better te 2026-07-05T15:10:20.117Z 5 desk gadgets that can make your workday better The right desk gadgets can help you reduce clutter, stay focused, and add a little extra convenience to your day. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a6cfdc2ca79de236429df Navy suspends search for sailor who went missing when helicopter went down in Arabian Sea te 2026-07-05T14:41:01.892Z Navy suspends search for sailor who went missing when helicopter went down in Arabian Sea The U.S. Navy suspended the active search for a sailor missing since Wednesday. The sailor was reported missing after an MH-60S helicopter went down in the Arabian Sea. The efforts concluded following an extensive search by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force under the U.S. Central Command.  "The efforts concluded following an extensive search by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility," the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command said in a social media post. "The Sailor’s name is being withheld until at least 24 hours after next-of-kin notification is complete in accordance with Navy policy." This is a breaking news report. Check back here for more updates. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a6aa5c2ca79de2364298b German World Cup fan breaks down in tears after being blown away by kindness of Americans te 2026-07-05T14:31:01.732Z German World Cup fan breaks down in tears after being blown away by kindness of Americans A German soccer fan came to the United States for the World Cup worried he might find the dangerous, crime-riddled country he’d heard about on the news. Instead, he found a place so magical he broke down crying on local television. During an interview with NBC 10 Boston, Sebastian Krause became visibly emotional while explaining how deeply moved he was by the kindness he experienced from Americans during his visit. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE Germany's World Cup run came to an abrupt end in the Round of 32 after a 4-3 penalty shootout loss to Paraguay. Tough way to go out. But apparently, not even a crushing soccer loss could compete with the power of American hospitality. In the news segment, reporter Oscar Margáin said Krause "never imagined his trip to America would be so emotional." The video shows Krause wiping tears from his eyes, turning away from the camera and using his Germany jersey to dry his face as he tried to explain what the trip meant to him. "I fall in love with this country and this was so emotional, I even cried in the stadium," Krause said. WORLD CUP SOCCER FANS ARE DISCOVERING AMERICA’S GREATNESS. IT’S TIME AMERICANS DID, TOO That is not exactly the reaction the rest of the world is often told to expect when visiting the U.S. Krause admitted he had been nervous before the trip because of what he had heard about America from news coverage overseas. "To be honest, I was a bit scared or had a fear to travel to the United States. News about shootings and criminals and that the country’s not safe," Krause said. Then he actually got here. Funny how that works. Instead of finding some dystopian wasteland, Krause found regular Americans being regular Americans. In one clip from his phone, Krause was picked up and driven to his hotel by a group of Boston locals. He was so touched by the gesture that he reportedly watched the clip back dozens of times. "America is great," Krause said in the video. Take that, all you smug European travel bloggers! "Americans are not rude. Germans are not rude," he said. "If we are together, we can achieve great things." Now, that’s just beautiful. Krause is hardly the only international World Cup fan who has discovered that America is much better than advertised. The 2026 tournament has turned into a full-blown tourism campaign for the United States, and the reviews from foreign fans have been glowing. The best-known example is another German fan named Freddy, who went viral on X while documenting his World Cup road trip across the U.S. Freddy became an internet sensation by reacting with unfettered joy to some of America’s most sacred institutions: Waffle House, Buc-ee’s, Taco Bell, Walmart and absurdly large fountain drink machines. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM It's culture shock in the best way. International fans have been blown away by free refills, American breakfast portions, air conditioning, drive-thrus, barbecue, fast food chains and the fact that a stranger in Boston might just give you a ride because it’s raining. And don't even get them started on the ranch dressing. Foreign World Cup fans have fallen hard for ranch. So hard, in fact, that airport shops have started stocking bottles of Hidden Valley Ranch past security because fans were trying to fly home with it. The TSA even had to remind travelers that ranch counts as a liquid and larger bottles cannot be stored in your carry-on. This is what makes Krause’s interview so perfect. The viral food posts are hilarious, and yes, watching Europeans discover Waffle House should be preserved in the Library of Congress. But Krause’s reaction gets to something deeper. He was told to be afraid of big, bad USA. Then he came here and found kindness. So much kindness that he didn’t even care when his team got bounced early. God bless America. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a684fc2ca79de2364293b JONATHAN TURLEY: Shapiro could've been a contender, but he caved to the loons te 2026-07-05T14:21:03.830Z JONATHAN TURLEY: Shapiro could've been a contender, but he caved to the loons Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has finally reached his Terry Malloy moment. In the classic movie "On the Waterfront," the character tells his brother of losing it all; his shot to be a champion and a person of respect: "You don't understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could've been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let's face it." Shapiro decided to deliver his defining moment on MS NOW's "Morning Joe" when he abandoned all principle and decided to join other Democratic establishment leaders in offering up the Supreme Court to the radical left. Shapiro used the common coded reference to court packing, calling for "radical reform of the Court." The only "radical" reform being seriously discussed is packing the institution with an immediate liberal majority to reverse a series of recent decisions and to greenlight an equally radical agenda for changes to our political system. What is so disappointing is that Shapiro truly could have been a contender, an alternative to the cringing, accommodating politicians who are yielding to the demands of the mob. Figures from Kamala Harris to Pete Buttigieg have recently embraced the scheme to show their bona fides to a rising socialist and radical movement in the Democratic Party. JOSH SHAPIRO READS 'A LITTLE MORE JEWISH' THAN OTHER DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES, CNN ANCHOR REMARKS Shapiro could have been different. He could have offered the country moderation and pushed back on the radical elements of his party. Shapiro was reportedly rejected as a vice presidential candidate due to being Jewish and is a member of a party that is careening toward open anti-Semitism. He could have been that mature voice within his party cautioning restraint before destroying one of our core institutions. Instead, he chose to just be another bum in American politics. "I think we need radical reform that’s actually going to ensure that the voices of the people are heard from, that the voices of the people are represented in the three branches of government," Shapiro told MS NOW. "We don’t have that right now." DEMOCRATIC SENATOR CLAIMS GOP 'STOLE' TWO SCOTUS SEATS IN 2016, 2020, CALLS FOR EXPANSION The comment echoes the remarks of other court-packers like Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who insisted the court was illegitimate for rendering decisions against "widely held public opinion." The Supreme Court was never designed to be the "voice of the people." On the contrary, it was meant to be a counter-majoritarian check on the people's impulse. It is that body that is designed to stand against the majority to protect minority interests and to maintain a constitutional system meant to blunt popular impulse. In my book, "Rage and the Republic," I discuss how the Framers sought to avoid a direct democratic system, which had failed repeatedly in history. These systems (based on channeling public demands) became what Benjamin Rush called a "mobocracy." The Supreme Court is a vital part of in preventing our Republic from destroying itself. TRUMP SUFFERS MAJOR SUPREME COURT DEFEAT AS JUSTICES UPHOLD BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP For years, professors and pundits have quietly urged a hostile takeover of the Court to remove the barrier to fundamentally changing our system. Now, on the 250th anniversary of our Republic, they are close to getting their way. Years ago, Harvard professor Michael Klarman laid out a radical agenda to change the system to guarantee Republicans "will never win another election." However, he warned that "the Supreme Court could strike down everything I just described." Therefore, the court must be packed in advance to allow these changes to occur. Former Obama Attorney General Eric Holder has put packing the Supreme Court front and center, explaining, "[We’re] talking about the acquisition and the use of power if there is a Democratic trifecta in 2028." James Carville declared, "If the Democrats win the presidency and both houses of Congress, I think on day one, they should expand the Supreme Court to 13. F— it. Eat our dust. Don’t run on it. Don’t talk about it. Just do it." Now Shapiro has joined these ignoble ranks. Shapiro and others are demanding the radical reforms despite the current Court repeatedly ruling against the Trump administration, including most recently on birthright citizenship. Without acknowledging that the decision again showed the Court's independence, Shapiro griped, "this case should have taken a nanosecond to decide and it should have been 9-0." What does that mean? Should the courts not have heard arguments, or should the Supreme Court have issued an immediate ruling from the bench during oral arguments? Nevertheless, that is enough for Shapiro to toss the Court to the mob. It is transparent and frankly pathetic. Shapiro added that too much power was being given to the Executive Branch. This is a court that just ruled against the president on issues from citizenship to tariffs. It has drawn sharp rebukes from President Trump for curtailing his powers. Now Shapiro appears ready to repeat his controversial move against his neighbor and exercise a type of adverse possession against the Court. However, he lacks the courage (as do figures like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries) to come out and call it court packing. They simply refer to "radical" changes. It is part of conditioning voters to the type of structural changes contemplated by the Left to guarantee Republicans "will never win another election." Most voters still oppose court packing. You have to wait until voters are angry enough to take a hammer to a system that remains the oldest, most stable democracy in history. The Court could well fall in the coming years to this mad frenzy, but it will be preceded by the fall of figures like Shapiro. He and his establishment colleagues are deluding themselves into believing that they will be spared in this mobocracy that they are making. Refusing to have his state participate in the 250th celebration on the Mall and offering up the Supreme Court will not appease an increasingly violent and anti-Semitic far-left movement. Despite his own pandering to the mob, the socialists recently chanted "you're next" when they saw Jeffries' image on a screen at a New York victory party. Yesterday's armchair revolutionaries like Shapiro will soon be treated as today's reactionaries by the very mob that they are trying to enlist. What will be left is a lament of what Shapiro could have been at this moment in our history. As Terry Malloy said, he "coulda had class. [He] coulda been a contender. [He] could've been somebody." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM JONATHAN TURLEY Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a6634c2ca79de236428f2 'The Passion of the Christ' returns to theaters in 4K with a 'Resurrection of the Christ' sneak peek te 2026-07-05T14:12:04.930Z 'The Passion of the Christ' returns to theaters in 4K with a 'Resurrection of the Christ' sneak peek Mel Gibson's biblical blockbuster "The Passion of the Christ" will return to theaters nationwide for a limited-time run this September ahead of the release of its highly anticipated sequel in 2027. Lionsgate and Fathom Entertainment announced Wednesday that the 2004 film, which depicted the final 12 hours of Jesus' life leading up to his crucifixion, will return to the big screen from September 10 through September 17. The movie has been remastered in 4K and Dolby Atmos sound. Audiences will also get an exclusive sneak peek of the sequel to "The Passion," "The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One," which will be released on May 6, 2027. "The Resurrection of the Christ: Part Two" is scheduled to debut May 25, 2028, over Memorial Day weekend. MEL GIBSON'S 'RESURRECTION OF THE CHRIST' REVEALS FIRST PHOTOS AFTER LONG-AWAITED PASSION SEQUEL "The Passion of the Christ remains one of the most extraordinary theatrical experiences ever created," Kevin Grayson, president of worldwide distribution for Lionsgate, said in a press release. "For millions of people, it was far more than a film — it became a powerful shared cultural and faith experience. Bringing it back to theaters in a stunning new restoration allows longtime audiences to experience it in an entirely new way while inviting a new generation to discover it in theaters for the very first time." "The Passion of the Christ" was a hit with audiences, grossing more than $610 million worldwide on a reported $30 million budget. It also earned Academy Award nominations for its makeup, score and cinematography. The film also drew controversy at the time for its graphic violence and subject matter. For 20 years, "The Passion" held the record for the highest-grossing domestic R-rated film of all time, before being surpassed by 2024's "Deadpool & Wolverine." MEL GIBSON WARNED JESUS ACTOR IN ‘PASSION OF THE CHRIST’ ROLE COULD COST HIM HOLLYWOOD CAREER Lionsgate dropped a new full-length theatrical trailer as a way to celebrate "The Passion's" return to theaters. Tickets will be available starting July 24, online and at participating theaters. A list of theaters can be found on Fathom Entertainment's website. "Few modern-day films have made as much of an impact on the cultural landscape as The Passion of the Christ," Ray Nutt, Chief Executive Officer for Fathom Entertainment, said in a press release. "Twenty years ago, faith-based and more secular-leaning audiences alike embraced Mel Gibson’s film cinematic masterpiece and made it a true success, ushering in an era of opportunity for future religious-themed projects." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Actor Jim Caviezel, who was lauded for his portrayal of Jesus Christ in the original movie, was recast for the sequels due to challenges of de-aging technology and scheduling conflicts. Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen will portray Jesus in the new films, while Mariela Garriga will play Mary Magdalene, taking over the role from Monica Bellucci. Gibson has said that the upcoming sequels will explore "the spiritual realms" and the battle for the "soul of mankind." The director recently hailed the projects as coming to life "exactly as I envisioned it." "This film represents a major part of my life’s work, and it has demanded everything of me as a filmmaker and as an artist," he said in May about "The Resurrection: Part One." "This is far more than a film to me. It’s a mission I’ve carried for over 20 years to tell what I believe is the most important story in human history." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a6621c2ca79de236428e9 Rare cannonball emerges from ground at the Alamo, likely untouched for nearly 190 years te 2026-07-05T14:11:45.474Z Rare cannonball emerges from ground at the Alamo, likely untouched for nearly 190 years Archaeologists have uncovered a cannonball that may have been fired during the 1836 Battle of the Alamo — just three months after making a similar rare discovery. The cannonball was discovered on June 2.  The Alamo Trust, the nonprofit organization that oversees the Alamo Mission, announced the discovery on June 16. SECRETS OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR BATTLEFIELDS EMERGE 250 YEARS AFTER AMERICA'S FOUNDING It was found outside the northeast corner of the Alamo Church, in an adjacent excavation unit where another intact cannonball was unearthed in March. Pictures show heavy rust covering the newly discovered iron cannonball, which appears orange-brown in color. Because it was found at roughly the same depth as the first cannonball in a neighboring excavation unit, archaeologists believe it likely remained undisturbed for nearly 190 years. "So whenever they were dropped, the very first time — possibly in 1836, probably — they haven’t been touched since," Tiffany Lindley, director of archaeology at the Alamo, said in a press release. ANCIENT VIKING SWORD DISCOVERED 'STICKING UP OUT OF THE GROUND' AFTER 1,300 YEARS "And that’s what makes them extra special." One of the most important conflicts in Texas history, the Battle of the Alamo was fought between Mexican forces and Texian rebels. Lasting from Feb. 23 to Mar. 6, 1836, the battle saw Texian forces — including Davy Crockett and William B. Travis — hold off a much larger Mexican army. The 13-day siege ended with Mexican troops overrunning the Texian defenders, a loss that became a rallying cry for the Texas Revolution. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Researchers were surprised to find the second cannonball, Lindley told Fox News Digital. She said the site has undergone extensive use over the years, including occupation by the U.S. military quartermaster and commercial development around the historic grounds. "All of that has impacted a significant portion of the underground resources," said Lindley. "It was amazing to find one cannonball, and then to follow it up a couple of months later with a second was quite surprising." CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES The recently found cannonball "isn't as well-preserved as the first due to the type of metal," said Lindley. The first one was made of solid bronze, while the second one is made from solid iron. "However, it's still in pretty good condition," she added. "We are hoping to send both artifacts off for conservation." While the team hopes to find more artifacts related to the Battle of the Alamo, Lindley said the excavation yields dozens of historic finds every day. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "We are finding dozens of exciting historic artifacts every day, along with hundreds of maybe not so exciting artifacts, like nails and brick," said Lindley. "We find what gets left behind, and often that means broken and discarded items." Lindley added that, though exciting, the cannonball is only "one small part in this project." "After excavations end, analysis of the data will provide valuable insight into the daily lives of the inhabitants of the site," she said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a660ec2ca79de236428e0 America at 250: Supporting Israel honors our nation’s founding principles te 2026-07-05T14:11:26.018Z America at 250: Supporting Israel honors our nation’s founding principles As Americans celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, we have an opportunity to reflect on more than our history. We have an opportunity to remember the values that made America possible. For me, those values are inseparable from the Judeo-Christian principles that shaped our founders and influenced the development of our nation. The concepts of liberty, human dignity, justice and moral responsibility did not emerge in a vacuum. They were deeply influenced by a biblical worldview that has guided generations of Americans. I’M AN ARAB MUSLIM — I STILL DON’T UNDERSTAND THE ANTISEMITIC BDS MOVEMENT Our American system of government is rooted in truths that God spoke to the Jewish people more than 2,500 years ago. Our three branches of government were inspired by the prophet Isaiah, who wrote that "the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king" (Isaiah 33:22). The laws that govern our nation are informed by the Old Testament and the Ten Commandments. When we look at the back of a one-dollar bill and see the motto, "In God We Trust," which God are we trusting? We are trusting the God who appeared to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Our founding principles are one more reason to support Israel. As vice president of the Young Leadership affinity group for the Washington, D.C., chapter of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF), I have witnessed firsthand the courage and sacrifice of the men and women who defend Israel. Following the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks, I traveled to Israel and met soldiers, families and communities whose lives were forever changed. What stood out most was not only their resilience but also their commitment to defending freedom while maintaining a strong moral framework under incredibly difficult circumstances. Support for Israel should not be viewed solely through a political lens. It should be rooted in faith, history, and a recognition of the unique role the Jewish people have played in shaping the values that we as Americans cherish today. Their values are the values that guided our nation’s founders. SIGN UP FOR ANTISEMITISM EXPOSED NEWSLETTER A poll from last September by Infinity Concepts and Grey Matter Research shows that while American Evangelicals are still strong supporters of Israel and the Jewish people, unfortunately, younger generations are increasingly disconnected from those foundations. The report titled, "The Crossroads of Belief: Evangelicals and the Jewish People," found that only 29% of evangelicals under 35 believe the Jewish people are God’s chosen people. That statistic should concern anyone who values the historical and biblical roots of our nation. Let us recommit ourselves to the principles that have sustained our republic. Principles that began with the ancestors of our Jewish neighbors and friends. As we have supported Israel, we have thrived as a nation. Will we continue to stand by Israel as a strong ally, supporting the people whom God has already promised to be with until the end of time? CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION The joint operations by the U.S. and Israel last year and this year to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions represent the cooperation and partnership that should typify the relationship between our two great nations. Such camaraderie is the natural outcome of our historic common bond that is built on the shared foundations of hope, truth and freedom.  