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AMB. GORDON SONDLAND: Europe can’t condemn Iran, then complain when Trump finally acts to stop it

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 05:00:17 -0400

European leaders have spent years warning that Iran must never be permitted to acquire a nuclear weapon. They have condemned Tehran’s ballistic-missile program, its financing of terrorism, its use of proxy forces, its attacks on commercial shipping and its serial violations of international agreements.

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Yet when President Trump concluded that the threat required military action, much of Europe’s response focused not on Iran’s conduct, but on whether European capitals had been sufficiently consulted.

That complaint is difficult to take seriously.

European governments were not ignorant of the intelligence picture. Their intelligence services have followed Iran’s nuclear program, missile development, terrorist networks and regional proxies for decades. They have reviewed the same broad threat assessments, watched the same enrichment trends and issued many of the same warnings.

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They may not have possessed every piece of operational intelligence available to the president, but they understood the direction of travel. They knew the danger was growing. They also knew that, eventually, someone would have to act.

Europe’s preferred strategy was to play ostrich: acknowledge the threat, avoid the hard decision, wait for the U.S. to take the lead, and then feign surprise at the result.

That arrangement is politically convenient. It allows European leaders to benefit from American power while distancing themselves from its use. Washington absorbs the military risk and political criticism. Europe preserves its diplomatic posture and complains about process.

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But Europe cannot have it both ways.

If Iran is a common threat to the democratic world, as European leaders have repeatedly said, then confronting it cannot remain principally an American responsibility. Europe cannot rely on U.S. military power, criticize Washington for acting, and then expect to enjoy the security benefits of the action without accepting any of the burdens.

This is not merely President Trump’s war, nor is it solely America’s problem. It is a conflict involving the security of the Western world.

Iran’s leaders do not regard the dispute as one between Tehran and Washington alone. They view the U.S., Europe and Israel as parts of the same hostile political and cultural bloc. Iranian intelligence operations have reached European soil. Iranian-backed groups have threatened European citizens and interests. Iranian missiles increasingly place European territory within range. European economies depend on maritime trade routes that Tehran has repeatedly threatened to disrupt.

Europe cannot plausibly believe that by doing little more than it is doing today, Iran will somehow spare it.

Passivity is not neutrality, and it does not purchase immunity. Tehran is unlikely to distinguish between an American adversary and a European government that quietly benefits from American protection. A regime prepared to use terrorism, hostage-taking, maritime coercion and proxy warfare will not reward European hesitation with safety.

The most important contribution Europe can make now does not require firing a shot or spending another euro.

It requires political unity.

There should be no public daylight between the U.S. and its principal European allies over the strategic objectives. Tactical disagreements are inevitable and can be addressed privately. But public equivocation, procedural complaints and ritual calls for "restraint by all sides" are interpreted in Tehran as evidence that the Western alliance can be divided.

That perception encourages Iran to wait out the pressure, manipulate European governments and bet that Atlantic unity will eventually collapse.

The greatest strategic gift the West could give Tehran is the appearance of division. The greatest deterrent it can present is the opposite.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer should state clearly that the U.S. and Europe share the same objectives and will remain aligned until they are achieved.

Those objectives must extend beyond the nuclear issue.

Preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon is essential. But ending Iran’s reliance on proxy armies is equally important.

For decades, Tehran has used Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, Iraqi militias and other armed groups to attack adversaries while maintaining a thin layer of deniability. Proxy warfare has allowed Iran to impose enormous costs on the region without accepting the consequences of conventional state aggression.

A strategy that addresses nuclear weapons while permitting Iran’s proxy network to remain intact would solve only half the problem. Tehran could continue destabilizing neighboring countries, attacking shipping, threatening Israel, striking American forces and intimidating European governments without possessing a nuclear bomb.

The proper Western objective should therefore be straightforward: no nuclear weapon and no Iranian-controlled proxy network operating with impunity.

Europe’s first responsibility is to support that objective publicly and without qualification.

Its second is to provide practical assistance.

European governments should make allied bases fully available, without political caveats designed for domestic consumption. They should expand intelligence sharing, logistics support, missile-defense cooperation and maritime surveillance. European navies can provide minesweepers, escort vessels, patrol aircraft and other capabilities needed to protect international shipping.

Freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is not an American charity project. It is an economic necessity for Europe. European manufacturers, consumers and energy markets all depend on stable global commerce. If Iran can mine waterways, seize vessels or manipulate energy prices without a united response, Europeans will bear a substantial share of the cost.

