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Rubio calls violent far-left terror a global 'blind spot,' gathers allies

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 08:44:55 -0400

The Trump administration is convening officials from roughly 65 countries Thursday to build an international coalition against violent far-left extremist groups, arguing the organizations have become a leading transnational terrorism threat.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio will host representatives from the foreign delegations for discussions focused on expanding intelligence sharing, law enforcement cooperation and other international efforts to counter what administration officials describe as an increasingly transnational network of violent far-left extremist organizations.

Administration officials said the ministerial is the culmination of an eight-month diplomatic effort to convince foreign governments that violent far-left extremist networks have become a growing cross-border threat requiring greater international coordination.

TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FAR-LEFT PROTESTERS CLASH WITH POLICE IN ANTI-CONSERVATIVE PARTY RIOTS

The initiative comes as some analysts and foreign officials have questioned whether violent far-left groups constitute a cohesive international terrorism threat comparable to Islamist extremist organizations. Others have raised concerns governments could use such initiatives to target political opponents under the banner of counterterrorism.

Administration officials rejected those concerns Wednesday, arguing the effort is narrowly focused on criminal and terrorist violence rather than political beliefs.

"We haven't waded into trying to disambiguate people's beliefs and ideologies," a senior State Department official told reporters. "In America, you can believe anything you want. The minute that you cross the legal threshold, that changes."

BILL MAHER TORCHES FAR-LEFT ASSASSINATION CULTURE AFTER STRING OF HIGH-PROFILE ATTACKS

Officials argue governments spent much of the past two decades concentrating on jihadist terrorism while underestimating what they describe as a resurgence of politically motivated violence from violent far-left extremist networks operating across borders.

"This has been a blind spot for a lot of our partners, frankly. They have not seen these trends ... since the 1970s," the senior State Department official said. "Our partners have talked to us about the rise of assassinations or assassination plots."

Administration officials pointed to a series of recent attacks in Europe that they argue underscore the need for greater international cooperation.

On July 1, coordinated firebomb attacks targeted the homes of members of Greece's governing New Democracy party in Thessaloniki, killing the mother of parliamentary candidate Afroditi Nestora and injuring four others. Greek anti-terrorism police later arrested three suspects.

In January, an arson attack on a power transmission facility in Berlin, Germany, knocked out electricity to tens of thousands of homes and businesses. German authorities later transferred the investigation to the federal prosecutor over suspected involvement by a terrorist organization.

The meeting builds on a series of actions the administration has taken since late 2025, including designating four foreign far-left organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists, along with offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the disruption of their financial networks.

Rubio is expected to argue that violent far-left extremist groups increasingly operate across borders, sharing tactics, coordinating attacks and exploiting international conflicts to recruit followers, making greater cooperation among governments essential to disrupting the threat.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller also are expected to address the ministerial, which will include discussions on the global threat landscape, terrorist financing, intelligence sharing and protecting critical infrastructure.

Officials also disputed reports that foreign partners were reluctant to participate, saying several governments approached the United States seeking to join the initiative after recognizing similar trends within their own borders.

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"We've had countries who have reached out to us that want to be part of this," the senior State Department official said.

The four organizations designated by the administration in November were Antifa Ost, the Informal Anarchist Federation/International Revolutionary Front (FAI/FRI), Armed Proletarian Justice and Revolutionary Class Self-Defense. The administration says the groups, which operate in Germany, Italy and Greece, have coordinated violent attacks across national borders.

Pro wrestling legend hopes Richard Holliday-WWE rumors come true: 'He'll have to work even harder'

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 08:33:53 -0400

The "Most Marketable" independent professional wrestler on the scene presently, Richard Holliday, is set to take on Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) star Elijah at Awesome Championship Wrestling’s (ACW) Indypendence Day on Saturday night in New York.

Holliday’s rumored WWE signing has been the talk of the pro wrestling landscape since Fightful Select first mentioned it earlier this month.

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Since then, he left his boots in the ring after a match with Game Changer Wrestling and embraced his fellow wrestlers Ben Bishop, Jack Vaughn and Tommy Invincible in their own version of the "Curtain Call" following a match at Fight Factory Wrestling’s The War on the Shore 3.

Tommy Dreamer, who will also have a match at Indypendence Day, shared his thoughts with Fox News Digital about the possibility of Holliday going to WWE.

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"I hope so. I think he's a really, really good wrestler. I like him personally," Dreamer said. "He's really worked hard on every indie to try to get his name out there and if he gets that opportunity, he'll have to work even harder."

The Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) legend also lauded Elijah’s work ethic.

"And Elijah, I worked with him very, very closely in TNA. He is a superstar. He is very unique in his songwriting and his wrestling," he said. "Always wanting to be better. When you meet him, you will be like, ‘Holy crap, I didn't think this guy was this big.’ He's always meal prepping. You see him in the back, not only is he playing guitar, but I mean he takes his craft very, very seriously and just overall should be a good match."

Still, Dreamer implored that fans should get out to see Holliday while the ticket to get in the door is reasonably priced.

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"But if the rumors are true, for Richard Holliday, it's awesome. And it's another way to see somebody before you can't see them anymore because then they're under a whole other regime if that is the case," he said.

Insane Clown Posse's Violent J passionately declares 'there's nothing like pro wrestling in America'

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 08:13:39 -0400

Pro wrestling fans who really love the sport know the emotional impact it could make during the biggest of moments.

CM Punk’s WWE return, Jon Moxley’s All Elite Wrestling debut and the number of five-star classics that promotions around the world have booked are just some of the moments that have resonated with fans in recent months. Others can point to the Attitude Era and the Monday Night Wars as some of the most impactful moments that have transcended wrestling itself.

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Take the Insane Clown Posse’s Violent J. He gave a passionate reason for why he loves pro wrestling in a recent interview with Fox News Digital. He said it was Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat at WrestleMania 3 that helped solidify that passion he had for pro wrestling.

"But wrestling, there's nothing like pro wrestling in America," he said. "There's nothing like it, brother. It's like a lot of people call a male soap opera, man soap opera. It’s like you got two guys in the middle of the ring faking a fight, right? And you got 70, 80,000 people caught up in the moment. It's like you have a chance to create a character for yourself and sell that character and you play that character, but not only you have to act as that character and have those acting skills, but you also have to have the adlib skills. You have to be able to adlib and talk on a mic to generate to put a--es in seats.

"You have to make people want to come see you kick that guy's a-- or make you want to come see you get revenge. You also have to have the physical attributes. You have to be able to physically go in the ring and tell that story. There's so much psychological warfare in wrestling. There's so much psychological stuff that goes into it. You can't just throw a punch whenever. You got to know when to throw the punch back. You have to know when to make your comeback. You can't just make it whenever. You got to feel the crowd and know how to make them reach their apex."

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Violent J said there’s nothing he could compare pro wrestling to. But "male soap opera" might be the best description.

He said being able to watch pro wrestling is something that gives him peace.

"There’s so much to it and I don't know what else to compare it to," he said. "There's nothing like wrestling. Like there's literally nothing else like it. It's so different from everything else in the stratosphere that like I've just I've loved it my whole life. And now as a 53-year-old, I get enjoyment watching it. Especially old s---,. watching the s--- I grew up on.

It calms my anxiety. Like it's been there my whole life. So, it's like I look at that old footage, it's like therapy for me. It has been there my entire life. And so, like, even in my studio, I've got posters of old wrestlers everywhere and everything, it like it calms my anxiety. It's like something that takes me back to my childhood, you know? So, wrestling is just, it's in my heart. It's in my blood. It's in my DNA. You know what I mean? Just as much as music, but music is the real therapy for me. Like, I need to make music or I’ll explode."

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Violent J is set to hold Bloodymania 19 at the Gathering of the Juggalos in Missouri next month. His promotion, Juggalo Championship Wrestling, airs "Lunacy" each Thursday night on YouTube.

'Somebody needs to do something': GOP senators split as Tuberville demands McConnell answers

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 08:12:07 -0400

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., is calling for more information about Sen. Mitch McConnell's, R-Ky., prolonged absence from the Senate, while Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., urged people to "leave Mitch alone" as questions about the Kentucky Republican's health persist.

"Somebody needs to do something," Tuberville told Fox News Digital. "Somebody needs to come out."

McConnell finally broke his silence on his previously undisclosed medical conditions that have kept him absent from the Senate since he was first hospitalized on June 14. In a post to social media, McConnell said he would not be returning to the Senate floor just yet due to doctors' orders, but vowed he would return to "finish the job" before his announced retirement at the end of his term.

MITCH MCCONNELL BREAKS SILENCE ON MYSTERY HOSPITALIZATION AFTER GRAHAM'S DEATH

Tuberville said no additional information from Senate leadership about a timeline for when McConnell may come back or the status of his health has been given out internally to his colleagues.

"We didn't get any information today in our luncheon," Tuberville said Tuesday. "I don't know what's going on, but you know that's not my business."

Meanwhile, Kennedy vehemently defended McConnell, dismissing rumors that the 84-year-old senator was in a vegetative state, or even dead, as some had speculated a more serious condition than what was disclosed.

"Look, I believe Mitch," Kennedy said. "I don't believe all these stories that he's brain dead and all of that. People need to get a life."

'THIS IS NOT NORMAL': AOC UNLOADS ON MCCONNELL'S PROLONGED ABSENCE

In his post, McConnell claimed that his childhood fight with polio contributed to a fall that left him "briefly unconscious" and hospitalized last month — when some speculated he had suffered cardiac arrest. He said he was then hit with a "mild case of pneumonia" while in recovery, extending the healing process.

"I think he had a fall, and Mitch is not 29 anymore," Kennedy said. "And he's recuperating from it, and he'll be back as soon as he can."

He continued, "That's what he said, and I take him at his word."

MCCONNELL WAS FOUND 'UNCONSCIOUS' IN HOME LAST MONTH AS CONDITION REMAINS UNKNOWN

While Tuberville also expressed his well-wishes for McConnell’s recovery, he said more information about his timeline for return needs to be shared before the Senate begins August recess — when senators will take a break to head back to their home states from Aug. 8 to Sept. 13.

