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After years of debate, former COVID response coordinator acknowledges pandemic source 'probably a lab leak'

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 20:25:34 -0400

Former Biden White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha revealed in a Sunday interview on CNN that he believes COVID-19 was likely caused by a lab leak.

During the interview with CNN's Dana Bash, she highlighted how Jha had retweeted commentator Jamie Metzl’s lengthy social media post saying he believed COVID-19 originated from a lab leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

While the lab leak theory was widely disputed early in the pandemic and some social media platforms restricted certain related claims under their COVID-19 misinformation policies, Jha responded by declaring in 2026, "I pretty much agree with everything here."

After Bash highlighted the tweet, he confirmed he agreed with it — marking a change from the initial beliefs he held upon when first entering the Biden administration.

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"This is going to surprise some people. You know, when I went into the White House, my view was, ‘This was almost surely a natural outbreak, maybe a lab leak,’" he said. "Based on information I learned and based on information I‘ve seen, I have come to conclude that it is more likely to have been a lab leak."

"Here‘s the bottom line. No one in the United States knows for sure. The only people who know for sure are people — officials in China — and we still need transparency and accountability on that. So that is my best assessment. I‘m not suggesting I know for sure, but I‘m saying my best assessment is that it probably was a lab leak," he said.

"That is definitely news to hear that from you for sure," Bash replied. "And shows that we‘re just, we‘re still learning, which is really important."

Jha later posted a clip of his conversation with Bash to his X account, with the following message:

"My view on COVID origins isn't new — I've held it since my time at the White House," he wrote. "Here's the truth: no one in America knows for sure. Anyone telling you they do is selling you something Based on strong circumstantial evidence I've seen, I think lab leak is much more likely. Not engineered. Not deliberate. Accidental Reasonable people can look at the same evidence and disagree."

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a crisis of credibility across institutions regarding how they spoke to the public and how much they in turn allowed the public or even fellow members of the media to speak. While the lab leak theory is more commonly accepted today as a plausible theory, many initially theorized that the pandemic occurred through natural transmission, such as from a Chinese wet market.

Many news organizations, like CNN, MS NOW, The New York Times and The Washington Post, dismissed the lab leak theory as a "debunked" conspiracy theory before uncovering the facts, and watchdogs in the years since have suggested this hurt the media’s already struggling credibility.

A prominent example of this was taxpayer-funded NPR. In April of 2020, NPR ran pieces on back-to-back days dismissing the lab leak notion, painting it as a debunked conspiracy theory embraced by the right for political purposes. One such story was headlined, "Scientists Debunk Lab Accident Theory of Pandemic Emergence," and misled readers into thinking the lab leak theory was truly discredited.

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CNN was criticized for incidents such as publishing a report that boasted of the country's coronavirus vaccination rates, according to data provided by China. Another salient example, however, was a piece released by the network actually touting China’s authoritarian government as ideal for cracking down on a pandemic.

"For those still reluctant, China has a powerful tool in its arsenal: a top-down, one-party system that is all-encompassing in reach and forceful in action, and a sprawling bureaucracy that can be swiftly mobilized," two CNN journalists based in Hong Kong wrote. "The top-down approach has been touted by officials as a strength of the Chinese system that helped curb the virus – and has again been deployed to accelerate inoculations."

Another aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic was unprecedented levels of mass censorship across social media. The Biden administration was sued in a high profile First Amendment case after it worked around the First Amendment by pressuring social media companies to censor Americans questioning the narratives about the COVID-19 pandemic on its behalf.

Under the settlement, the Office of the Surgeon General, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency are barred for the next decade from threatening or coercing social media companies to remove or suppress protected speech. The agreement also blocks officials from giving directions on or vetoing platforms' content moderation decisions.

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One memorable moment that showed a rift within the media itself was when Jon Stewart locked horns with his old friend Stephen Colbert, who had formerly been part of "The Daily Show" before hosting his own. While Colbert was cautious about questioning experts, Stewart mocked the idea that people were hesitant to consider the theory.

"Oh my God, there’s a novel respiratory coronavirus overtaking Wuhan, China. What do we do? Oh, you know who we could ask, the Wuhan novel respiratory coronavirus lab. The disease is the same name as the lab! That’s just a little too weird, don’t you think?"

He added further, "Then they ask the scientists, ‘Wait a minute, you work at the Wuhan respiratory coronavirus lab, how did this happen?’ And they’re like, 'A penguin kissed a turtle?’"

"‘Oh my God, there’s been an outbreak of chocolaty goodness near Hershey, Penn. What do you think happened?’ I don’t know, maybe a steam shovel mated with a cocoa bean," he said. "Or it’s the f---ing chocolate factory! Maybe that’s it!" he joked further.

Fox News Digital's Joseph A. Wulfsohn, Brian Flood, and Tyler McCarthy contributed to this report.

Emily Ratajkowski turns heads in bikini-filled July photo dump

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 20:18:18 -0400

Emily Ratajkowski is looking back on a month filled with sunshine, swimsuits and seaside views.

The 35-year-old model shared a carousel of photos from her summer travels on Instagram, captioning the post, "julio/Ιούλιος/july," writing the month in Spanish, Greek and English.

Among the snapshots was a close-up selfie of Ratajkowski wearing a navy blue bikini covered in white polka dots inside a coastal home.

The halter-style swimsuit featured thin straps that crossed around her waist, while her long brunette hair fell loosely over her shoulders. She looked directly into the camera with open shelves, glassware and blue cabinetry visible behind her.

The model's beach attire included an orange-and-black patterned bikini worn during a day by the water.

Sitting on a lounge chair covered with a yellow-and-white striped towel, Ratajkowski held a pink beverage in a glass beneath an oversized black-and-white umbrella. She accessorized the wraparound bikini with layered necklaces and several gold bangles.

A second image from the same setting showed the model turning the camera on herself.

Ratajkowski held her phone at arm’s length while seated sideways on the lounge chair, with rows of beach chairs and a glimpse of the water surrounding her. The late-day sunlight illuminated the scene as she appeared to check her reflection on the screen.

The carousel also included a quieter moment from an oceanfront dinner.

Wearing a dark brown halter top, Ratajkowski posed at a table overlooking the water as the sun set behind a row of trees. A cocktail, green drinking glass and place settings rested on the white tablecloth.

The model reached across the table to hold the bandaged hand of an unidentified companion. She did not identify the person or explain the apparent injury.

Her summer photo album comes weeks after Ratajkowski reflected on the collapse of her marriage to film producer Sebastian Bear-McClard and the complicated period that followed.

The former couple married in 2018 and welcomed their son, Sylvester "Sly" Apollo, in March 2021. Ratajkowski filed for divorce in September 2022 and has since spoken openly about raising the 5-year-old primarily as a single mother in New York City.

In a June essay for The Cut titled "Mother F---er," Ratajkowski wrote that becoming a mother marked an abrupt shift in her identity before her marriage began to unravel.

"And then, in a time period that felt both instant and excruciatingly slow, my marriage collapsed," she wrote.

Ratajkowski admitted that she had feared becoming a single mother long before she had a child of her own.

"Even as a kid, I reasoned that of all the things I could grow up to be, it was crucial to avoid becoming a single mom," she wrote. "The term itself could be lodged as an insult."

Following the separation, the model threw herself into dating while attempting to reconcile her new reality with the way she believed others viewed her.

Despite the late nights, Ratajkowski said she established firm boundaries to protect her time with Sylvester.

"I had rules: Never miss bedtime and basically no sleepovers," she wrote. "These were natural and easy to abide by."

The model explained that she would return home regardless of how late a date ended, so she could be there when her son woke up.

"There was nowhere I’d rather be than when I woke up with my toddler, so no matter the number of martinis, I’d be fully dressed and out the door to relieve the sitter and be ready for my son’s 6 a.m. ‘Maamaaaa!’"

Although much of the essay detailed her post-divorce dating experiences, Ratajkowski said her most important realization came during a visit to her attorney’s office.

She recalled the lawyer telling her about women who remained in harmful marriages despite preparing to leave.

"You should be proud of yourself," he told her. "Most women don’t leave."

Ratajkowski said the conversation gave her a new understanding of the choice she had made.

"Leaving my marriage wasn’t about seeking anyone’s attention or approval," she wrote. "It was the opposite."

The model acknowledged that becoming a single mother changed the way others perceived her but ultimately helped her recognize her own strength.

"I wasn’t left; I left," she wrote. "I knew then that being able to leave, to say ‘no,’ was the only real superpower I’d gained through divorce. I was brave. Really, actually brave."

The essay sparked mixed reactions online. While some social media users criticized Ratajkowski as being out of touch with the realities facing many single mothers, others praised her for candidly discussing divorce, dating and motherhood.

Away from her personal life, Ratajkowski has continued expanding her fashion career.

She was recently announced as one of the faces of Abercrombie & Fitch’s fall 2026 denim campaign alongside model Paloma Elsesser and New York Giants players Jaxson Dart and Malik Nabers.

Speaking with Elle magazine about the campaign, Ratajkowski said she has become less concerned with following every fashion trend.

"I care less about trends and more about how clothes make me feel," she told the outlet. "I want pieces that fit into my life and make me feel like myself."

The New York-based model also explained why the city continues to shape her personal style.

"New York has always been my favorite city to get dressed in because everyone is aware they’re being perceived but also have the realities of their days to combat," she said. "There’s something incredibly stylish about practicality mixed with individuality."

Writer arrested for allegedly beating wife calls Sophie Cunningham 'anti-trans, anti-black' in wild op-ed

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 20:00:14 -0400

"She is every bit as political as Colin Kaepernick."

That's how sportswriter Howard Bryant described WNBA star Sophie Cunningham in a Guardian op-ed.

Bryant argued that Cunningham embraced right-wing politics by saying young girls should not have to compete against biological males in sports.

CAN THE WNBA EVER GET BACK TO BASKETBALL AND LEAVE CAITLIN CLARK ALONE?

"I think that I am here to extend love," Cunningham told ESPN last month. "But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men."

Most of the country agrees with Cunningham. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, 79% of Americans oppose allowing individuals who were male at birth to compete in female sports categories.