Countries that deny access to bases or obstruct allied operations should face political consequences. Spain, in particular, should not be permitted to benefit from the protection of the Atlantic alliance while frustrating efforts directed at a common threat. Alliance membership entails obligations, not merely benefits.

This is the broader meaning of burden-sharing.

President Trump has long argued that Europe must assume more responsibility for its defense. The debate has usually centered on military spending as a percentage of gross domestic product. But burden-sharing is not simply an accounting exercise. It also means standing with the U.S. when common security interests require difficult action.

For generations, Americans have accepted extraordinary commitments to protect Europe. They have stationed troops on the continent, maintained nuclear deterrence, funded military infrastructure and repeatedly made clear that an attack on Europe would be treated as an attack on the U.S.

Reciprocity demands more than gratitude. It demands solidarity when America confronts a threat that Europe itself has repeatedly identified.

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Critics will argue that stronger European support risks escalation. But the opposite is at least as likely. Weakness, hesitation and division invite miscalculation. They encourage authoritarian governments to believe that democracies lack the will to defend their stated interests.

Deterrence works when an adversary believes its opponents possess both the capacity and the unity to act.

For too long, Europe has attempted to separate diplomacy from power. It has treated negotiation as an alternative to leverage rather than as a means of employing it. The result has been years of agreements, sanctions relief, diplomatic outreach and warnings, while Iran continued enriching uranium, improving missiles and expanding its proxy apparatus.

Diplomacy remains necessary. But diplomacy unsupported by credible force becomes little more than managed delay.

No responsible leader should welcome war with Iran. The objective should not be permanent conflict or regime-change adventurism. It should be to destroy the capabilities that threaten the West and restore deterrence on terms Tehran understands.

Europe has already concluded that Iran poses an unacceptable danger. Its leaders have said so for years.

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The question is no longer whether Europe understands the threat.

It is whether Europe is finally prepared to act as though it does.

ANDREW GIULIANI: How President Trump’s World Cup vision showed America at its very best

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 05:00:46 -0400

When President Donald Trump set his sights on bringing the FIFA World Cup back to the United States in 2018, he wasn’t just thinking about soccer. He was thinking about legacy—about uniting a country, welcoming the world, and showing what American excellence looks like as we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday.

I remember the moment he gave me my main mission: "Make it the best tournament ever." Simple, but not easy. With President Trump, nothing is ever done halfway. Early in his second term, he established the White House Task Force on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making clear this would be a whole-of-government effort. We set out to deliver not only the largest and safest World Cup, but also the most welcoming and memorable tournament in history for fans, athletes, and communities across America.

Looking back, I know only President Trump could have pulled this off. No other leader could have set such an ambitious vision and inspired a nation to rise to the challenge. His lifelong experience in hospitality and his attention to detail set the standard for excellence and made this World Cup unforgettable.

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More than 6.5 million fans attended matches across 16 host cities in the U.S., Mexico and Canada, nearly doubling the previous attendance record. There were 11 host cities in the United States alone. During this World Cup, stadiums were filled to 99.7% capacity, while FIFA Fan Festivals welcomed another 7.7 million visitors. Fans from more than 150 countries experienced American hospitality firsthand, and the tournament generated more than 20 billion video views worldwide.

Yet the numbers tell only part of the story. The real success was measured in packed downtowns, thriving small businesses, friendships formed across cultures, and unforgettable moments shared by millions.

President Trump’s focus on safety and security paid off. We deployed federal coordination teams, supported local law enforcement with $625 million in funding, and invested another $500 million in counter-drone technology. We worked closely with state and local officials, trained together, and built a real-time information-sharing system that will benefit our country long after the final whistle.

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The results speak for themselves: no major security incidents, a record-breaking economic impact, and a seamless experience for fans and athletes. From Seattle’s Pioneer Square, where local businesses saw sales rise to as much as 10 times their average, to Philadelphia’s $770 million in projected economic impact, the benefits will last for years to come.

The true legacy is the capability we built. America now has stronger technology, better training, and deeper partnerships at home and abroad. We worked with Canada, Mexico, and FIFA to deliver a continental spectacle—proving that no country is better equipped to host an event on this scale. President Trump’s Golden Age of Sports is here, and the lessons learned will inform not only future World Cups, but also every major event we host.

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It’s especially meaningful that President Trump, who was the driving force behind our successful bid in 2018, was able to see this vision realized during his presidency. Few leaders get to witness their ambitions come full circle on a stage this grand. The pride he felt—and that we all shared—as we watched the world come together on American soil is something I’ll never forget.