"He's gonna need to come back probably before this three-week session’s over with, because then we're off for like five weeks," Tuberville said.

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Tuberville said Republicans will need McConnell back as the Senate prepares for votes on President Donald Trump's legislative agenda before lawmakers leave for the August recess. McConnell has not indicated when he expects to return.

"We're gonna need him, because the Democrats are not gonna give us any votes," Tuberville said.

Palantir CTO says tech innovators are building for America in shift since Trump returned to White House

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 08:10:08 -0400

Palantir Chief Technology Officer Shyam Sankar told the Ruthless Podcast in a new interview that there has been a shift within the technology community, and since President Donald Trump returned to the White House, tech entrepreneurs are now building in the national interest.

"You have hundreds of founders out there now who are building in the national interest," Sankar said in an interview released Thursday morning on the shift in the tech sector. "And I think this is a sort of galvanizing message for us to go and get after it."

The interview took place at the Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit at the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Penn. The meeting, organized by Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Penn., convened technology and defense sector executives with senior government and military leaders.

A PROGRESSIVE POPE TAKES AIM AT AI AND RISKS KILLING ITS MIRACLES

Sankar, who published the bestselling Mobilize: How to Reboot the American Industrial Base and Stop World War III, told the Fellas about the economic benefits artificial intelligence (AI) is bringing to American communities, including in Pennsylvania. The increased productivity is creating more jobs for Americans.

"[AI] is expanding the labor population, our ability to mobilize the American worker," Sankar said. "Right here in Pennsylvania, we actually have a submarine parts manufacturer that was able to add a third shift. Production planning used to take two weeks. And during that time, mostly the line was down. With AI, they were really able to make that happen in effectively two-tenths of a second, which meant they had more parts to make, which meant that they needed more workers."

Podcast co-host Michael Duncan appreciated how Sankar’s approach was making the seemingly complex technology topic more tangible for the average American.

NEW YORK MAKES HISTORY WITH FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND LAW REGULATING AI-POWERED COMMERCIALS

"Too often I find that these conversations around innovation, whether that's defense tech or AI, are so abstract," Duncan said. "And what I love about the stories you tell is that you make it tangible in people's lives."

Just days after Democratic New York Governor Kathy Hochul made her state the first to freeze the construction of new data centers, Duncan added that these anecdotes push back against the popular anti-data center sentiment growing on the left.

"You've got [Senator] Bernie Sanders being like, ‘This is the right call, this AI moratorium in New York, because AI must benefit humanity,’" Duncan told Sankar. "And it's like, I don't know, man, pick up a newspaper."

ROBERT MAGINNIS: TRUMP’S ANKARA REMARKS REVEAL A GRAND STRATEGY HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT

Trump addressed the event on Wednesday, speaking of the importance of both the defense and technology sectors to the nation’s long-term security.

Podcast co-host Comfortably Smug said the Trump administration has played a key role in expanding AI development.

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"One of the more important lessons from the book is the importance of harnessing AI and what a force multiplier that can be," Smug said. "This administration really gets that. We've seen a result. The efficacy has gone off the charts."

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Sankar mentioned that working around soldiers has given him extra appreciation for his work.

"If you spend time with these uniformed service members going into harm's way, you just have to do the work for them," Sankar said. "It gives you a different perspective."

Trump sets primetime speech on ‘free and fair elections’ as details on major announcement emerge

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 06:00:50 -0400

President Donald Trump announced he will deliver a Thursday night address that he suggested will focus on "free and fair elections," teasing what he called one of the most important speeches of his presidency while offering few details about what he plans to unveil.

"Thursday is, it doesn't get bigger because without free and fair elections, you don't have a country," Trump said while in the Oval Office on Tuesday. "We'll be discussing other things too. But it's going to be a very big announcement."

Trump has teased the contents of his speech without fully revealing what it will be about. "It will be a potpourri," a senior advisor told Axios, adding that Iran is something the president "wants to address."

The address is expected to begin at 9 p.m. ET from the White House.

TRUMP HOLDS WASHINGTON HOSTAGE OVER SAVE ACT AS MIDTERM CLOCK TICKS ON GOP CONTROL

"As usual, anonymous sources are speculating about what President Trump will say during his speech on Thursday evening," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News Digital. "The truth is, nobody knows yet what President Trump will ultimately say, which is why everyone should tune in."

Trump has touted his speech as being "really big news" and called for the country to "to shape up."

The White House did not respond to questions about which administration officials are expected to attend the speech. Fox News Digital also reached out to the FBI and CIA about whether FBI Director Kash Patel or CIA Director John Ratcliffe would be present.

TRUMP THREATENS TO EXPAND STRIKES ON IRAN, SAYS POWER PLANTS ARE NEXT TO GO: 'HIT THEM HARD'

The address also comes against a volatile foreign policy backdrop, after negotiations over an Iran memorandum collapsed and the U.S. resumed strikes on Iranian targets.

CENTCOM announced another round of strikes on Iran on Wednesday morning, marking the fifth straight day the U.S. launched attacks on the country.

Iran has fired back with numerous attacks on U.S. allies in the Middle East, including Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan.

U.S. forces reinstituted a naval blockade on Iran Tuesday afternoon.

TRUMP TAKES UNUSUAL STEP, LETS BIPARTISAN HOUSING BILL BECOME LAW UNSIGNED AMID SAVE PRESSURE CAMPAIGN

Gas prices surged during the early days of the Iran conflict, then fell in June as crude oil slipped to roughly $69 a barrel before climbing again to nearly $80 a barrel Monday.

While Trump also suggested Iran would be addressed, he repeatedly indicated Tuesday that election integrity would be a centerpiece of his remarks.

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Trump has been laser-focused on passing the SAVE America Act, which includes Trump’s long-sought voter ID and citizenship verification – which Republicans say is key to ensuring elections are safe and secure.

Billions in taxpayer income are leaving two iconic states — as a new economic map emerges

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 06:00:03 -0400

As Americans continue relocating across state lines, California and New York remain at the center of the nation's migration story.

The latest IRS data show the top 10 counties with the largest net losses of taxpayers to other states were all located in California and New York. Compiled from federal tax returns, the figures offer one of the clearest snapshots of where Americans are relocating — and where their income is moving with them. Economists say those migration patterns help explain broader shifts in state economies, tax bases and housing markets as families weigh affordability, taxes and job opportunities when considering where they want to put down roots.

The movement of taxpayers and their income can also affect state and local tax collections, which help fund schools, public safety and infrastructure.

Los Angeles County, home to Hollywood and one of the nation's largest economic engines, led the nation with a net loss of 17,496 tax filers. Those departing taxpayers took nearly $1.9 billion in income with them as they moved to other states.

THE RED STATES RACING AHEAD IN AMERICA’S POWERFUL WEALTH BOOM — AND THE STATES FALLING BEHIND

Other major counties in California and New York saw similar outflows. The next-largest taxpayer losses were recorded in Queens County, New York (-17,109), the Bronx (-16,319), Orange County, California (-11,618) and Suffolk County, New York (-10,434).

One New York county stood out for a different reason.

Manhattan gained more interstate tax filers than any other county in the nation while simultaneously losing nearly $1 billion in adjusted gross income, suggesting many of the newcomers earned less than those who left.

The latest data continue to point to a shift away from many of the nation's largest coastal counties toward fast-growing destinations in the Sun Belt and Mountain West.

"It's very, very clear that people ultimately vote with their feet and when they feel like they're getting taxed too much, they go somewhere else where they will be taxed less," Heritage Foundation chief economist E.J. Antoni told Fox News Digital.

"If you look at where these people are going, they're not going to Massachusetts or Illinois or California," Antoni said. "They're going to Texas. They're going to Tennessee. They're going to Florida — places with low or no income taxes and low overall levels of taxation."

AMERICANS KEEP MOVING TO TEXAS AND FLORIDA — BUT ONE OTHER RED STATE IS GROWING EVEN FASTER

The remaining counties rounding out the top 10 for taxpayer losses were San Diego County, California (-9,401); Nassau County, New York (-9,130); Riverside County, California (-8,968); San Bernardino County, California (-8,462); and Kings County, New York (-6,924).

While those two states dominated the counties with the largest taxpayer losses, other parts of the country continued attracting new residents. The counties with the largest net gains in interstate tax filers were Maricopa County, Arizona (+9,353); Harris County, Texas (+8,955); King County, Washington (+8,297); and Clark County, Nevada (+7,524).

"The 'vote with your feet' movement, is real," Paul Teller, a conservative strategist who previously served in the Trump-Pence White House, told Fox News Digital.

THESE STATES ARE 'AHEAD OF THE GAME' IN BRINGING DOWN HOME PRICES, TRUMP'S HOUSING CHIEF SAYS

Teller said Americans continue leaving high-tax, highly regulated states for places where they can keep more of what they earn and face lower costs of living, arguing the migration patterns should serve as a warning for policymakers in states that continue losing residents.

"What baffles me, especially as a former New Yorker, is that there doesn't seem to be a lot of concern in the states that are losing people," Teller told Fox News Digital.

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Teller argued the trend could carry long-term fiscal consequences if affluent taxpayers continue leaving. He said the debate has taken on renewed attention as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani advances an agenda that includes higher taxes on top earners, rent freezes for stabilized apartments, free city buses and city-owned grocery stores.

California has likewise remained at the center of debates over taxes on high-income earners, maintaining one of the nation's highest top marginal income tax rates.

"Let's see what happens when the wealthy keep moving out of big blue states like California and New York," Teller said. "We'll see what happens to tax revenue. We're already seeing it. It's going down significantly."

Mystery deepens after 2,700-year-old bronze sword emerges standing upright

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 08:00:27 -0400

A metal detectorist recently spotted a 2,700-year-old bronze sword in an unusual position — standing upright in the ground.