Still, the loud, radical minority pushing to erase sex-based competition makes up much of the sports media. That's why the usual suspects — Jemele Hill, Katie Nolan, Sarah Spain and now Bryant — have reacted so angrily to Cunningham's comments.

Later in the piece, Bryant also accused Cunningham of engaging in "anti-blackism."

"Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham is now in the act, accepting the role as the right’s anti-Black, anti-transgender culture war ambassador, the role originally intended for Caitlin Clark."

At this point, you are likely wondering what wanting to protect girls' sports has to do with race. Unfortunately, Bryant never explained that to us. However, we suspect he realized, early in his op-ed, that arguing boys and girls should share locker rooms is a losing argument.

Either that or he reflexively labeled her "anti-Black" out of instinct. Hard to say.

Bryant then claims that Cunningham's stance on female sports is comparable to Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem or denouncing the Fourth of July as sadistic.

"Cunningham plays role of the blithe and bubbly iconoclast, oblivious to the world around as she unapologetically speaks her truths, but she is every bit as political as Colin Kaepernick, Megan Rapinoe ...," Bryant writes.

"Cunningham needed the culture war to get on the map, needing it as much as it needed her, and all it took was a silly finger-point and being in opposition to someone Black," he adds. "To the aggrieved whites, standing up to someone Black meant standing up for them. Add transphobia to her portfolio, and the result is a star, the latest participant in an old game no more complicated than checkers but far less interesting."

Transphobia, huh?

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In actuality, Cunningham gained mainstream attention last summer because she's one of the few WNBA players willing to defend Caitlin Clark, both on the court and in the media.

Fans appreciate Cunningham because she's willing to acknowledge the obvious: Clark is the WNBA's biggest draw and has often been treated unfairly by players, officials and members of the media out of spite.

Cunningham is also hot. The far left seems to have a real problem these days with attractive, happy, successful White women, whether it's Cunningham, Sydney Sweeney, or Margot Robbie.

So it's hardly surprising to see a career-long racial idolater like Howard Bryant try to diminish Cunningham while scoring political points. Bryant has spent years trying to elevate his standing with the cool kids in sports media, especially after his arrest.

In 2011, Bryant was arrested on charges of allegedly assaulting his wife in public in front of his 6-year-old son. He was also charged with assaulting a police officer who responded after witnesses allegedly saw Bryant choking his wife.

Later, Bryant blamed the arrest on — wait for it — racism. Bryant is Black. His wife, whom he allegedly choked, is White.

These are the people trying to convince us that women like Cunningham and Clark are the problem. Do not forget that.

Let's set the culture war aside for a moment and state a few facts:

Sophie Cunningham is not engaging in partisan politics by saying little girls shouldn't have to compete against biological males. That's not a political statement. Nearly 80% of Americans agree with her. That includes Democrats, Republicans and independents.

She also plays in the WNBA. Her career exists because men's and women's sports are separate. This issue is personal to her.

Finally, the fact that Cunningham's comments are considered controversial says more about sports media than it does about Cunningham.

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The sports media and the WNBA represent a small fraction of the country. They believe males competing against females is normal, White people have a moral obligation to atone and Black women are victims even when they are the aggressors.

Sophie Cunningham's resistance to subscribing to that distorted worldview doesn't make her "every bit as political as" Colin Kaepernick. To most Americans, it makes her relatable.

'The Brink of War' tells story of Reagan-Gorbachev nuclear discussions

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 19:53:16 -0400

President Ronald Reagan met with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev five times in the late 1980s. The first such meeting was in Geneva, Switzerland in November 1985 when the two leaders began to form a relationship. It was the second meeting in Reykjavik, Iceland, where Reagan and Gorbachev began to find trust.

"The reason I wanted to do it really, truly, was because I think these days we've gotten so good at yelling at one another that we are not talking anymore," said "The Brink of War" director Michael Gunn. "What blew me away about the story when Secretary Schultz told me about it was that these were two guys who had every reason to hate each other, had every reason to be enemies, and they sat down in a room together and tried to make a better world."

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Jeff Daniels stars as Reagan in "The Brink of War," which follows the Reykjavik summit with Gorbachev, played by Jared Harris. Reagan's Secretary of State George Schultz, played by J.K. Simmons, was instrumental in giving Gunn behind-the-scenes details for his film.

"We spent hours and hours together. I interviewed him. He gave me the declassified transcripts that informed the script. He's a hero of mine. The movie is dedicated to him, for him, for his public service," Gunn said.

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"The Brink of War" not only highlights the Reagan administration's ambitions for peace but also their disappointments. One scene shows Reagan’s doubt over trusting Gorbachev amid the negotiations as Schultz assures him it was not the end of talks to find common ground between the two global powers.

"This moment where they figured out just the two of them in a room that they could trust one another, I think led to all that. The first arms reduction agreement in human history," Gunn said.

While no final agreement was reached in Iceland, the summit paved the way for several more meetings between Reagan and Gorbachev. It also led to several peace treaties — like the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), which required both sides to liquidate a class of nuclear weapons.

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"For the first time on the highest level, we and the Soviets came close to an agreement on real reductions of both strategic and intermediate-range weapons," President Reagan said after his meeting with Gorbachev in Iceland. "We were in sight of an historic agreement on completely eliminating the threat of offensive ballistic missiles by 1996. I can help remembering being told just a few years ago. Radical arms reduction was an impossible dream, but now it's on the agenda for both sides."

Gunn believes the Reagan and Gorbachev's discussions should be an inspiration for ending today's conflicts.

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"I think the lesson for today is that we have to continue dialog," Gunn said. "As tough as it gets, I want people to walk out of the theater with hope that if we engage, if we're strong, if we are seeking peace in a genuine way and we find a genuine partner that we can make a better safer world even today."

"The Brink of War" debuts in theaters Aug. 14.

Expert-recommended shoes to help with plantar fasciitis, starting at $75

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:22:37 -0400

Plantar fasciitis is a pain to deal with — quite literally. It develops when the band of tissue that supports your foot's arch becomes irritated or overstressed, often causing persistent heel pain, according to Dr. Timothy Oldani, DPM, FACFAS, a fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. To help you stay comfortable, we've rounded up expert-recommended shoes at a range of price points from brands like HOKA, New Balance and Brooks, so you can find the right fit for your feet.

Orthofeet Kita Hands-Free: $119.99 (7% off)

Original price: $129

Slip into these Orthofeet shoe without bending down. "This shoe comes with an orthotic insole that has anatomical arch support which helps to evenly distribute weight and support proper foot alignment," Sharkey notes. Their versatile design makes them suitable for work, the gym or running errands.

ASICS Gel-Excite 11: $74.95

If you're on a budget, the ASICS Gel-Excite 11 sneakers come in at less than $100. With options for both men's and women's sizes, these expert-recommended shoes use mesh and a thick insole to keep you comfortable. "They're a great neutral shoe with cushioning…for shock absorption," Sharkey says.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24: $98.95 (29% off)

Original price: $139.95

Foot specialists frequently recommend the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 — currently at a 30-day low on Amazon. "This is a great choice for those who need a bit more stability. It offers good cushioning, and the GuideRails support system helps limit excess motion that can put stress on the plantar fascia, making it a solid option for walking, running or all-day wear," says Dr. Gregory Alvarez, DPM, FACFAS, at Ankle & Foot Centers of America.

HOKA Bondi 9: $175

Ideal for daily use, the HOKA Bondi 9 sneakers provide extra cushioning for long periods on your feet. "The HOKA Bondi is the perfect shoe for everyday wear and longer periods of standing, as they do offer increased cushioning compared to the running models, with the tradeoff of less heel drop," says Dr. Andrew Brown, a podiatrist with Foot and Ankle Specialists of West Michigan. The Bondi 9 comes in both men's and women's sizes.

Stoke slip-on sneakers: $79.96

If you need another affordable option, Stoke sneakers come in a huge range of colors and wide sizes, all for just $80. Dr. Graham Reid, DPM, AACFAS, and Foot & Ankle Specialists of Ohio fellow, specifically recommends these shoes for plantar fasciitis. "Stoke Shoes are designed around many of the features I recommend for patients with heel pain. Their supportive arch geometry, stable platform, cushioned midsole and overall focus on proper foot alignment help reduce the mechanical stress placed on the plantar fascia during walking."

For more deals, visit www.foxnews.com/deals

New Balance 990v6: $199.95

New Balance makes its 990v6 sneakers right here in the U.S., with pigskin leather and synthetic materials that stand up to daily use. "This shoe is constructed with a lightweight foam and midsole cushioning which aids in shock absorption. [It] is supportive and has more of a traditional running shoe look than the ultra-cushioned Hoka," says Dr. Anne Sharkey, a board-certified podiatrist based in Austin, Texas, and owner of Solely Podiatry.

If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can get some of these shoes sent to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today.

Spencer Pratt slams Ben Affleck's resurfaced claim that 'the cure for addiction is suffering'

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 19:37:33 -0400

Spencer Pratt called out Ben Affleck over past comments that the actor made about addiction and recovery.

In a resurfaced clip from Affleck's 2021 appearance on "The Howard Stern Show," the 53-year-old Oscar winner, who has publicly battled alcoholism for years, reflected on his own sobriety journey and argued that the "cure for addiction is suffering."

"I hate to say it, but the cure for addiction, the only cure I've seen, and not like these f------ overpriced rehabs or a lot of these fraudulent fixes that are sold to people. And they're good people who will support you. Alcoholics Anonymous, I think by and large, is a good organization. It's not the only one. The cure for addiction is suffering," Affleck said.

"You suffer enough that something inside you goes, ‘I’m done,'" he continued. "And I'm lucky because I hit that point where I lost really the things that were the most important. It was not my career or money. It was my relationship with my kids."

"And what I felt as if it impacted them," Affleck said. "I recognized it. It was the worst day of my life. I made amends. And for a while I thought, ‘Maybe this is temporary, maybe this feeling is going to go away.’ But since that day, I swear to Christ, I have not ever wanted to drink once."