Serving as executive director of the White House Task Force on the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been the honor of a lifetime. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to serve under President Trump and help make his vision for this country a reality during this extraordinary moment for America.

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As we look ahead to the Olympics and America’s next chapter, let this World Cup stand as proof that when President Trump sets an ambitious vision, America delivers. We welcomed the world with unmatched hospitality, world-class venues, unwavering security, and the confidence that has always defined this nation at its best.

Americans fell in love with the World Cup, and the world fell in love with America again. That is the enduring legacy of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the future of sports in America’s Golden Age.

LEE CARTER: Why I believe collapsing trust, not ideology, is reshaping American politics

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 05:00:35 -0400

After every recent election in which a Democratic Socialist or self-described progressive outsider scores an upset victory, the same debate erupts: Is America really moving that far to the left?

Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s rise in New York reignited the question. Before his campaign collapsed, Graham Platner’s meteoric rise in Maine sparked similar headlines. And now, as Democrats look to replace him, many are rallying around Troy Jackson, a self-described "pickup truck progressive."

The conventional wisdom is that these victories signal a country embracing increasingly liberal ideas.

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I don’t think that’s what’s happening.

The rise of democratic socialism isn’t the story.

It’s the symptom.

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The real story is that millions of Americans have lost confidence in the institutions they once trusted to solve problems, create opportunity and make government work. And when confidence in institutions collapses, voters don’t necessarily move left or right. They become far more willing to embrace candidates who promise to disrupt the status quo.

Gallup’s latest polling should be a flashing warning light. Confidence in America’s institutions remains near historic lows. Congress commands the confidence of just 9% of Americans. Confidence in the criminal justice system, organized religion, higher education, big business and many other institutions Americans once relied upon has eroded dramatically over the past generation.

Look beyond the individual numbers and a striking pattern emerges.

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This isn’t a crisis in one institution.

It’s a crisis of confidence in the entire system.

That’s an important distinction because politics doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Voters don’t evaluate candidates based solely on policy positions. They also evaluate whether the institutions surrounding those policies are capable of delivering results.

When Americans stop believing those institutions work, they stop rewarding candidates who promise incremental change.

They start looking for alternatives.

Some find them on the right.

Some find them on the left.

But almost all of them are looking for outsiders.

That’s what made Platner’s campaign so compelling before it unraveled. His appeal wasn’t simply about progressive policy. He represented a rejection of politics as usual. His outsider status became part of his message.

The same is true of Mamdani.

Whether you agree with his policies or not, his supporters aren’t simply voting for a platform. They’re voting for disruption. They’re voting against institutions they believe have failed them.

And look at what happened in Maine after Platner exited the race.

Many Democrats didn’t immediately search for the safest establishment replacement. Instead, attention quickly shifted to Jackson — a candidate who proudly brands himself a "pickup truck progressive" and who has built his career positioning himself as a champion of working people against entrenched interests.

Different state.

Different ideology.

The same political demand.

We’re seeing versions of this story play out across the country.

Candidates who promise to challenge institutions are outperforming candidates who promise simply to manage them.

The labels vary.

The frustration does not.

This is why I believe we continue to misread this political moment.

The defining divide in American politics is no longer simply Democrat versus Republican.

Nor is it liberal versus conservative.

Increasingly, it is establishment versus anti-establishment.

Institution versus outsider.

The rise of democratic socialism is one manifestation of that shift.

Right-wing populism is another.

They are different political expressions of the same underlying condition: millions of Americans no longer believe the institutions around them are capable of solving the problems they face.

That should concern all of us.

A healthy democracy depends on citizens believing that its institutions — while imperfect — are fundamentally legitimate and capable of correcting mistakes, enforcing rules fairly and delivering results.

When that confidence disappears, disruption becomes more attractive than stability.

History tells us that people rarely embrace political movements on the fringe simply because they wake up one day with a new ideology.

They do it because they lose confidence in the institutions that once made moderation feel sufficient.

That is why I don’t believe the rise of democratic socialism is the biggest story in American politics.

The bigger story is the collapse of confidence that made its rise possible.

Until our institutions begin earning back the confidence of the American people, we shouldn’t be surprised to see more candidates like Zohran Mamdani.

Or Graham Platner.

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Or Troy Jackson.

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Because they aren’t the cause of this political moment.

They’re the consequence of it.

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JONATHAN TURLEY: Democratic Socialists want to remake America in their image. That’s terrifying

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 05:00:34 -0400

"Imagine the end of capitalism." Those words in the Democratic Socialists of America manifesto offer Americans a world without landlords, debt, mandatory work hours, and "food, education, energy, medicine, and transportation ... are common goods and utilities."