The discovery was announced by the Pomeranian Provincial Heritage Conservator on Facebook earlier in June.

The weapon was found by hobbyist Marcin Wiśniewski in the Gdańsk Forest District in northern Poland, near the Baltic coast. It dates to the Late Bronze Age, between 900 and 700 B.C.

'SIGNIFICANT' EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH EMERGES BENEATH FORMER FISH MARKET IN ANCIENT CITY

Pictures released by officials show the remarkably preserved bronze weapon sticking up from sandy soil during the excavation.

Wiśniewski — who previously found a Bronze Age hoard in a forested area outside of Gdańsk — alerted heritage officials to the discovery.

"After the discovery was reported, staff from our Department of Archaeological Monuments recovered the artifact using proper archaeological methods, working together with the finder," the Pomeranian Provincial Heritage Conservator's translated post added.

TREASURE HUNTERS RECOVER RARE SILVER BAR FROM LEGENDARY SHIPWRECK OFF FLORIDA KEYS

Officials said the latest discovery is not the first Bronze Age sword unearthed in what is now the Gdańsk Forest District.

"In the 1920s, two antenna-hilt bronze swords were discovered in a peat bog at Rynarzewo," the post said.

"Those artifacts were transferred to the Provincial Museum in Gdańsk, but were lost during World War II."

Officials were immediately informed of the discovery, said Marcin Tymiński, press spokesperson for the Provincial Office for the Protection of Monuments in Gdańsk.

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Tymiński told Fox News Digital that specialists will be able to provide additional details about the weapon once it is transferred to a museum and studied.

"The Provincial Heritage Conservator will decide which museum the sword will be transferred to," Tymiński said in an email translated from Polish.

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"That decision has not yet been made."

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Ancient weapon discoveries in Poland are rare, but not unheard of — and the recent find follows several notable discoveries over the past year.

Late last year, archaeologists recovered a cache of early medieval weapons from a lake in west-central Poland — relics believed to be connected to the country's first rulers.

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Before that, a 700-year-old medieval sword was reeled in by an angler fishing in Poland's Vistula River.

'Jurassic Park' star Sam Neill's cause of death confirmed by representative

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:56:26 -0400

"Jurassic Park" star Sam Neill died from pneumonia after successfully overcoming lymphoma with CAR-T therapy, his representative confirmed Thursday, correcting what he described as inaccurate reports that emerged after the Oscar-nominated actor's death earlier this week.

Neill's agent, Philip Grenz, said the actor's family asked him to clarify how the 78-year-old died after several outlets published inaccurate accounts. He also said Neill, who was known for fiercely guarding his privacy, will be remembered with a private family memorial at his New Zealand farm at a later date.

"Sam passed away from pneumonia," Grenz told the New York Post’s Page Six. "Prior to becoming sick, Sam had valiantly fought and beaten lymphoma through a new treatment called CAR-T therapy."

ACCLAIMED NEW ZEALAND ACTOR SAM NEILL CONTRACTED PNEUMONIA BEFORE HE DIED, CO-STAR SAYS

Grenz said Neill had also completed four "back-to-back" projects over the past year that are expected to be released in the coming months.

Neill's family announced Monday that the actor died at St. Vincent's Private Hospital in Sydney, Australia.

"Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterized his whole life," the family said in a statement shared on Neill's Instagram account. "The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free."

SAM NEILL REMEMBERED AS 'ONE OF THE GREATS' BY NICOLE KIDMAN, TONI COLLETTE AND MORE AFTER HIS SUDDEN DEATH

The New Zealand actor disclosed in 2023 that he had been diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In April, he announced he was cancer-free after treatment.

"I've just had a scan just now and there is no cancer in my body. That's an extraordinary thing," Neill said at the time. "I'm very, very excited that this can happen."

Friends and co-stars remembered Neill as a grounded, witty and deeply private man who never let his illness slow him down.

Rima Te Wiata, who appeared alongside Neill in the 2016 comedy "Hunt for the Wilderpeople," told The New Zealand Herald he was "a very steady, peaceful, grounded man."

"It really sucks actually," Te Wiata said. "I think he would be like: 'For goodness sake, I got over my cancer. And now look, now I get pneumonia. What next?'"

Hollywood stars also paid tribute to Neill following his death. Steven Spielberg, who directed him as paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant in the 1993 blockbuster "Jurassic Park," said the actor would never be forgotten.

"I adored making all the Jurassic movies with him," Spielberg said. "Along with Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum, we will always have our Jurassic family and Sam will never be forgotten by us or his many millions of fans around the world."

Dern called Neill "my beloved lifetime friend," while Goldblum wrote, "The next great adventure begins. Love, always and forever."

Born Nigel John Dermot Neill in Northern Ireland in 1947, Neill moved to New Zealand with his family as a child and went on to become one of the country's biggest international stars.

His breakout role came in the 1977 thriller "Sleeping Dogs." Over a career spanning more than five decades, he appeared in more than 150 film and television productions, including "The Hunt for Red October," "The Piano," "Event Horizon," "The Horse Whisperer," "Peaky Blinders," "The Tudors" and "Merlin."

Neill returned as Dr. Alan Grant in "Jurassic Park III" before reuniting with Dern and Goldblum for 2022's "Jurassic World Dominion."

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When he wasn't acting, Neill spent much of his time at Two Paddocks, his boutique vineyard in New Zealand's Central Otago region, where he produced pinot noir and riesling wines.

He is survived by four children and eight grandchildren.

Fox News Digital’s James Cirrone, Landon Mion and Christina Dugan Ramirez, along with The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Savannah Bananas opened the 2026 ESPYs with one of the worst performances you'll ever see

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:55:39 -0400

Unbeknownst to most of America, ESPN had its annual ESPYs award show Wednesday night. That's right. It's still, somehow, going on.

I figured it died years ago given you literally never hear about it anymore, but I was wrong. Remember when the ESPYs were appointment viewing a decade ago? Growing up, I can remember watching it every summer. It was fun and exciting and filled the sports-less mid-July void.

Way back in the day, Jim Valvano gave his iconic "Don't give up, don't ever give up" speech at the ESPYs. To this day, it's still one of the greatest speeches of all time. Look it up later if you have a minute. Trust me, you'll be better for it.

ESPN REPORTEDLY PURSUING STEVE KERR FOR BROADCAST ROLE BECAUSE OF COURSE IT IS

Anyway, we've gone from that to what ESPN pumped out last night — a three-minute opening dance show performed by the Savannah Bananas that may just be the worst thing ever shown on ESPN airwaves.

And that's saying a lot given this is the same company that once ran a minute-long promo featuring transgender swimmer Lia Thomas during Women's History Month.

Take a look:

ESPYs ain't what they used to be

Just brutal. I'm not trying to dump on ESPN or the Bananas here. If the reaction to this performance was great, I'd pen an article saying the internet loved it.

The internet, however, did not love this. They HATED it. It's all over my timeline this morning. Frankly, it's how I even knew the ESPYs were still a thing!

Again, I hadn't heard one single word of this year's ESPYs show until this morning, and I work in a business where it's literally my job to be ahead of the trends. No marketing. No advertising. No hype.

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Nothing, until I scanned social media this morning and saw the Bananas doing ... whatever it was they were doing ... for three minutes.

Anyway, I assume someone said something woke at some point last night. Feel like that's in the ESPN and ESPYS script at this point, right? It'll come out eventually, I'm sure.

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Until then, here's a clip of some comedian I've never heard of rag-dolling Tiger Woods, which was just a brutal delivery and reception:

San Francisco Bay search suspended for 3 missing boaters after vessel capsizes amid 5-foot swells

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:34:43 -0400

The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search Wednesday evening for three people who remain missing after a boat carrying members of an extended family capsized near Alcatraz Island during a memorial outing in San Francisco Bay.

The 49-foot cabin cruiser sank Tuesday afternoon with 20 people aboard. One person, identified as 79-year-old Clifford Joseph Boisa of Sutter County, died after being pulled from the water, while 16 others were rescued. A dog aboard the vessel also died.

Authorities said the group had gathered to scatter the ashes of a loved one during a family memorial service.

MULTIPLE RESCUED FROM PONTOON BOAT NEAR ALCATRAZ AS SEARCH CONTINUES FOR MISSING PERSONS

"Suspending an active search is one of the most difficult things we do as Coast Guard commanders," Coast Guard Sector San Francisco Commander Capt. Jarod Toczko said during a Wednesday news conference. "Our goal is always to bring home families' loved ones."

Toczko said crews searched for about 23 hours using 11 surface vessels and four aircraft, covering roughly 950 square nautical miles and more than 1,700 miles of search track before determining there was little likelihood of finding additional survivors. Families of the missing were notified before the search was suspended.

Officials said the boat was struck by a wave, listed heavily, lost stability and rolled over before sinking. Toczko said investigators found no evidence of the fire initially reported by callers, concluding that what was thought to be smoke was likely steam from the sinking vessel.

NEW YORK HARBOR WHALE STRIKE SINKS FIRE RESCUE BOAT AFTER JULY 4 CELEBRATIONS

Authorities said the vessel had three enclosed levels, and survivor interviews indicated some passengers had been inside the main and lower decks when the boat capsized. Toczko said it remains possible some of the missing passengers became trapped inside as the vessel sank, though he stressed investigators have not reached any conclusions.

The San Francisco Fire Department said three survivors were transported to local hospitals and later released, while 13 others were treated at a reunification center after being rescued. Fire Chief Dean Crispen confirmed that one person and one canine died in the incident.

Officials believe the boat rests in waters roughly 130 feet deep near where it went down. San Francisco police said crews first must locate the vessel before using an underwater drone to assess whether it can safely be recovered. Divers generally cannot operate safely at depths beyond 120 feet, officials said.

PILOT DECLARES MAYDAY BEFORE SEAPLANE COMES DOWN IN NEW YORK CITY’S EAST RIVER

Toczko credited good Samaritans, including nearby fishermen and other boaters, with helping save lives before emergency crews arrived.