On Monday, Pratt, a former Los Angeles mayoral candidate who made the city's addiction crisis one of his signature campaign issues, reposted the clip along with a blistering criticism of Affleck's viewpoint.

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"I’d love for Ben to join me on Skid Row and explain his addiction theory to the methed out psychos skinning dogs alive and sleeping in their own feces," Pratt wrote. "Plenty of suffering out there, and yet…somehow the addiction persists. I wonder what the difference is…"

Fox News Digital has reached out to representatives for Affleck and Pratt for comment.

The 42-year-old "The HIlls" alum, who lost his home in the devastating Palisades Fire in January 2025, announced he was running for Mayor of LA on the one-year anniversary of the disaster. Throughout his campaign, Pratt advocated for active intervention to address the city's overwhelming homelessness crisis, which he described as primarily an addiction issue. He argued that fentanyl and methamphetamine were driving much of the city's visible homelessness.

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"LA doesn't have a homeless problem. We have a drug problem," Pratt said in March.

Pratt repeatedly argued that people suffering from severe addiction should be placed into involuntary treatment under California's expanded conservatorship law (SB 43), saying many are incapable of seeking help on their own.

In May, he unveiled a five-step plan centered on addiction treatment rather than housing and proposed creating large rehabilitation campuses on federal land outside residential neighborhoods.

His plan also included ending taxpayer-funded distribution of drug paraphernalia, enforcing existing drug laws, partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to target fentanyl dealers, organized drug trafficking, and international cartels operating in LA and cracking down on what he described as NGOs and organizations that bus addicts into the city from other states to receive services.

As part of his campaign, Pratt highlighted reports of abused dogs on Skid Row, calling the issue another consequence of the city's drug crisis.

Pratt also repeatedly accused his mayoral opponents, Mayor Karen Bass and Councilmember Nithya Raman, of spending billions on homelessness without adequately addressing addiction.

Since conceding the mayoral race in June, Pratt has continued to use his social media platforms to weigh in on political issues, particularly Los Angeles' addiction, homelessness and public safety crises.

Affleck first sought treatment for alcohol addiction in 2001 and has since spoken candidly about his recovery journey, including subsequent rehab stays in 2017 and 2018.

The "Argo" star has described alcoholism as a lifelong struggle and acknowledged relapses along the way. Affleck has previously said that his three children, Violet, 20, Seraphina, 17, and Samuel, 14, whom he shares with his ex-wife Jennifer Garner, have been a driving force in his commitment to sobriety.

During a 2020 appearance on "ABC News" with Diane Sawyer, Affleck said that his experience growing up with an alcoholic father motivated him to become sober.

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"My dad, he was drunk every day and that was just life," Affleck recalled. "Then as that got worse, that was really, really painful. But I always said, that would never be me. I am never going to do that."

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"I wish he had been sober during those formative years, but what he's taught me is, how important it is for me to be sober now during these formative years for my kids," he continued.

"I really don't want my children to pay for my sins," Affleck added "Or to be afraid for me, which is one of the hard parts of being the child of an alcoholic."

Clay Travis ups offer to $10 million for WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces to play high school boys basketball team

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 19:14:35 -0400

The WNBA, which continues to struggle to turn a profit, has received a very generous offer to live up to the league's stated political views and ideology.

When Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham publicly stated that she believed women's sports should be for women, and not for biological males, it set off a firestorm of hatred, anger, and public rebukes from much of the league. Several coaches spoke out against her, while her own head coach pretended as though she doesn't understand the biological differences between males and females.

Players wore shirts with obvious, pointed critiques of Cunningham's statement, which were then celebrated by their team's social media accounts. She's been booed as a visiting player, elbowed in the face then called for a foul herself, all while some fans have been allowed to bring in signs expressing hatred towards her. In the all "inclusive" WNBA.

SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM TAKES VICIOUS ELBOW TO FACE, AND FANS FUME AT WHAT REFS DID NEXT

With virtually no other players or coaches issuing statements of support for Cunningham, and instead near universal criticism and reality denial, OutKick founder Clay Travis has a compelling offer for the league's best team: live up to what you believe in.

Travis, who's made such offers in the past, upped it on Monday afternoon.

"Important announcement: I am upping my offer, $10 million dollars for a head-to-head basketball game between the defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces and a boy's high school state title team of my choice," he posted. "If the Aces beat my team, I will give them $10 million."

U OF WASHINGTON WOMEN'S SOCCER TEAM PLAYED A HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SQUAD, AND YOU'LL NEVER GUESS WHO WON

Ten million dollars, by the way, represents nearly a third of the Aces estimated total annual revenue of $33 million. And all they have to do is play a high school boy's state title team and beat them. Shouldn't be hard, right? After all, there's no difference between males and females, right? Fever head coach Stephanie White said she grew up playing with the boys, right?

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"I don't know that I would say I'm educated enough from a scientific standpoint," White said when asked about males competing in women's sports. "I don't ever believe that exclusion is the answer. I just don't. I do think that when we think about various levels of sport, various governing bodies of sport, and things that go into that, like I said, I'm not educated enough at the different levels. I know growing up I played with the boys all the time."

Perfect! Let the boys play. Don't be exclusionary, be inclusive! Let teenage boys play against grown women, see how it goes, and then maybe White and her political partners will be educated about the realities of biology. And if it goes their way, the Aces get a 30% increase in their revenue this year. Where's the downside?

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Obviously, the Aces will not respond. Any WNBA team will not respond. The league will not respond. Because they know their answer, but their dedication to left-wing politics demands they pretend otherwise. They are so committed to the Democratic Party, the "party of science," they have to pretend science doesn't exist. That's what Travis is exposing, which is precisely why they hate him, and reality, so much.

UFC fighter Allan Nascimento dead at 34 after apparent heart attack

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 18:35:14 -0400

UFC flyweight Allan Nascimento has died at age 34, the UFC announced Monday.

Nascimento was found unresponsive after suffering an apparent heart attack in his sleep, according to a statement released by the organization.

Despite efforts by emergency responders, he was pronounced dead at the scene, the UFC said.

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In a post shared on X, the UFC said: "Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Allan's family, friends, teammates, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time."

The Brazilian compiled a 22-7 professional record and went 4-2 inside the Octagon, with 15 of his 22 career victories coming by submission.

After coming up short via split decision against Tagir Ulanbekov in his 2021 UFC debut, Nascimento rattled off four straight victories over Jake Hadley, Carlos Hernandez, Jafel Filho and Cody Durden.

Nascimento earned his first Performance of the Night bonus by submitting Hernandez with a first-round rear-naked choke in January 2023, then added a second in November 2025 with a second-round anaconda choke against Durden.

Nascimento last competed on June 20, 2026, falling to Mitch Raposo via split decision in what became the final fight of his career.

DANA WHITE RESPONDS TO FORMER UFC FIGHTER TITO ORTIZ: 'WHEN SOMEBODY SHOWS YOU WHO THEY ARE, BELIEVE THEM'

Outside the Octagon, Nascimento built an accomplished career on Brazil's regional circuit while training out of the renowned Chute Boxe Diego Lima gym alongside former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira.

Nascimento spent more than a decade pursuing his UFC dream before emerging as one of the promotion's rising flyweight contenders.

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His sudden death, coming just weeks after his final walk to the Octagon, leaves the MMA world mourning a fighter who still had much more to give.

Illegal immigrant who helped torch CHP cruiser during LA anti-ICE riot learns his fate

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 18:59:32 -0400

An illegal immigrant who prosecutors say poured lighter fluid onto a burning California Highway Patrol cruiser while officers were trapped beneath a Los Angeles freeway overpass during last year's violent anti-ICE riots is headed to federal prison, becoming the latest person convicted in the brazen attack.

Yachua Mauricio Flores, a 23-year-old Mexican national living in Los Angeles' Lincoln Heights neighborhood, was sentenced Monday to 37 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $253,415 in restitution for his role in the June 8, 2025 riot, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Federal prosecutors said Flores stood on the Main Street overpass above U.S. Highway 101 as officers below were bombarded with rocks, chunks of concrete, fireworks, street signs, burning debris and other objects hurled by rioters.

FORMER MARINE GETS 100 YEARS IN PRISON AS JUDGE CALLS ICE DETENTION CENTER AMBUSH 'AN ASSAULT ON DEMOCRACY'

As a CHP cruiser burned beneath the overpass, Flores poured lighter fluid from two separate bottles onto the flames, causing the fire to intensify, according to court records.

Prosecutors said he then directed another rioter to pour a flaming liquid onto the vehicle before helping throw an electric scooter over the railing toward CHP officers and patrol vehicles below.

Flores admitted he knew officers were trapped beneath the overpass and acknowledged that hurling heavy objects and burning debris created a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury, according to his plea agreement. He pleaded guilty in April to one count of obstructing, impeding and interfering with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder.

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"Violent attacks on law enforcement will result in federal prison time," First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said in a statement. "Those who escalate chaos and endanger officers will be held accountable. Today's sentence reflects our commitment to protecting the men and women sworn to keep our communities safe."

The attack unfolded two days after violence erupted during federal immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles, leading to days of anti-ICE riots across the city.

Federal prosecutors have charged seven people in connection with the Main Street overpass attack, alleging several worked together to target the CHP cruiser and the officers trapped beneath it.

3 SUSPECTS INDICTED IN ASSAULT OF TPUSA REPORTER SAVANAH HERNANDEZ DURING MINNEAPOLIS ICE PROTEST: SOURCES

According to court records, Flores, Ismael Vega, 42, and Adam Charles Palermo, 40, all helped drop burning debris toward the cruiser while other rioters hurled rocks, chunks of concrete, fireworks and other objects at officers attempting to clear the overpass.

Flores is the latest person sentenced in the case. Vega received the same 37-month prison sentence last week after admitting he helped ignite burning debris that prosecutors said Flores later intensified with lighter fluid.

Palermo, who prosecutors have described as the lead participant in the attack, is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 14 after pleading guilty to assaulting, resisting and impeding people assisting federal officers with a deadly or dangerous weapon. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

Following Monday's sentencing, Essayli highlighted the case in a post on X.