The left often refers to radical changes as "reimagining" everything from police to the Supreme Court to prisons to borders. However, the rise of socialists in the Democratic Party has moved such claims from the merely rhetorical to the outright revolutionary.

The release of the DSA platform on Bastille Day, July 14, was fitting since the Jacobins pushed for the same unicameral system that the socialists are now advocating.The platform promised to change the constitutional system and end the rule of "the same criminal class of billionaires and war profiteers."

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The DSA, which counts various Democrat figures such as New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, includes a plan to eliminate the Senate, the Supreme Court, the presidency and other institutions in remaking the American constitutional system.

In my new book "Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution," I discuss the rise of socialism and the move among professors and pundits to scrap key aspects, or the entirety, of our constitutional system on the 250th anniversary of the republic.

The book compares many of these proposals to identical policies of the Jacobin movement in the French Revolution. It is a book about revolutions and how they can consume those who start them. Both the American and French revolutions arose during the same period, but one became the world’s oldest democracy while the other became a blood-soaked tyranny known as "The Reign of Terror."

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Notably, the Jacobins pushed for the same unicameral system that the socialists are now advocating. Even figures such as Thomas Paine (one of two figures who played a significant role in both revolutions) supported such measures to allow for more direct democracy.

It was an approach that the Framers expressly rejected. Great students of history, they did not want to replicate the elements that led to the destruction of past democracies going back to ancient Athens. Benjamin Rush, a signatory to the Declaration of Independence, referred to it as democracies becoming "mobocracies."

The DSA is the direct descendant of the Jacobins in seeking to tear down moderating institutions and replace the President and justices with democratically elected figures by a Congress composed only of the House of Representatives. However, many of these suggestions are also found among leading academics and influencers.

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As with the original Jacobins, those demanding these changes are not the working class but professors, pundits and young college-educated voters.

Mainstream figures such as Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of UC Berkeley Law School, have published books such as "No Democracy Lasts Forever: How the Constitution Threatens the United States."

The media eagerly publishes such radical views, such as the New York Times column, "The Constitution Is Broken and Should Not Be Reclaimed," in which Ryan D. Doerfler of Harvard and Samuel Moyn of Yale call for the nation to "reclaim America from constitutionalism."

As discussed in "Rage and the Republic":

"Those who want to remain in favor often pander to the extremes. Radical leftist sites like the Jacobin have grown in popularity ... They use some of the same words and symbols but still seem improvisational and inauthentic, like a child’s game of dress-up with oversized outfits. Indeed, that is precisely the danger.

There is little knowledge, let alone memory, of what such radicalism became under the real Jacobins. There is the same blissful ignorance that allowed Rousseauian dilettantes to mutate into monsters, escalating radical agendas with every failure...As the popular slogans became disastrous policies, the momentum would carry them beyond any point of recognition or return. The new Jacobins show the same blind ambition and abandon in striking out at institutions and the Constitution itself."

Those slogans are now preying on the gullible and the vulnerable. Take the recent pitch of Michaela Brangan, DSA National Political Education Chair, who declared that with socialism:

"[Y]ou are able to take a day off and not have to worry and you don't have to have a job just to pay the bills because you do not have a lot of bills. Right? Bills are no longer a thing because there's not for-profit businesses that are constantly trying to exploit you and trying, you know, to put you into debt."

She laughed at the suggestion of, "Why do we have a Senate? What is so great about the Senate?"

If she wants that answer, she only needs to look around her at the mob seeking to destroy the world's oldest and most successful republic in history.

She is right about one thing. Capitalism has played a critical role in our republic. This is the 250th anniversary of not just our Declaration but the publication of Adam Smith's "Wealth of Nations," which the Founders eagerly embraced. They believed that you could not be truly independent and free if you are not economically independent and free. They rejected the economic dependency pushed by many on the left.

The left has found a voice in the class warfare espoused by Vermont Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders and others. However, it is not a new voice. It is the same Siren's call that we rejected 250 years ago. Paine himself would barely survive in France and come to appreciate the structural precautions that Founding Father and President James Madison created in our system that were absent in the French system.

After the Jacobins implemented some of these very same policies, they destroyed their economy and then devoured themselves in waves of executions. Once again, these same voices are asking a people to destroy the most successful and stable democracy in history. Mainstream figures are conditioning the public for radical changes, often using the same coded messaging. Former Vice President Kamala Harris dismissed the opposition to ideas like packing the Supreme Court as mere "nostalgia" for a system that is no longer working.