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"Those folks saved lives," he said.

Officials said the recreational vessel departed from the area near San Francisco's St. Francis Yacht Club and had visited Angel Island before the emergency occurred while returning across the bay. The cause of the sinking remains under investigation.

African growth boom follows Trump push to replace aid with trade

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:23:19 -0400

FIRST ON FOX: Many African economies are accelerating – booming – since the Trump administration shifted policy focus from aid to trade, a senior State Department official told Fox News Digital.

In some African countries, doom was forecast when the administration severely cut back USAID funding, but instead there’s been unprecedented economic growth, credited to the Commercial Diplomacy Strategy, introduced at the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term.

Now, "nine of the 20 fastest-growing economies (in the world) are in Africa," Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of African Affairs Frank Garcia told Fox News Digital.

IRAN AND HOUTHI TERROR PROXY FACING RED SEA THREAT FROM PRO-US AFRICAN NATION

Garcia added, "African economies are responding positively to the shift from aid to trade. In 2025, U.S. exports to sub-Saharan Africa increased by 23% to $22.6 billion. And continue to grow this year."

When the administration cut USAID by 83% early last year, "The predictions were catastrophic: economies heavily dependent on foreign donors – from Ethiopia to South Sudan and Malawi – were expected to collapse. Instead, something quite different happened," Anna Mahjar-Barducci, project director at the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), told Fox News Digital.

"The African continent proved far more resilient than expected, citing Ethiopia, which revised its 2026 growth forecasts upward despite the funding cuts," Mahjar-Barducci continued. "According to projections by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to grow between 4.3% and 4.6% in 2026, outpacing Asia as a whole, whose growth is forecast at around 4.1%. Growth is propelled by massive hydroelectric investments, construction, mining and expanding coffee exports."

TRUMP GETS MAJOR WIN AGAINST CHINA IN AFRICAN RARE EARTH MINERALS RACE

"This is no minor detail," she continued. "For decades, we were told that without international aid Africa would collapse. Now that aid is genuinely drying up, much of the continent is not only avoiding collapse – it is accelerating. This is precisely the argument that a long-standing school of African economic thought, now more relevant than ever, has advanced for years: aid is not the solution. In many cases, it is part of the problem."

Assistant Secretary Garcia explained how the strategy works: "We see this economic acceleration in Africa. In order to best capitalize on it, the United States is focused on driving private investment, sustainable growth in terms of partnership and treating African nations not as aid recipients, but as capable commercial partners."

He added: "Our embassies (in Africa) work directly with the private sector to identify the policies, laws and regulations constraining U.S. trade and investment. We then work with partner governments to develop practical reforms, identify the officials responsible for implementing them and determine where technical assistance may support implementation."

CHRISTIAN FARMING COMMUNITIES UNDER SIEGE AS US REPORT NAMES FULANI MILITANTS NIGERIA'S DEADLIEST THREAT

It's a strategy that appears to be working, with Garcia adding, "The Bureau of African Affairs has worked on 37 commercial transactions that have closed since the beginning of the (current) Trump administration, representing $25.67 billion in total value, with more still being reported. Embassies across the continent are actively working to close hundreds more. Top sectors include energy 24%, ICT 19%, critical minerals and mining 11%, aerospace 8%, agriculture 8%, infrastructure 8%."

Mahjar-Barducci criticized the way USAID worked, telling Fox News Digital," When aid flows to governments rather than markets, it tends to finance projects designed in Brussels, Rome, or Washington which are not responding to the actual needs of local economies. Poverty cannot be overcome by treating people as permanent recipients of charity. Poverty can be reduced by recognizing people as entrepreneurs, workers and economic partners capable of building their own prosperity."

AFRICAN UNION CHIEF DENIES GENOCIDE CLAIMS AGAINST CHRISTIANS AS CRUZ WARNS NIGERIAN OFFICIALS

Trade, rather than aid works, Mahjar-Barducci claimed. "The Trump administration's more transactional approach to aid – access to critical minerals, or to citizens' health data, in exchange for funding – should not be dismissed as merely cynical. Unconditional transfers have long been the deeper flaw in the traditional aid model: money with no strings attached removes any incentive for a recipient government to reform and often entrenches the same officials responsible for the underlying poverty."

Enter the America First Global Health Strategy. A senior State Department official told Fox News Digital this week that the administration "has signed 34 bilateral global health Memoranda of Understanding(MOU) representing more than $24 billion in new health funding, including more than $14.3 billion in U.S. assistance, alongside more than $9.6 billion in co-investment from recipient countries."

"24 of these MOUs were signed with sub-Saharan African countries," the official continued. "These new bilateral MOUs are designed to continue life-saving care, build resilient healthcare systems, reduce dependency on American taxpayers and strengthen country ownership."

The administration has also decided to cut funding for a U.S. anti-AIDS program known as PEPFAR. Africa has been hit hard by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. UNAIDS, the United Nations program that deals with the virus, reports that South Africa has the highest infection rate in the world.

But the State Department official Fox News Digital spoke with says South Africa must take some of the blame for cutting help to its own people. "The United States has decided to initiate a phased drawdown of PEPFAR programming in South Africa, following South Africa’s failure to make demonstrable progress on policy requests by the administration. The United States communicated to [the] South African government multiple times at many levels that PEPFAR funding would be terminated if they failed to address President Trump’s concerns."

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"PEPFAR was never intended to be permanent," the official added. "Its success is measured by countries' ability to sustain and build upon these gains. South Africa is a middle-income country and is more than capable of supporting its own health programs."

Fox News Digital reached out to the South African government, but received no response.

Kai Trump says politics is 'not my thing,' hopes to inspire next generation through her vlogs

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:17:19 -0400

Kai Trump, the granddaughter of President Donald Trump who is set to play collegiate golf for the Miami Hurricanes, spoke at the ESPYs on Wednesday about showing her life through her video blog.

Trump has given her followers and supporters of the president an inside look at what it’s like to be a part of the first family while she navigates her own life.

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"Honestly, I kind of stay out of politics completely. It’s just not my thing," she told Sportico. "I just like showing my life and showing how you can still be an athlete and you can still do a ton of other things and enjoy a ton of other things.

"So, I just kind of like showing people that everything’s possible and I love just showing the new generation my progress through college, eventually, but obviously how I got to where I am today."

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When asked what she thought about politics intersecting with sports, Trump said again she tries to stay out of the political realm.

"Honestly, I just stay out of politics. It’s not my thing," she said. "But I think the UFC event was great and it was really cool being there and especially having veterans in the stadium as well, that’s where you can kinda combine the (America) 250 point of view on it. But I thought it was great."

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Trump is set to make her collegiate debut soon. She is one of two freshmen on the team, which also includes Bella Dovhey.

Trump teases major reveal during White House address and more top headlines

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:06:11 -0400

Good morning and welcome to Fox News' morning newsletter, Fox News First. And here's what you need to know to start your day ...

TOP 3

1. Trump teases major White House address

2. Todd Blance faces second day of testimony for AG confirmation

3. Tim Walz offers strange defense for pardoning convicted child rapist

MAJOR HEADLINES

RAISING EYEBROWS — Iran draws 'red line' after Trump threatens expanded military campaign. Continue reading …

OUT OF SIGHT — Slain N.J. woman, missing Bahamas boater's spouses lawyer up but only one disappears. Continue reading …

FOLLOW THE MONEY — FEC filings expose a suspicious payment trail following Swalwell's resignation. Continue reading …

SHORE SHOWDOWN — Canadian woman accused of slapping girl over Trump, ICE clothing gets agency surprise. Continue reading …

TROUBLING CLUES — 'Top Gun: Maverick' actor's death takes grim new turn after autopsy findings. Continue reading …

POLITICS

PACK & PROSPER — Billions in taxpayer income are leaving two iconic states — as a new economic map emerges. Continue reading …

FLASHBACK — Michigan Dem’s awkward pep talk echoes cringey pink-gloved House floor moment. Continue reading …

‘NEVER WAVERED’ — Pence reveals Graham's last words to him in a vivid airport encounter. Continue reading …

PAPER CUT — Ex-Dem fundraiser turns on Biden as book rollout backfires on social media. Continue reading …

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MEDIA

CREDIBILITY CRISIS — Media swooned over Graham Platner for months despite Dem's brewing controversies. Continue reading …

OUT OF TOUCH — Maher calls out wealthy liberals for pretending to be in solidarity with average people. Continue reading …

‘TERRIFYING’ — Los Angeles reporter goes viral after staying unfazed during live-shot nightmare. Continue reading …

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW — Viral run-in between police and street preacher draws federal First Amendment heat. Continue reading …

OPINION

HUGH HEWITT — I asked Trump if he was prepared to remove Iran’s new leaders. Continue reading …

CHAD WOLF — Canada can't expect free trade while leaving our northern border vulnerable. Continue reading …

IN OTHER NEWS

THE REAL STORY — Inside Princess Diana and JFK Jr.'s secret meeting that fueled romance rumors for decades. Continue reading …

HORNS DOWN — Yellowstone reaches decision on bison after grandfather thrown in frightening attack. Continue reading …

LESSON LEARNED — Florida school principals wind up behind bars after July 4 night out. Continue reading …

AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ — Test yourself on World Cup wins and burger breakthroughs. Take the quiz here …

LISTEN

Tune in to hear how the growing role of artificial intelligence could shape children's cognitive development, long-term memory, and America's path in the global AI race. Check it out ...

FOX WEATHER

What's it looking like in your neighborhood? Continue reading…

Thank you for making us your first choice in the morning! We'll see you in your inbox first thing Friday.

Credibility crisis: Graham Platner received glowing media coverage before dramatic exit from Senate race

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:00:36 -0400

Before Graham Platner's dramatic exit from the Maine Senate race last week, the Democratic hopeful received glowing coverage from the legacy media that pushed the narrative that he was a salt-of-the-earth oyster farmer who could win back male voters and unseat longtime Republican incumbent Susan Collins.