"Another day, another illegal immigration rioter from last summer is sent to federal prison," Essayli wrote.

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"Actions have consequences. Those who attack law enforcement will face the full force of justice. This defendant can now reflect on his actions from a federal prison cell."

The FBI investigated the case with assistance from the California Highway Patrol and the Los Angeles Police Department.

Tate McRae addresses MAGA speculation after Morgan Wallen collaboration, Jack Hughes controversy

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 18:55:10 -0400

Tate McRae addressed MAGA affiliations after being branded a supporter following her country music collaboration.

McRae, 23, joined forces with Morgan Wallen last year to record "What I Want," the fifth single released from his "I'm the Problem" album. The song debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became her first chart-topping hit.

In addition to the music, her reported relationship with NHL star Jack Hughes sparked political speculation after he joined team members and laughed at a joke made by President Trump during a congratulatory call for their Olympic hockey win.

When Variety asked why it was important for the "You Broke Me First" singer to navigate around those kinds of conversations, McRae noted that her actions speak louder than her words.

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"I like to say my piece through organizations I support and the environment that I have on tour," she said before the outlet noted that McRae posted a TikTok last year advertising a "Little Miss Possessive" sweatshirt with proceeds going to the Global Fund for Women and The Trevor Project, a suicide prevention nonprofit for LGBTQ+ youth.

"I think it’s pretty obvious what kind of person I am and the things I support. And I hope that my fans can see that through the things that I’m putting my energy towards."

Much like her political affiliations, McRae protects her personal life at all costs and tries not to feed into speculation.

While celebrating their Olympic gold win this summer, the U.S. men's hockey team received a phone call from the president via FBI Director Kash Patel, who was in the room at the time.

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In addition to an invitation to his State of the Union, Trump ignited a firestorm online after saying, "I must tell you we're going to have to bring the women too; you do know that. Believe me, I probably would be impeached, okay?"

Hughes, who scored the game-winning goal, was seen laughing with his teammates.

Multiple mainstream media outlets published op-eds condemning the men's team for laughing at the joke and also visiting the White House to celebrate and Trump's State of the Union address.

"I try to keep my relationships as sacred and private as possible," the singer said.

"I love the people in my life. They love me. You just try to keep that circle as positive and supportive as possible."

She added, "And the outside noise, I can’t do anything about that. Focusing my energy on something that I can’t control, it just puts me in a bad mood."

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Following the end of her 88-stop "Miss Possessive" tour, which grossed more than $100 million and cemented her newly-appointed star status, McRae reflected on the emotional toll of the experience.

"I remember reading Sylvia Plath being like, 'I am her,'" she said. "My thoughts felt so dark at the time, and I felt so lonely. I really needed to come back into my body and regulate my nervous system."

"I was so shot after the tour. I couldn’t really sleep at night. I’d seen so much of myself that I was like, 'I want to go into a black room and not look in a mirror for six months.'"

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She added, "And I think I really had to check myself and be like, 'You’re not the worst person in the world. You’re not the ugliest person in the world. You haven’t done everything wrong. And, you know, you’re just doing what you love.'"

Already working on her fourth studio album, McRae recently headlined Lollapalooza and will soon take the stage at Montreal's Osheaga Festival – her first time performing at a festival in her home country.

"There’s always thought about how you want your legacy to go down," she said. "For me, the way to do that is try to beat your last performance, try to beat your last song, try to grow, evolve, pick it apart, rip it apart, figure out what didn’t work, what I didn’t like about that performance, what I could have done better, why I was nervous, figure out how to not be nervous.

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"I think the more you can master yourself and your performances, the better you get."

Mexican cartel boss linked to influencer’s livestreamed murder arrested, officials say

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 18:52:04 -0400

The alleged leader of a violent Mexican criminal cell has been arrested in connection with the assassination of a mayor, while authorities say the case also produced new evidence linking his organization to the livestreamed killing of a 23-year-old influencer.

Ramón Ángel Álvarez Ayala, also known as "El R-1," was taken into custody during a joint military and law enforcement operation, officials said.

Mexican authorities identified him as the leader of Los Rs, a criminal cell linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG.

Officials allege Álvarez Ayala ordered and financed the November 2025 assassination of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo. His criminal cell was also linked to the May 2025 killing of beauty influencer Valeria Márquez, whose former boyfriend is Álvarez Ayala’s son, according to authorities.

'NARCO-TERRORIST' FAMILY MEMBERS TARGETED IN RUBIO'S LATEST VISA CRACKDOWN

Mexican Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch announced details of the investigation a day after the arrest.

"'El R-1' is identified as the main leader of Los Rs, one of the most violent criminal cells linked to the CJNG, with operations in Apatzingán, Uruapan and Morelia, Michoacán, as well as in Jalisco," García Harfuch said in a statement posted on X.

"This organization is involved in extortion, murders and drug trafficking, directly affecting producers, business owners and families in the region," he added.

As previously reported by Fox News Digital, Márquez, a popular TikTok creator with more than 100,000 followers, was shot and killed while livestreaming from her beauty salon in Zapopan, Jalisco.

SLAIN TIKTOK INFLUENCER'S EX BEGGED FOR YEARS TO LEAVE HUSBAND SHE OUTED AS ACCUSED PEDOPHILE

At the time, the killing was being investigated as a femicide, a gender-based crime under Mexican law.

Video appeared to show a man entering the salon, asking, "Are you Valeria?" before handing Márquez a gift.

The man then allegedly shot her in the chest and head. Márquez collapsed on camera before another person ended the livestream, the video appeared to show.

García Harfuch said the killing was linked to Francisco, who allegedly threatened Márquez several times after their relationship ended.

"This criminal cell allegedly participated under his orders in coordinating multiple violent acts in the region. Among them is the tragic feminicide of Valeria Márquez, which occurred in May 2025 in Zapopan, Jalisco, a crime linked to Francisco, the victim's former partner and Ramón Ángel's son," García Harfuch said.

DISPATCHER HEARD 'LOUD BANG' BEFORE TIKTOK INFLUENCER WHO OUTED ALLEGED PEDOPHILE HUSBAND FOUND DEAD: AUDIO

"With yesterday's arrest, we learned that R-1's son had a romantic relationship with Valeria. He had threatened her on several occasions and everything indicates, and this will be proven, that the son asked his father, R-1, to carry out the feminicide," he said, according to reports.

Álvarez Ayala is now in custody, while Francisco remains at large. Jalisco authorities have also arrested another man accused of participating in Márquez's killing.

In addition to Márquez's killing, Álvarez Ayala is accused of financing and orchestrating the assassination of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo, who was shot during Day of the Dead celebrations in November 2025.

Manzo had been an outspoken critic of organized crime and worked to root out corruption within the local police force.

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Authorities have arrested 31 people in connection with Manzo's killing, García Harfuch said.

Álvarez Ayala is being held at the Altiplano maximum-security prison while federal prosecutors pursue charges. Investigations into both killings are ongoing.

The Treasury Department said the CJNG was "one of the most powerful cartels in the world" and imposed sanctions on more than 50 individuals and entities in Mexico linked to the organization in July.

Hasan Piker's defense of Hamas having 'right to resist militarily' draws condemnation from human rights groups

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 18:51:16 -0400

Far-left Twitch streamer Hasan Piker downplayed Hamas' anti-women and anti-LGBTQ stances while trying to explain his apparent support for the terrorist organization during a CNN interview on Sunday.

Piker, a rising figure within the Democratic Party, was featured prominently in "The Left Insurgency," an episode from the documentary series "The Whole Story With Anderson Cooper," where he spoke with reporter Donie O'Sullivan about some of his more controversial comments.

O'Sullivan pointed to a bipartisan House resolution passed in April condemning his rhetoric that some members of Congress claimed supported the terror organization.

"Well, I wouldn't say I express support for all of Hamas's actions or anything," Piker said in response to the resolution. "I do say that the Palestinian resistance largely does have an internationally recognized right to resist. Do they violate that sometimes with war crimes? Absolutely. And Hamas certainly has as well. But at the end of the day, Palestinians do have a right to resist militarily."

FAR-LEFT STREAMER HASAN PIKER DEFENDS HIMSELF FROM ANTISEMITISM ACCUSATIONS IN INTERVIEW WITH JEWISH OUTLET

The House resolution highlighted Piker's past comments calling Hamas "a thousand times better than the fascist settler colonial apartheid state" of Israel as well as his appearance on "Pod Save America," where he doubled down on the comparison.

"I've also said I'm a harm-reduction voter," he said. "I'm a lesser-evil voter and, therefore, I would vote for Hamas over Israel every single time because I'm looking at the situation as a paramilitary organization that has a political party as well, a political bureau as well that is entirely comprised not as an alien force but of orphaned children that have, you know, had their parents killed by an apartheid state that has been dominating the lives of Palestinians for 80 years at this point and have done a genocide at this point as well."

O'Sullivan pointed out that expressing support for Hamas could be seen as supporting the organization's human rights violations.

"If you say you’re voting for Hamas, you’re voting for limited rights for women, you’re voting for homophobia. Like, this is — right? When you say you’re voting for Hamas," O'Sullivan said.

"It’s not an endorsement of their domestic policies," Piker said. "But I don’t think anyone actually cares about their domestic policies. I certainly don’t. Every Palestinian, at the end of the day, regardless of their disagreements with Hamas, will always say that Israel is still — the Israeli occupation is the greatest problem that they’re facing, the most existential problem that they’re facing."

WHO IS HASAN PIKER? MEET THE FAR-LEFT STREAMER WHO IS STIRRING UP CONTROVERSY AND DIVIDING DEMOCRATS

"You understand when just the regular American... when they see all this..." O'Sullivan followed up.

"Well, that's the purpose of that document," Piker said. "The purpose of that document is not to be like, this guy has spent the last 13 years combating far-right antisemitism and far-right radicalization, and still continues to do so to this day. As someone who's an anti-fascist, I'm going to oppose Zionism, which is a fascist ideology. These guys can't defend that. So they have to attack its prominent critics."

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

In a comment to Fox News Digital, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) condemned Piker's comments along with Democratic officials who continue to ignore them.