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently also pandered to the mob in declaring that "nostalgia is not working," and added, "capitalism as we know it doesn't work either."

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It is not "nostalgia" that binds us to this constitutional system. It is the faith in a system based on natural rights; a system that protects the minority from the majority. It is a system based on faith in both political and economic independence; the embrace of freedom and free-market principles that created the greatest prosperity in history.

We have heard these voices before and we would be wise to take them seriously if we are, as Benjamin Franklin asked, to keep this Republic for the next generation.

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2 Colombian nationals arrested in stolen Mercedes linked to violent California carjacking

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 02:40:16 -0400

Two Colombian nationals were arrested in California after automated license plate readers alerted authorities to a stolen Mercedes-Benz linked to a violent carjacking days earlier, officials said.

The 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 had been reported stolen during a violent carjacking and assault with a deadly weapon in Hawthorne, California, on July 11, according to a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department news release.

Days later, deputies received an alert from an automated license plate reader showing that the car was traveling through Rolling Hills Estates. As deputies searched for the vehicle, they learned it had also been linked to a residential burglary that had recently occurred in Torrance, authorities said.

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Deputies found the Mercedes and conducted a traffic stop near Palos Verdes Drive North and Rolling Vista Drive.

As the vehicle came to a stop, a passenger jumped out and ran, prompting deputies to establish a perimeter, according to the sheriff’s department.

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The driver, Yareht Pedraza, 26, of Bogotá, Colombia, was taken into custody at the scene.

"With deputies securing the perimeter and an LASD airship overhead, the search quickly shifted from the streets to the skies. Within a short time, the passenger was located and taken into custody," the sheriff's department said.

The passenger, Alan Pena Sabogn, 21, also of Bogotá, was later apprehended and arrested on suspicion of failing to obey a lawful order, obstructing a peace officer and providing false identification, authorities said.

Officials said Sabogn also had an outstanding felony no-bail burglary warrant from Colorado.

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"This arrest is another example of how technology, proactive policing, and teamwork between deputies, dispatchers, and Air Support help quickly identify suspects and remove them from our communities," the sheriff's department said.

Jennifer Lopez reveals what makes a man 'sexy' to her

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 22:48:33 -0400

Jennifer Lopez revealed what she finds sexiest in a man.

The singer and actress shared her thoughts on it during her performance at the Dolce & Gabbana show in Taormina, Sicily on Thursday.

"But you know what really makes a man attractive? It’s not the watch. It’s not the car. It’s not the private jet. It really isn’t, although that’s nice," the 56-year-old star began.

"It’s nice. It’s seeing them make the bed in the morning or wash the dishes for you when you’re tired at night. That’s what’s sexy. Now that’s what I call sexy," she continued.

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"Cause ladies, you know, we do all the things. We do all the things," Lopez concluded.

According to People magazine, the audience laughed and applauded her.

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Lopez performed a number of her songs, including "Love Don’t Cost a Thing," "Waiting For Tonight," "Let’s Get Loud," "Ain’t Your Mama," and "Save Me Tonight."

The mother of two wore a sparkling bodysuit for her performance.

Prior to speaking about what she finds sexiest in men, Lopez had a playful exchange with one of her backup dancers, per People.

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"Fix my hair okay. Fix my hair. But the rest of you, get out of here. You’re broke. I don’t need you. I don’t need your money. I don’t need your gifts. That’s right," she told him.

She then added: "You know, people look at me, they look at me for years, and they think I’m expensive. You see my sparkly cup. And I am, I am expensive. You see my sparkly cup. And I am, I am expensive," she said with a laugh.

"I am, but I have my own money. Ladies, am I right? We don’t need anybody to buy us anything. We don’t. We want them to, sometimes that’s nice."

Recently, Lopez opened up about why her most recent divorce ended up being "the best thing" for her.

During an interview on SiriusXM's "Howard Stern Show," the star discussed her 2024 divorce from Ben Affleck, detailing what she learned from the split.

"When I got divorced this last time, it was the best thing that ever happened to me," she explained. "Because it really made me journey into — I mean, I had a religious coach. I had a therapist, a couple's therapist, an individual therapist. I had a coach to understand addiction. I had everything. I was like, 'I'm gonna f---in' figure this s--- out if it kills me.'"

The "Hustlers" star has been married four times, including to Marc Anthony from 2004 to 2014, and to Affleck from 2022 to 2024.