Now out of the race after multiple scandals, including a rape allegation from a former girlfriend that he's denied, the friendly coverage he received is getting a second look.

The Guardian was among the first outlets to publish a profile on Platner, running a story last August headlined, "This Maine oysterman thinks Democrats are doing ‘jack’ about fascism. So he’s running for US Senate."

The outlet told readers how Platner doesn't present like a "stereotypical progressive," listing his titles as "a veteran, an oysterman and a competitive shooter," adding that he spends his weekends "at the local gunnery."

GRAHAM PLATNER'S MOST PROMINENT PRESS ALLIES ABANDON HIM AS RAPE ALLEGATION ROCKS MAINE SENATE RACE

"Platner believes the party needs an outsider. He believes that pedigreed, establishment Democratic candidates have failed repeatedly to appeal to working-class Americans, hastening the rise of MAGA," The Guardian wrote. "As he surveys the American political scene, Platner is enraged by a Democratic party he sees as more interested in raising money than helping people, a party willing to appease Maga, to meet it in the middle, instead of fighting it."

The New Yorker praised Platner's campaign launch video in its own profile, saying it portrayed him as a "rugged and likable working-class Democratic candidate," but that it "could just as easily have been the opener for a reality-TV show called 'Oyster Man.'"

"A macho pastiche with a Jeep-commercial soundtrack, it shows him diving in his wetsuit, chopping wood, hauling oyster cages, and doing kettlebell swings. There are closeups of his tattoos, along with shots of him holding hands with his wife," Lisa Wood Shapiro wrote in the New Yorker piece.

Shapiro hyped that he was "drawing support from both sides of the aisle," alleging "several [Donald] Trump supporters said that they would vote for him" despite his left-wing platform.

"I’ve had Platner’s number for years, and have picked up oyster orders from his boat. I’ve seen him shuck oysters at parties, fund-raisers... Soon, my friends were discussing over gin-and-tonics how they always knew he would be famous," Shapiro gushed.

APPLE AND GOOGLE SUPPRESSED NEGATIVE GRAHAM PLATNER STORIES FOR MONTHS ON THEIR NEWS PLATFORMS, STUDY FINDS

The Washington Post put a spotlight on Platner in a September report called "Meet the Rugged Guys of the 2026 Midterms."

"They are scruffy, solidly built, middle-aged White military veterans who work with their hands and look like they’re way more comfortable in plaid flannel than pinstripe suits. And they are banking that the antiestablishment populism that Republicans have embraced during the Trump era can work the other way, too," the Post wrote about Platner and other Democratic hopefuls.

Journalist Ross Barkan authored a profile for GQ in October titled, "Marine Turned Oysterman Graham Platner Is Ready to Fight Trump. Will MAGA Men Join Him?"

"In the battle for the soul of the Democratic Party, Senate candidate Graham Platner might be the perfect soldier: The virile, earthy working man many male politicians wish they were, with the committed lefty beliefs many voters are now demanding," Barkan began the profile.

Barkan boasted Platner's "friendly growl" and how he's "deeply alluring" to progressive Democrats in their effort to win back men.

"The oysterman joins a roster of antiestablishment candidates across America: men—yes, they are mostly men—who’ve channeled the growing rage at the status quo," Barkan wrote. "Trump voters, Platner argues, can still return to the Democratic coalition. He has just handed me an oyster straight from the water. The taste is salty, and then sweet. If he does get elected, he’s unlikely to attend many DC soirees or campaign fundraisers in wine caves."

PLATNER ACCUSER RECALLS 'GASLIGHTING,' 'BETRAYAL' FROM NY TIMES AS SHE CAME FORWARD WITH HER ALLEGATIONS

Liberal New York Times columnist Michelle Goldberg penned multiple pieces praising Platner's candidacy and how it was able to weather controversies like his Nazi tattoo and his offensive Reddit posts, saying he's "nothing like the edgelord caricature I encountered online" when she flew out to Maine to meet him in October, stunned at the crowds he gathered she said many locals claim they haven't seen since Barack Obama. She also said Platner was "largely convincing" about his claim that he didn't know that his skull and crossbones tattoo was the Totenkopf symbol despite reports alleging he knew.

"Onstage, Platner is magnetic. Like Obama, he seems to promise a politics that is fundamentally progressive while going beyond debased partisan sniping. He shows his audience the respect of at least seeming to level with them," Goldberg wrote at the time. "A major difference with Obama, though, is that Platner is visibly angry... That anger resonates with a base that is both terrified and enraged."

NYT COLUMNIST SAYS SHE 'DEEPLY' REGRETS PRAISING SENATE HOPEFUL AFTER RAPE ALLEGATION

In a separate piece published in April, Goldberg recalled, "I could feel the charge in the air — that rare alchemy born when a politician is able to pull a crowd into a shared vision of the future," telling Times readers a voter she met linked him to Obama during his 2008 presidential bid and that he was a "natural on the stump."

"One lesson of the Democratic Senate primary in Maine is that no one should underestimate the white-hot fury of the party’s voters," Goldberg said. "Maine Democrats, many of whom saw Platner in person as he tirelessly barnstormed across the state, seemed ready to look past the negative stories."

Goldberg later said she "deeply" regretted being impressed by Platner after he was accused by his ex-girlfriend Jenny Racicot of sexual assault, something he firmly denied.

Just in May, Time magazine featured him on its cover, declaring him the "Party Crasher."

"Platner’s story feels a lot like a pat movie plot: With Democratic voters yearning for outsiders to shake up the system, along comes a rough-hewn, gravelly voiced Marine Corps veteran from Sullivan, Maine—pop. 1,300—as their new national star," Time wrote. "He barnstorms the state with a pugilistic brand of economic populism, building a following so quickly that he forces his central-casting opponent, the two-term Democratic governor, Janet Mills, out of the race before voters can cast a ballot. Even in this antiestablishment, unabashedly ageist political moment, Platner’s rise has been remarkable."

TIME MAGAZINE COVER ON GRAHAM PLATNER RAISES EYEBROWS ONLINE

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Time marveled how voters "gravitated toward Platner" despite his various controversies, writing, "After decades of nominating buttoned-up technocrats with glittering résumés, many Democrats want candidates with flaws, faded ink, and redemption arcs that resemble their own. Platner’s past, in other words, may actually be his path."

"Platner swept a hand across his auburn beard and launched into his pitch: He doesn’t want to join the Senate to be part of a system. He wants to rip that system apart and build a better one. But that, he acknowledges, requires a leap of faith for voters to believe that he won’t betray their values and has truly transformed. 'There’s also an element of this,' Platner admits, 'Where I really have to say: ‘Just trust me, bro,'" the Time piece concluded.

Doctors reveal hidden danger for some Ozempic, Wegovy users with brain disorders

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:00:29 -0400

Neurologists are warning that popular weight-loss medications could have severe negative effects on neurodegenerative conditions like ALS.

Jinsy Andrews, MD, a neurologist and director of NYU Langone’s ALS Center, says the very mechanism that makes these drugs popular — rapid weight loss — can go against the biological needs of patients with neuromuscular disorders.

GLP-1 agonists have shown to be highly effective at managing diabetes and obesity, which are major health concerns across the population. However, the doctor emphasized that the clinical rules shift when dealing with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

DR OZ LINKS OBESITY TO CHRONIC DISEASE SURGE, SAYS GLP-1S CAN 'JUMPSTART' BETTER HEALTH

In addition to mitigating some of the inflammation related to obesity and diabetes, GLP-1 medications have been linked to other protective effects.

The therapies have been helpful in reducing cardiovascular disease, stroke risk, liver disease and addiction, according to Andrews.

However, when it comes to an incurable neurodegenerative disease, losing weight and body fat can accelerate a patient's physical decline.

For an ALS patient, losing weight can cause the condition to progress faster, Andrews said, because the disease's unique traits make it dangerous to be in a caloric deficit.

BIG MEDICARE CHANGE SLASHES WEIGHT-LOSS DRUG COSTS FOR ELIGIBLE SENIORS

In fact, standard clinical care guidelines for ALS often recommend that patients actively maintain or even gain weight to help preserve their remaining nerve and muscle function.

"In certain conditions where hypermetabolism is something that negatively affects the disease […] losing weight actually makes the disease worse and move faster," Andrews told Fox News Digital..

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"So, in the setting of a person with ALS — whether they have diabetes or not — using GLP-1s may actually worsen the disease and make for a rapid progression."

In a 2025 case report published in the medical journal Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration, a 52-year-old ALS patient was prescribed semaglutide to treat her type 2 diabetes.

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Prior to starting the medication, her physical functions were declining at a predictable rate on the standard ALS rating scale.

According to the case report, the patient lost 25 pounds in three months. At the same time, she experienced a sudden, dramatic shift in her disease trajectory, with symptoms worsening significantly.

Once the semaglutide was discontinued at the advice of medical professionals, the patient's rapid physical decline stabilized.

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Andrews pointed out that this published documentation, alongside retrospective cohort data of ALS patients with diabetes, provides growing evidence that clinicians must be careful and thoughtful about who they treat with GLP-1 receptor agonists.

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While weight-loss medications offer significant benefits for many patients, experts say maintaining body weight and muscle mass remains an important consideration for people with neurodegenerative diseases.

NFL quarterback Will Grier retires at 31

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 06:39:04 -0400

Will Grier, a former West Virginia Mountaineers star quarterback who played two games in the NFL, decided to retire from the sport at the age of 31.

Grier made the announcement on his social media on Wednesday and the Carolina Panthers put out a news story on his decision.

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"Retired today," Grier wrote in a post on Instagram.

He signed a deal with the Panthers in April and reportedly received a coaching opportunity with the Dallas Cowboys, but decided to walk away from the game altogether.

Grier shared messages of support on his Instagram Stories with Dak Prescott, Jake Ferguson and Kenny Pickett paying tribute to the quarterback.

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"Never retired, just switching lanes," Prescott wrote in his post. "Congrats my brother."