"Hasan Piker repeated multiple times that ‘Hamas is a thousand times better than Israel,’ while also shrugging off ‘war crimes.’ That is a person with more than 11 million followers sincerely expressing support for a designated terrorist organization, on a mainstream platform, to thunderous silence from the Democratic officials who continue to campaign and appear alongside him," an ADL spokesperson said.

"That silence has a cost," the spokesperson continued. "Every candidate and elected official who platforms Piker or associates with him signals that this rhetoric is acceptable. It is not and never should be."

FAR-LEFT STREAMER HASAN PIKER GUARANTEES DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE IN 2028 WILL BE ANTI-ISRAEL

The American Jewish Committee (AJC) also condemned Piker's comments, pointing Fox News Digital to its past statement on Piker's "Pod Save America" appearance.

"Support for a terrorist organization is not a political viewpoint to be debated; it is a line that must not be crossed. When such rhetoric is given a platform by elected officials and prominent media voices, it risks normalizing extremism, endangering the Jewish community, and eroding the values that underpin our democracy," AJC wrote on X.

"AJC calls on leaders across politics, media, and civil society to exercise judgment and responsibility in the voices they elevate, and to recognize that these decisions send powerful signals about what we are willing to tolerate — and whether the safety and concerns of Jewish Americans are negotiable," the post continued.

Piker, a self-described socialist streamer who campaigned with several Democratic politicians, has emerged as a leading voice on the left as democratic socialists gain ground in elections across the country. However, he drew widespread criticism for several controversial statements such as saying "America deserved 9/11" in 2019.

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Some Democrats have spoken out against Piker's influence. Longtime Democratic strategist James Carville recently said that he would leave the party if it continued to embrace Piker.

"I can't sit here and tell you for certain how this is going to turn out, but the one thing I can tell you for certain, Hasan Piker and James Carville are not going to be in the same political party. One of us is going to leave. It might even be me," Carville told Fox News, adding that an "overwhelming majority" of Democrats agree with him.

Democrats blink as Schumer helps GOP clear key shutdown hurdle

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 18:44:44 -0400

Senate Republicans opted to strike on bipartisan momentum and take a key step to prevent a government shutdown almost two months before the deadline.

The upper chamber voted in a bipartisan wave to clear the first procedural hurdle for a short-term funding extension that would see the government open through the midterm elections and into early December.

It comes after Republicans have spent months hand wringing that Democrats would again shut the government down to score political points during the pivotal November elections.

HOUSE GOP VOTES TO PUNT GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN BATTLE TO AFTER NOVEMBER MIDTERMS

The actual deadline to fund the government is not until Sept. 30, when the current fiscal year expires, but Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., argued that it’s better to move now then to wait to create more "certainty" in the coming weeks.

"There's been enough uncertainty this last year, and, you know, unfortunately, I think through two government shutdowns that extended for a long period of time, it's better for everybody if there's predictability, certainty," Thune said.

Congress has been no stranger to shutdowns during President Donald Trump’s second term, with two of the longest in history taking place under Republican control of the legislative branch.

SENATE WEIGHS NEW, PAINFUL LEVERAGE TACTIC AS FEARS OF ANOTHER GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN GROW

The first happened last year, and entered the record books as the longest full government closure that stretched over 40 days. That battle was over now-expired Obamacare tax subsidies, an issue that was never fully reconciled in the months that followed.

Then came the shutdown earlier this year that stretched for over 70 days. Democrats rebelled against a bipartisan funding deal after Renee Nicole Good was slain in Minnesota by immigration enforcement agents. That prompted Republicans to skirt Democrats entirely and fund immigration enforcement on their own.

But, for now, there is a bipartisan current pushing through the Senate to at least make sure a shutdown doesn’t happen for the time being.

SCHUMER BACKS GOP'S PLAN TO BRING THE PAIN DURING FUTURE SHUTDOWNS: 'I'M GOING TO VOTE FOR IT'

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., endorsed the continuing resolution (CR) on Monday, arguing that the current bipartisan offering was the "responsible path forward that allows continued bipartisan negotiations on a budget that delivers for American families."

"For months, Democrats have been clear: we want to fund the government, avoid a shutdown and pass strong, bipartisan appropriations bills that improve people’s lives," Schumer said in a statement.

Republican leadership is hopeful that they can clear the decks and advance the CR to the House during the Senate’s last official week in town before jet-setting from Washington, D.C., back to lawmakers' respective home states.

While the CR is the current top priority, there are several other items waiting in the wings, too.

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There’s a package of over 70 nominees Republicans want to ram through, the long-awaited Russia sanctions package, a crypto market structure package that, for now, appears doomed, and the final confirmation vote for acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Justice (DOJ).

"I think we have a bunch of stuff we have to finish and we’ll just stay until we finish it," Thune said.

Women's Tour de France hit with scandal as teams accuse riders of wearing padded bras to gain an advantage

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 18:40:22 -0400

There are accusations of padded bras being used for an aerodynamic advantage taking the cycling world by storm as the Tour de France Femmes takes place across Switzerland and France.

The controversy is heating up just as the third stage resulted in the longest solo breakaway victory in the race's history. Although it should be mentioned that there's currently no indication that a padded bra played any part in that.

Not since the Winter Olympics was put on edge by the ski jump penis injection rumors has a sport faced such a potential scandal.

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The Dutch outlet Wielerflits reported receiving several complaints from women's WorldTeams about female cyclists exploiting their breast size in time trials by faking a larger cup size using padding in their bras.

A rounder chest, an advantage in certain other ways, also helps reduce aerodynamic drag through something called chest fairing, according to Bert Blocken, a professor of aerodynamics at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland and LUT in Finland.

The use of a padded bra is prohibited under the regulations of the International Cycling Union (UCI), which make it clear you can't place objects on the chest or use clothing to alter the body shape of a rider.

"We are talking about a Chest Fairing, which alters the airflow around the body, thereby reducing overpressure on the thighs. As a result, the rider experiences less air resistance," said Professor Blocken.

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"It is not that you gain a benefit of tens of seconds with this in a time trial, but in a ride of 20 to 30 kilometers, it can yield seconds that can be decisive."

He's proved it with extensive research into chest fairings, although it isn't known if he dove into the use of padded bras or not. The research showed, the Dutch outlet reports, that you can achieve a reduction in air resistance of up to 3.6%.

Who knew a padded bra could be used to reduce air resistance? It's fascinating that we have people out there on both ends of this.

One side is trying to gain an advantage and the other is trying to find where one might be gained. And here we are talking about padded bras. Their work hasn't been in vain.

The teams upset about the faking of the larger cup sizes want the UCI jury to take action. They have an idea about what can be done too. They could have padded bra inspectors for a lack of a better term.

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They'd like to "have a female juror check the riders in a closed tent immediately after the time trial to ensure they are not hiding anything in their bras or under their aero clothing."

That may solve the fake cup size and padded bra controversy, but what will they come up with next? Where will they inject or pad or attempt to gain a competitive advantage?

Has there been research into any aerodynamic advantages of a well-contoured Brazilian Butt Lift? I hope so.

Nationwide power failure hits Caribbean island as American citizens warned to prepare

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 18:40:14 -0400

Americans who are legally traveling to Cuba should expect major disruptions because of the country's blackout crisis, according to officials.

In a statement obtained by Fox News, the U.S. Embassy in Havana said the country is currently experiencing a total power failure due to its electrical grid collapsing.

"All U.S. citizens in Cuba or planning to travel to Cuba should be aware and plan accordingly," the embassy said.

BELOVED CRUISE SPOT WILL BE OFF LIMITS THROUGH 2027 AS SAFETY CONCERNS LINGER

The latest outage marks Cuba's sixth nationwide grid failure of 2026, officials said, with three occurring in July alone.

Residents are currently suffering from intense heat and a lack of air conditioning, with many sleeping outside near the water to escape the sweltering temperatures, The Associated Press (AP) reported.

Sunday's highest temperature was 93 degrees Fahrenheit, though it felt like 106 degrees with the Caribbean's 80% humidity levels, per AP.

Though Cuba is by no means a tourism hot spot, it still attracts visitors from around the world, including Americans.

TOURIST HOT SPOT SLAPPED WITH US TRAVEL WARNING RENEWAL DUE TO CRIME AND TERROR

U.S. law forbids any Americans to travel to Cuba for tourism purposes, though some visits are permitted under a dozen categories.

The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) says Americans may travel to Cuba for purposes including family visits, journalism, education, religious activities, humanitarian projects and "support for the Cuban people."

In a previous travel advisory issued in May 2025, the State Department urged Americans traveling to Cuba to "stay aware of your surroundings."

"Do not physically resist any robbery attempt," the advisory states.

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"Do not display signs of wealth, such as expensive watches or jewelry."

The advisory also referenced "prolonged power outages," and suggested Americans bring portable battery banks, as well as spare batteries and nonperishable food and water.

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Cuba has struggled with an aging electrical grid for years, with recurring fuel shortages contributing to repeated nationwide outages.

Cuban officials have also blamed U.S. sanctions for exacerbating the country's energy crisis, though it's unclear what caused the latest blackout.

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"According to Cuban regime media, the reason for the collapse and the timeline to restore power is unknown," the U.S. Embassy in Havana said.

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Fox News Digital reached out to the State Department for comment.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.

Clay Travis pledges $10M for ‘battle of the sexes’ matchup as WNBA trans debate intensifies

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 17:50:45 -0400

OutKick founder Clay Travis challenged the WNBA on Monday, offering a $10 million prize to stage a "modern-day battle of the sexes" basketball game between the reigning WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces and a boy's high school basketball state championship team.

The challenge comes as the WNBA finds itself at the center of a transgender culture debate after Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, 29, said girls should not have to compete against biological men in women’s sports.

Cunningham’s bold stance to support keeping women’s sports reserved for biological females has generated strong backing – with some women’s sports advocates even rallying outside her games – but also fierce backlash.

"If the WNBA really doesn't believe that men are that much better than women at basketball, then the champion of the WNBA should be able to beat a bunch of high school boys," Travis said Monday on "The Will Cain Show."

SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM SEES SUPPORT SURGE AFTER STAR PUTS CAREER ON LINE FOR GIRLS SPORTS

"If they are going to allow men to play, I think we should have an actual game. Not NBA players against WNBA players. High school boys. Let me pick a team," the Fox News contributor said.

Travis told Fox News the head-to-head matchup would be broadcast on pay-per-view, with all profits donated to Tunnels 2 Towers. He predicted the game would generate millions of dollars.

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"If the high school boys win, I will give them ten million dollars. If the WNBA team wins, I will give them ten million dollars. I think we would raise tens of millions of dollars for charity and I'm putting my money where my mouth is," he said.

"They always talk about how they want more money," Travis continued. "This is more money for one basketball game than has ever been paid to win in the history of the sport."

Travis criticized WNBA leadership, saying league officials have not responded to his proposed matchup or addressed what he characterized as the "absolutely ludicrous" and "absurd" idea of allowing biological males to compete in the women's league.

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He took aim at WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, condemning her for not publicly defending Cunningham or speaking in favor of maintaining women's-only competition.

"It's called the WNBA because it's the women's basketball association, right?"

"The WNBA commissioner has not spoken out in favor of Sophie Cunningham or even just in favor of basic rules," he said.

Living longer could hinge on one surprising dietary change, study review suggests

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 17:27:52 -0400

Eating less protein, not cutting calories, may be an easier path to a longer, healthier life for sedentary adults, according to a new scientific review.

While previous research has long tied calorie restriction to improved lifespan and lower rates of age-related disease, studies have found that many people have difficulty maintaining strict low-calorie diets.

A review of more than 350 studies published in the journal Cell Press Blue suggests that targeted protein restriction can deliver similar metabolic benefits without the need to cut calories.

LEADING ONCOLOGIST REVEALS 6 HABITS THAT COULD PROMOTE LONGEVITY AND REDUCE YOUR RISK OF CHRONIC ILLNESS

Across the reviewed studies, lower protein intake was associated with better metabolism, altered nutrient signaling, reduced cellular damage and improved cellular maintenance, according to the published review.

Much of the benefit stems from a metabolic hormone known as fibroblast growth factor 21, or FGF21. Restricting protein triggers a surge in FGF21, which animal studies have shown can boost energy expenditure, reduce inflammation, improve blood sugar control and extend lifespan.

Researchers highlighted three essential amino acids that are building blocks of protein — methionine, isoleucine and valine. Under certain conditions, they may contribute to biological pathways associated with aging under certain conditions.

FORGET THE GYM: A 30-SECOND TEST MAY BE ONE OF THE BEST INDICATORS OF LONGEVITY

For people who don't exercise regularly, high levels of these amino acids may keep certain growth-related processes constantly active. Over time, that stimulation can create cellular damage, systemic inflammation and weight gain.

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"It's absolutely crystal-clear that there are benefits of protein for muscle growth and exercise response of active individuals," said Dudley Lamming, the paper’s corresponding author and a researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

"But because most people are relatively sedentary, many people are likely consuming more protein than they actually need, which probably has negative health consequences," he added in the press release.

There were some limitations to the study findings. Because the paper is a scientific review rather than a new clinical trial, it identifies patterns across existing research but cannot establish cause and effect in humans, the researchers acknowledged.

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Longer-term human studies are still needed to determine whether these metabolic benefits ultimately translate into increased lifespan, they noted.

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The review emphasizes that protein needs are not one-size-fits-all, and that the findings should not be interpreted as a recommendation to consume inadequate amounts.

Physically active people and athletes process protein differently. Exercise helps to direct dietary amino acids toward building and repairing muscle instead of leaving excess amino acids to be processed by the body, the researchers noted.

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High protein intake is also crucial for pregnant women and older adults who may face age-related muscle loss.

For the broader, largely inactive population, the findings suggest that public health guidelines should move away from sweeping recommendations and instead tailor protein targets to a person's age and activity level.

Raiders franchise that once embraced an outlaw image now has 'no turds,' coach Klint Kubiak says

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 17:20:21 -0400

It's a new day for the Las Vegas Raiders, and by that we're talking about a time with a new head coach, new coaching staff, new veteran players and new rookies starting with No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.

It's also apparently the time for a new disposition and personality around the storied franchise.

"I think we just have a professional group of players, you know?" coach Klint Kubiak told reporters on Monday. "They care about getting better."

TOM BRADY GIVES RAIDERS HARSH 'REALITY' CHECK AFTER THE TEAM WON ONLY THREE GAMES IN 2025

And this:

"We don't have any turds," Kubiak pointed out. "We got guys that want to be here. that want to win, that want to change this place. I'm really, really happy with that."

This is good. It's often good when a football team has no, using Kubiak's word, "turds."

But aside from it being a good thing, it's kind of a different thing for the Raiders.

There was a time, you see, mostly starting in the rollicking 1960s, through the rocking 1970s, and probably all the way through to the early 2000s, when the Raiders had some, shall we say, questionable guys.

They were a team that boasted a roster with renegades. And owner Al Davis, who once sued the NFL and moved the franchise multiple times to the chagrin of his fellow owners, embraced the outlaw image.

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This is a franchise that had a starting safety named Jack Tatum. His playing style led to him being nicknamed "The Assassin," which made him quite polarizing, especially after one of his hits left receiver Darryl Stingley paralyzed.

"I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault," Tatum wrote in his autobiography.

This franchise didn't draft John Matuszak, but Davis found the boundary-pushing, difficult-to-coach individualist a perfect fit for the Raiders.

Matuszak struggled with alcohol and drug use throughout and after his playing career. In his autobiography, he openly admitted using prescription painkillers, cocaine and steroids while in the NFL.

And yet he was a key defensive lineman on Oakland's Super Bowl XI and Super Bowl XV champions.

There were others, of course.

Warren Wells was one of the AFL's most explosive wide receivers in the mid-to-late 1960s — until his career was derailed by a rape conviction that sent him to prison.

Even the team's The Autumn Wind anthem — adopted from an NFL Films feature on the Raiders — is an embrace of the franchise's outlaw reputation.

The Autumn Wind is a Raider,

Pillaging just for fun.

He'll knock you 'round and upside down,

And laugh when he's conquered and won."

For the record, the Raiders of this century have not enjoyed anything close to the success those teams of yesteryear authored. But the latter-day Raiders also had, Kubiak vocabulary here, turds.

Cornerback Damon Arnette lasted only two seasons with the club until weapons and drug-related charges made him impossible to keep. The former first-round pick, bouncing around the NFL and other leagues, is a free agent.

Henry Ruggs III wasn't a "turd" in the classic sense of the NFL meaning. But he made tragic decisions that led him to drive drunk, killing a woman and her dog in a fiery crash years ago.

There are also more recent players such as Charles Snowden and Rodric Teamer who were arrested on charges of DUI, significant enough that the Raiders quickly cut them.

And there was Chandler Jones, who was arrested multiple times in 2023 on charges of violating domestic violence protective orders. Jones was eventually placed on the non-football illness list for what club sources described as "concerning" behavior.

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But this Raiders team is apparently different.

Born-again Christian Kirk Cousins is the presumptive starting quarterback. Mendoza has such a polished public personality it borders on implausible. Maxx Crosby is one aggressive dude on the field, but off the field those videos of him and his little girl will melt your heart.

These Raiders apparently don't have the image of those fateful Autumn Wind clubs. And Klint Kubiak likes it.

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‘Doctor’ El-Sayed’s bizarre health hustle raises campaign headache: ‘Moon Juice Brain Dust’

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 17:19:23 -0400

Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed made money promoting health products, including while invoking his medical credentials, despite saying he broadly rejected advertisements for products making health claims and criticizing others for doing the same.

Before running for Senate, El-Sayed hosted a podcast that provided him with a six-figure income partially through ad reads. Among the companies El-Sayed promoted for cash, often citing his purported experience as a doctor, were firms selling supplements, peptides, and an Israeli metabolism-tracking device that has been scrutinized by health experts.

The ad reads came despite an assurance from El-Sayed that he would not use his platform to sell health products to people who listen to him.

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"I broadly reject any advertisements that are for products making claims about health," he wrote in a now-deleted social media post from March 2022.

El-Sayed also accused Mehmet Oz during his 2022 Pennsylvania Senate run of being part of the "medical industrial complex that exists to sell you things that you don’t need that are not actually based in any level of science."

"Yet he can … say, ‘Well, I’m a doctor, so you should trust what I have to say,'" El-Sayed added.

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After assuring his audience that he wouldn't hawk health products, and criticizing Oz for using his medical credentials for doing so, El-Sayed used his medical credentials to sell health products.

"Even as a doctor and epidemiologist, nutrition labels are obnoxiously hard to process," El-Sayed said during a March 2025 ad read. "That's where Thrive Market comes in. See, I love Thrive Market, my go to online grocery store for getting all of my healthy essentials delivered. And I don't even have to leave my couch."

Thrive Market has sold a wide selection of supplements, including items such as "Moon Juice Brain Dust" and "Royal Jelly Brain Fuel" that claim to improve the cognitive function of those who use them. Health experts have cast doubt on whether or not such supplements can actually improve brain function.

Moon Juice Brain Dust describes itself as a "nootropic blend of adaptogens and herbs that target stress to support mental stamina, alertness, and concentration" that is "informed by Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda." Royal jelly, meanwhile, is a thick, milky substance produced by bees to feed their queen. Proponents argue it can be helpful in treating menopause symptoms or addressing low energy, though scientific evidence for such claims is limited.

Thrive did not respond to a request for comment when reached by Fox News Digital on Monday.

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While El-Sayed has leaned heavily on his identity as a doctor both in doing ad reads and on the campaign trail, public records indicate that he never held a medical license or completed a residency. He does, however, hold a medical degree and a doctorate degree in public health.

The New York Post was the first to report on El-Sayed’s advertisement for health goods.

A company making moon dust and brain jelly wasn’t El-Sayed’s only customer.

On July 23, 2024, El-Sayed read an ad promoting a medical device created by an Israel-based startup.