"What I learned, it's not that I'm not lovable — it's that they're not capable... They don't have it in them," she explained, adding, "And they gave me what they had. They gave me all of it, every time. All the rings, all the things I could ever want. The houses, the rings, the marriage. All of it. But.…"

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After working through her divorce, Lopez noted she is "able to sit here in a much more self-assured, self-aware way" and reflect on everything that has happened in her life.

"Whether my mother, my father, in my own life, how I learned to love, how I felt neglected — all the things that are in your head as a person — and know who I am and just really appreciate that person," she said. "[I] feel really comfortable and good in being myself, all the good parts and all the kind of complicated things."

Why Conor McGregor calls his exact knee injury 'quite shocking' after finding out results

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 22:35:39 -0400

Conor McGregor has finally revealed what exactly happened to his right knee during a very short return to the UFC octagon on July 11 in Las Vegas.

McGregor, who lost by technical knockout to Max Holloway in UFC 329, called it "quite shocking" to learn what he injured during UFC 329.

"Update: it was acl and meniscus," McGregor posted on X.

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"It is the same injury as the first Holloway fight, only this time the opposite leg. Quite shocking."

McGregor previously fought Holloway 13 years ago before he gained worldwide stardom for his mixed martial arts. It’s a total coincidence this happened now over a decade later, but McGregor is trying to keep a positive mindset once again.

"With today’s regenerative medicine advancements and improved training methods it is well within my realm to return by next summer," McGregor continued, confidently. "I am walking without a crutch. I done leg extension machine work the other day to no issue. So I can walk without aid, and activate my quad under resistance. All very positive. I am maximum discipline and have maintained it fully since the bout.

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"I wonder was I saved from something worse here. I believe so. I would have attended the after party as ‘the man’ and who knows then. I believe I was saved. Thank you God! On we go, no sad stories. Thank you for the support and well wishes everyone, your health is your wealth."

It wasn’t much of a bout, as McGregor attempted a jumping roundhouse kick on Holloway. As McGregor landed on the canvas, he immediately grabbed at his right knee and hit the deck.

Holloway took advantage of the situation, trying to get McGregor while he was down. But despite evading some serious punches from Holloway, McGregor clearly wasn’t right.

Referee Mike Beltran eventually called the fight just seconds into the first round, giving Holloway the victory and ending the UFC 329 co-main event in lackluster fashion.

After the match, McGregor was understandably upset.

"My head gasket is gone. Destroyed," he wrote on X at the time. "I had no injury/injuries going into the fight. I was throwing kicks, planted and jumping, all throughout camp as well as backstage before the fight. This came out of nowhere. I am beyond dark here. I can only describe it as hell."

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McGregor’s camp even showed pre-fight footage from the locker room, where the two-division champion was seen rehearsing his jumping roundhouse kicks. He was landing perfectly fine.

McGregor’s UFC career record is now 22-7 after this TKO finish, but it seems like the 38-year-old is still ready to recover and get back in the octagon. He doesn’t want to end his fighting career in that fashion.

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Atlanta Hawks dump former No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher after disappointing two-year stint

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 22:25:48 -0400

Zaccharie Risacher is probably a name you haven't heard much since he was selected first overall in the 2024 NBA Draft.

After two seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, Risacher is already on the move.

Another NBA trade dropped Sunday, sending the 21-year-old to the Dallas Mavericks and bringing Atlanta's underwhelming gamble to an early end.

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Atlanta received Lu Dort from the Thunder, Oklahoma City secured two second-round picks, and Dallas landed Risacher and guard Ryan Nembhard from the Hawks.

Top picks rarely get cut loose this quickly. While draft-night trades happen in minutes and Andrew Wiggins was famously flipped 57 days post-draft for Kevin Love before ever putting on a Cavaliers jersey, a top pick getting dealt for purely basketball-related reasons after two years is a whole different category of rare.

WIZARDS SELECT AJ DYBANTSA FIRST OVERALL IN 2026 NBA DRAFT

Moving on after just 142 career games puts Risacher in rare company alongside Markelle Fultz, who was traded from Philadelphia after 33 games across two injury-plagued seasons, and Pervis Ellison, who lasted just one year in Sacramento before being shipped out.

Unlike Fultz or Ellison, Risacher wasn't sidelined by a shoulder condition or persistent health red flags. Atlanta simply pulled the plug, deciding not to stick with the top pick after just two seasons.

Risacher was part of an underwhelming 2024 NBA Draft class that featured names like Alex Sarr and Cody Williams in the top 10. Risacher was far from the runaway No. 1 overall projection, with many arguing for Sarr at the time.

That year's poor selections were also underscored by Wembanyama going the year prior and Cooper Flagg a year later.