The Panthers selected Grier in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft after he played college football for the Mountaineers and the Florida Gators. He would spend time with the Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles.

He only played two games in the NFL – both with the Panthers during his rookie season.

Grier had 228 passing yards and four interceptions in his career.

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The Panthers now have three quarterbacks going into camp, Pickett, Bryce Young and Haynes King.

Red state governors blast CNBC's 'worst states to live' list, point to booming population growth

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 06:30:15 -0400

Republican governors are firing back at CNBC after the financial news outlet released its annual quality-of-life rankings, which placed conservative red states in all the bottom-10 spots on the list, even as official U.S. Census data shows those very states are leading the nation in population growth.

CNBC faced a wave of online mockery and conservative backlash Monday following the release of its 2026 "America’s Top States for Business" study. Critics quickly took to social media to call out the outlet, alleging a blatant liberal bias embedded in its ranking criteria, which heavily penalize conservative legislation.

"Somebody must have forgotten to tell the tens of thousands of new Arkansans who have moved to our state in the last few years about this CNBC report, because they’re voting with their feet and voting overwhelmingly for the commonsense, conservative leadership Arkansas offers," Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders told Fox News Digital.

CNBC SURVEY MOCKED AFTER RANKING ALL RED STATES AS TOP 10 'WORST PLACES TO LIVE'

Counting down from the tenth-worst quality-of-life ranking to the absolute worst, CNBC ranked the bottom 10 states as Arkansas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Missouri, Utah, Georgia, Louisiana, Indiana, Texas, and Tennessee. All ten states are Republican-led and voted for President Donald Trump in 2024.

The list is a subset of CNBC’s broader business study, which is now in its 20th year.

"CNBC is placing increasing emphasis on Quality of Life, one of the 10 categories of competitiveness in our annual America’s Top States for Business study," CNBC's report states. Under this year's methodology, the "Life, Health and Inclusion" category makes up 11.6% of a state’s overall score, up from about 10% last year.

To determine the rankings, CNBC said it utilizes "hard data on factors like crime rates, air quality and healthcare." However, the metric also factors heavily in ideological policies, explicitly penalizing states for a lack of protections against discrimination and restrictive abortion laws.

"Some states offer exemplary quality of life. But these ten states do not make the grade," the CNBC report stated.

A spokesperson for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott told Fox News Digital that CNBC’s list "does not reflect reality."

LIZ PEEK: DEMOCRATS’ AFFORDABILITY SCAM COLLAPSES IN STATES THEY ACTUALLY RUN

"CNBC’s ranking is flawed and does not reflect reality. Texas’ low taxes, strong economy, abundant energy, and commitment to freedom deliver the quality of life and opportunity that millions of Americans choose every year," said Andrew Mahaleris, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's press secretary. "Governor Abbott will continue to work to keep Texas the best place to live, work, and raise a family."

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s office also dismissed the rankings as "baseless" and politically driven.

"As was made clear by the baseless ‘qualifications’ they used for their report, CNBC has prioritized trendy politics over affordability and the issues that actually matter to real Americans," a spokesperson for Kemp's office told Fox News Digital.

Kemp's office added: "Instead of publishing these laughable rankings that no one believes, CNBC should talk to any of the more than 500,000 Americans who have moved to Georgia in the last five years — many of them no doubt fleeing Democrat-run states like New York and California for a red state run by common sense and fiscal responsibility."

AMERICANS KEEP MOVING TO TEXAS AND FLORIDA — BUT ONE OTHER RED STATE IS GROWING EVEN FASTER

In its report, the media outlet took direct shots at local conservative legislation across the board.

Tennessee, which was crowned the single worst state to live in, was dinged for the state's "bathroom law" — which requires transgender individuals to use facilities corresponding with their biological sex at birth — as well as a law barring localities from passing their own local antidiscrimination ordinances. The outlet also took aim at a joint resolution signed by Gov. Bill Lee designating June as "Nuclear Family Month," while also noting the state's high rate of drug deaths.

Utah, ranked sixth-worst, was hit for its $7.25 minimum wage, low availability of childcare providers, and air quality. Georgia, the fifth-worst, was explicitly called out for offering "few protections for LGBTQ+ people."

Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s press office immediately seized on the study, taking to X to point out the partisan split.

"Notice something in common?" the governor's office posted. "All led by Republicans — many suffering from California Derangement Syndrome."

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However, official population shifts highlight a broader, post-pandemic exodus from historically blue strongholds toward the very red states criticized by CNBC. While regions across the South and Sun Belt experience economic and population booms, major progressive hubs continue to bleed residents.

According to U.S. Census Bureau data, Texas gained a net of over 67,000 residents through domestic migration alone between mid-2024 and mid-2025, while Tennessee added over 42,000 and Alabama picked up more than 23,000.

By contrast, Los Angeles County watched its population shrink by more than 53,000 residents over the same one-year stretch— the largest numeric decline of any county in the nation. Similarly, a recent study by the Citizens Budget Commission confirmed that New York City lost a net of 114,000 residents to domestic outmigration over that period.

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Fox News Digital reached out to CNBC for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Trump AG pick hangs by a thread as key GOP senators refuse to commit

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 06:30:36 -0400

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is headed for a second straight day of grilling in the Senate, and his path to confirmation still remains cluttered with two key Republicans keeping tight-lipped on whether they’ll support him.

Blanche’s first day was fraught with questions about the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) handling of millions of documents related to the late, convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, known as the Epstein Files, the now-defunct anti-weaponization fund and whether he would operate the DOJ as a tool of retribution for President Donald Trump.

Two Republicans on the committee hold the key to Blanche’s success, Sens. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and John Cornyn, R-Texas, and so far, neither has committed to voting for him.

TRUMP'S DOJ PICK IN TROUBLE AS GOP CONCERNS THREATEN CONFIRMATION

Cornyn, who has taken issue with the nearly $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund and the underlying settlement reached by Trump and his family and the IRS, which Blanche acknowledged was still "enforceable" but was not moving forward, was noncommittal on how he would vote.

"Well, I don't know what other information's gonna be coming in," Cornyn said. "The hearing is not even halfway done. And so, you know, I don't have to make a decision now, so I'm not."

Blanche received heat throughout the hearing for being Trump’s former personal defense lawyer, and quickly corrected himself when asked by Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., if he considered himself the president’s friend.

TRUMP'S AG NOMINEE RACKS UP MASSIVE SUPPORT AHEAD OF CONFIRMATION HEARING: 'REAL RESULTS'

"I’m his lawyer — was his lawyer, and now I’m the deputy attorney general," Blanche said.

When asked about the slip-up, Cornyn said, "I think he's trying to walk the line."

"I think he's trying to walk a very difficult line," he said.

Tillis’ primary concern, similar to Cornyn’s, is the anti-weaponization fund and whether it is truly dead and gone.

He declined to say whether he would support Blanche, but noted that when asked if he was willing to work on legislation to put a permanent end to the fund, Blanche said, "Yes."

TRUMP DOUBLES DOWN ON $1.8 BILLION 'SLUSH FUND' THAT KILLED HIS AGENDA, SPURRED REPUBLICAN REBELLION

"I think that's a pretty strong indication that he and the administration are OK with [it]," Tillis said. "Does anybody really believe that the nominee for attorney general would answer that question if he didn't think that he had the support of the president to end this?"

Meanwhile, Senate Democrats on the panel are dug in against him.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., the top-ranking Democrat on the committee, browbeat Blanche for his handling of the Epstein Files release and whether he would actually meet with Epstein survivors.

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"Anyone who can represent a known pathological liar like Donald Trump can have no integrity," Durbin said. "You can't have integrity if you represent Donald Trump, because he is such an inveterate liar. And that person, of course, should never, never, never be attorney general."

Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., admitted that Blanche was, "qualified… as someone who has been a prosecutor."

"But given his legal experience, he should have known better than to be willing to tolerate or support the weaponization of the department," Coons said. "Using it as a tool not to follow the facts and the law, to pursue justice, but to carry out a retribution agenda by President Trump."

Caitlin Clark calls out referees for failing to call foul on play she says gave her a contusion

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 06:19:02 -0400

Caitlin Clark directly called out a referee for missing a call against her after a loss on Wednesday night.

Clark was seen yelling demonstratively in the face of a referee after a play against Golden State veteran Kiah Stokes. Clark said she was "kneed in the quad" after the game and suffered a contusion.

"I got kneed right in the quad, that hurts, the ref can’t miss that," she told reporters.

STEPHANIE WHITE GIVES CAITLIN CLARK STATUS UPDATE AHEAD OF FEVER-SPARKS, BUT HER NEXT MOVE RAISES QUESTIONS

"And then I have to play with a contusion in my leg for the rest of the game. Ridiculous, you can’t miss calls like that."

Clark was seen taking a brief trip to the locker room after the play, as she continues to work her way back to full strength and health after suffering a back injury in June.

Clark was asked if she got an explanation on the no-call, and said she told that she herself initiated the contact.

"You can’t knee me in the leg and knock me over," Clark said.

Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White addressed the explanation herself.

"Seems to always be initiating the contact," White said sarcastically of the decision.

Footage of Clark yelling at the referee went viral on social media, sparking debate and opposing critcisms, as some fans condemned the referee for missing the call while others questioned Clark's behavior.

Clark finished with 13 points and six assists, going just 4-for-14 from the field and 1-of-8 from three-point range. She scored 11 points after coming back from the locker room with the apparent contusion.

Tensions have been high in the WNBA in recent weeks after Clark was punched in the throat by Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas, and referees did not call it a foul in the moment.

Thomas was later suspended for one game, but the WNBA put out a statement in defense of Thomas from alleged harassment and threats she had apparently been receiving since punching Clark in the throat.

Clark meanwhile is playing while still not fully healthy, as she played on a minutes restriction for three straight games in her return from injury.

76ers orthopedic consultant Dr. Nicholas DiNubile previously told Fox News Digital that he is "concerned" with the amount of contact Clark has been taking from other players.