The longstanding friendship of the U.S. and Israel is something that we need to continue to foster, support and protect with vigor and vigilance. As we mark 250 years of American freedom, let us stand with our Jewish neighbors and with our ally, Israel, honor our moral foundations that come from our God who made them His chosen people, and remember that freedom survives only when each generation chooses to stand up and preserve it. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a65d0c2ca79de236428b8 New COOLTainer opens on Tucson's South Side te 2026-07-05T14:10:24.809Z New COOLTainer opens on Tucson's South Side Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a6403c2ca79de236428a6 VSAR mourns Hajek, founder of its drone program te 2026-07-05T14:02:43.110Z VSAR mourns Hajek, founder of its drone program Sedona volunteer died June 18 while hiking trails Jerry Hajek Jr., 70, died on June 18, of natural causes doing what he loved: Hiking Sedona trails. Hajek was a member of the Verde Search and Rescue Posse volunteer auxiliary force for the last four years. “Our hearts are heavy with the passing of Je Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a63efc2ca79de23642886 WWE legend Torrie Wilson slipped into bikinis for the Fourth of July, models got patriotic on Instagram & meat te 2026-07-05T14:02:23.151Z WWE legend Torrie Wilson slipped into bikinis for the Fourth of July, models got patriotic on Instagram & meat Welcome to the July 5th Sunday Screencaps. Hopefully you're arriving with the same number of fingers and hands you entered the holiday weekend with and are simply recovering from going too hard for America's 250th. I did get a little bit too much sun yesterday, but other than that, I survived in one piece. We went into the Fourth of July this year without any plans whatsoever. I ended up taking the little guy to the pool in the early afternoon, then we had an unexpected guest stop by for a few hours, and before I knew it, I was watching the neighborhood fireworks along with everyone else. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! So much for no plans and watching the fireworks from our yard, which is what we did last year. By the end of the night, the little guy was worn out, and we didn’t even set off the small fireworks we bought. We'll be doing that tonight. This year it seemed like there were a lot more suburban heroes out setting off fireworks. It was nonstop from all directions from the time the sun went down until early this morning. We thank them, and I'm confident they'll be out tonight doing it again. We're also thanking WWE legend Torrie Wilson. WWE STAR TOUTS PRO WRESTLERS TEARING IT UP ON INDEPENDENT CIRCUIT On a very patriotic day on Instagram this the Fourth of July, she managed to stand out. The Hall of Famer had a couple of bikinis for the occasion and wished the USA a happy 250th birthday in them. Torrie, unlike us in the Joseph household, had a plan. Get out the red, white and blue, grab the denim and the patriotic bikini, a couple of American flags and get to work. This year's holiday weekend was a big one after all. The pressure to deliver could be too much for some. It's not for Torrie Wilson. She's still a star, and she's not afraid of the bright lights at all. That's obvious, even at 50. LIVVY DUNNE GETS EMOTIONAL AFTER PAUL SKENES' INCREDIBLE GESTURE TO BASEBALL KIDS, SPURS FAN BEATEN & MEAT Happy Fourth of July weekend from one of the best to ever do it. - Chris B from Johnson City writes: SeanJo, Sorry it’s late, but I wanted to fulfill your request for meat. I was off Thursday and Friday (my company always gives us two days for the Fourth). With that much down time I acted on an idea that I had in the cold days of winter and spring. I used some gift cards and got a little charcoal grill. I got a Weber Jumbo Joe to be exact. The inaugural cook was obviously the 250th July 4th. It’s so hot that the family wasn’t that hungry, but I tried hard to fill it up. I have some ideas for how I’m going to use it going forward. God Bless America. SeanJo Chris, I have to admit that teared up a little seeing this one. This is what it's all about. From the two days off to the purchasing a charcoal grill and the breaking it out for July 4th, it's perfect. This is how you celebrate the holiday weekend. I hope you enjoyed it. I also hope there are plenty of charcoal grilling days this summer. Thanks for sending your meat my way. - Mike writes: Sean, Unfortunately, forgot to get a shot while the tri tip was on the grill, but the end result was great. My wife did a rub and it was fantastic. Also wanted to share that we'll be taking a cruise to Alaska and I thought you'd like one of the port adventures offered. Keep up the great work. SeanJo Thanks for the support and for sending this in. The meat looks great and so does the "Alaska Bigfoot Adventures." I hope you're not passing up on an opportunity to see some natures and sightsee. Who knows? Maybe you'll even have a Bigfoot encounter that nobody manages to capture on camera. That's worth the $149 if you ask me. SeanJo Homebrew Bill and Troy, thanks for sending your meat my way. I'm going to have to give the bacon wrapped stuffed peppers a try. I've had them before, I've never tried to make them myself. I'm going to have to give it a shot. And you know what they say about smoking meat on skewers. If you're going to have something keep splitting in two, let it be the mushrooms. ########## That's it. That's all I have for the first Sunday in July as we make the most of what's left of the holiday weekend. Enjoy and if you toss your meat on a grill, remember I want to see it. The inbox is always open, sean.joseph@outkick.com. You can also follow me on Twitter and over on Instagram and slide into the DMs over there. Have a great Sunday as we wrap up the Fourth of July weekend. Also, I'm not getting rid of Steve Largent. He'll be back. I tossed Don Mattingly in there this week because his handsome mug showed up in my feed, and he was my favorite player when I was young. I've put him in before, and I'll likely do it again. I pick and choose my spots with Donnie Baseball. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a63dbc2ca79de2364287d Top highlights from Trump's late night July 4 address: 'No dream in history is bigger' te 2026-07-05T14:02:03.690Z Top highlights from Trump's late night July 4 address: 'No dream in history is bigger' President Donald Trump delivered a 37-minute speech for America's 250th birthday after a weather delay in the dark of night that was lit up by a Guinness world-record-setting fireworks display stretching from July 4 into July 5 at Washington, D.C.'s National Mall. While thousands outlasted the rain and dodged nature's thunderstorm light show, many Americans might have missed the president's historic remarks. Here is a recap of some of the highlights. AMERICA’S NEXT 250 YEARS DEPEND ON PASSING FAITH AND FREEDOM TO OUR CHILDREN 'No dream in history is bigger' than the American experiment "In this country, we could achieve the wildest and most impossible dreams, and no dream in history is bigger or more incredible than the one that started on July 4th, 1776," Trump said. "The war for independence was launched by minutemen, farmers, blacksmiths, tradesmen who took up their muskets against the mightiest army on earth, the most powerful army and unbeatable army – until they met us." "No one made them do it. They fought because they knew that a free people must have a free country. Over 250 years, the world has seen the great empires, vast kingdoms, mighty nations and terrible tyrants: They came and they went, but after 2 1/2 centuries, this American republic still stands tall and strong," the president added. TRUMP HAILS AMERICA AS 'MOST EXCEPTIONAL NATION EVER TO EXIST' IN MOUNT RUSHMORE SPEECH 'America is a nation of winners' "Americans won the West and built the modern world, because America is a nation of winners, and today our country is winning again, and we're winning like never before," Trump said just before the midway point of the speech. "America is back and we want to keep America great." "Together, we are also reasserting the truth that American strength and power is not something to be ashamed of. It is something that we are very, very proud of," Trump continued. "This country has been the greatest force for peace and justice on earth in the last century. We defeated tyrants, demolished evil, and saved freedom again and again and again." 'Nothing Americans cannot do' "There is no challenge Americans can not overcome," Trump said before his concluding remarks. "There is no place we cannot go. There is no goal we cannot reach. And there is nothing that Americans cannot do." Thanking those staying into the late hours "If you think that was easy, it wasn't," Trump began in an unscripted salute to the patient and devoted crowd. "And I want to thank everybody because they did the right thing. They saw lightning. And I said, 'there's no way; if we have to speak in front of one person at 4 in the morning, I'm going to be here.' "There's no way we can be deterred. And they estimated they had 375,000 people before everybody had to leave, and they now have 150,000 people. It's the craziest thing anyone's ever seen. "And I want to just thank you. And I feel so badly about some people. They left it; they couldn't get back. But, you're very special people, and we have a very special country. Thank you very much." '56 patriots put everything at risk' for 'victory for the ages' "They declare that all men are created equal; that they are endowed with sacred unalienable rights by the hand of our creator, and that among these are life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," Trump said, "and signing their names to the roster of freedom." "Those 56 patriots put everything at risk. Stepped onto the stage of destiny and seized a victory for the ages. And that's what it was," he said. "And this is an evening for the ages. I believe this is something very special. This is bigger than if we didn't have the lightning blaring. We had lightning blaring. But this is bigger, little more inconvenient, but it's bigger, I think, in its own way it's more beautiful. From the beginning, we were a nation that live by the motto victory or death and live free or die." 'We will always be the best' "God bless the immortal patriots of 1776, and long live the cause of independence," Trump said. "May it reign forever and ever and ever. We will always be on top. We will never let our country fall. We will always be the best." "Our founders not only won our liberty, they secured it with the most righteous political document ever conceived: It's called the Constitution of the United States," Trump said. "Very special, and it's because of their genius that we remain the finest people on the planet." Honoring 11 Gold Star families "We are honored to be joined by 11 Gold Star family members," Trump said. "The Gold Star family – that is one of the great tributes. It's one of the great honors, a tough honor. There's nothing tougher than that. But these are amazing people." Next stop, the moon, then a mission to Mars "We're going to be going to Mars very soon, and I think that's something that we do have in my mind," Trump said, hearkening to the historic John F. Kennedy going to the moon speech excerpt. "And we're going to do the moon and we're going to go from there. We're going to go to Mars, and we're going to continue to be way ahead." Defeating communism: We 'cast the hammer and sickle into oblivion' "All these talks from the communists, they haven't got a chance – not even a chance," Trump said; a theme he reiterated multiple times in the speech. "We don't want communists in our country. Never worked and it never will work." Communism will always be "a loser," Trump added later. "Our warriors did not fight communism on battlefields across the world only to have that menace rears its ugly head right back here in America. We're not going to let it happen. We like to stop a threat like that immediately and before it begins," Trump said. "It's like a cancer. You got to cut it out. You got to cut it out fast." Trump added a warning to potential future communist opposition around the globe. "The Stars and Stripes cast the hammer and sickle into oblivion before," Trump said, "and we will do it again if necessary." "I don't think it's going to be necessary. I think people have learned. They've learned what to do and how to handle it, and we'll get a handle it very well." 'Our destiny is written by God' "We have thrived and flourished because our founders were great, our cause was just, our people are brave, our culture is exceptional, and our destiny is written by God," Trump said near the end of the speech he apparently cut short after vowing earlier this week to deliver an hours-long address to the world. "And as we can see here tonight, after 250 years, the spirit of 1776 still lives within us all. It still roars in the hearts of our nation's capital. It still burns in the heart of every patriot, thunders through every city and town, and is still lights the entire world with the glow of American liberty. And there is nothing like that." 250 and 'just getting started': 'Best is yet to come'; 'dawn of the golden age' "At 250 years old, we may be the oldest constitutional republic on earth, but our country is just getting started because the best is yet to come: This is only the dawn of the golden age of America," Trump said in his conclusion, leading directly into the National Mall fireworks display. "And on this 250th 4th of July, we declare, just as they did two and a half centuries ago, that for our country and for our children and for the cause of liberty, we are going to take our country to new levels, to levels not reached," Trump continued. "We're going to make it bigger, better, stronger, and we're going to love it even more." "And I just want to thank you," he added, finishing with words off the script. "The inconvenience of lightning can do that, but lightning will never stop you. And I want to thank everybody and we love you all. And it's an honor to be your president. Thank you. God bless you all." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a639ec2ca79de2364285d Bill Archer, Influential Texas Congressman, Is Dead at 98 te 2026-07-05T14:01:02.248Z Bill Archer, Influential Texas Congressman, Is Dead at 98 Serving for 30 years, he eventually wrote virtually all tax laws considered by the House and was a major influence on budget bills as Ways and Means chairman. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a638ac2ca79de2364284f Flagstaff City Council hears recommendations on ways to change zoning code to further housing and climate goals te 2026-07-05T14:00:42.790Z Flagstaff City Council hears recommendations on ways to change zoning code to further housing and climate goals The Flagstaff City Council moved forward with recommendations that are the outcome of a years-long effort to assess and make changes to city code to help Flagstaff meet its housing and climate goals. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a6376c2ca79de23642846 Sex offender notification te 2026-07-05T14:00:22.325Z Sex offender notification The Flagstaff Police Department would like to make the following sex offender notifications: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a5f2ac2ca79de236427c2 Fever guard Sophie Cunningham's viral finger-pointing meme reaches WWE te 2026-07-05T13:42:02.550Z Fever guard Sophie Cunningham's viral finger-pointing meme reaches WWE Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham’s point toward Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner amid a heated skirmish during their game has gone mega viral. The point turned into a meme that has reached all corners of the internet, including the White House’s social media accounts. On Friday, pointing was also seen in the ring. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Chelsea Green, Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair took on Jade Cargill, Michin and B-Fab in a six-woman tag team match on "Friday Night SmackDown." Green and Stratton stood in front of Flair and began to point at their opponents in Cunningham’s style. "When @WWE meets @WNBA," Green wrote on X. Cargill’s team defeated Flair, Stratton and Green in the match. Cunningham shared her thoughts on the White House's post while speaking to reporters on Friday. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "I think everyone around the world is posting it," she said when asked about the White House's post. "Every company has done it. So I don't really think twice about it. I just think they're another group posting about it." Cunningham said on her podcast that her technical foul she got for the pointing gesture during the game against the Mercury was "the weakest thing I’ve ever seen in my life" and explaining that she "didn’t say a word" while "all I was doing was literally pointing." "I couldn't help myself. I could not. She was losing her s--- and all I was doing was literally pointing," Cunningham said. Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a5f17c2ca79de236427b9 Jordan Davis faces fan backlash over Hawaii axis deer hunt despite strong conservation backing te 2026-07-05T13:41:43.093Z Jordan Davis faces fan backlash over Hawaii axis deer hunt despite strong conservation backing Country music star Jordan Davis is getting a crash course in the internet's complicated relationship with hunting. The Louisiana native recently shared photos from what he described as an "absolute bucket list" axis deer hunt in Hawaii, proudly posing with the harvested animal and several friends. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE "Axis deer in Hawaii. Absolute bucket list hunt with some great people," Davis wrote on Instagram. The post quickly drew a mixed reaction from fans. While plenty congratulated the singer on checking off a dream hunt, others called the photo "horrifying," "disappointing" and "unnecessary." Some fans said they didn't mind that Davis hunts but questioned why he felt the need to share the photo publicly. Others took issue with the hunt itself. The backlash may sound familiar. Just last month, fellow country star Cody Johnson found himself in similar hot water after posting photos from a grizzly bear hunt in Alaska. Johnson eventually defended the hunt as a "conservationist effort" and a "meat-harvesting hunt." Davis has not publicly responded to the criticism. CODY JOHNSON FIRES BACK AT CRITICS, CALLS ALASKA GRIZZLY BEAR HUNT A 'CONSERVATIONIST EFFORT' Context matters here, though, because axis deer are an invasive species in Hawaii. The spotted deer, which are native to India, were introduced to the Hawaiian Islands in the 1860s and eventually spread to Maui, Lanai and Molokai. With no natural predators and the ability to breed year-round, their populations have exploded over the decades. Today, wildlife officials and conservation groups consider axis deer a major ecological problem. The animals damage agricultural land, consume native vegetation, contribute to soil erosion and compete with livestock for forage. Overpopulation has become such a concern that hunting is widely viewed as one of the primary tools for controlling their numbers. The fact that axis venison is often regarded as some of the best-tasting wild game in the world is an added perk. Still, as both Davis and Johnson have learned, the conservation argument doesn't always end the debate. For some fans, the issue isn't necessarily that country artists hunt. It's that they don't want dead animals popping up in their Instagram feeds. And that's fair. Then again, odds are those same folks wouldn't bat an eye at a photo of a cheeseburger. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a5ed8c2ca79de2364278e A troubling milestone: Most Supreme Court rulings are secretive votes with little justification te 2026-07-05T13:40:40.625Z A troubling milestone: Most Supreme Court rulings are secretive votes with little justification Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a5ec4c2ca79de23642780 What is Bending Spoons? The little-known AOL and Vimeo owner that’s now public te 2026-07-05T13:40:20.668Z What is Bending Spoons? The little-known AOL and Vimeo owner that’s now public Bending Spoons remains largely unknown, even as its portfolio of products has served more than a billion people. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a5a66c2ca79de236426ee Australian healing with 'beautiful messages' after losing arm to shark attack te 2026-07-05T13:21:42.083Z Australian healing with 'beautiful messages' after losing arm to shark attack Leah Stewart, an Australian mother and teacher who lost an arm after a shark attack at Sydney’s Coogee Beach, has been reading messages from supporters around the world during sleepless nights as she continues her long recovery, her family said. "We’ve been sharing some of the beautiful messages we’ve received with Leah and she’s loved them, finding inspiration from the care and love you’ve all shared," her brother, Joshua Stewart, wrote in a GoFundMe update on Sunday. "Leah has had some challenging days but has found real strength from your kindness and support," he added. Leah Stewart has struggled with sleep in her recovery and has leaned on the wave of support from family, friends and strangers. AUTHORITIES IDENTIFY WOMAN KILLED IN ALLIGATOR ATTACK WHILE SWIMMING WITH FRIENDS IN CENTRAL FLORIDA "Since the incident Leah has had difficulty sleeping, and on those nights she’s been reading back through your messages, not only from her family and community in Australia and her whānau in New Zealand, but also from people all across the world," he wrote, using the Maori word for family. "They’ve given her real comfort and strength." Stewart, mother to a 1-year-old daughter and passionate teacher, was attacked June 13 while on a morning swim close to shore and within the flags at Coogee Beach, according to her family. She suffered life-threatening injuries, including multiple bites across her arms and legs, lacerations, fractures and extreme blood loss. She was placed on life support, put under a medically induced coma and underwent multiple surgeries in the days after the attack. Her treatment required the amputation of one arm, and the family said more surgeries were scheduled as doctors worked to save her life and stabilize her condition. Stewart, who woke up from her 10-day coma after doctors reduced her sedation, told her mother and partner, Fernando, "I love you." Her brother said at the time that her first thoughts were with her young daughter, August. SHARK ATTACK SURVIVOR WAKES FROM 10-DAY COMA AND SHARES FIRST WORDS WITH FAMILY AT HER HOSPITAL BEDSIDE "Leah has a long road ahead," Joshua Stewart wrote after she briefly woke, calling the moment a hopeful first step in her recovery. Joshua Stewart said the family wanted to apologize for delays in responding to supporters, explaining they have had issues with the GoFundMe messaging system. "Leah is beyond overwhelmed at the amazing support she has received and that her story has resonated with so many people," he wrote. "Thank you!" The fundraiser was launched to help Stewart, her partner and their young daughter through what her family described as a heartbreaking situation. The money will support her recovery, prosthetics, rehabilitation, ongoing care and the major adjustments she will need as she works toward returning to life as a mother. Her family also thanked the lifesavers, first responders, helicopter crew and medical team at St. Vincent’s Hospital who helped care for Stewart after the attack. "As a family we are shocked and devastated that this could happen to our beloved partner, daughter and mother who is so full of life and energy," Joshua Stewart wrote. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a5a28c2ca79de236426ca Mission Garden cultivates spot on National Register of Historic Places te 2026-07-05T13:20:40.641Z Mission Garden cultivates spot on National Register of Historic Places Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a5a15c2ca79de236426c1 Marshall Gulch trailhead to close July 6 for reconstruction te 2026-07-05T13:20:21.192Z Marshall Gulch trailhead to close July 6 for reconstruction Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a5835c2ca79de23642699 NFL star Brandon Aiyuk appears to go after Commanders' Jayden Daniels in latest social media rant te 2026-07-05T13:12:21.306Z NFL star Brandon Aiyuk appears to go after Commanders' Jayden Daniels in latest social media rant San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s apparent attempt to get traded to the Washington Commanders in the offseason may have come to a screeching halt. Aiyuk posted a video to his social media on Saturday, taking aim at Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels. He seemingly referred to Daniels as "5" – the star’s jersey number. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "‘5’ gonna text me talking about some, ‘You’re on my team now. You follow my rules.’ Boy, I’m a grown a-- man, boy," Aiyuk said. "You gonna have to start running behind your momma and I might believe what you talking about. But until then, (No)." He tagged Daniels specifically in a separate post, which read, "Tf always so funny lil n---a. Turn your savage up." In a third post, Aiyuk was seemingly interested in joining Daniels on the Commanders again. "Let’s run it 5! Let’s see! Need you available all szn and I’ll do the same," the post read. The 49ers have been looking for a trade partner for Aiyuk, who signed a four-year, $120 million extension with the 49ers in August 2024. But it probably isn’t helping that general manager John Lynch not only said Aiyuk is done, but these public displays of displeasure from Aiyuk don’t paint him in the best light despite his talent. Aiyuk has invoked the Commanders numerous times, seemingly trying to re-join his Arizona State teammate in Daniels. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Aiyuk began speaking out about his frustration with San Francisco earlier this month, including videos where he called the 49ers "dumb" and "stupid" for giving him his extension. He also claims the team is scared to release him because of how he might perform elsewhere in the league. The rift between Aiyuk and the 49ers has gone on for almost a full year now after the team voided the remaining guaranteed money he was owed on his extension. The 49ers did so after Aiyuk didn’t participate in rehab sessions for a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus he suffered in his right knee during the 2024 season. Then, the 49ers placed Aiyuk on the reserve/left team list back in December after he stopped showing up to the team facility. Before getting injured in 2024, Aiyuk tallied 24 catches for 374 yards during that season. He broke out with 1,342 yards on 75 receptions and seven touchdowns during the 2023 season for the 49ers, helping them reach the Super Bowl. Fox News’ Scott Thompson contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a5821c2ca79de23642690 'Tanmaxxing' trend could come at a dangerous cost, skin cancer experts warn te 2026-07-05T13:12:01.844Z 'Tanmaxxing' trend could come at a dangerous cost, skin cancer experts warn Summer fun in the sun is being taken to a new extreme. "Tanmaxxing" is a social media trend that involves maximizing sun exposure and tanning the skin more intensely. Popular among Gen Z, the practice combines time spent in direct sunlight with a variety of tanning products like oils, bronzers and gels. POPULAR FRUIT MAY HELP PROTECT YOUR SKIN FROM THE SUN, NEW STUDY SUGGESTS Creators on social media are showing off their dramatic tan lines and outdoor set-ups — some even forgoing sun protection or adding tanning bed sessions. While spending time outdoors can help boost mood, support the body's production of vitamin D and reduce screen time, dermatologists warn that excessive sun exposure — especially as promoted by the tanmaxxing trend — can be dangerous. New York-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michael Tassavor, MD, emphasized that there is "no such thing as a safe, natural tan." CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES "Tanning is damage," he said in an interview with Fox News Digital. "Tanfluencers sell a deep tan as a ‘wellness upgrade,' but a tan isn't a glow-up — it's your skin's visible distress signal that DNA damage has already happened." "As a skin cancer specialist, I've taken care of thousands of skin cancers on patients who 'tanmaxxed' before it had a name. Most regret it." The World Health Organization classifies UV radiation and tanning beds as Group 1 carcinogens, which is the same category as tobacco and asbestos. Using a tanning bed before age 35 can raise melanoma risk by about 75%, Tassavor noted. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "The damage compounds silently and shows up years later, once the easy window to intervene has closed," he said. According to Tassavor, two common beliefs behind tanmaxxing are false: Skipping sunscreen does not produce a "better" tan, and a base tan does not protect the skin from future sunburns. Sunlight "isn’t the enemy," the dermatologist noted, but there’s no need to chase it. "Most of your vitamin D can come from diet and supplements, and your skin is efficient enough to [get] what it needs from ordinary incidental exposure," he said. "Vitamin D matters for bone density, and sun does give some people a genuine mood lift, but there's no evidence that anyone has to go out of their way to sunbathe for it, and no evidence that diligent sunscreen use harms bone health." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER To safely expose yourself to the sun, Tassavor recommends using SPF 30 sunscreen and reapplying every two hours. Tanning beds should be avoided "entirely," he cautioned, because there is "no safe dose" of UV exposure and using them accelerates skin aging. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a580ec2ca79de23642687 Nicki Minaj, Anna Nicole Smith and more stars who got their start waiting tables at Red Lobster te 2026-07-05T13:11:42.388Z Nicki Minaj, Anna Nicole Smith and more stars who got their start waiting tables at Red Lobster Stars are just like us. Before becoming famous, Nicki Minaj, Anna Nicole Smith and more worked everyday jobs at one of America's biggest chain restaurants. The rapper worked at a number of locations, while Smith worked at Red Lobster as a young mom when she first welcomed her son, Daniel, when she was 19 years old. LONGEST-RUNNING RED LOBSTER LOCATION IN AMERICA IS CLOSING AFTER 56 YEARS Damola Adamolekun, the youngest CEO the chain restaurant has ever seen at 37 years old, acknowledges the company's storied history with celebrity, and has been talking up the brand since taking over. "People just really care about this brand. It has a deep legacy and a deep meaning to people." he told Vanity Fair in June, adding, "I like that I’m giving people a different sort of role model—a different path for people that they might not be aware of otherwise." Here are some of the biggest names who once worked at Red Lobster. Nicki Minaj had experience as a waitress prior to making it big as a record-setting female rapper. During an appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," she spoke about her time working at Red Lobster as a waitress, saying "I probably waited on people in this audience for a matter of fact," adding, "If you've ever eaten at Red Lobster, I probably took your order." "That's what made me wanna hurry up and follow my dream, because I was like, 'Oh my God, this is not for me. I gotta hurry up and get out of here before it's too late,'" Minaj said about working at the chain restaurant. She went on to find success with her debut album, "Pink Friday," which featured one of her biggest songs of all time, "Super Bass." This led to record-breaking success, as she became the best-selling female rapper of all time, selling over 100 million records worldwide. Anna Nicole Smith once chose to work at Red Lobster to support herself and her son, Daniel. In an interview with Daily Mail in February 2017, Smith's mother, Virgie Arthur, shared that her daughter once worked at the popular chain restaurant before quitting to work as an exotic dancer at the Executive Suite. She recalled going into the Executive Suite one night and finding Smith dancing for a man, telling her, "You’re not going to do that kind of work. You’re supposed to be working at Red Lobster." "She said, ‘Momma, I know you don’t understand this but I work at Red Lobster all night long and my back and my feet are killing me,’" Arthur told the outlet. "‘I can go work at the Executive Suite one night and make $1,000 dollars.’" In 1991, while dancing at another local club, Smith met billionaire oil tycoon J. Howard Marshall. With his support, she was able to quit dancing and began modeling — she never looked back. Chris Rock spent his teenage years working at Red Lobster in New York. The actor and comedian spoke about his time working at the restaurant after dropping out of high school in the 10th grade during his 2008 HBO comedy special, "Kill the Messenger," saying he "used to scrape shrimp into the garbage can and then load up the dishwasher." "I never got a raise, I never got a promotion," he said. "They kept me in the back because I had really f---ed-up teeth, and they didn’t want people to think that shrimp f---ed up your teeth." He went on to say that the job "killed me," but says he has been "blessed" and has a successful career. He got his start doing stand-up as a teenager, later landing a spot on the cast of "Saturday Night Live." He established himself as a comedian with numerous specials, which earned him many Emmy Awards. He has also had a successful movie career. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Jonathan Majors had "a crazy journey" on the way to finding success as an actor. The Marvel actor opened up about his experience working at Red Lobster when he was a teen during his opening monologue for "Saturday Night Live," which he hosted in 2021, sharing that he worked there to support himself while he was "homeless." "I lived in my car, working at Red Lobster and Olive Garden, but you know what I learned from that experience? You know what I learned? That Red Lobster and Olive Garden are owned by the same parent company, so you can work at both places with no problem," he joked. He then pointed out that many stars started their careers at the restaurant, joking, "I don't know what they're putting in those cheddar baked biscuits, but it's working." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER On a more serious note, he added that working at both restaurants taught him the value of hard work and that "if you trust a plan, great things can happen." While Majors found success in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, his career slowed down when he was convicted of two misdemeanor counts — reckless assault in the third degree and harassment — in December 2023, following an altercation with his girlfriend in March 2023. Jamie Kennedy loved his time working at Red Lobster. During an interview on "The Jason Show" in June 2024, Kennedy said he started working at the chain restaurant because his mom thought it would be good for him. "It was my first job ever. My mother's like, ‘You got to learn about life so go to Red Lobster,’" he said. "I got a job there when I was 16, and then I loved it so much that when I moved to L.A. to pursue my dream, I got a transfer. I got recommended as a busboy to the North Hollywood location because I was such a good busboy at the Philly one. So I worked there." He ultimately found success as an actor playing Randy Meeks in the 1996 movie "Scream," and went on to have a successful movie and television career. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a57d0c2ca79de2364265a Carpenter's Column: Looking ahead to the Tricentennial te 2026-07-05T13:10:40.947Z Carpenter's Column: Looking ahead to the Tricentennial This week's column from Tom Carpenter, the longtime humorist for the Arizona Daily Sun. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a57bcc2ca79de2364264c Flagstaff History: Flagstaff held Pow Wow as part of Bicentennial celebration te 2026-07-05T13:10:20.984Z Flagstaff History: Flagstaff held Pow Wow as part of Bicentennial celebration This week's look back into Flagstaff's history. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a530cc2ca79de236425b2 Almost 90 new unicorns have been minted so far this year — here they are te 2026-07-05T12:50:20.633Z Almost 90 new unicorns have been minted so far this year — here they are With AI igniting an investor frenzy, more startups are achieving unicorn status every month. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a4c2fc2ca79de23642505 American Olympic runner Nikki Hiltz, who identifies as transgender nonbinary, reacts to Supreme Court ruling te 2026-07-05T12:21:03.064Z American Olympic runner Nikki Hiltz, who identifies as transgender nonbinary, reacts to Supreme Court ruling Nikki Hiltz, an American Olympic runner who identifies as transgender nonbinary, reacted to the Supreme Court ruling on transgender athletes on Saturday. The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of West Virginia and Idaho on Tuesday against trans athletes who sued to gain access to girls' sports. The states were backed by the law firm Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), while the trans athletes were represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Cooley Legal. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! In the highly anticipated rulings in West Virginia v. B.P.J. and Little v. Hecox, the high court upheld state laws requiring student-athletes to compete on sports teams that correspond with their biological sex at birth rather than their gender identity. Hiltz competed in the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, winning the mile race with a 4:17.49. "I wasn’t surprised, but I was obviously still disappointed," Hiltz said of the ruling, via The Athletic. "For me, I want to show that trans people can be in sport, be affirmed in their gender. We’re not these big, scary things." Hiltz added, "It’s a really weird time in our country for a lot of different communities, mine specifically." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Hiltz, who has always competed in women's races, previously opened up about gender identity. "The best way I can explain my gender is as fluid," Hiltz wrote in an Instagram post last year. "Sometimes I wake up feeling like a powerful queen and other days I wake up feeling as if I’m just a guy being a dude, and other times I identify outside of the gender binary entirely." Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote the Supreme Court opinion. "Consistent with Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause, we hold that the States may maintain women’s and girls’ sports for biological females. They may determine eligibility for women’s and girls’ sports based on biological sex," the opinion read. Now, more than half of the states in the U.S. are empowered to enforce the protection of women's sports without fear of a legal challenge. However, there are still 23 states, including California, New York and Massachusetts, that don't have any such laws, and some of those have laws to protect trans athletes in girls' sports. Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a49fdc2ca79de236424ae Manson murders allegedly tied to CIA mind control experiments: congressional testimony te 2026-07-05T12:11:41.992Z Manson murders allegedly tied to CIA mind control experiments: congressional testimony House Republicans revisited long-standing questions last week about possible links between the CIA's infamous MKUltra program and Charles Manson's murderous cult, as lawmakers revealed newly discovered agency records are being prepared for declassification. Tuesday's hearing before the House Oversight Committee's Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets quickly delved into allegations that the CIA concealed the true scope of its Cold War-era mind-control program, with witnesses reviving claims involving Manson, Jack Ruby and decades of alleged government secrecy. Task Force Chair Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., opened the hearing by accusing the CIA of carrying out illegal human experimentation on unwitting Americans before destroying evidence to hide the program. GABBARD SAYS DECLASSIFIED BIOLAB RECORDS VALIDATE CONCERNS PREVIOUSLY DISMISSED AS MISINFORMATION "This hearing is about the crimes committed by the Central Intelligence Agency against American citizens," Luna said. "The American people deserve a complete and truthful record." Luna also revealed she recently traveled to CIA headquarters with Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., after reports surfaced that previously unknown MKUltra records had been located. She said the agency is currently declassifying those files, which she said pertain to a forgery program housed under MKUltra. 🔍 Have information the public should know? 📩 stepheny.price@fox.com 📸 @fndstephprice 🎥 @StephenyPrice If you have firsthand knowledge, documents, photos, video, or a story that deserves a closer look, contact me. Your information could help uncover answers and drive future coverage. Much of the hearing centered on testimony from investigative journalist Tom O'Neill, author of Chaos, who told lawmakers his decades-long investigation uncovered correspondence between CIA chemist Sidney Gottlieb, the architect of MKUltra, and psychiatrist Dr. Louis "Jolly" West discussing experiments involving LSD, hypnosis, memory manipulation and behavioral control. O'Neill testified that West later established operations near a San Francisco clinic where Manson and members of his inner circle received free medical treatment in 1967, the same period Manson transformed from a recently paroled criminal into the cult leader who would order the Tate-LaBianca murders two years later. STRING OF SCIENTIST DEATHS, VANISHINGS FUELS EXPERT TALKS OF SHADOW OPS AND SILENCED SECRETS: 'VERY SERIOUS' "I believe Congress was never told the truth about what this program actually achieved," O'Neill testified, arguing the CIA misled lawmakers in the 1970s when it characterized MKUltra as a failed experiment. The hearing reached its most dramatic exchange near the close when Luna asked O'Neill whether it was his opinion that Manson had been an intelligence asset connected to MKUltra. UFO WHISTLEBLOWER CLAIMS BILLIONS IN SECRET SPENDING HIDDEN FROM CONGRESS O'Neill responded that he has never been able to prove such a theory regarding Manson, describing it as theoretical. He testified, however, that federal authorities repeatedly allowed Manson to violate parole, avoid prosecution and continue building his cult while under government supervision. When asked about Ruby, the man who killed Lee Harvey Oswald, O'Neill testified he believes West's involvement after Ruby's arrest prevented Ruby from ever publicly telling his story, a claim that has not been established by official government investigations. After O'Neill described West's role, Luna responded simply: "Wow." Historian Stephen Kinzer, author of "Poisoner in Chief," testified that MKUltra amounted to "the most extreme experiments on human beings" ever carried out by a U.S. government agency, alleging victims included prisoners, psychiatric patients and unwitting civilians in the United States and overseas. Kinzer argued the CIA intentionally obscured the program by destroying records before congressional investigators could review them and urged lawmakers to seek the removal of decades-old redactions from surviving documents. FOLLOW US ON X Later in the hearing, Kinzer alleged he identified what he believes was an early CIA "black site" in Germany where MKUltra experiments were conducted alongside former Nazi scientists. He testified that residents told him people died there and may be buried nearby — allegations that have not been independently verified. Luna pledged to contact the German government. "If there are indeed people that were victims of this... we would like to know who those people are and who their families are as well," she said. Republicans repeatedly questioned why no CIA officials were prosecuted after former Director Richard Helms ordered MKUltra files destroyed before leaving office. "No one went to prison. No victim was ever formally compensated," Luna said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE U.S. NEWS Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., asked witnesses directly whether MKUltra represented "a massive cover-up by the U.S. government." "It's certainly a cover-up of what happened in the past," Kinzer replied. "Oh, absolutely yes," O'Neill answered. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., also questioned whether advances in technology and social media could accomplish today what MKUltra attempted during the Cold War. O'Neill declined to speculate about modern cases, saying he had no evidence connecting current events to government programs, though he testified he believes technology has advanced significantly since the 1950s. David Barrett, a Villanova University professor, told Fox News Digital that while Tuesday's hearing revisited provocative questions about MKUltra, much of the program's documented history is already well established. "The thinking was, 'The other side is doing it, so we need to do it,'" Barrett said of the Cold War mindset that gave rise to MKUltra, referring to U.S. intelligence officials' belief that China and North Korea were using drugs to influence American prisoners during the Korean War. Barrett said there is no dispute that MKUltra existed or that unwitting Americans were subjected to drug experiments. GET BREAKING NEWS ALERTS "We know the program existed. We know drug tests were done on unwitting human subjects," he said. "We don't know the number." He also noted that the historical record remains incomplete because Helms ordered most MKUltra files destroyed in the early 1970s. "Most of the records, as far as we can tell, were in fact destroyed, but not all of them," Barrett said. Still, Barrett cautioned against expecting the newly discovered records now being reviewed by the CIA to dramatically rewrite the historical record. SEND US A TIP "I don't think there's going to be a smoking gun," Barrett said, adding that he expects the files are more likely to be operational records than documents revealing major new information about senior-level decision-making. Luna concluded the hearing by promising lawmakers will continue pressing the CIA to release additional records, including the newly discovered MKUltra documents currently under review. While the CIA has long acknowledged the existence of MKUltra and previous congressional investigations documented unethical human experimentation during the Cold War, many of the hearing's most explosive allegations, including purported links to Manson and Ruby, remain disputed and have not been confirmed by official government findings. The CIA has previously pushed back against O'Neill's claims. "The author cannot definitively tie Manson to MK-ULTRA or CHAOS; he can only imply it on circumstantial evidence," the CIA said in a review of O’Neill’s book. Fox News Digital's Julia Bonavita contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a49eac2ca79de236424a5 Washington rewards failure. It’s time to send career politicians home te 2026-07-05T12:11:22.537Z Washington rewards failure. It’s time to send career politicians home Washington, D.C., is broken. I don't think that's a controversial statement anymore. Eighty-three percent of Americans support term limits on Congress — and even more Alaskans do — and approval of Congress sits at around 12%. People aren't wrong to feel that way. I say this as someone who's been there. I went to Congress to carry on the legacy of my Republican predecessor, Don Young, who spent decades putting Alaska first by working across the aisle and delivering real results. What I found was different: a place more focused on staying in power than getting things done, on trading stocks than passing laws, on keeping donors happy than keeping constituents afloat. SENATE PLOTS PERMANENT END TO GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWNS WITH BIPARTISAN PUSH Congress has become a performance. And working people are paying for it. Corruption dominates. Our officials trade stocks while having access to insider information. They take meetings with the special interests bleeding working people dry. And while they're cashing in, their constituents are facing skyrocketing prices. I see it everywhere I go in Alaska. This used to be a place of abundance. Now, in every city, town and village, I hear the same thing: groceries and gas are through the roof, buying a home feels impossible, and people are choosing between heating their houses and putting food on the table. That's not a red problem or a blue problem. That's what happens when the people making decisions in Washington have stopped feeling the consequences of those decisions. TRUMP VOTERS SAY COSTS ARE CRUSHING THEIR WALLETS — BUT LOOK PAST PRESIDENT FOR BLAME The reason immigration hasn't been fixed in decades isn't that it's too hard for us to wrap our heads around. It's that the system rewards politicians for fighting about it, not solving it. The same goes for the cost of living, drug prices, housing — you name it. Career politicians have every incentive to keep the fight going and no real deadline to deliver. That's the problem term limits fix. I'm calling for 12-year term limits on Congress. To those who serve in the House of Representatives or the Senate, if you can't get something worthwhile done in 12 years, it's time to go home. This isn't radical. It's accountability. The kind every working person in this country already lives with. SENATE PLOTS PERMANENT END TO GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWNS WITH BIPARTISAN PUSH The only people who don't support term limits are the ones who benefit from not having them. The career politicians who've turned public service into a career advancement strategy. The committee chairs who've been in Washington so long their biggest donors are the industries they're supposed to regulate. The members who go to Washington and come home three times richer than when they left. My time in Congress made it crystal clear to me that the system is rigged. Most members of Congress aren't there to deliver; they're there to stay in office and get rich along the way. The result is exactly what you'd expect: partisan gridlock, institutional rot, and corrupt policies engineered to benefit the same powerful special interests that fund the machine. You can't fix the cost of living without first fixing the people in charge of fixing it. I've called on Alaska to lead by passing term limits at the state level to open a legal pathway through the courts. As Alaska's next senator, I'll fight to pass them federally. Alaska has led the country before on government reform. We can do it again. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Term limits won't solve everything. But they will force Congress to work on our timeline, not theirs. They'll replace career politicians beholden to donors with representatives who actually have to deliver, because they know the clock is running. And they will help ensure that the voices of hardworking Americans are heard at the highest levels of government, not the voices of wealthy elites. Working people across this country can't afford more of the same. We need a system that works for them, not career politicians and the shady special interests who keep them in their seats. Red or blue, we all benefit from a Congress that has a deadline. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a49d7c2ca79de2364249c Americans once survived on squirrel pie, whiskey and homemade cheese after British imports dried up te 2026-07-05T12:11:03.086Z Americans once survived on squirrel pie, whiskey and homemade cheese after British imports dried up A new documentary exploring Revolutionary-era food has given host Capri Cafaro a firsthand look at the ingenuity that helped colonial Americans adapt, survive and ultimately break from Great Britain. As Americans celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary, Cafaro said the biggest lesson from making the "America the Bountiful: America's 250th Anniversary Special" was seeing how colonists transformed local crops, livestock and wild game into a self-sustaining food system when European imports were no longer reliable. "Food is a really interesting anchor, culturally," Cafaro told Fox News Digital. "It has an opportunity to tell infinite stories from economics to agriculture to the environment to science." GEORGE WASHINGTON'S 1757 BEER RECIPE BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE AHEAD OF AMERICA'S 250TH BIRTHDAY In planning the show's 250th anniversary special, Cafaro said she was "really looking to identify the ways in which colonial settlers were able to adapt in North America without being able to rely on European imports." She traveled to landmarks of colonial America to trace the roots of foods that are integral to the nation's palate today, including cheese and whiskey. Colonists turned milk into cheese because fresh milk spoiled quickly. They used the byproducts of the grain they milled for many different things, including making alcohol, Cafaro said. In the documentary, Cafaro is shown sampling whiskey produced as it would have been at George Washington's Virginia estate, Mount Vernon. She described it with a laugh as "alcohol-grain-forward" and contrasted it with a whiskey suited to "more of a modern-day palate." CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS The most challenging experience Cafaro said she had while making the show involved hunting and eating small game. Squirrel pie and stew were popular in 18th- and 19th-century America, she said, and are something people can still find today, particularly in the Appalachian regions of the United States. "It was tough for me to be part of a squirrel-hunting process and then be faced with having to eat it," Cafaro said. "I joked at the time that I may be a vegetarian in the 18th century, having to rely on small game like squirrel." Many U.S. presidents, including James A. Garfield, were fans of squirrel stew and squirrel pie, Cafaro said. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Colonists diversified crops, developed preservation techniques for meat and dairy and varied their hunting and trapping methods for small game, Cafaro said she learned while making the documentary. She added that the documentary also explores the roles Indigenous peoples, European settlers and enslaved people played in growing, harvesting and preparing food. For example, Indigenous people shared their knowledge of making tea from local plants and herbs with colonists. After American patriots held the Boston Tea Party, these Liberty Teas turned "an everyday beverage into a symbol of independence," the documentary says. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Cafaro said she was most struck by "the innovation and the ingenuity that settlers employed, and ... that became a hallmark of the American identity." She said she hopes the documentary amplifies the voices of farmers, ranchers, fishers and "anyone who works to put food on our table." "The American identity isn't possible without their resourcefulness and hard work," she said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a4754c2ca79de23642441 8 Wounded in Coney Island Shooting on Fourth of July te 2026-07-05T12:00:20.543Z 8 Wounded in Coney Island Shooting on Fourth of July The victims included two boys, aged 6 and 7, and one woman who remained in critical condition on Sunday, the police said. No arrests had been made. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a4526c2ca79de236423f9 Paraguay goalie tosses ball at France's Kylian Mbappé after World Cup showdown te 2026-07-05T11:51:02.094Z Paraguay goalie tosses ball at France's Kylian Mbappé after World Cup showdown French World Cup superstar Kylian Mbappé was involved in a heated post-match incident with Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill on Saturday. Mbappé, who scored on a penalty in the 70th minute, was riling up the crowd at Philadelphia Stadium following France’s 1-0 victory in the Round of 16. As he yelled toward the crowd, he stepped in front of Gill who reached out his hand for a handshake and then threw the ball at him. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Gill said he was going to shake Mbappé’s hand but lost his cool. "I tried to shake his hand, but since he didn’t pay me any attention, I lost my temper," Gill said. It marked the end of a physical match between the two squads. Gill said he believed his teammates handled their plan of attack well. Paraguay midfielder Andrés Cubas grabbed Mbappé in the offensive third, sparking a 35th minute showdown between the players. Later in the first half, Matias Galarza made contact with Mbappé off the ball. Juan José Cáceras kicked Mbappé in the right shin in the 77th minute. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Paraguay didn’t receive a yellow card for any of the fouls. France was the only team of the two to receive yellow cards during the match – all three. "We knew what kind of match it was going to be," Mbappé said. "We can also get our hands dirty. We know how to do it. We know how to play ugly football. Guess they were thinking we were going to show up in tuxedos, but we were ready. Even at that kind of game, we were better than them." France’s coach Didier Deschamps called out Paraguay’s physicality. "They pull out every trick in the book," he said. "It’s not the kind of football that draws people to the stadium. Each team played the way they want. But there were insults from the other bench that I could do without." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a3e45c2ca79de23642124 Murdaugh wants Idaho murders DNA dream team behind Kohberger case to help rewrite second murder trial te 2026-07-05T11:21:41.081Z Murdaugh wants Idaho murders DNA dream team behind Kohberger case to help rewrite second murder trial Alex Murdaugh’s attorneys want a Texas forensic DNA lab known for helping crack some of the nation’s most notorious murder cases to test unknown male DNA found beneath Maggie Murdaugh’s fingernails as the disgraced South Carolina attorney heads toward a new double-murder trial. Murdaugh, once a powerful personal injury attorney in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, was convicted in 2023 of killing his wife, Maggie, 52, and their younger son, Paul, 22, at the family’s hunting estate in June 2021. His convictions were later overturned, and a new trial has been tentatively set for April 2027. His attorneys have pointed to DNA found beneath Maggie's fingernails that they say belonged to an unknown, unrelated male. They have asked for independent testing by Othram Inc., a Houston-area forensic genetic genealogy company whose technology has been used in high-profile murder investigations and decades-old cold cases. ALEX MURDAUGH RETRIAL FIGHT BEGINS AS JUDGE WEIGHS DNA TEST, SHACKLES AND TRIAL DATE Prosecutors disputed the significance of additional DNA testing, arguing that the evidence has already been tested by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and produced only a mixture of Maggie’s DNA and what the state described as a "very partial and incomplete" profile from another contributor. The unknown profile, prosecutors said, did not contain enough identifying information to be submitted to CODIS, the national DNA database. Othram, based in The Woodlands, Texas, specializes in advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy, a method that can help investigators identify suspects or unknown victims when traditional law enforcement databases do not produce a match. Here are some of the high-profile cases Othram has helped crack. COLD CASE CRACKED AS ILLINOIS SUSPECT CHARGED IN BRUTAL 1993 KILLING OF MOTHER FOUND SLAIN IN FIELD Othram’s work came under national scrutiny in the investigation into the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students: Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin. Investigators recovered DNA from a knife sheath found near one of the victims inside the off-campus Moscow, Idaho, home where the students were killed. Othram has said Idaho State Police Forensic Services, Moscow police and the FBI teamed with the company to help identify Bryan Kohberger as the suspect. Kohberger later pleaded guilty to four counts of murder and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. COLD CASE CRACKED AS ILLINOIS SUSPECT CHARGED IN BRUTAL 1993 KILLING OF MOTHER FOUND SLAIN IN FIELD Othram also played a role in the investigation into the killing of Rachel Morin, a Maryland mother of five whose body was found near the Ma & Pa Trail in Bel Air in August 2023. Harford County authorities and the FBI worked with Othram after DNA evidence did not immediately identify the unknown male suspect through traditional methods. Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador, was later arrested and charged in Morin’s rape and murder. He was convicted in 2025. The 1974 murder of 17-year-old Carla Walker in Fort Worth, Texas, went unsolved for more than four decades before advanced DNA testing helped investigators identify her killer. Walker was abducted, raped, tortured and murdered after attending a Valentine’s Day dance with her boyfriend. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS A break came in 2020 after crime scene DNA was uploaded to a public genealogy website, leading to the identification of then 77-year-old Glen Samuel McCurley. Authorities confirmed the match after obtaining his DNA from trash. Othram worked with Fort Worth police to identify McCurley as the man responsible. McCurley later pleaded guilty to murder, giving Walker’s family answers after 46 years. One of New England’s most infamous unidentified victim cases was solved with help from Othram nearly 50 years after a woman’s body was found in the dunes of Provincetown, a summer vacation hot spot at the tip of Massachusetts in 1974. The 49-year-old cold case was eventually solved in August 2023. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X The woman, long known only as the "Lady of the Dunes," was found dead in 1974. For decades, authorities could not determine her name. The FBI, Massachusetts State Police, Provincetown police and prosecutors partnered with Othram to identify her as Ruth Marie Terry. Her husband at the time, Guy Rockwell Muldavin, was identified as her killer, Cape and Islands District Attorney Robert Galibois said. Terry was a 37-year-old Tennessee native newlywed when her nearly decapitated body was found in the sand dunes. Muldavin and Terry were married only a few months before she vanished. For decades, she was only known as "Lady of the Dunes" until her jaw was tested using genetic genealogy at Othram. Othram’s technology was also used to help identify Karen Vergata, previously known as "Fire Island Jane Doe," in a case tied to the broader Gilgo Beach investigation on Long Island. Vergata’s remains were found in 1996, but she was not publicly identified until decades later. In 2022, the Suffolk County Police Department in collaboration with the FBI teamed with Othram to determine if advanced DNA testing could help to identify "Fire Island Jane Doe." Vergata was 34 years old at the time of her death and she went missing on Valentine's Day in 1996. In April 2026, Rex Heuermann admitted that he intentionally killed Vergata, along with seven other women, as part of a plea agreement. The request for Othram testing does not mean the unknown DNA will change the outcome of Murdaugh’s case. Still, Murdaugh’s attorneys are expected to argue the testing could support an alternate-suspect theory as they prepare for a second trial. GOT A TIP? "They decided that night he was the guy and everything they did after that excluded any other thought," Murdaugh's lead defense attorney, Dick Harpootlian, previously told Fox News Digital. "And that's why they have no evidence connecting him with the murder scene." The state, however, characterized the request as unsupported and aimed more at "public consumption" than viable forensic evidence. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST During Murdaugh’s first status hearing on Monday, June 29, Judge Debra McCaslin did not rule on the DNA evidence, telling defense attorneys to clarify if the sample was viable. Fox News Digital reached out to Othram. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a3e31c2ca79de23642082 Prince William’s surprising American roots trace back to patriots who battled the British: book te 2026-07-05T11:21:21.646Z Prince William’s surprising American roots trace back to patriots who battled the British: book The future king of Britain descends from American patriots who fought against the crown he is destined to inherit, according to a new book tracing Prince William's family tree. In "American Crown," Stephanie Green traces the Prince of Wales' extraordinary American lineage to Revolutionary War patriot Nathan Hale and other colonial ancestors. "The more I read about the family, the more interesting it was," Green told Fox News Digital. "All the characters in the family tree are so fascinating, and it's an American success story. The fact that he has this American bloodline — I don't even know if he's aware of it." PRINCESS DIANA, HOT DOGS AND A PRESIDENTIAL MATCHMAKING ATTEMPT: ICONIC ROYAL VISITS TO AMERICA Fox News Digital reached out to Kensington Palace for comment. A spokesperson for the palace previously told Fox News Digital it does not comment on books. Green said that through William's mother, the late Princess Diana, his lineage traces back to Benajah Strong. "The Strongs have been in this country for a very long time, since the 1600s," Green said. "Benajah was from Coventry, Connecticut, which places him not only in the heart of the American Revolution but at its very beginning. Coventry was a hotbed of anti-monarchist sentiment, and Benajah's role during the American Revolution was to spread the word that the British were on the march. He was part of what we call 'The Lexington Alarm.'" WATCH: PRINCE WILLIAMS SURPRISING TIES TO THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION REVEALED "Benajah's grave is still in Coventry," Green added. The first Strong ancestor emigrated from England to New England in 1635, according to The Washington Post. William's sixth-great-grandfather was born in Coventry in 1740 and enlisted as a private in the Connecticut militia. Strong's nephew was Nathan Hale, whom Green described as "our most famous American martyr and one of our most famous American patriots." "He was the son of Benajah's sister," Green said. "He was captured and hanged by the British in 1776, shortly after the American Revolution began. Unfortunately, his remains have never been found. People in Coventry have memorials in his honor and still hope his remains will one day be found and returned to his hometown." Hale, who studied at Yale, was a teacher in Connecticut when the Revolutionary War began, according to The Washington Post. Like his uncle, Hale joined the Connecticut militia. The outlet reported that Hale later joined Knowlton's Rangers, widely considered the first organized U.S. military intelligence unit. In 1776, Hale traveled to British-occupied Long Island on a spying mission, posing as an unemployed Dutch schoolteacher. Some historians have argued that Hale's fatal mistake was carrying his Yale diploma with him. He was captured by British forces in Queens.  