"Lumen is the world's first handheld metabolic coach. It's a device that measures your metabolism through your breath and on the app. It lets you know if you're burning fat or carbs and gives you tailored guidance to improve your nutrition, workout, sleep, and even manage your stress," he said. "All you've got to do is breathe into your Lumen first thing in the morning, and it'll give you an inside look into what's going on with your metabolism, whether you're burning mostly fats or carbs."

Years before El-Sayed took Lumen’s advertising money, experts were raising concerns about its medical claims.

"I just don’t see a practical use for the product in helping people achieve their weight-loss goals," Harbor-UCLA Medical Center senior researcher Nicholas Tiller told Outside Magazine in 2022. "The use of metabolic flexibility and other science-sounding terms lend the product a false scientific legitimacy."

"It’s quintessential marketing over science," he added.

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El-Sayed also advertised for a company offering a peptide that allegedly improves skin health.

The El-Sayed campaign did not respond to a request for comment when reached by Fox News Digital on Monday.

Mamdani's grocery giveaway hits ID snag as critics cry foul: 'Make it make sense'

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 17:13:36 -0400

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s game plan for government-run grocery stores faced criticism Monday after a city official told reporters a "library-card-esque system" may be employed to prevent abuse of the 30% discounted markets.

Mamdani took a question from a reporter who asked about preventing bulk purchases of groceries at the artificial discount from being re-sold at MSRP or higher.

The mayor responded that the government grocery Request-for-Proposal makes clear "this is a program for New Yorkers to be able to put food on the table, not a program for people to be able to make a quick buck through reselling. I'm going to pass it over to our EDC head, Jeanny Pak, to add some additional details."

MAMDANI’S CITY GROCERY PLAN COULD LEAVE TAXPAYERS PAYING FOR EVERY BANANA

It was Pak’s follow-up that raised eyebrows, given Mamdani and many Democrats’ staunch opposition to voter ID and Republicans’ SAVE America Act moving through Congress.

"[W]e are looking to make sure that we target New Yorkers, whether it be a sort of a library card-esque thing, and also we manage who's buying and that is focused on everyday New Yorkers," Pak said.

"So, we are mindful of that, and so we're going to make sure that we have all the things in place to ensure that that does not happen."

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When asked about the apparent divergence between Pak’s response referencing a possible ID card-type system and opposition to voter ID, a Mamdani spokesperson said it was an apples-to-oranges contrast.

"Comparisons to voter ID laws or the SAVE Act simply do not apply. This is not an identification system, nor is it a mechanism to verify who someone is, where they live, or how much they earn," Mamdani’s spokesperson said.

"It is a practical inventory management tool to ensure affordable groceries remain available for the people who need them instead of being cleared off shelves for resale."

EXPERTS SCORCH MAMDANI'S GROCERY PLAN AS AN 'ILLUSION' THAT WILL HAVE TAXPAYERS FOOTING THE BILL

The spokesperson pointed to the mayor’s comments specifically regarding bulk-buying concerns, saying that was the premise of the reporter’s question — not whether people from Pennsylvania, New Jersey or upstate New York would be able to shop at the subsidized outlets.

"To be absolutely clear: NYC Grocery stores will be open to everyone," the spokesperson said.

"There will be no system to verify identity, residency, or income, and no one will be asked to show ID to shop."

Instead of an "ID," the spokesperson said the stores may employ a "customer card" similar to loyalty programs at other grocers like ShopRite, Food Lion or Weis.

The "customer card" would be designed by the "private operator" of the city-run store to "help manage supply and prevent people from buying large quantities of discounted staples for resale" and is strictly intended to "make sure the savings reach families putting food on the table."

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Customers will not need to apply through City Hall or any agency, the spokesperson added.

Critics were unconvinced.

"ID for government cheese," said Philadelphia radio host Rich Zeoli.

"After all, we have to make sure no one crosses the border and if they do, the police will be called. So it's good to see Mamdani now supports ID (just not for voting), border control, and law enforcement," Zeoli tweeted.

Former Texas congressional candidate Nick Plumb commented on X that "Mamdani wants to protect taxpayer funded grocery store[s] from non-NYC residents they’ll need an ID card to enter. You can[t] make this up."

Former Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, a supporter of voter ID who also opposed the Old Dominion’s recent failed attempt to redraw congressional lines to Democrats’ advantage, also criticized the mayor.

"So let me get this straight: Taxpayer-funded grocery store? Better show a valid ID or you can’t buy milk," Miyares said.

"Voting for the people who decide how those taxes get spent? A valid ID is somehow ‘racist’ and ‘oppressive’. Unbelievable," he said.

When asked whether the mayor's office believed the loyalty card system constituted a form of identification, a Mamdani spokesperson directed Fox News Digital to a paragraph in the Request for Proposal (RFP) that prospective store operators must follow:

"The Operator(s) will create a voluntary free-to-access membership card program to monitor sales activity, and implement the discount program and any associated demand management measures. The savings card shall not be required for physical access to N.Y.C. Groceries site(s) and shall be made easily available to any individual requesting one," the section read.

"Make it make sense," added FOX News host Sean Hannity.

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New York Republican Congresswoman Claudia Tenney added: "So ID for government grocery stores to stop people abusing the system is fine, but requiring ID to vote not? Got it."

SAVE Act supporter Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., added on X that the hypocrisy must "stop."

"Democrats: Are fighting to ensure you don’t have to show an ID before voting in our elections. Also Democrats: Want you to show an ID before entering a supermarket."

"Oh, the irony is too much," said X CEO Elon Musk.

Moscow bombing exposes potential security gaps around Putin’s military elite, expert says

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 17:11:59 -0400

Russian President Vladimir Putin's drive to project "normalcy" in Moscow may have created a dangerous security blind spot, giving adversaries like Ukraine greater opportunities to target the Kremlin's military elite, an analyst said Monday.

The assessment came after a deadly explosion ripped through an upscale Moscow restaurant on Aug. 1, where a senior Russian general was reportedly attending a private celebration. Several Russian media outlets claimed the bombing targeted Col. Gen. Alexander Chaiko, who led the troops that made a botched attempt to storm the Ukrainian capital in 2022 and recently was appointed the chief of Russia’s aerospace forces. The claims could not be independently verified.

If Chaiko was indeed at the restaurant, "that would establish a compelling motive for Ukraine," Dr. Mark Episkopos, a Eurasia research fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, told Fox News Digital. "But there has been an ongoing discourse inside Russia that, despite numerous such attacks, Russian elites and even military figures continue to flout [operational security] best practices by holding parties like this in the first place."

The Russian Embassy in Rome accused Kyiv of carrying out the attack and said in a statement Aug. 2 that the attack was "evidence that the Ukrainian terrorist contagion is already beginning to spread."

MAYOR CALLS UPSCALE RESTAURANT BOMBING A 'BRUTAL TERRORIST ACT'

"The other factor here is that Putin has done his best to preserve a sense of ‘normalcy’ in Moscow and St. Petersburg, cultivating a facade of stability that Ukraine has been able to exploit," Episkopos added.

Russia’s National Anti-Terrorism Committee said an unidentified woman carried an improvised explosive device to the Balzi Rossi restaurant. The committee said the woman was stopped by security before the bomb was detonated near the restaurant's entrance. The Russian Embassy in Rome on Monday said five people were killed and 19 were injured in the attack.

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"This particular event did seem to have a substantial level of security, which is why the person carrying the explosive was reportedly stopped and questioned at the entrance," Episkopos noted.

Russian investigators suggested the courier may not have known she was transporting explosives and said the device was detonated remotely.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin condemned the "brutal terrorist attack," vowing that those responsible would be punished, according to Deutsche Welle.

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"The means by which this attack was executed — a remotely detonated explosive device delivered on-site by a civilian — are also consistent with other assassinations deep inside Russian territory previously attributed to Ukraine," Episkopos said.

"These include those of Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik, Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov, pro-Kremlin blogger Vladlen Tatarsky and others," he said.

Ukraine had not publicly commented on the restaurant bombing as of Monday afternoon, and no group had claimed responsibility.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has repeatedly accused Kyiv of targeting senior military officers, pro-war figures and Russian-installed officials.

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Episkopos noted that Kyiv has increasingly used unconventional tactics to offset Russia's superiority in conventional manpower and firepower.

"Ukraine has pioneered a new style of asymmetric warfare that plays to its strengths and Russia's weaknesses — relatively porous borders and vast territory that's difficult to monitor, let alone defend," he said. "Ukraine's interior is smaller and comparatively better controlled, and the intelligence it receives from Western partners plays a role here."

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Episkopos added: "This makes operations like this more difficult to pull off. Russia has generally relied on its advantage in raw firepower to conduct airstrikes, as opposed to covert assassinations, against high-value Ukrainian targets."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Scott Eastwood told Shia LaBeouf 'I'm going to whoop your a--' during tense on-set clash

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 17:03:00 -0400

Scott Eastwood has a bone to pick with Shia LaBeouf.

During an appearance on Dax Shepard’s "Armchair Expert" podcast, the actor, 40, opened up about a "tense" on-set moment during the filming of the 2014 film, "Fury," in which he nearly got into a physical altercation with the former Disney star.

"There was sort of an incident that happened," Eastwood, 40, said. "I’ve talked about it. Brad Pitt sort of broke up a little, a tense moment."

Eastwood explained that LaBeouf — who played tank gunner Boyd "Bible" Swan in the World War ll movie — was a "very method" actor, who pulled out his tooth and cut himself at one point.

"And I remember thinking, ‘OK, this guy’s crazy. I’m just going to keep clear from this guy.’ I don’t play this game. You go and do that, but there’s plenty of ways to do a performance in a movie and be professional also, right?"

Eastwood claimed that LaBeouf wasn't impressed with his decision of "spitting tobacco on the tank," an action that was written in the script.

"And then finally, I just said, ‘Enough’s enough.’ I said, ‘Hey, f--- you.’ I said, ‘Stop pulling your s---.’ I said, ‘I’m going to whoop your a--,’" he continued. "And then, you know, he got … And then everyone broke it up."

This isn't the first time Eastwood has called out a Hollywood actor.