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The 6-foot-8 Risacher entered the league as a long, two-way wing whose upside was tied to his shot-making. He averaged 12.6 points as a rookie before slipping to 9.6 in his second season.

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'Resurrection of the Christ' writer reveals Mel Gibson's dark spiritual warning about 'Passion' sequel

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 22:22:07 -0400

Mel Gibson's longtime collaborator Randall Wallace revealed the dark spiritual warning that the two-time Oscar winner gave him before they began writing the sequel to "The Passion of the Christ."

The 76-year-old screenwriter, who previously teamed up with the 70-year-old director and actor for 1995's "Braveheart," 2002's "We Were Soldiers" and 2016's "Hacksaw Ridge," co-wrote the screenplay for "The Resurrection of the Christ" with Gibson and his brother Donal Gibson.

During a recent appearance on Raymond Arroyo's podcast "Arroyo Grande," Wallace recalled how he urged Gibson to tell the Resurrection story following the massive success of "The Passion of the Christ."

MEL GIBSON'S 'RESURRECTION OF THE CHRIST' REVEALS FIRST PHOTOS AFTER LONG-AWAITED PASSION SEQUEL

"Mel didn't approach me. I approached him, actually," Wallace said of how they began working together on "The Resurrection of the Christ."

"This is not to say that over the years, he hadn't thought many times about the Resurrection," Wallace continued. "In fact, in the original ‘The Passion of the Christ,’ the original cut didn't have the resurrection scene. He was getting feedback from people saying, 'We really want to see that.'"

Wallace said Gibson ultimately decided to add the brief Resurrection scene that serves as "The Passion of the Christ's" closing epilogue.

In the sequence, Jesus is seen rising, leaving the tomb, and revealing the wounds in his hands before the movie ends.

Wallace told Arroyo that he proposed developing a feature-length film depicting the Resurrection while he and Gibson were on a promotional tour for "Hacksaw Ridge" in 2016.

"Having studied the Resurrection and being so consumed by it, I thought about it many times," Wallace recalled. "I didn't have anything to do with ‘The Passion of the Christ.’ When we were promoting ‘Hacksaw Ridge,’ we were sitting there talking about our lives, and I said, ‘Look, you know, the story that you really need to tell is the Resurrection.’"

Wallace went on to recount Gibson's reaction to his suggestion, remembering that the director believed the project could invite spiritual warfare.

"There was this long pause, and he said something profoundly beautiful. He said, 'If we do this, it can't be for the money, and it can't be to get back at people that have hated us or wronged us or been unhappy with us,'" Wallace recalled. "And I said, ‘Amen to that.’"

"Then he said, 'You know, Satan's going to come after you,'" Wallace continued.

"I said, 'Well, you know, Satan doesn't really care about Baptists.' It's really good when Satan can get a Catholic. We're a dime a dozen," he said as Arroyo laughed.

"And of course, I was being facetious, but I was also thinking…" Wallace continued.

"What if he's right?" Arroyo interjected.

"Well, yeah," Wallace admitted.

"That's what I would be thinking," Arroyo said.

"We had a beautiful conversation about grace," Wallace recalled.

Wallace told Arroyo that conversation with Gibson marked the beginning of their collaboration on "The Resurrection of the Christ."

"I knew he had written ‘The Passion,’ was very much deeply involved in the writing of it. And I said, 'Look, let's partner up. I'll write a draft, give it to you, then we'll start tearing it up, go through it. You do your thing, I'll do mine. We'll work together, we'll work apart.' So we started that way," Wallace remembered.

Gibson has previously said he, Wallace and Donal spent roughly six to eight years writing and refining the screenplay for "The Resurrection of the Christ," which will be split into two parts.

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In May, Gibson announced that production on the sequel had been completed. "The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One" will be released May 6, 2027, on Ascension Day, the Christian holiday marking Jesus Christ’s ascent into heaven 40 days after Easter Sunday. "The Resurrection of the Christ: Part Two" is scheduled to debut May 25, 2028, over Memorial Day weekend.

In a press release, Gibson shared that the story was brought to the screen "exactly as I envisioned it."

"I’m deeply grateful to my incredibly talented cast and crew for pouring their hearts into this production. Together, we created something powerful," Gibson said.

"This film represents a major part of my life’s work, and it has demanded everything of me as a filmmaker and as an artist. This is far more than a film to me. It’s a mission I’ve carried for over 20 years to tell what I believe is the most important story in human history," he added.

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"The Passion of the Christ," which premiered in February 2004, depicted the final 12 hours of Jesus’ life leading up to the crucifixion. Its graphic violence and subject matter made it one of that year's most controversial movies.