"The type of contact and the amount of contact that she gets is concerning to me. It’s troubling to me," DiNubile said.

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"I don't think there's anything she can do...It's hard to protect yourself with those type of... And that's why they're flagrant fouls, right? You just... There, there's no way to really protect yourself in those instances... she takes it in stride. I don't think she brings any of it on herself."

DiNubile's opinion is that the league has to do a better job of actively protecting Clark, via the referees, in order to avoid disaster.

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"I think they should be calling things," he said. "They can officiate better... I mean, how do they miss this?"

Dem Senate hopeful's pink-gloved meltdown resurfaces after viral pep talk ignited mockery

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 06:15:21 -0400

Rep. Haley Stevens’ awkward campaign pep talk that went viral this week is not the first time the Michigan Democrat has made waves for an unusual public speaking moment.

Stevens, who is now running for Michigan’s open Senate seat, was mocked online this week after a video of her cringey stump speech telling supporters she would bring "a little bit of enthusiasm, a little bit of energy and a little bit of stick-it-to-them… because that’s the Michigan way" went viral and garnered reaction online.

The viral moment harkened back to a separate cringey 2020 House floor episode, when Stevens wore pink latex gloves during comments about the coronavirus pandemic and was repeatedly gaveled down after her time expired.

SWING-STATE POLL SPELLS TROUBLE FOR FAR LEFT AS SCHUMER-BACKED CANDIDATE DOMINATES WITH CRITICAL VOTING BLOCS

"I rise for every American who is scared right now," Stevens said during the March 2020 floor speech, after requesting additional time while pointing to the gloves she was wearing, her voice raising as her testimony progressed. The speaker pro tempore, residing on the House floor, tried to gavel Stevens out repeatedly, which she ignored.

Eventually, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., yielded her 30 more seconds, at which time Stevens continued addressing doctors and nurses despite the calls to order.

"You will see darkness. You will be pushed. And our society needs you to stand together at this time. Our country loves you – to our doctors and our nurses, I wear these latex gloves to tell every American to not be afraid," Stevens continued before once again being cut off by the speaker pro tempore.

MICHIGAN DEM SENATOR THROWS SUPPORT BEHIND CANDIDATE TO REPLACE HIM IN CONTENTIOUS PRIMARY

"The gentlelady's time has expired… the gentlelady from Michigan is out of order," the speaker pro tempore said repeatedly, even as Stevens refused to cease her enthusiastic remarks. "The gentlelady from Michigan is out of order. The gentlelady from Michigan is no longer recognized."

Stevens' viral moments come just three weeks until Michigan’s Senate primaries, at which time she will take on Democratic challenger Abdul El-Sayed.

"Maybe Abdul El-Sayed is winning hearts and minds in liberal Michigan… or maybe he’s just running against this?" Brent Scher, editor-in-chief for the Daily Wire, said in a post to X, referring to Stevens' awkward stump speech.

"I just want to know why, and when, she chose to adopt this fake accent?" Chris Gustafson, the communications director for the Senate Leadership Fund wrote on X after the stump speech. "Stevens’ ads from 2018 sound like an entirely different person. Make it make sense."

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In recent weeks, the Michigan primary has drawn national attention as it pits El-Sayed, a candidate pushing the party further left on issues like healthcare and international affairs, against Stevens, an establishment figure with the backing of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

Those lines grew clearer as a third Democratic candidate, Mallory McMorrow, dropped out of the race earlier this month, taking away a third, more middle-of-the-road option.

Sports cartoons of the day

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 11:08:52 -0400

Celebrity chef says if you can drive to McDonald's, you can cook healthy meals at home

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 06:00:51 -0400

A Michelin-starred chef wants people to know that a lack of effort — not distance — is what's stopping American families from eating healthily. He argues that advances in technology have made fresh food more accessible than ever, shifting the conversation from access to personal habits.

Celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian spoke with Fox News Digital at the Great American State Fair about all things nutrition, but one hot take stood out from the rest.

"You're not in a food desert — this is the United States of America," he said during a live cooking demonstration with Dr. Mehmet Oz.

MORE AMERICANS NOW EAT IN THEIR CARS THAN EVER BEFORE AS EXPERT REVEALS WHAT IT SAYS ABOUT MODERN LIFE

"You've got Instacart. You can get anything you want all the time."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines food deserts as communities with "low levels of access to retail outlets selling healthy and affordable foods." The agency's designation is based on income and proximity to supermarkets.

Instacart, one of many modern grocery delivery apps, was created in 2012, one year after the USDA's food desert map launched. Zakarian pointed to these advances in technology as evidence that today's barriers to healthy eating are increasingly behavioral rather than geographic.

'MASTERCHEF' FINALIST SAYS BUSY FAMILIES ARE LOSING SOMETHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN HOME-COOKED MEALS

"Everyone has an iPhone. Everyone has an ability to order food," Zakarian told Fox News Digital, suggesting that online ordering has effectively bridged the geographic gaps highlighted by federal data.

Fox News Digital reached out to the USDA for comment.

Still, affordability remains a challenge for many families. Grocery prices have risen 32% over the past five years, according to the Urban Institute.

The Food Network star said families should focus less on what they lack and more on planning meals, arguing that convenience often costs more than cooking at home.

BUTTER, BEEF TALLOW DEBATE ISN'T OVER AS HEART EXPERTS WARN OF RISKS AND US GUIDELINES DIFFER ON FATS

"If you can drive to McDonald's, you can go find some place that has fresh food or canned food, or you can order it online," Zakarian said.

"It's possible. It's what's great about our culture."

Consistently eating wholesome meals comes down to making cooking a priority, Zakarian said.

"There really is no reason to not cook for yourself and cook for your family," Zakarian said. "Part of doing this and staying healthy is you've got to put effort in."

With so many working families, Zakarian advocated for a structured approach to grocery shopping and meal preparation rather than tackling the kitchen daily without a plan.

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He recommends shopping twice a week and planning meals in smaller blocks instead of trying to cook day by day.

"Break it up, and then you have leftovers once in a while sprinkled throughout," Zakarian said.

"You'll be shocked that you have five meals for your kids, plus leftovers. It's not that hard, but it does take work."

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Zakarian said cooking together creates emotional benefits for families because the kitchen naturally becomes the center of the home.

"You go to any house, any party, where do we end up?" Zakarian said. "Everyone's in the kitchen."

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Investing in the heart of the home helps build a sense of pride that kids carry with them even after they leave the house, Zakarian said.

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"When they open that food up, I guarantee you the other kids around are jealous that they got good food cooked by mom," he said.

Apple AirDrop, Android Quick Share flaws put phones at risk

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 06:00:09 -0400

Apple AirDrop and Android Quick Share are the kind of phone features you probably use without thinking much about them. You want to send a photo across the room. You want to move a file from your phone to your laptop. So you tap share, pick a nearby device and move on.

Now, new security research shows those handy nearby-sharing tools can also create a wireless opening around your phone.

Researchers at the CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security examined Apple AirDrop and Android Quick Share. They found six vulnerabilities across Apple, Samsung and Google implementations. The flaws include AirDrop crash bugs, Samsung Quick Share protocol issues and a Google Quick Share for Windows bug that could potentially lead to remote code execution.

BEFORE YOU CONNECT ANOTHER SMART TV, TABLET OR PHONE, LOCK IT DOWN

That can affect you in a very everyday way. Your phone may be sitting in your pocket at an airport gate, in a coffee shop or inside a packed conference room while it listens for nearby sharing requests. If a bad actor gets close enough, they could try to take advantage of that open wireless doorway before you even realize anything happened. So, before you leave AirDrop or Quick Share open again, here is what the research found and the settings worth checking now.

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AirDrop Quick Share security flaws explained

The researchers call this a proximity problem. AirDrop and Quick Share are built to find nearby devices without the usual setup of pairing first. That convenience is the whole point. It also means the sharing software has to listen before it fully trusts the other device.

According to the research, the affected protocols are used by more than five billion devices. Apple reports more than 2.2 billion active devices running the sharing service tied to AirDrop. Google reports more than 3 billion Android devices with Quick Share available system-wide or used as a default sharing tool on many phones.

The study found three AirDrop issues that could be triggered before authentication. It also found two Samsung Quick Share protocol flaws. In addition, researchers found one Google Quick Share for Windows use-after-free bug. Apple, Samsung and Google acknowledged the reports, according to the researchers.

Why AirDrop and Quick Share can expose your phone

Most phone attacks we talk about involve bad links, fake login pages or shady apps. This research points to a different kind of risk because it starts with physical proximity. A nearby attacker may not need your password. They may not need you to open a website either. In some cases, the target device only needs to be discoverable or in a sharing mode that listens for nearby devices.

That does not mean someone can grab every photo on your phone by standing next to you. The known flaws are narrower than that. Still, the research shows that file-sharing features sit closer to sensitive parts of the system than many of us realize. AirDrop interacts with Apple's sharing service, which supports features beyond file transfers. Quick Share also moves through low-level networking and device-to-device connection steps. That is why bugs in this area deserve your attention.

How nearby hackers could abuse AirDrop and Quick Share

The most immediate risk is disruption. Researchers found AirDrop bugs that could crash Apple’s sharing service. That service supports AirDrop and other continuity features.

On Samsung Quick Share, researchers found protocol weaknesses that could let an attacker manipulate connection behavior before full authentication. Another issue could allow certain control messages to be injected during an active transfer.

The Google Quick Share for Windows bug is more serious on paper. Researchers described it as a heap use-after-free issue and said Google awarded a bug bounty for it. The paper says this type of bug could potentially be developed into a full remote code-execution exploit.

Google told CyberGuy it has addressed the Windows issue. "We've patched the flaw identified for Quick Share for Windows. As a best security practice, users should always ensure they apply the latest security updates available for their device," a Google spokesperson said.

For most phone owners, the daily takeaway is clear. Nearby sharing is useful, but you should avoid leaving your device open to everyone when you do not need it.