During a recent appearance on "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast, Eastwood recalled working with an unnamed celebrity who abruptly walked away from a film after production was already underway, leaving the cast and crew left scrambling.

"Without saying any names ... people get too famous for too long. They think the world owes them something," Eastwood said.

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According to the "Lucky Strike" actor, the actor decided they no longer wanted to work with another person involved in the project after a significant amount of money had already been spent.

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"They decided after we'd already spent a bunch of money that they just didn't want to work with this other person and didn't want to do the job," Eastwood claimed. "I was like, 'You need to pay that money back to the person who invested in you.' And they said, 'I'm not going to do that.'"

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Instead, Eastwood claimed the actor simply left the project — despite it being centered on "their story."

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"It's black and white. Do the right thing. Don't be a piece of s—. You can't do that," Eastwood said, calling the situation "shocking" and "unbelievable."

The son of Oscar-winning filmmaker Clint Eastwood said the incident left him reflecting on a bigger issue looming within Hollywood.

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"I've seen some behavior in this business that is shocking," Eastwood said. "That would not go in other industries, but for some reason because we idolize [actors]..."

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Despite the negative experience, Eastwood said he still very much enjoys what he does.

"I love telling stories," he said.

Aaron Rodgers eviscerates Anthony Fauci after pleading the Fifth at Senate hearing: 'Absolute criminal'

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 16:59:03 -0400

A simple question from Pat McAfee led Pittsburgh Steelers four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers to unload on Dr. Anthony Fauci, mocking the former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for recently invoking the Fifth Amendment during a Senate hearing this past week.

"Can you tell us about your mindset coming into your last season?" McAfee asked.

The ESPN personality couldn’t have guessed where the four-time NFL MVP was about to take this.

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"I’m gonna plead the Fifth," Rodgers said, as McAfee and the Steelers fans watching at training camp laughed in unison, "like that absolute coward Tony Fauci. Absolute coward. Are you kidding me? You get a pardon and you’re and you pleaded over 100 times at the White House? What are you scared of, Tony? I thought you were the science. ‘I am science,’ and you get up there and can’t answer a question? What are we doing?"

Rodgers is referencing an infamous remark by Fauci during a 2021 interview, where he defended his public health policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying "I am the science."

PAT MCAFEE POKES FUN AT ANTHONY FAUCI PLEADING THE FIFTH AMENDMENT LIVE ON ESPN

Fauci pled the Fifth 111 times during a Senate hearing, on the advice of his attorneys, to answer questions from the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, chaired by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. He was questioned over his response to the pandemic and his policy decisions, where the former White House COVID advisor was accused of funding gain-of-function research in Wuhan, China.

Paul argued Fauci using the Fifth Amendment was unsupported because former President Joe Biden, whom Fauci advised during the pandemic, pardoned him. Paul said the committee will vote this week on a resolution to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress.

"Spending the entire time writing in his diary about how fun it is to be famous. You gotta be kidding me," Rodgers’ diatribe continued. "What are you going to say about me now? Seriously, what are they going to say about me now? Now, you can’t talk about the COVID stuff because obviously it was made in a lab in China. That’s like not even questionable anymore. Tony Fauci is an absolute criminal.

"It’s been a great life and a great career, and it’s nice to be sitting on this side now especially after that coward pled the Fifth over 100 times. I thought you had a pardon there, Tony. Why couldn’t you answer one question the entire time?"

But Rodgers wasn’t just airing out his grievances with Fauci, which he's had many since the days of the pandemic. He pointed the finger directly at the network he was being interviewed on.

No matter how McAfee and his supporting cast tried to get the conversation back on track, Rodgers took aim at ESPN, the sports network giant which airs "The Pat McAfee Show" daily.

Rodgers was vilified for his own 2021 COVID saga, where his "immunized" remark in August, months prior to testing positive for COVID-19 in November of that season, led to immediate backlash in the media.

SEN RAND PAUL QUESTIONS WHETHER FAUCI'S INVOKING THE FIFTH AMENDMENT WAS VALID AFTER BIDEN PARDON

"How much time did the network spend on that? How much time did they spend on my responses every week? On my vaccination status? On Taylor’s [Swift] and Travis’ [Kelce] wedding? Did they do even a minute on Tony Fauci? No, I bet they didn’t," Rodgers said on Monday.

Rodgers even mentioned his recent reconciliation with his family, as he shared pictures with his parents, as well as his brother Luke and his children, after a decade-long estrangement.

"I’m on good terms with my family – what are you going to say now?" Rodgers said right into the ESPN camera lense.

Rodgers even brought up the Dianna Russini scandal and the lack of coverage from ESPN with it. Russini, who worked for ESPN before joining The Athletic, was entrenched in a scandal as an inappropriate relationship with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was exposed this offseason, ultimately leading to her exit from The Athletic and Vrabel leaving the Patriots during the NFL Draft to enter counseling.

In 2021, Rodgers was asked by reporters if he was vaccinated, to which the then-Green Bay Packers signal caller said he was "immunized". He later sought an appeal from the NFL and the NFLPA to treat his alternative antibody treatment as equivalent to being vaccinated for COVID-19. The league denied it.

Rodgers was officially classified an unvaccinated player, and then he tested positive for COVID-19 on Nov. 3, 2021, leading to a mandatory 10-day quarantine period that forced him to miss a game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Two days later, he used McAfee’s show to explain his stance, stating he had an allergy to an ingredient in mRNA vaccines, and explained his alternative treatment. Rodgers later admitted on another episode of the show that he "misled people" by calling himself immunized, though he doubled down that he did not lie.

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Now, Fauci’s refusal to answer has Rodgers going full tilt years after dealing with constant scrutiny, whether it’s the man himself or the network he has issues with. Rodgers has never shied away from sharing his feelings about certain individuals, media networks, or anything in between.

This season marks 22 years Rodgers has starred in the NFL, and he doubled down recently saying this will be his final year.

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Trump administration's immigration push fuels ICE's biggest arrest month in agency history

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 16:50:28 -0400

The Trump administration's immigration crackdown reached a historic milestone in July as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement made roughly 51,000 immigration arrests, setting the highest monthly arrest total in the agency's history.

ICE averaged approximately 1,645 immigration arrests per day during the month, according to multiple federal sources who spoke with Fox News.

The historic total came just one month after ICE set what was then a new monthly record with roughly 43,000 arrests in June, giving the agency back-to-back record-breaking months.

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Federal sources told Fox News the surge followed a slowdown in ICE arrests in the weeks and months after unrest in Minneapolis.

They attributed the record-setting pace to the end of the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, thousands of newly hired ICE personnel hitting the streets and billions of dollars in new funding from two reconciliation bills that replenished the agency's coffers.

The additional money is helping fuel expanded hiring and enforcement operations nationwide, according to the sources.

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The Department of Homeland Security praised ICE officers in a post on X Monday, highlighting the agency's efforts to arrest and remove criminal illegal immigrants.

"Every day, the brave men and women of ICE are arresting and DEPORTING dangerous criminal illegal aliens, including gang members, from our country," DHS wrote.

"Under @POTUS Trump and @SecMullinDHS, the safety of the American people will always come first," the department added.

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The July figures represent the highest single-month arrest total ever recorded by ICE and mark the second straight month the agency has broken its own record.

The record-setting month comes as ICE has ramped up high-profile enforcement operations across the country under the Trump administration.

Last month, ICE announced its Harlingen, Texas, field office arrested 238 illegal immigrants in a single day, setting a record for targeted arrests in the Rio Grande Valley.

According to the agency, those taken into custody included a suspected Paisas gang member and a Mexican national previously convicted of attempted kidnapping, sexual battery and illegal reentry.

At the time, ICE Harlingen Field Office Director Juan Agudelo said the agency remained focused on "enhancing public safety and restoring integrity to our nation's immigration system."

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"We will stop at nothing to keep our American communities safe by removing one criminal illegal alien at a time," Agudelo said.

Fox News Digital's Michael Sinkewicz contributed to this report.

Citadel cadet, childhood friend gunned down in vacant Florida lot as police launch manhunt

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 16:48:00 -0400

A Citadel cadet and South Carolina Army National Guard member is one of two young men found shot to death in a vacant Florida lot, with police still hunting for a suspect.

The DeLand Police Department in Florida said Dustin Rose, 19, and Samson Campbell, 18, were found dead on Wednesday around 10:40 p.m. Police haven't identified any potential motive and have yet to publicly identify a suspect. Rose and Campbell have been friends since they were children.

Rose, who attended The Citadel Military College of South Carolina, was home on break while pursuing his childhood dream of serving in the military. According to FOX 35, Rose recently became a member of the South Carolina Army National Guard.

FAMILY IDENTIFIES YOUNG WOMAN FOUND FATALLY SHOT IN HOME OWNED BY REP AYANNA PRESSLEY'S HUSBAND

Police released a screenshot of surveillance video showing the two walking together on Tuesday evening. It's not yet known if the two were targeted.

One of the victims' mothers may have been among the family members who found the two dead after they went unreachable by phone, authorities previously said.

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Campbell, who's originally from DeLand, was living with his aunt Karen Chobin in the Chicago area. Chobin said Campbell was in town to mourn the death of his family's 8-year-old dog, who recently died, and was staying with Rose's grandparents.

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Rose was in DeLand to help Campbell spread his dog's ashes, Chobin said.

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"It was a traumatic loss. It wasn't a passing of old age. It was awful. And then for this to be what he's welcomed with when he goes down there to mourn his loss is devastating," Chobin said.

Rose's aunt, Jaimie Scarola, told FOX 35 his life was taken too soon.

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"He was willing to go to the front line and fight for our freedom, including the freedom of the one who took him from us," Scarola said. "You took him away from not only his family, but you robbed an entire country of a future soldier who didn't get to answer that call."

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While a suspect hasn't yet been identified, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant on Saturday night at a home in DeLand with help from the Volusia Sheriff’s Office SWAT team and the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, according to FOX 35.

GOT A TIP?

Anyone with information is asked to contact the DeLand Police Department through Crime Watch or to reach the Criminal Investigations Division at 386-626-7400.