After being interrogated, Hale was hanged at age 21, about two months after the Declaration of Independence. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Hale's reported last words were, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." During her research, Green said she discovered a surprising connection to America's first president. "Everyone who follows the royal family knows about the Spencer family, a very aristocratic family from England," Green said. "Diana, of course, was Lady Diana Spencer when she married the Prince of Wales in 1981, but people probably don't know that the Spencer family and George Washington's family go way back." "I have a whole chapter on Sulgrave Manor, which is George Washington's ancestral home in England," Green said. "It's right down the road from Althorp, the Spencer family estate. In fact, the Spencers and the Washingtons were quite friendly. The Spencer girls worked at the Washington home, and the Washington children were friends with the Spencer children. The families were very close." "The Washington family moved to America, as many families did," Green continued. "But Sulgrave Manor is still there. You can visit it and learn more about George Washington's family." One ancestor, Green said, instantly reminded her of Diana. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "The most shocking and fascinating character is Fannie Work, later known as Fannie Roche, or Frances Burke Roche," Green said. "She's the great-great-great-grandmother of the future king." "She was a fascinating woman," Green said. "She was an American heiress born around 1857. She came of age during the Gilded Age and was associated with many of the era's luminaries. She knew Alice Roosevelt." "What fascinated me most was that she lived life on her own terms. She had two scandalous divorces during a time when people rarely even said the word 'divorce' in polite society. She was determined to live life her own way. The more I read about her, the more I realized how many similarities she shared with Diana." "They were both beautiful," Green said. "They were both glamorous. They both courted scandal. They seemed to have everything going for them. People were fascinated by them, yet they were rebels at heart." Depending on the account, Work either never regained her social standing or lived lavishly between New York, Newport, Rhode Island, and Paris while avoiding another marriage, according to American Aristocracy. She later bought an apartment on New York City's Fifth Avenue, where she died in 1947 at age 90. Green believes that, had Diana lived, she would have embarked on a new life across the Atlantic. "She was spending a lot of time in America during the last years of her life," Green said. "She had many American friends. She was also planning to move here. I interviewed her priest and, according to him and other sources, she loved America and planned to settle here. She was looking into buying a home in Beverly Hills or the Malibu area. How ironic and wonderful that she might have returned to the land of her ancestors." What would William's ancestors say today, knowing their descendant will become king? It depends on whom you ask, Green said. "I think some of them would be delighted that one of their own will be king," Green said. "I think William's ancestors would be delighted not only that he will be king, but that he is a good man. He's a devoted family man. He has a wonderful wife and wonderful children. I think they would admire the fact that he has many American qualities." "He's very independent," Green said. "He has a rebellious streak. He can be stubborn, and he loves his family. He loves his country, and he's a patriot in his own way. I think that even though they might be amused that their descendant is part of the monarchy they once fought against, they would be very proud that one of their own has become such a good and beloved man." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a3e1ec2ca79de23642070 REP MARIO DIAZ-BALART: We are stopping Cuba from trafficking doctors for profit te 2026-07-05T11:21:02.120Z REP MARIO DIAZ-BALART: We are stopping Cuba from trafficking doctors for profit A new law authored by me and passed by Congress in February 2026 punishes countries that are complicit in the human trafficking of Cuban doctors by way of the Castro regime’s medical missions abroad. The same law for the fiscal year 2027 is expected to be voted on in the House soon. For decades, the Cuban dictatorship has made billions by coercing its medical professionals to work in places no one wants to go, under the worst labor conditions.  But the doctors themselves see very little of that money. The regime on the island earns an estimated $4-8 billion per year from the program, and regime operatives keep 75-95% of what the doctors are paid. US SANCTIONS FIVE CUBAN ENTITIES, CASTRO FAMILY MEMBER IN LATEST PRESSURE CAMPAIGN, RUBIO SAYS The U.S. State Department says the regime confiscates the doctors’ passports, forces their families to stay in Cuba as leverage, assigns handlers to watch them and punishes families if a doctor defects.  Since 2010, State Department reports have called the program exploitative. Appropriately, State labeled the practice "human trafficking" or "forced labor" run by the Cuban regime in 2020. A new provision in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 targets countries that pay the authoritarian dictatorship for these exploited medical workers. The State Department must now list every country or group that pays for these personnel and notify them they’re on the list.  If a country stays on the list for two years in a row, it loses all U.S. foreign aid. Foreign officials involved can be banned from entering the United States, and their finances and property here may also be frozen. The law is already obtaining results. Guatemala, Jamaica, Guyana, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Paraguay and Honduras are reducing or outright ending their use of Cuban doctors.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Some, like the Bahamas, are changing terms by trying to pay doctors directly instead of paying the regime – something the dictatorship has rejected before. Consequently, the Trump administration has enforced this law by imposing visa restrictions on officials from Brazil, Grenada and some African countries tied to the program. This legislation ensures accountability, something that past Democratic administrations were willing to overlook. It exposes those who benefit from the program and hits them with real punitive consequences: the loss of U.S. aid, travel bans and financial sanctions. The law also strongly supports the oppressed Cuban people by protecting Cuban doctors from exploitation and abuse, while cutting off a critical financial lifeline to the regime. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a3bc5c2ca79de23642028 China’s robot-run hotel opens to public in 2027 te 2026-07-05T11:11:01.997Z China’s robot-run hotel opens to public in 2027 Pudu Robotics has announced what it calls the first "full-scenario robot-serviced hotel." The project will use robots across the entire guest experience, from reception and room service to cleaning, food preparation and guest support. The hotel is set to open in 2027, with trial rooms and robot-powered services expected to begin in late 2026. Early guests will be able to try robot check-in and autonomous in-room delivery before the full launch. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join. COULD THE NEXT CHINESE THREAT WALK INTO YOUR KITCHEN ON TWO BATTERY-POWERED LEGS? The hotel will sit on West Artificial Island, a man-made island tied to the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link in Guangdong Province. That cross-sea bridge and tunnel project is one of the Pearl River Delta's biggest transportation projects. The location feels fitting. Shenzhen already has a reputation as one of China's major technology hubs. Room-service delivery robots are already common in hotels across many large Chinese cities. However, this project goes much further. Instead of adding a few robots to assist hotel staff, Pudu wants to create a connected robot service system that can handle the entire guest experience. The planned hotel will include 44 high-end rooms, a restaurant, a gym and other guest spaces. Robots will take on roles across the property, including reception, room service, cleaning, food preparation and guest support. That means you could check in with a robot, have luggage delivered by a robot and order drinks from your phone without calling the front desk. Then, cleaning robots would handle waste detection and room upkeep using AI. Pudu says its robots will work from one shared intelligence framework. In other words, different machines will handle different jobs while staying connected through the same software system. Pudu's FlashBot will run an intelligent vending system, allowing guests to order drink deliveries by smartphone. The PUDU T300 will move luggage from the lobby to rooms. Meanwhile, the PUDU CC1 Pro and PUDU MT1 cleaning robots will handle cleaning tasks using AI waste-detection technology. At the Shenzhen launch event, BellaBot Pro served coffee while KettyBot Pro delivered refreshments and snacks. That kind of robotic service may still surprise many travelers. In Shenzhen, though, it already fits into a broader tech culture where robot baristas and drone food delivery are becoming more visible. HUMANOID ROBOTS WORK NONSTOP IN PACKAGE TEST The hotel will rely on PuduFM 1.0, the company's embodied intelligence foundation model. It will also use PuduAgent to manage intelligent operations across the hotel. "This partnership represents an important step toward large-scale deployment of embodied intelligence in premium hospitality environments," said Cong Guo, co-founder and CTO of Pudu Robotics. He also said the project gives the company a chance to explore new service models where AI and robotics work together to deliver connected service experiences. That may sound ambitious, yet the rollout will be gradual. The first public trial is expected in late 2026. A broader hotel opening is planned for 2027. China has already embraced service robots in hotels, restaurants, airports and public spaces. The robot-run hotel takes that trend into a more advanced phase. Shenzhen Culture & Tourism Industry Development will work with Pudu Robotics to turn West Artificial Island into a robotics and technology destination. The hotel is only one part of that larger plan. Over the next four years, the island is expected to add more robotics across tourism and hospitality. That could turn the area into a testing ground for how travelers react when robots handle nearly every service touchpoint. If this hotel works well, it could change what you expect from travel in the future. Faster check-in, automated deliveries and round-the-clock service may sound convenient, especially when you arrive late or need something quickly. However, there is another side to this. A robot-run hotel also raises questions about jobs, privacy, safety and what kind of hospitality guests actually want. Some travelers may love the speed and efficiency. Others may miss the warmth of a person who can read the room, handle a strange request or help when something goes wrong. That is where this project becomes important. It may show whether people are ready for hotels where AI handles the stay from start to finish. Your phone holds your email, passwords, photos, banking apps and personal data. In this free CyberGuy Live replay, Kurt the CyberGuy walks you step by step through simple phone security fixes you can do at your own pace. You’ll learn how to improve your privacy settings, spot the latest phone scams, use trusted security tools and walk away with a simple checklist to stay protected. Watch the replay and get our checklist here: CyberGuyLive.com China's first robot-run hotel feels like a major test of how far hospitality automation can go. We have already seen delivery robots roll through hotel hallways. Yet this project puts robots at the center of the entire stay. The convenience could be impressive. You could check in, order drinks, receive luggage and get room support without waiting on a busy front desk. For travelers who value speed, that may feel like a win. Still, hospitality has always been about more than efficiency. A great hotel stay often comes from small human moments. A kind greeting, a helpful suggestion or a quick fix when something goes sideways can make a trip feel easier. If a robot-run hotel can give you faster service, would you miss the human touch or happily skip the front desk altogether? 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/6a4a39a9c2ca79de23641fd6 "BLEACH Mirrors High" Begins Closed Beta Test Applications, Unveils New Trailer and New Soul Reapers at Anime Expo 2026 te 2026-07-05T11:02:01.932Z "BLEACH Mirrors High" Begins Closed Beta Test Applications, Unveils New Trailer and New Soul Reapers at Anime Expo 2026 LOS ANGELES, July 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- At Anime Expo 2026, Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. opened Closed Beta Test applications for BLEACH Mirrors High, the new mobile action game that depicts the story following the Thousand-Year Blood War arc of… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a3996c2ca79de23641fcd "BLEACH Mirrors High" Begins Closed Beta Test Applications, Unveils New Trailer and New Soul Reapers at Anime Expo 2026 te 2026-07-05T11:01:42.425Z "BLEACH Mirrors High" Begins Closed Beta Test Applications, Unveils New Trailer and New Soul Reapers at Anime Expo 2026 ©Tite Kubo/Shueisha, TV TOKYO, dentsu, pierrot ©Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a3982c2ca79de23641fc4 Anime "Kagurabachi" Takes Anime Expo by Storm!~ Taihi Kimura; "I'm so happy to absorb everyone's passion!" Moved by the World Premiere! te 2026-07-05T11:01:22.458Z Anime "Kagurabachi" Takes Anime Expo by Storm!~ Taihi Kimura; "I'm so happy to absorb everyone's passion!" Moved by the World Premiere! Manga Editor & Anime Producer Also on Stage, Revealed Behind-the-Scenes Stories of the Voice Recording and Anime Adaptation Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a396dc2ca79de23641fbb Anime "Kagurabachi" Takes Anime Expo by Storm!~ Taihi Kimura; "I'm so happy to absorb everyone's passion!" Moved by the World Premiere! te 2026-07-05T11:01:01.913Z Anime "Kagurabachi" Takes Anime Expo by Storm!~ Taihi Kimura; "I'm so happy to absorb everyone's passion!" Moved by the World Premiere! “Bachi Pose” commemorative photo (PRNewsfoto/CyberAgent, Inc.) Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a36efc2ca79de23641f5e At Trump’s Direction, Federal Agencies Are Abandoning Discrimination Cases te 2026-07-05T10:50:23.419Z At Trump’s Direction, Federal Agencies Are Abandoning Discrimination Cases President Trump has tried to scale back anti-discrimination regulations that date back decades. Federal agencies have heeded his call. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a34bec2ca79de23641f28 Grand Canyon rafting guide becomes first American woman to row solo across Pacific in record-breaking fashion te 2026-07-05T10:41:02.525Z Grand Canyon rafting guide becomes first American woman to row solo across Pacific in record-breaking fashion Grand Canyon rafting guide Kelsey Pfendler completed a record-breaking solo row across the Pacific Ocean on Friday, arriving in Hawaii after a more than 2,400-mile journey from California. Pfendler arrived at Honolulu Harbor aboard her 21-foot boat, Lily, after rowing alone for just under 44 days. Hundreds of supporters gathered to cheer her arrival after nearly a month and a half at sea. She launched from Monterey, California, in May with the goal of becoming the first American woman, the youngest woman and the fastest woman to row solo across the mid-Pacific, according to her website. She appears to have achieved all three milestones. YOSEMITE, GRAND CANYON LEAD NOTABLE LIST OF NATIONAL PARK CAMPGROUNDS FOR AMERICA'S 250TH According to records maintained by Ocean Rowing Society International, which adjudicates ocean-rowing achievements for Guinness World Records, Pfendler's time of just under 44 days broke both the previous women's record of 86 days and the men's record of 52 days for the same route. Throughout the journey, Pfendler documented life alone at sea for hundreds of thousands of followers on social media, sharing the physical and mental challenges of crossing one of the world's largest oceans. Her videos showed blistered hands, sleepless nights battling wind and currents, and the daily routines that kept her alive, including making fresh water, cooking meals, washing clothes and protecting herself from the relentless sun. SIX FLAGS MYSTERY COASTER ALREADY DOMINATES SKYLINE, WITH MORE RECORD-BREAKING HEIGHT TO COME Some updates captured emotional moments as she reflected on the isolation of the voyage, while others highlighted lighter moments, including joking about her pronounced hat tan line and reliance on caffeine pills. "I just love boats in the middle of nowhere," Pfendler said in one video. As she neared Oahu, Pfendler said she hoped the journey would inspire others to take on challenges they might think are beyond their reach. "If any part of this made at least one person feel a little bit more powerful in their own skin, I couldn't ask for anything else, and I'm happy," she said. Pfendler has worked as a professional river guide since she was 18 and has spent the past eight years leading rafting trips through the Grand Canyon along the Colorado River, according to her website. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a3048c2ca79de23641e97 As America marks 250 years, our greatest chapters are still ahead of us te 2026-07-05T10:22:00.655Z As America marks 250 years, our greatest chapters are still ahead of us Our Founding Fathers are still with us. The story of America that they started in 1776 is only just beginning—and they will be with us all the way. That’s because their legacy lives on not just in our laws, our Constitution and their fundamental proposition that all men are created equal with the same unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—rights that are God-given, not government-given. Their legacy also lives on in the spirit with which they wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence 250 years ago. That spirit animated our Founders’ bold vision of the future; their drive to take decisive action to make that vision happen; and their willingness to risk it all, including "their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor," to accomplish their goal. It didn’t die with the revolutionary generation. AMERICA’S NEXT 250 YEARS DEPEND ON PASSING FAITH AND FREEDOM TO OUR CHILDREN It lives on in what we can call founders’ fire. That same combination of bold vision, relentless drive and the willingness to see risk as opportunity is baked into our American culture. It’s the core of what is called American exceptionalism. Because no other country or society has embraced that founders’ fire to the same extent or made it part of the original creation of a nation and a people. In fact, it predates our founding. It grew up with the very first settlers on this continent, with their "errand into the wilderness" to create a new church under God, a new society and a new life for themselves, by taking on the risks and challenges of an unknown land in order to build what John Winthrop and then Ronald Reagan called a shining city upon a hill. MIKE PENCE: THE NEXT GENERATION NEEDS FAITH IN GOD AND CONFIDENCE IN THE AMERICAN IDEAL That founders’ spirit grew and thrived along the American frontier, turning a vast continent into a land of opportunity for all, an "empire of liberty" in Thomas Jefferson’s phrase. It was fundamental to how the Founding Fathers in 1776 were able to seize the moment to create a new nation. It also lives on with the two great gifts the original Founders left for the nation they created—and for the founders of American businesses, enterprises and institutions that followed. The first is embedded in the Constitution itself, in Article 1, Section 8: the right to own intellectual property and to acquire government-licensed patents to protect that right. Since George Washington signed the Patent Act in 1790, and for more than 200 years, that right has unleashed what Abraham Lincoln — who was himself a patent holder — called the "fire of genius" to grow and sustain the freest and richest economy on earth, from Samuel Morse’s telegraph and Edison’s light bulb to Henry Ford’s automobile and Steve Jobs’ personal computer, right down to today’s AI companies and the builders of tomorrow’s quantum computers. HOW AMERICAN ENERGY HELPED BUILD 250 YEARS OF FREEDOM AND OPPORTUNITY The second gift is contained in the Declaration’s commitment to upholding "the pursuit of happiness" as every person’s unalienable right. Unlike property or life, or even liberty, it’s a right that’s entirely subjective: It’s left to the individual to decide what path is best for him or her, not government or some megacorporation, not even our family or neighbors. We — and no one else — decide as individuals what path to take and where it leads in order to achieve a happy life in the United States. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION That’s why tens of millions of immigrants, both legal and illegal, have come to these shores for more than two centuries. The best of them understand that, while happiness is not guaranteed, they are freer to pursue the path that’s best for them than in any other society on earth. And when that pursuit is suffused with the founders’ fire—including with immigrant founders like Andrew Carnegie, Elon Musk and NVIDIA’s Jensen Huang—the result is the fountainhead of creative possibilities and invention that characterizes American life. A fountainhead that empowers and expands the pursuit of happiness for other Americans, and ultimately for the entire world. That’s why the American story has just begun. Because it still carries within it that founders’ spirit, which will always inspire someone to commit, regardless of the risks, their body and soul to the enterprise of making our country stronger, safer and more prosperous, both to our benefit today and to future generations. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM ARTHUR HERMAN Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a3035c2ca79de23641e8e Homeowners terrorized by pro squatters turning dreams into nightmares in palm-lined paradise, experts say te 2026-07-05T10:21:41.199Z Homeowners terrorized by pro squatters turning dreams into nightmares in palm-lined paradise, experts say Professional squatters are exploiting fake leases, forged documents and legal loopholes to take over homes in Los Angeles, experts say, leaving some homeowners locked in costly legal battles while investigators and former law enforcement officials warn that unlawful occupancy has become a growing public safety concern. Former Los Angeles Police Department Lt. Moses Castillo and veteran private investigator Michael Youssef told Fox News Digital that some squatter cases extend far beyond traditional landlord-tenant disputes, involving allegations of fraud, identity theft, forged property documents and, in some instances, gang activity, narcotics activity and extortion-style demands for money. Both men argue Los Angeles should consider creating a dedicated anti-squatter task force to help law enforcement distinguish legitimate tenant disputes from cases involving criminal conduct. 'SQUATTERS' HOST FLASH SHELTON SLAMS BROKEN SYSTEM THAT HANDS INTRUDERS THE KEYS TO YOUR HOME Castillo said the creation of such a task force is "way overdue," arguing that California's laws have too often favored unlawful occupants over property owners. "These professional squatters know how to work the system," Castillo said. "They know how to cause the worst nightmare for a property owner." Castillo said many homeowners are forced to endure months of financial losses, legal expenses and emotional stress while attempting to regain possession of their own properties. NYC LANDLORD PLEADS FOR HELP AS '9-YEAR-SQUATTER' CONTINUES TO DRAIN HIM DRY IN COURT SAGA: 'TWILIGHT ZONE' "It impacts their health, their stress levels, and their finances," he said. "They're literally losing money while somebody else is taking over their property." 🚨 Know something about crime or public safety in your area? 📩 Email: stepheny.price@fox.com 📸 Instagram: @fndstephprice 🎥 X: @StephenyPrice Your tip could become our next story. According to Castillo, one of the most significant failures has been the tendency to treat many squatter complaints as civil disputes rather than criminal investigations. "When somebody breaks locks, breaks windows, gains access to a vacant property and then claims residency, that's not a housing dispute," Castillo said. "That's a burglary. You're breaking and entering to commit a crime. It should be investigated as a crime from the very beginning." KASH PATEL TOUTS FBI 'FULL-THROTTLE MISSION' AFTER OPERATION SPRING CLEANING YIELDS 615 INDICTMENTS/COMPLAINTS Castillo said responding officers are often left trying to determine whether they are dealing with a legitimate tenancy dispute or criminal conduct, but argued that obvious cases of unlawful entry should not automatically be pushed into the civil court system. "But they're not doing that," Castillo said. "They're saying it's a civil matter, go to the courts and get an eviction. They wash their hands of it and leave the victims, the clients and the landlords hung out to dry." Youssef, chief investigator for Blue Systems International and a licensed private investigator with more than three decades of experience investigating property fraud, unlawful occupancy and real estate-related crimes, said many squatter cases involve far more than a disagreement between a property owner and a tenant. FOLLOW US ON X "They basically hijack the property and they hold it hostage until you pay them off," Youssef said. "Most landowners describe it as hijacking. Their houses get hijacked." "They're basically holding the house hostage," he added. "It's almost like the property is being held for ransom." Youssef said many squatters have become increasingly sophisticated, using online forums, social media groups and what he described as "criminal consultants" who provide step-by-step instructions on exploiting tenant-protection laws. "They have forums and I call them criminal consultants that actually teach these people how to squat and what to do and how to deal with law enforcement," Youssef said. "They give you step-by-step what to do and what laws to invoke." According to Youssef, many occupants learn how to exploit procedural delays, create documentation designed to support false residency claims and remain in properties for extended periods of time. WATCH: 'Squatters' host Flash Shelton uses handyman ruse to confront alleged squatter in home CLICK HERE FOR MORE U.S. NEWS "They'll make fake leases. They'll try to get mail to them so they can prove their residency to law enforcement," Youssef said. "It's crazy." Castillo said professional squatters are often unconcerned by the prospect of police involvement because they understand how the system works. "They're not afraid of the police. They're not afraid of attorneys," Castillo said. "What they do fear is when a private investigator gets involved because they know somebody is going to start digging into their background and exposing what they've been doing." One investigation in particular, Youssef said, illustrates how quickly an unlawful occupancy complaint can evolve into a serious public safety threat. GET BREAKING NEWS ALERTS According to Youssef, individuals associated with documented gang activity allegedly occupied a Long Beach residence, attempted to transfer ownership through a fraudulent quitclaim deed and demanded approximately $500,000 in exchange for vacating the property. The situation escalated far beyond a property dispute, he said. "They were asking for half a million bucks," Youssef said. "They fraudulently transferred title to the house." WATCH: LA home inspectors send squatters packing before changing locks Youssef said the homeowner's wife had died and the homeowner was hospitalized when the alleged scheme unfolded, allowing the occupants to establish themselves at the property. Youssef alleged the property later became associated with gang activity, narcotics activity, prostitution and violence. "We had a very aggressive case in Long Beach where a gang was squatting in a house and there was prostitution, selling drugs," Youssef said. "This nice neighborhood in Long Beach was completely ruined. It went as far as a shooting." Youssef said investigators assisted in exposing the allegedly fraudulent ownership claims and helped the owners regain possession of the property without paying the $500,000 demand. The case, he said, demonstrates why squatting can create risks not only for homeowners but also for entire communities. "It's very dangerous, not just for the homeowners and landlords, but also dangerous for the communities," Youssef said. "All of a sudden, your neighbors are criminals." SEND US A TIP Both men argue that cases like the Long Beach incident demonstrate why squatting should not automatically be viewed as a landlord-tenant issue. "These are simply criminals," Youssef said. "They go from one property to another property and continue doing it because they know nobody is going to stop them." Castillo said the impact on homeowners can be deeply personal. "I've heard this described when a victim of a sexual assault gets violated — it's a huge violation," Castillo said. "These squatters, it's like a house rape. It's horrible to even say that, but that's what it's like for these homeowners. Their castle has been taken over." Castillo said many owners are left feeling as though they can no longer enjoy their own homes after unlawful occupants have damaged the property, engaged in criminal activity or left behind significant destruction. The financial burden can also be staggering. Castillo said some homeowners are forced to hire attorneys, private investigators and eventually pay so-called "cash for keys" settlements simply to persuade unlawful occupants to leave. "You want me out? Then pay me $20,000. Pay me $40,000," Castillo said. "That's what's happening." WATCH: Alleged 'serial squatter' who terrorized Malibu's Point Dume enclave is now the subject of a Hulu docuseries Youssef said he has seen even larger demands. "In the Long Beach case, they were asking for half a million dollars," he said. Youssef added that one of the biggest shortcomings in many squatter investigations is the lack of follow-up fact gathering. "A simple investigation could reveal who these people are and how they got into the property," Youssef said. He argued that investigators who identify occupants, verify documents, interview neighbors and conduct background checks can often uncover evidence that fundamentally changes how a case should be viewed. Youssef said investigators conducting background checks during the Long Beach investigation discovered that one occupant allegedly had an outstanding warrant for battery and assault. "If they had simply identified him and ran his name, they would have found the warrant," Youssef said. Youssef said responding officers are often required to make immediate decisions based on limited information and frequently classify complaints as civil matters before additional facts can be developed through investigation. GOT A TIP? "A lot of times law enforcement is going to ask a couple of questions and tell the property owner to evict the person," Youssef said. "A thorough investigation can reveal what's really going on." Castillo said he hopes Los Angeles officials will consider creating a dedicated anti-squatter task force that would provide property owners and investigators with direct access to officials who can quickly assess complaints and intervene when criminal activity is suspected. WATCH: Multimillion dollar Hollywood Hills mansion turned into eyesore by squatters, taggers "I want to know how people can connect with these detectives or police officers or officials if a task force is created," Castillo said. "How can we have access to them so they can get some justice and hopefully minimize the harm they've already suffered?" He also argued Los Angeles should serve as a model for other jurisdictions facing similar problems. "I think Los Angeles should create a task force, and other cities throughout this country should follow that lead," Castillo said. "Property owners are being held hostage in their own homes, and that's not acceptable." Fox News Digital reached out to the LAPD, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass' office, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office and the Long Beach Police Department for comment. The LAPD and Long Beach police said they could not confirm the alleged Long Beach case based on the limited information provided. The mayor's office and the district attorney's office did not immediately respond. For Youssef, the issue has grown beyond a housing dispute and into a broader public safety concern. "This is a growing crime," he said. "A task force is really needed right now more than ever." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a3021c2ca79de23641e85 Expert who fled Cuba warns of ‘vicious cycle’ that will lead to ‘communists in double digits’ in Congress te 2026-07-05T10:21:21.742Z Expert who fled Cuba warns of ‘vicious cycle’ that will lead to ‘communists in double digits’ in Congress A national security expert who fled to the U.S. from Cuba is warning that one "vicious cycle" currently dominating American politics could lead to "communists in double digits" serving in Congress. Mike Gonzalez, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation who fled communist Cuba in the 1970s, said in an interview with Fox News Digital that the socialist "threat is real now." Gonzalez likened this trend to a "takeover of a host body, the Democratic Party," saying, "It's being taken over by body snatchers and they're not able to mount any defense of it whatsoever even if they wanted to." Under the current political environment, Gonzalez predicted, "We're going to get communists in double digits in the House of Representatives at least, there's no doubt of that." BILL MAHER'S DIRE MIDTERM ELECTION WARNING TO DEMS AFTER 'REALLY CRAZY' SOCIALISTS WIN PRIMARIES Over the course of a year, New York City elected a socialist mayor, Zohran Mamdani, while three of his endorsed socialist congressional candidates — Brad Lander, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier — defeated establishment Democrats, including two incumbents. On the other side of the country, Seattle elected a socialist mayor, Katie Wilson. Just this week, Colorado congressional candidate Melat Kiros defeated 15-term Democratic incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette, further illustrating socialists’ ability to topple entrenched party figures. While these politicians identify as socialist, Gonzalez pointed out that to the authors of the communist manifesto, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, "there was no difference between socialism and communism, they were interchangeable." "These people are communists, and when you catch them unawares, they actually say, ‘Oh, yeah, I know we want communism,’" he said. According to Gonzalez, the widespread success of socialist candidates in races across the U.S. is due to several factors, including the breakdown of immigrants assimilating to American culture, increased hatred of the U.S. and even White guilt combined with a real affordability crisis in cities like New York. "A very important component of this and one that conservatives sometimes forget is that a lot of these votes are White votes, White young kids who have come in from the suburbs, who feel guilty about a number of things," he explained. SOCIALISM GOES WEST AS DSA-BACKED CHALLENGER OUSTS LONGTIME DEMOCRAT "They have gone to very expensive Ivy League schools and they're trying to make a living in New York City without being a banker. And you can't make a living in New York City if you're not a banker, sorry, you're going to have an affordability crisis." This, Gonzalez said, makes socialist promises of handouts, such as free tuition, free bus fares and public-run grocery stores, an easy sell. "So, they end up voting for this. This is a very bad vicious cycle that is taking place and that is going to produce communism in this country if we're not careful." Meanwhile, Neetu Arnold, a young immigrant to the U.S. who now works as a policy analyst for the Manhattan Institute, emphasized that the socialist trend is not just isolated to cities like New York but becoming increasingly prevalent in cities across the U.S. "The rise in the socialism in America, it's going to shape our politics. I think it's going to make things more extreme," Arnold said in an interview with Fox News Digital. DSA CO-CHAIR PUSHES BACK ON SOVIET UNION COMPARISONS, WANTS PRISONS TO BE 'LESS NECESSARY' "What the socialist candidates have tapped into are real frustrations and grievances, but the solutions that they're offering is essentially more government involvement rather than trying to address the underlying problems," she explained. "What a lot of younger people are finding out is that it's not that easy to get housing. They're in student debt, they are struggling to find stable jobs, and so the things that they were promised are not necessarily coming true." SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER As a naturalized U.S. citizen, Arnold said she hopes both sides of the political aisle recognize that "socialist policies are a threat to the American way of life." "In this country we value merit, we value wealth, and the ability to move upward in this society," she said. "I've seen my life change before my eyes by being here in this county, by having the opportunities that I did, and that I saw for my family, and I think that was only possible because of free markets and the opportunities that we had in this country." "Socialist policies essentially restrict what we are able to do," Arnold continued. "So, I do take it seriously and I hope that Democrats, Republicans, they all take the rise of socialism seriously." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a300ec2ca79de23641e7c American Culture Quiz: Test yourself on Founding Fathers and vaccine victories te 2026-07-05T10:21:02.320Z American Culture Quiz: Test yourself on Founding Fathers and vaccine victories The American Culture Quiz is a weekly test of our unique national traits, trends, history and people — including current events and the sights and sounds of the United States. This week's quiz highlights America's Founding Fathers, vaccine victories — and much more. Can you get all 8 questions right? Give it a try and see how you do! CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES To try your hand at more quizzes from Fox News Digital, click here.  Also, to take a recent News Quiz — published every Friday — click here. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a201dc2ca79de23641c94 America's 250th celebration in nation's capital boosted by iconic automaker's 2-week tribute to innovation te 2026-07-05T09:13:01.960Z America's 250th celebration in nation's capital boosted by iconic automaker's 2-week tribute to innovation WASHINGTON, DC - As dozens of travelers arrived at Union Station Wednesday morning, many stopped to photograph historic Ford Motor Co. cars, trucks, tractors and artifacts celebrating America's 250th anniversary and the automaker's role in shaping the nation. For two weeks, Ford is hosting "Driving America Forward: A Ford Experience at Union Station," a free public exhibit showcasing vehicles and artifacts from the Ford Heritage Vault in Dearborn that trace the company's legacy, from the Model T, the iconic mass-produced car, to a 1934 Ford pickup on loan from legendary late-night host Jay Leno. The exhibit, part of Ford's marquee America 250 celebrations, features 10 vehicles displayed behind museum-quality glass, including a 1941 Ford GP prototype that helped lead to the military Jeep, a 1951 Ford 8N tractor, a 1954 F-100 from Virginia's Red Truck Bakery and a 2026 Oracle Red Bull Racing Formula One car. Visitors can also create a free postcard at an interactive photo station and shop for Ford merchandise. "America's celebrating its 250th anniversary," Ted Ryan, Ford's archives and heritage brand manager, told Fox News Digital. "We've been here for almost half of that journey, and we've had such a material impact on America." HISTORIC BIG BOY STEAM LOCOMOTIVE DRAWS CROWDS AS AMERICA 250 TOUR HEADS EAST "Whether it's industrializing, building the moving assembly line, mass transportation with the Model T, the best-selling car in the world for a number of years, or even the tractor that transformed farming. Ford has been there." Ryan said the exhibit was designed to turn heads and reveal surprising stories about the company's influence on American industry, transportation and pop culture over the past 123 years. "I was challenged to create an exhibit that would stop people in their tracks to take pictures or learn new facts about the Ford Motor Company," he said. "So we have 10 amazing vehicles that go throughout our entire 124-year history... These are cars that are stopping people in their tracks, and then the exhibit cases are full of material that will tell people stories they don't expect to hear." LDS CHURCH CELEBRATES DELIVERING 6.5M MEALS ACROSS ALL 50 STATES FOR AMERICA250 ANNIVERSARY In a news release, Ryan said Union Station was a fitting location because it has "a particular kind of magic." "For more than a century, it has served as the front door to the nation's capital, a place where presidents have arrived to be inaugurated, where soldiers have shipped off to war, and where ordinary Americans, by the millions, have stepped off a train and into the heart of their democracy," he wrote. But Ryan said Ford's contributions to America go far beyond building cars. "Ford built Mission Control at Johnson Space Center," he said. "We developed tracking beams for airplanes. Ford invented the mail sorter. Hopefully we're teaching people about the critical role that Ford has played in America during half of its 250 years." MINNESOTA BROTHERS LAUDED FOR PATRIOTISM AFTER RAISING $60K FOR VETERANS GROUP WITH LEMONADE STAND Ryan said the vehicles are meant to spark memories for visitors, whether they remind someone of their first car, a family road trip or a vehicle passed down through generations. "I hope people take wonderful photos of cars that remind them of vehicles Ford has produced that they fell in love with, and that they'll leave with information they didn't know ahead of time," he said. Through wars, natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, Ryan said Ford has consistently stepped up to support the country through its "Answering the Call" initiative, which highlights the company's long history of helping the nation during times of need. "Ford is always there and always will be there to answer the call whenever America or our local communities need us," he said. As visitors walk through the exhibit, Ryan hopes they leave with a deeper appreciation for Ford. "America's turning 250, and it's a great time to celebrate," he said. "Ford has been here for half of it, and we're doing our best to tell our story and the role we've played in America." The exhibit is open daily through July 14, with no tickets or registration required. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a200ac2ca79de23641c8b Before the Boston Tea Party, there were New Hampshire's Pine Tree Riots te 2026-07-05T09:12:42.533Z Before the Boston Tea Party, there were New Hampshire's Pine Tree Riots NASHUA, N.H. - As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of its independence, the actions of Massachusetts colonists in contributing to the outbreak of the American Revolution will once again be in the national spotlight. But Gov. Kelly Ayotte in neighboring New Hampshire, which was another of the 13 colonies that broke away from the British Empire, told Fox News Digital that the Pine Tree Riot in her state also deserves attention, as an event that may have inspired the Boston Tea Party a year and a half later. "Before the Boston Tea Party, we had the Pine Tree Riots here in New Hampshire. That's because the British tried to come in and tax our pine trees and take them for their own, and we said no way," Ayotte explained. CLICK HERE FOR FOX NEWS AMERICA 250 COVERAGE The riot was in opposition to a longstanding British policy preventing colonists from cutting down White pine trees larger than 12 inches in diameter in order to reserve them for Royal Navy use as masts on their ships. And it was significant because it demonstrated that colonists could defy British policies. "We were early joiners of the revolution, very, very proud of this nation," the governor emphasized. "New Hampshire has a very special role in the history of this country." Ayotte also noted that New Hampshire was "the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, so we were the deciding state to make sure that we had the Constitution," and added that "we were the first state in the nation to draft our own Constitution." The Pine Tree Riot and New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation state Constitution are highlighted in the state's exhibition at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington D.C. ONE OF THE BIGGEST MYTHS ABOUT THE BOSTON TEA PARTY IS REVEALED "New Hampshire is so proud to be part of the fair on the National Mall. In fact, in that fair, we are displaying the history of New Hampshire. We have a video that's running where we have prominent figures throughout our state, on both sides of the aisle, reading from the Declaration of Independence. We also talk about our history. We'll be giving out some great New Hampshire maple syrup," the governor said. Back home in the Granite State, Ayotte noted that "at our own Statehouse, we are going to have our visitors center open. We're going to have some very special documents there." They include one of the Dunlap Broadsides, which were the first printings of the Declaration of Independence, and one of the original 1823 William J. Stone engravings of the historic document. Cities and towns in New Hampshire have long taken a lead in celebrating the Fourth of July, with parades, fairs and fireworks, and other festivities, and this year is no different. Ayotte, a former U.S. senator and former state attorney general who is running for re-election this year, noted in her Fox News Digital interview ahead of the holiday that she would be marching in four Independence Day parades on July 3 and 4. "It's going to be fantastic." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a1ff7c2ca79de23641c82 9/11 Museum CEO reflects on lasting impact of terror attacks as America marks 250th birthday te 2026-07-05T09:12:23.070Z 9/11 Museum CEO reflects on lasting impact of terror attacks as America marks 250th birthday As America marks its 250th anniversary, 9/11 Memorial and Museum President and CEO Elizabeth L. Hillman said this year's milestone coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, highlighting the nation's past and its resilience. "This year, America's 250th birthday coincides with the 25th anniversary of 9/11, which means that what's happening at our site is very much connected to the history of the country and to the recognition of this important milestone," Hillman told Fox News Digital. "9/11 is an important part of our nation's history, but especially now as the nation turns 250." Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the terrorist attacks when hijacked planes struck the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. SECRETS OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR BATTLEFIELDS EMERGE 250 YEARS AFTER AMERICA'S FOUNDING Hillman said it is more important than ever for future generations to learn about the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to understand how they helped shape the nation and "where we are today." "Now, 25 years have passed since that date, so if we don't elevate 9/11 in the eyes of the 100 million Americans who were born since or were too young to remember 9/11 when it happened, we'll lose the opportunity for them to understand what happened on that day and how the world came to heal, how the nation came together, and how this city and the other sites, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, worked to recover afterward," she said. Hillman said the nation's recovery after 9/11 shows that even after a devastating tragedy, people can come together, heal and rebuild. "I think everyone's hungry for evidence that we can survive things that are difficult," she said. "There's nothing like 9/11 to help people realize, given how the nation has recovered since, that it is possible to persevere, to heal, to recover, even in the face of really unfathomable loss, and that's what 9/11 has the chance to teach us." Reflecting on the museum's role, Hillman said the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks affected not only New York City but the entire country, calling the museum "a testament to the resilience of the city" and to "the perseverance that enabled us to actually rebuild." 9/11 MUSEUM TO OFFER FREE ADMISSION FOR VETERANS AHEAD OF MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND "At the center of the rebuilt World Trade Center is a monument to the people who were killed that day and a testimony, really, to what we can do when we come together after that kind of catastrophe," she said. This year, the museum opened "Our Flag Was Still There," an exhibition featuring flags, artifacts and photographs that tell stories of resilience from first responders, veterans and Americans who lived through 9/11. The exhibit includes the Ground Zero flag raised by FDNY firefighters, the flag draped over the Pentagon by soldiers and firefighters, a flag raised over the last column of the South Tower, and one carried during the mission that killed Usama bin Laden. "It reveals how important the flag was in the healing and the coming together that happened after 9/11," Hillman said. Hillman said commemorating 9/11 is especially important at a time when "many things seem to be splitting us apart." TUNNEL TO TOWERS ANNOUNCES 'STEEL ACROSS AMERICA' TOUR TO MARK 25 YEARS SINCE 9/11 ATTACKS "The opportunity to bring people together around a symbol like the flag and around a symbol like the rebuilding of the World Trade Center after 9/11, it's a great opportunity, especially right now," she said. On July 4, Hillman said the museum will place an American flag at each victim's name on the memorial, "to recognize how important the flag was as a symbol of the country on its birthday, but also of the recovery from 9/11 that happened and continues to happen now as we remember that day at this site." Looking ahead to fall, Hillman said the museum will also start offering free admission to veterans whose "willingness to serve after 9/11" helped rebuild the World Trade Center and unite the nation. "If there's one message that we feel we can elevate now that we couldn't do 25 years ago because we didn't know enough about what would happen afterward, it's that so many people were inspired to serve their country, serving in the military," she said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a1fbac2ca79de23641c67 At Trump’s Direction, Federal Agencies Are Abandoning Discrimination Cases te 2026-07-05T09:11:22.652Z At Trump’s Direction, Federal Agencies Are Abandoning Discrimination Cases President Trump has tried to scale back anti-discrimination regulations that date back decades. Federal agencies have heeded his call. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a1fa7c2ca79de23641c5e Trump Administration Rolls Back Dozens of Gun Regulations te 2026-07-05T09:11:03.196Z Trump Administration Rolls Back Dozens of Gun Regulations Critics say the administration is weakening public safety. Proponents say regulations would be where they were before President Joseph R. Biden took office. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a1f93c2ca79de23641c55 Yosemite Offers Many Wonders. Crushing Crowds Are Now One of Them. te 2026-07-05T09:10:43.739Z Yosemite Offers Many Wonders. Crushing Crowds Are Now One of Them. Visitors are enduring especially long waits at the popular national park after the Trump administration eliminated a summer reservation system. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a1f80c2ca79de23641c4c America Marks Its 250th Birthday With Storms, Sweat and Fire te 2026-07-05T09:10:24.291Z America Marks Its 250th Birthday With Storms, Sweat and Fire Independence Day celebrations were canceled nationwide and the Brooklyn Bridge briefly caught fire. Yet Americans still found countless ways to celebrate. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a1d7ac2ca79de2364182e Arizona Unemployment Rate Hits Post-Pandemic High, Per New Data te 2026-07-05T09:01:46.711Z Arizona Unemployment Rate Hits Post-Pandemic High, Per New Data By Staff Reporter | Arizona’s unemployment rate has now hit a new high following the COVID-19 pandemic. The state’s unemployment rate neared 5% according to a new data analysis report from the Common Sense Institute of Arizona (CSI). Based on this newly calculated rate, Arizona has the 12th-highest unemployment rate in the nation. Unemployment hit 4.8% in May, with CSI saying broader data indicators have revealed the state’s labor market to be cooling despite job growth.  The addition of 2,000 non-farm jobs in May put Arizona at 30th for national job growth. Overall, the nation experienced growth with the addition of 172,000 jobs. As for job growth year-over-year, Arizona added over 21,200 jobs. That qualified the state as the 10th best in the nation for job growth year-over-year.  Mining jobs increased by about 1,300 over the past year. CSI attributed this growth to the increased demand for copper by electric vehicles, artificial intelligence technology, and data centers.  Manufacturing jobs also increased by 500 over the past year. Trade, transportation, and utility jobs declined by 1,600 over the past year.  Arizona’s labor participation also hit a post-pandemic milestone. The state’s labor force participation rate fell just below 61 percent: the lowest level seen since 2020. Last May, the labor force participation rate was over 62 percent.  Along with rising unemployment and compressed labor participation, Arizona’s private-sector wages increased by over three percent over the year to $35.78. However, that total lags behind the national average of $37.53. Arizonans may have felt these changes to Arizona’s employment climate more acutely due to major year-over-year changes with state spending.  CSI attributed the state’s budget shortfall to overspending. Another recent analysis released earlier this month by CSI found that the state budget has experienced rapid growth over the past decade. In just 10 years, the state budget doubled and now amounts to more than 10% of the state’s gross domestic product.  Per CSI, spending pressures have remained elevated despite normalized revenue growth.  Some items that CSI said to blame were the disparities between Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) enrollment and member costs, elevated demands from the Development Disabilities Program (DDP), and federal payment error rates impacting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) obligations.  AHCCCS enrollment fell by about 10% (over 200,000 people) but average per-member costs increased by 14%.  DDP was projected to require an additional $400 million in state spending by next year.  And the state may have to cover $300 million in annual SNAP cost-sharing obligations should federal payment error rates fail to be reduced in the near future.  Total state spending reached over $70 billion in the 2026 fiscal year, and estimates projected spending to approach $75 billion in the 2027 fiscal year. Of the 2026 fiscal year total state spending, close to $50 billion is expected to come from non-appropriated funds.  CSI found that spending not subject to regular legislative appropriations has grown by more than 150% over the past decade, though appropriated spending grew by about 100%. AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link. The post Arizona Unemployment Rate Hits Post-Pandemic High, Per New Data first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a1d65c2ca79de23641825 School Choice Opponents Report Turning In Over 420K Signatures To End Universal ESAs te 2026-07-05T09:01:25.720Z School Choice Opponents Report Turning In Over 420K Signatures To End Universal ESAs By Staff Reporter | Activists reported that they have turned in more than 420,00 signatures for a ballot initiative that would end the universality of Arizona’s school choice program. Supporters wearing red shirts reading “Public School Proud” affiliated with Save Our Schools Arizona (SOSA) gathered outside the secretary of state’s office to watch the box truck delivery of the boxes containing the signatures for the ballot initiative. Both SOSA and the Arizona Education Association (AEA) were behind the initiative. SOSA and the AEA contend the universality of the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program diverts far too much in funding away from public schools. Families within the program don’t have to depart their public schools; however, since the expansion of the ESA program to all students in 2022, enrollment in public schools has declined. Defenders of the ESA program counter that per-pupil spending in the program costs less than in public schooling. ESA program funds may be used for private school tuition, tutoring, online courses, homeschool curriculum, educational therapies, textbooks, educational software, testing fees, and college courses.  The Protect Education Act (PEA) would impose income restrictions on the ESA program.  Estimates show that approximately 20,300 current students in the ESA program would be disqualified under the PEA initially, though that number would grow to exclude more than half of Arizona’s families with school-aged children due to inflationary impact on incomes outpacing the income cap adjustment.  The act would also impose accreditation requirements and further restrictions on spending. The ESA program has reported the enrollment of more than 100,000 students. More than 8,200 were listed as new students enrolled for the next school year.  Those who support keeping the universality of the ESA program have been maneuvering to preserve protections for some member families. The Republican majority in the state legislature passed a ballot measure of their own last month: HCR 2048, the “Military Families College Savings and Scholarship Protection Act,” which would amend the Arizona Constitution to prohibit the confiscation of ESA program funds from students belonging to military families.  Should voters approve both the lawmakers’ measure and PEA, it is likely the latter would be voided under language included in the former.  In addition, Doug Ducey, the former governor who signed universal school choice into Arizona law, made an announcement Thursday of a political action committee dedicated to securing school choice protections for military families. Ducey was announced as the chairman of the Protect Military Families PAC.  “Out-of-state special interests and their union allies are trying to take educational scholarships away from the children of Arizona’s military families,” said Ducey.  Serving alongside Ducey on the political action committee is Ashley Ragan, president of InCompliance AZ. Out-of-state special interests and their union allies are trying to take educational scholarships away from the children of Arizona’s military families. That is why today, we are proud to launch Protect Military Families PAC @ProtectMilFam. Our mission is simple: keep Arizona’s… pic.twitter.com/RMH725E3MN — Doug Ducey (@DougDucey) July 2, 2026 The Goldwater Institute, a public policy think tank and litigation organization, filed a motion in the Maricopa County Superior Court earlier this week on behalf of two military families involved in the ESA program.  The organization said that about 1,000 other military families stand to be disqualified from the ESA program should the universalization end.  AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link. The post School Choice Opponents Report Turning In Over 420K Signatures To End Universal ESAs first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a1d51c2ca79de2364181c Arizona Election Law Unchanged After Supreme Court Absentee Ballot Ruling te 2026-07-05T09:01:05.247Z Arizona Election Law Unchanged After Supreme Court Absentee Ballot Ruling By Staff Reporter | A new ruling from the Supreme Court on absentee ballots won’t have any impact on Arizona’s upcoming elections, according to a state senator. In the Watson v. Republican National Committee decision issued earlier this week, the Supreme Court upheld a Mississippi law requiring the acceptance of absentee ballots postmarked by Election Day and received within five days after Election Day. Some refer to this post-Election Day acceptance of ballots as a “grace period.” The Supreme Court rejected the argument that federal law prevents Mississippi from allowing a grace period.  “[W]hile federal law dictates when ballots must be cast, state law governs when they must be received,” stated the court. “The electorate’s choice is made when voting is complete, not when ballots are received.” The ruling declared that states have the authority to establish their own laws and regulations concerning deadlines for receiving ballots.  While this may have an impact on elections elsewhere, State Sen. Vince Leach (R-LD17) issued a press release advising that this ruling wouldn’t impact Arizona because state law doesn’t allow for a grace period. Instead, state law requires county election officials to receive early ballots by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.  Therefore, Leach advised Arizona voters to exercise caution by relying on in-person voting rather than mail-in voting should they cast their ballots closer to Election Day. Election officials recommend voters return their primary ballots by July 14 at the latest to allow sufficient time for the primary election, which is scheduled to take place on July 21. As of this report, early voting is underway.  “Ballots that arrive after that deadline cannot be counted, regardless of when they were mailed or postmarked. Returning ballots early helps ensure every legal vote is counted while supporting the timely administration of Arizona’s elections,” said Leach. “If you’re getting close to Election Day, don’t take chances with the mail. Use an official ballot drop box or vote in person. The rules are clear, and following them is the best way to make sure your vote is counted.” President Donald Trump called the Supreme Court ruling a “tremendous loss” for voters’ rights. Trump advocated for the passage of the SAVE America Act, which would establish federal requirements for voter ID and proof of citizenship as well as limiting mail-in ballots to those with illnesses, disabilities, military deployment, or approved travel.  The Republican National Committee (RNC) seconded Trump’s call to action.  pic.twitter.com/F4p5hYxjgD — RNC Election Integrity (@RNCVoteProtect) June 29, 2026 The Supreme Court issued its decision the same day it announced it would take up the RNC’s case defending Arizona’s law requiring proof of citizenship when registering to vote.  RNC Chairman Joe Gruters said the Supreme Court decision had risked the country’s ability to implement fair and secure elections. “Democrats are inviting chaos at the ballot box by allowing elections to drag on for days and weeks after voters cast their ballots,” said Gruters. “Republicans are not going to be deterred by this decision, and the RNC will keep fighting to have elections end on Election Day as Americans want.”  🚨RNC @ChairmanGruters released the following statement on today’s Supreme Court decision on Watson v. RNC: pic.twitter.com/aW53vFExvq — RNC Election Integrity (@RNCVoteProtect) June 29, 2026 AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link. The post Arizona Election Law Unchanged After Supreme Court Absentee Ballot Ruling first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a116cc2ca79de236416c4 Guam and Northern Mariana Islands Prepare for Typhoon Bavi te 2026-07-05T08:10:20.689Z Guam and Northern Mariana Islands Prepare for Typhoon Bavi Typhoon Bavi, a tropical cyclone barreling through the Pacific Ocean, was forecast to pass near the U.S. territories on Monday with the force of a Category 5 hurricane. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a0ce5c2ca79de23641657 NAU ROUNDUP: Defending Big Sky champion Lumberjacks unveil 2026 volleyball schedule te 2026-07-05T07:51:01.847Z NAU ROUNDUP: Defending Big Sky champion Lumberjacks unveil 2026 volleyball schedule NAU volleyball's 2026 schedule is here, featuring strong non-conference matchups and the opportunity to host the Big Sky Conference Tournament in November. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a0a8ec2ca79de236414f2 Revolutionary War cannons debut at Savannah History Museum for America 250 te 2026-07-05T07:41:02.493Z Revolutionary War cannons debut at Savannah History Museum for America 250 A piece of Revolutionary War history that spent more than two centuries hidden underwater is now on display in Georgia's oldest city, just in time for America's 250th anniversary. Nineteen cannons discovered at the bottom of the Savannah River were unveiled Thursday as a part of a new exhibit at the Savannah History Museum. The cannons spent nearly 240 years underwater. "This is the largest discovery of 18th century artillery from a single Revolutionary War naval event," said Nora Fleming Lee, CEO of Coastal Heritage Society. "So the discovery is really significant nationwide, not just for Savannah." A crew with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stumbled upon the cannons in 2021 while dredging the river to accommodate larger cargo ships. MILITARY ALLIES, HISTORIC TALL SHIPS CONVERGE ON NEW JERSEY SHORES TO LAUNCH AMERICA 250 CELEBRATIONS "In total, they brought up 19 cannon and a dozen or so are small artifacts.… They had quite a bit of concretion on them, oyster shells, all kinds of marine life that had attached itself to the cannon," explained Fleming Lee. Some of the cannons were found still packed with cannonballs and gunpowder charges, along with other small artifacts. After being pulled from the river, most of the cannons left Georgia for several years for cleaning and preservation work at a Texas A&M University lab.  "Running electrical currents essentially through a water bath that they were in, and it desalinates the iron works, so it stabilizes iron to be on land," said Fleming Lee. "And then in the final treatments, they're painted with acid and given a spa treatment and waxed and that they can have a very long life here on land." Seventeen cannons were restored. The other two were left unrestored to allow visitors a side-by-side comparison. All 19 are permanently on display as a part of the new "Loyalists & Liberty: Savannah in the American Revolution" exhibit. THE FORGOTTEN 14TH COLONY: ST AUGUSTINE SHOWCASES ITS REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY AHEAD OF AMERICA'S 250TH Historians believe the cannons sank shortly before the siege of Savannah in 1779. At the time, Savannah was under British occupation. "We believe these cannons are the last of several ships that were scuttled, at the narrowest part of the Savannah River to act as a blockade for the French fleet to prevent them from sailing up river and reclaiming Savannah for the American side," said Fleming Lee. AMERICA 250 IS COMING: WHAT TO KNOW AND THE BEST COMMEMORATIVE GEAR TO BUY The cannons would've sunk just weeks before the Battle of Savannah, known as one of the bloodiest battles of the Revolutionary War, with over 800 casualties in under an hour. It was fought on the very ground where the Savannah History Museum now stands. "The cannons are really the tangible artifacts that are telling the story of revolution," said Fleming Lee. "And through that lens, we're expanding Georgia's revolutionary story. More about the naval events, but more importantly, we're telling the story through the lens of those who aren't often focused on." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER The new exhibit tells the story of Savannah's role in the birth of America from the lens of five unique historical figures, including indigenous, free and enslaved people, women and children. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a0822c2ca79de23641167 Outgoing Mohave elections director's consulting contract heads to supervisors te 2026-07-05T07:30:42.863Z Outgoing Mohave elections director's consulting contract heads to supervisors Former Mohave County Elections Director Allen Tempert could return to the Elections Department as a temporary consultant under a contract worth up to $25,000 if the Board of Supervisors approves the proposal at its July 6 meeting. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4a0388c2ca79de236410e3 The story behind Betsy Ross and the first American flag as America celebrates 250th birthday te 2026-07-05T07:11:04.644Z The story behind Betsy Ross and the first American flag as America celebrates 250th birthday As America celebrates its 250th birthday, historic sites in Philadelphia are spotlighting the people and places tied to the nation’s earliest days — including one of its most enduring symbols: the American flag. While the Founding Fathers are often at the center of Revolutionary War history, one of the country’s most recognizable symbols is traditionally associated with an ordinary woman working from her home in Philadelphia. Betsy Ross, a 24-year-old upholsterer, is traditionally credited with sewing what many believe was the first American flag in the summer of 1776 after reportedly being approached by members of a flag committee that included George Washington.  According to Lisa Acker Moulter, director of the Betsy Ross House, the historic site is helping visitors understand how that moment may have unfolded. LEARN MORE ABOUT BETSY ROSS "She said she'd never made one before, but she would certainly try," said Lisa Acker Moulter, director of the Betsy Ross House. "She did suggest one change though, the flag that they showed her that was drawn on a piece of paper had six-pointed stars and she recommended five-pointed stars because they were easier to make. She had a method that she had learned as a child to fold a piece of cloth or paper and she cut a perfect five-pointed star with just one snip of her scissors." Ross is believed by tradition to have worked in secrecy, sewing the flag by hand at night — likely in her home rather than in her upholstery shop — and completing it in about a week. At the time, the colonies were still under British rule, making the creation of a national flag a potentially dangerous act. ANOTHER AMERICAN HERO WHO RISKED HIS LIFE FOR OUR FREEDOM "You have to remember that we were a British colony at the time, so making the flag would have been considered an act of treason. If she had been caught by the British or loyalists, she could have been at the very least imprisoned or possibly even executed," said Lisa Acker Moulter, director of the Betsy Ross House. The original design featured 13 stripes representing the colonies and 13 stars arranged in a circle to symbolize equality among them. It was later adopted as the nation’s first official flag after the Continental Congress passed a resolution on June 14, 1777. Lisa Acker Moulter, director of the Betsy Ross House, says the story of Betsy Ross reflects a broader truth about who contributed to America’s founding. "It shows that ordinary people can contribute important things to this country as well. You know, this country wasn’t just founded by wealthy, powerful white men, the Founding Fathers. It was women, it was free and enslaved people, it was new immigrants, all of them contributed to the founding of this nation. And that’s represented through that first flag," said Lisa Acker Moulter, director of the Betsy Ross House. THE AMERICAN FLAG, A SYMBOL OF UNITY In its early years, the flag was primarily used on battlefields, military forts, and ships as a form of identification. It did not become a widespread symbol of national identity until later in U.S. history. "They weren’t a symbol of our national identity as they are today. That didn’t happen until the Civil War. So from the Civil War until today, that’s when you started seeing flags flown over schools, flown on government buildings, flown on houses. So the flag has changed over time. It’s become much more powerful and meaningful to people," said Lisa Acker Moulter, director of the Betsy Ross House. Over time, the flag evolved as new states joined the Union. The first major update came in 1795 with the addition of two stars for Vermont and Kentucky, and the most recent change came in 1960 after Hawaii became the 50th state. From its disputed origins to its modern meaning, the American flag remains one of the country’s most powerful symbols — now taking center stage again as Philadelphia marks America’s 250th anniversary. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a49fefdc2ca79de23640f2a Mohave County supervisors to consider $115K underwater drone for Sheriff's Office te 2026-07-05T06:51:41.263Z Mohave County supervisors to consider $115K underwater drone for Sheriff's Office The Mohave County Board of Supervisors is expected to consider Monday whether to approve the purchase of an underwater drone system for the Mohave County Sheriff's Office using grant funding from the Arizona State Parks Board. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a49fee9c2ca79de23640f21 Mohave County to consider nursing student clinical partnership with Mohave College te 2026-07-05T06:51:21.296Z Mohave County to consider nursing student clinical partnership with Mohave College The Mohave County Board of Supervisors is expected to consider a two-year agreement Monday that would allow Mohave College nursing students to complete clinical practicums and externships with the Mohave County Department of Public Health. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a49fed5c2ca79de23640f18 Mohave County sheriff seeks $75,000 for first responder mental health training te 2026-07-05T06:51:01.012Z Mohave County sheriff seeks $75,000 for first responder mental health training KINGMAN — The Mohave County Sheriff's Office is asking the Board of Supervisors to accept a $75,000 award from Arizona Complete Health to help pay for mental health training for first responders. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a49fec0c2ca79de23640f0f Mohave County updates five-year road plan with new Kingman, Golden Valley projects te 2026-07-05T06:50:40.854Z Mohave County updates five-year road plan with new Kingman, Golden Valley projects Mohave County supervisors are scheduled to consider adopting an updated five-year Capital Improvement Road Program on July 6, adding several new transportation projects while removing two others from the county's long-range road construction plan. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a49e4e4c2ca79de236409e2 In Fourth of July Speech, Trump Celebrates America and Derides Foes te 2026-07-05T05:00:20.793Z In Fourth of July Speech, Trump Celebrates America and Derides Foes A centerpiece address for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration devoted time to American history, but had all the hallmarks of a Trump rally. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a49e306c2ca79de236409a5 Modern pitching forces MLB Hall of Fame voters to rethink greatness te 2026-07-05T04:52:22.604Z Modern pitching forces MLB Hall of Fame voters to rethink greatness With starters' roles rapidly changing as the game evolves, some voters believe that Texas Rangers ace Jacob deGrom could become the new model for how Baseball Hall of Fame worthiness is measured. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a49e2f2c2ca79de2364099c Modern pitching forces MLB Hall of Fame voters to rethink greatness te 2026-07-05T04:52:02.128Z Modern pitching forces MLB Hall of Fame voters to rethink greatness PHOENIX – When Tim Kurkjian talks about starting pitching, he doesn’t begin with numbers and analytics. The longtime ESPN baseball writer starts with the games he watched as a kid. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a49e2dec2ca79de2364098a Female American rower completes record-breaking solo journey from California to Hawaii te 2026-07-05T04:51:42.158Z Female American rower completes record-breaking solo journey from California to Hawaii A Grand Canyon river rafting guide who aimed to become the first American woman to row across the mid-Pacific solo has completed a record-breaking journey from California to Hawaii. Local media report hundreds gathered to cheer on Kelsey Pfendler as… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a49e2cac2ca79de23640981 For the WNBA, NIL has skyrocketed visibility, creating unprecedented leverage for players te 2026-07-05T04:51:22.190Z For the WNBA, NIL has skyrocketed visibility, creating unprecedented leverage for players DALLAS — In the last several years of his 25 seasons as the women's basketball coach at mid-major South Florida, Jose Fernandez spoke more with agents and lawyers than parents. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a49e2b5c2ca79de23640978 SPORTS-BKL-NIL-PLAYER-VISIBILITY-FILEPIC-DA te 2026-07-05T04:51:01.729Z SPORTS-BKL-NIL-PLAYER-VISIBILITY-FILEPIC-DA Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) signs autographs for fans after a game against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center on Sept. 11, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a49c681c2ca79de236406cb U.S. Ambassador to Canada Hosts July 4 Party Amid Tension Over New Bridge te 2026-07-05T02:50:41.361Z U.S. Ambassador to Canada Hosts July 4 Party Amid Tension Over New Bridge Pete Hoekstra had made false claims that Canada hadn’t fully paid for the $4.5 billion Gordie Howe Bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a49c66dc2ca79de236406c2 The Brooklyn Bridge Briefly Catches Fire During a Fireworks Display te 2026-07-05T02:50:21.910Z The Brooklyn Bridge Briefly Catches Fire During a Fireworks Display The fire appeared to have been extinguished by shortly after 10 p.m., the police said. No injuries were reported. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a49bf67c2ca79de2364060d This California Town Banned Fireworks. Then Came the Dogs. te 2026-07-05T02:20:23.329Z This California Town Banned Fireworks. Then Came the Dogs. People flock to the coastal town of Cambria, which has become known for its fireworks ban, to give their dogs some respite on the Fourth of July. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a49b3c0c2ca79de236404e8 These Runners Celebrate July 4 at the Mount Marathon Race te 2026-07-05T01:30:40.771Z These Runners Celebrate July 4 at the Mount Marathon Race The Mount Marathon Race plays a big role in the Independence Day festivities of Seward, Alaska. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a49b3adc2ca79de236404df Nancy Pelosi’s Husband Could Face Charge Over Napa County Car Crash te 2026-07-05T01:30:21.321Z Nancy Pelosi’s Husband Could Face Charge Over Napa County Car Crash The police said Paul Pelosi was the driver of a convertible that struck a parked car on Friday. The district attorney will decide whether Mr. Pelosi will be charged. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a49af27c2ca79de23640477 New Jersey coastal city clashes over proposal to transform amusement park into luxury hotel te 2026-07-05T01:11:03.465Z New Jersey coastal city clashes over proposal to transform amusement park into luxury hotel Officials in New Jersey sparked mixed reactions after voting to pave the way for the redevelopment of a former iconic amusement park. Gillian's Wonderland Pier in Ocean City was a Jersey Shore landmark that entertained families for decades. David Gillian founded Gillian's Fun Deck around 1930. Roy Gillian began operating the business as Gillian’s Wonderland Pier in 1965. The park became known for its carousel, monorail and 144-foot Giant Wheel. It closed in October 2024 after years of mounting financial pressures, including rising inflation, insurance premiums and operating costs. Disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic and Superstorm Sandy also reportedly contributed to the business’ financial woes. "I tried my best to sustain Wonderland for as long as possible, through increasingly difficult challenges each year," Ocean City mayor and one-time Wonderland Pier owner Jay Gillian wrote in a letter posted to Facebook. "It’s been my life, my legacy and my family. But it’s no longer a viable business." SIX FLAGS MYSTERY COASTER ALREADY DOMINATES SKYLINE, WITH MORE RECORD-BREAKING HEIGHT TO COME "It’s not going to be like it was every year we come down, something is taken away," 72-year-old Pennsylvania resident KR Watkin told FOX 29 at the time. "It’s surreal actually," said employee Andrew Boyland. "I can’t believe this is happening. I’m upset about it but at the same time the amount of people that have come here ever since we announced we are closing is amazing." TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Icona Resorts owner Eustace Mita acquired the property in 2021. After the park closed, he proposed building a 252-room hotel on the site. In a 5-2 vote recently, Ocean City councilmembers approved rezoning the site as "in need of rehabilitation," thereby allowing the city to begin the redevelopment process. The vote does not approve construction of the hotel itself, however. The next step in the process involves the city drafting a redevelopment plan outlining development standards before holding public hearings and seeking additional approvals. Some residents said they are in favor of the hotel, arguing it will bring more visitors to the city that is home to roughly 11,000 year-round residents and regularly attracts more than 100,000 tourists per day during the summer. Others expressed concern that the development would alter the boardwalk’s character. Community advocacy group Ocean City 2050 criticized the vote in a statement, calling the council’s decision a "strategic blunder" that results in "a stronger hand for the developer, and a worse outcome for residents." CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS The group announced it plans to join other groups in filing suit against the city challenging the rehabilitation designation. "The council’s failure to meet the statutory requirements for rehabilitation, its arbitrary decision-making, its willful disregard of known financial conflicts and its breach of fiduciary duty to the citizens it serves" are reasons the group cited for the lawsuit. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Ocean City 2050 said it supports a recent subcommittee report that called for "using traditional planning tools, not rehabilitation designation, to address this site." The group said it would support a redevelopment plan that "enhances entertainment, respects the neighborhoods and protects our boardwalk’s iconic look and feel." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a49aca4c2ca79de236403dd Crowds Evacuated as Storms Menace Washington Ahead of Trump Speech te 2026-07-05T01:00:20.917Z Crowds Evacuated as Storms Menace Washington Ahead of Trump Speech Thousands of people stood in security lines for hours in severe heat to reach the National Mall, only to be ordered to leave as events were set to start. Some refused. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a49a81fc2ca79de23640342 Trump set to deliver 'historic' speech celebrating America's 250th anniversary te 2026-07-05T00:41:03.119Z Trump set to deliver 'historic' speech celebrating America's 250th anniversary President Donald Trump is set to deliver what the White House is calling a "historic" speech Saturday night before a massive fireworks display celebrating America's 250th anniversary. Trump is still expected to take the stage at 10 p.m. at the conclusion of the Salute to America celebration on the National Mall, though timing of events may fluctuate due to adverse weather, per a senior White House official. The president's address is expected to look back on America's history since its founding 250 years ago, a senior White House official told Fox News. THE LESSON WE CAN LEARN FROM BICENTENNIAL HISTORY IS TO PARTY LIKE IT’S 1976 Trump will deliver a "unique" speech featuring the stories of American heroes. "It will be a unique speech unlike any other he’s given before," the official added. Earlier Saturday, Trump celebrated what he described as a "stronger than ever" America in a Truth Social post, praising the "incredible" crowds gathered in Washington despite the heat and storms. FOURTH OF JULY APP GUIDES SPECTATORS THROUGH NINE-HOUR AIR SHOW FROM NASA JETS TO B-1 BOMBERS The president also highlighted the air shows over the nation's capital, saying the pilots and aircraft were "at a level never seen before." Trump also addressed recent vandalism at the Reflecting Pool, calling those responsible "Vandal Thugs" and promising the pool would be drained and repaired after the holiday weekend. The president's remarks come one day after he delivered a patriotic speech at Mount Rushmore, where he called the United States the "most exceptional nation ever to exist" and warned that communism posed the nation's greatest threat. TRUMP HAILS AMERICA AS 'MOST EXCEPTIONAL NATION EVER TO EXIST' IN MOUNT RUSHMORE SPEECH "Communism is the exact opposite of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness — it is death, tyranny and the pursuit of evil. A severe thunderstorm swept through Washington on Saturday evening, prompting emergency officials to urge people on the National Mall to seek shelter. Freedom 250, the event organizer, said it would provide updates on the evening's schedule as weather conditions developed. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a49a346c2ca79de236402c8 Movies in Flagstaff: 'Trailblazers' documentary takes path to Flagstaff te 2026-07-05T00:20:22.856Z Movies in Flagstaff: 'Trailblazers' documentary takes path to Flagstaff Movies in Flagstaff Series continues Wednesday, July 8, with the showing of "Trailblazers." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a499ebdc2ca79de2363f6f7 Kylian Mbappé's seventh goal of the World Cup lifts France past Paraguay in physical Round of 16 match te 2026-07-05T00:01:01.339Z Kylian Mbappé's seventh goal of the World Cup lifts France past Paraguay in physical Round of 16 match The United States may not have been in action on Independence Day, but France — who fittingly played an important role in the Revolutionary War — was on the pitch in Philadelphia against Paraguay in a massive Round of 16 clash for a trip to the quarterfinals. It was a hot day in the birthplace of our nation, and that made things difficult for both teams in more ways than one. While Paraguay is a great squad, they were significant underdogs against a heavily favored French team led by superstar Kylian Mbappé, who has been lighting it up this tournament. THIS 'AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL' RENDITION BEFORE THE FRANCE VS PARAGUAY MATCH WILL GIVE YOU GOOSEBUMPS Obviously, the heat itself is a factor, but it also made for a slower pitch, something that was believed to play into the hands of Paraguay. However, most of the action in the first half was played on their end as France put the pressure on through the first half hour of the match. It was intense, and that intensity boiled over in the 35th minute with some pushing and shoving after Mbappé and Paraguay's Andrés Cubas started a wild shoving match. VAR DENIES CROATIA'S GAME-TYING GOAL AS CRISTIANO RONALDO LEADS PORTUGAL TO ROUND OF 16 But while the intensity ramped up — and stayed high for pretty much the entire game — Paraguay weathered the storm and had every reason to feel good about reaching halftime with the game scoreless. France got some more scoring opportunities in the early part of the second half, including a near-breakaway for Mbappé. In the 67th minute, France was awarded a penalty kick for a foul against Desire Doue that had to go to VAR for review, and it was Mbappé who took it. MESSI, ARGENTINA AVOID A SHOCKING UPSET IN WILD KNOCKOUT STAGE MATCH AGAINST CAPE VERDE Mbappé has tended to do most of his damage in the second half, and that trend continued here with him drilling the penalty past Paraguay goaltender Orlando Gill. That was his 19th career World Cup goal, and his seventh of this tournament alone, tying him with Argentina's Lionel Messi for the tournament lead. Paraguay seemed to fade after the Mbappé goal, but turned it on again late, forcing Mike Maignan to make his first save of the day about 89 and a half minutes into the match. It seemed like Paraguay's plan was to try and get a rise out of the French, and they succeeded in drawing three yellow cards. In fact, they even tried to keep that going after the match with players meeting near midfield for some more pushing and shoving. But France is moving on, and they will take on Morocco in a quarterfinal match on Thursday in Boston. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/home