Who faces the biggest AirDrop and Quick Share risk

You should be extra careful with AirDrop or Quick Share when you are around a lot of strangers. That includes airports, trains, hotels and large events. These are places where a nearby attacker could sit close enough to reach many devices at once.

The risk goes up when your phone is set to receive from everyone. On iPhone, Apple says the "Everyone for 10 Minutes" setting reverts after 10 minutes if you are signed in to your Apple Account. If you are not signed in, it reverts to Receiving Off. That time limit helps. Even so, you should treat "Everyone" as a temporary setting. Turn it on only when you need it.

Ways to stay safe from AirDrop and Quick Share risks

The good news is that a few quick settings checks can make your phone much harder for nearby strangers to reach. You can also review these iPhone and Android security settings for more ways to lock down your device.

1) Update your phone and computer

Start with regular software updates. The researchers responsibly disclosed the findings, and fixes are underway across vendors. Install iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Android, Samsung updates, Google Play system updates and Quick Share for Windows updates as soon as they become available. Also check the apps or utilities tied to sharing on your computer. Quick Share for Windows was part of this research, so remember the PC side if you use Android-to-Windows transfers.

2) Lock down AirDrop on iPhone

On iPhone, keep AirDrop limited unless you are actively using it. The safest everyday choice is Receiving Off or Contacts Only.

To check AirDrop from Control Center on most newer iPhones, wake up your iPhone and unlock it. Look at the top-right corner of the screen where you see the battery icon. Place your finger near that corner and swipe down toward the middle of the screen. If Notification Center opens instead, try again from farther to the right.
Next, look for the box in the top-left area with the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and airplane icons. Touch and hold that box until it expands.
Then tap AirDrop. Choose Receiving Off if you do not want anyone nearby to send you files. Choose Contacts Only if you only want people saved in your contacts to reach you.
You can also use the Settings app. Tap Settings, then General, then AirDrop. From there, choose Receiving Off, Contacts Only or Everyone for 10 Minutes.
Use Everyone for 10 Minutes only when you are expecting a file from someone nearby. After that, go back to AirDrop and switch it to Contacts Only or Receiving Off.

3) Limit Quick Share on Samsung

On a Samsung phone, Quick Share controls who can see your device and send you files nearby. The safest everyday choice is No one or Contacts only.

GOOGLE TURNS OLD PHONES INTO CLOUD SERVERS

To check it from the Quick panel, wake up your phone and unlock it. Place two fingers at the very top-right area of the screen and swipe down. This opens the full Quick panel. If that feels tricky, swipe down once from the top of the screen, then swipe down again to see more buttons.
Look for the Quick Share button. If you do not see it, swipe left across the Quick panel to see more buttons. Tap Quick Share.
A menu should appear that says Who can share with you. Choose No one if you do not want nearby people to find your phone. Choose Contacts only if you only want saved contacts to share with you. Avoid Everyone or Anyone nearby unless you are expecting a file from someone you trust.
You can also use the Settings app. Tap Settings, then tap the search bar at the top. Type Quick Share. Tap Quick Share, then tap Who can share with you. Choose No one or Contacts only.
Use Everyone or Anyone nearby only when you are actively receiving a file. After that, go back into Quick Share and switch it to No one or Contacts only.

4) Decline random file requests

A file request from a stranger should be a red flag. Even if the file name looks harmless, decline it. Attackers often rely on curiosity. They may use a funny photo name or something that looks like it came from a nearby event. If you did not ask for the file, decline the request.

5) Turn off nearby sharing in crowded places

If you are traveling or sitting in a packed public place, turn receiving off. This is especially helpful at airports, train stations and large events. You can still turn AirDrop or Quick Share back on when you actually need it. That small habit gives you more control over when your phone is visible.

6) Be careful with personal files

If you use AirDrop or Quick Share to send personal files, slow down before you tap send. Check the recipient name carefully. When possible, confirm the device in person before sharing. Be extra careful with photos, tax documents, travel confirmations, medical forms, school paperwork or anything that includes your address, phone number or financial details. Avoid sending private files to devices with generic names like "iPhone," "Galaxy" or "Laptop." For sensitive documents, use a trusted cloud storage or file-sharing service where you can confirm the recipient, manage access and add password protection when available.

7) Keep Bluetooth and Wi-Fi under control

Nearby sharing often relies on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to discover and transfer between devices. You do not need to turn both off all day. However, it is smart to disable sharing features when you are done. Also, skip random public Wi-Fi networks just because they look familiar. Your phone can do a lot in the background. Give it fewer chances to talk to strangers.

8) Use strong security software

Strong antivirus software can help detect malicious files if you accidentally accept something you should not have. This is especially important on computers, since Quick Share for Windows was part of the research. Keep your security software updated and scan any file that looks suspicious before opening it. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.

Kurt's key takeaways

AirDrop and Quick Share are useful, and most of us will keep using them. I know I will. But this research is a good reminder that nearby sharing should not stay wide open by default. The issue comes down to convenience. Phone makers made file sharing feel effortless. That is great when you are sending vacation photos to family or moving a file to your laptop. It feels different when the same feature is listening in a packed airport, coffee shop or hotel lobby. What stands out to me is the range. A bad actor may only need to be close by. So, my advice is straightforward. Update your devices. Keep AirDrop and Quick Share limited to people you trust. Turn off receiving when you are in a crowd. And never accept a file request you were not expecting.

Should phones make nearby sharing harder to leave open in public places? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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Slain NJ woman, missing Bahamas boater's spouses lawyer up; one disappears while other recently spotted

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 06:00:09 -0400

Brian Hooker, the husband to missing Michigan mother Lynette Hooker, has kept a low profile for months following her mysterious disappearance.

Comparatively, in a separate high-profile case, Conor Hanlon, the husband to slain New Jersey therapist Brooke Hanlon, has been spotted twice in one week.

In both cases, these husbands have kept quiet as questions remain unanswered about their wives. Both men have lawyered up. Neither has been charged with a crime.

LYNETTE HOOKER MISSING IN BAHAMAS: TIMELINE OF MICHIGAN WOMAN’S DISAPPEARANCE, HUSBAND’S ARREST

"If I was the criminal defense attorney for either one of these individuals, I would advise them to keep a low profile," says criminal defense attorney and FOX News contributor Ted Williams.

In Brian Hooker's case, his wife Lynette vanished from the Bahamas on April 4 while the couple was on a boating vacation.

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Brian told investigators that she fell from their dinghy while they were at sea.

COAST GUARD ASKS PUBLIC TO IDENTIFY SAILBOAT MOORED NEAR VESSEL WHERE LYNETTE HOOKER VANISHED IN BAHAMAS

Following her disappearance, he was arrested and subsequently released by Bahamian authorities after questioning.

He returned to the U.S. without his wife in mid-April. He has not been seen or heard from in the months following.

The U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service (USCGIS) has been leading the investigation into Lynette's disappearance.

WATCH: COAST GUARD VIDEO REVEALS SEIZURE OF BRIAN HOOKER'S SAILBOAT AFTER WIFE'S BAHAMAS DISAPPEARANCE

In early June, USCGIS relied on divers, underwater vehicles, drones and a cadaver dog while searching an area of Hope Town, Bahamas where Lynette was last seen alive.

They concluded the search and returned to the U.S. with the couple's dinghy.

Brian's attorney, Matt Borgula, previously told Fox News Digital, "We have been in communication with investigators and prosecutors on the case and will not discuss facts in the media while the investigation is ongoing."

In the case concerning Conor Hanlon, his wife Brooke Hanlon was found fatally stabbed inside the couple's Chester, New Jersey, home on June 6.

"Stabbing is a very personal direct attack where there may be physical evidence or where the person who was stabbed attempted to defend themselves," Williams said.

He goes on to say, "I'm sure that that is certainly something that the authorities are looking into."

The Morris County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit is investigating her death as a homicide.

Hanlon has been spotted twice in both Chester, New Jersey, and in his childhood neighborhood of Brighton in Boston, Massachusetts.

Fox News Digital spotted Hanlon moving a recycling bin in a driveway, then jumping into a white pickup truck in Boston last week.

Days later, Hanlon's possible vehicle, a white Volvo SUV, was spotted by a neighbor in his Chester, New Jersey, driveway this week.

Conor has a lawyer and has been in communication with investigators, they confirmed to Fox News Digital. Repeated calls to Hanlon have not been returned.

In one situation, a woman has been gone without a trace for more than three months, and her husband has not been seen or made a public statement since April.

In the other case, a woman's butchered body was discovered inside her home and her husband called 911; he was seen twice in the last week following his wife's June death.

Williams said, "The one question that we don't know, and really in either one of these cases, is how cooperative they are. Are they actually cooperating with the authorities?"

He says it's likely the husbands are following advice from their hired counsel.

"Law enforcement is clearly continuing to look at both of these individuals, yet they have not found sufficient evidence to date to make an arrest. The fact that they have gone underground, that could very well be because their lawyers have told them to keep a very low profile," Williams said.

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Neither Brian Hooker nor Conor Hanlon have been accused of any crime or wrongdoing.

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Sports cartoons of the day

Celebrity chef says if you can drive to McDonald's, you can cook healthy meals at home

Apple AirDrop, Android Quick Share flaws put phones at risk

AirDrop Quick Share security flaws explained

Why AirDrop and Quick Share can expose your phone

How nearby hackers could abuse AirDrop and Quick Share

Who faces the biggest AirDrop and Quick Share risk

Ways to stay safe from AirDrop and Quick Share risks

1) Update your phone and computer

2) Lock down AirDrop on iPhone

3) Limit Quick Share on Samsung

4) Decline random file requests

5) Turn off nearby sharing in crowded places

6) Be careful with personal files

7) Keep Bluetooth and Wi-Fi under control

8) Use strong security software

Kurt's key takeaways

Slain NJ woman, missing Bahamas boater's spouses lawyer up; one disappears while other recently spotted