The film was a smash hit, grossing more than $610 million worldwide on a reported $30 million budget. It also earned Academy Award nominations for its makeup, score and cinematography.

While speaking with Arroyo, Wallace teased what audiences can expect from the long-awaited sequel.

"His unique vision of the spiritual realm is really special," Wallace said of Gibson.

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"The interesting thing is that, while in some ways — the ultimate movie — I want to keep it all secret about what's going to happen," he continued. "But the ultimate movie, in some ways, will have elements that people have never seen before."

"In fact, in many ways, it'll be stuff nobody's ever seen," Wallace added. "And yet I believe it'll be, in a certain way, the most orthodox telling. It'll be the most consistent telling of the overall belief, the awe and the mystery that Christians experience when they experience the Resurrection."

Matt Damon, Tom Cruise and Shakira headline packed celebrity crowd at World Cup final

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 22:19:26 -0400

The celebrities came out in full force at the FIFA World Cup final match game on Sunday where Spain triumphed over Argentina 1-0.

Matt Damon, who was fresh off his "Odyssey" press tour, enjoyed the big game with his wife Luciana, while Tom Cruise had the honor of opening the game with a speech.

The A-list celebrity roster continued, with Shakira, Madonna, Justin Bieber and more performing during the halftime show.

BRAD PITT, TOM CRUISE, DAVID BECKHAM LEAD STAR-STUDDED CELEBRITY SIGHTINGS AT 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP

Other big names in attendance included Blake Lively, Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet, Javier Bardem, Beyonce, Anya Taylor-Joy - who all watched the game in the crowd.

Here's a look at the celebrities who attended the FIFA World Cup final match:

DAVID BECKHAM GOES FULL COWBOY IN DALLAS BEFORE SPAIN'S WORLD CUP SEMIFINAL VICTORY

Damon donned a dark hued top and jeans while his wife Luciana proudly displayed her love for team Argentina in a jersey, scarf and hat.

She paired the cropped jersey with low-rise white jeans and sunglasses.

Damon wrapped his press tour for director Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey," which topped the box office during its opening weekend, earning over $264 million globally, according to AP.

Cruise kept it casual in a black top and trousers as he opened the game with a speech.

‘ODYSSEY' STARS ZENDAYA, ANNE HATHAWAY AND MATT DAMON TURN HEADS AS DIRECTOR CHRISTOPHER NOLAN FACES BACKLASH

Cruise was joined by David and Victoria Beckham in their suite. David looked dapper in a suit while Victoria chose a chic sleeveless top and white bottoms

Their son Cruz Beckham also attended the game with them.

Shakira wowed during her halftime performance, wearing a pink and yellow cut-out dress that showcased her fit form.

Justin Bieber performed during the halftime show, wearing a green and white top with jeans.

Post Malone opted for a double denim look and a cowboy hat, along with a shirt that read "I just hope both teams have fun."

Meanwhile, Madonna wore a pink and white corset look. Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and Laura Pausini coordinated in blue as they performed.

Richard Gere kept it casual in a baseball cap with sunglasses while arriving to the game with wife Alejandra Silva.

Javier Bardem also attended, although his wife, fellow star Penelope Cruz, did not attend..

Actress Julia Garner kept it cool in a leather jacket, white tee and black skirt for the game, while Tate McRae slipped on a top with a collar.

Kylie Jenner and boyfriend Timothee Chalamet were at the game. Jenner wore a black top and jeans, with small framed sunglasses and red nails.

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Jay-Z and wife Beyonce were also in the crowd; Beyonce wore a white jacket and a lace skirt, adding sunglasses.

Anya Taylor-Joy looked incredibly chic in a cream one-shoulder top and silky skirt, paired with a blue-and-white scarf.

Blake Lively also made an appearance with friends; the actress shared a group selfie to her Instagram stories.

Josh Kerr crushes 27-year-old world mile record after delivering on bold promise in London

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 22:18:47 -0400

British runner Josh Kerr ran the fastest mile in history Saturday, clocking 3 minutes, 42.66 seconds to shatter the men's mile world record at the London Diamond League.

Kerr's historic run broke Moroccan Hicham El Guerrouj's mark of 3:43.13, set in Rome in 1999, ending a record that had stood for 27 years, according to The Associated Press.

The 28-year-old then took a celebratory lap around London Stadium after cementing his place in track and field history.

SABASTIAN SAWE FINISHES LONDON MARATHON IN UNDER TWO HOURS TO BREAK MEN’S WORLD RECORD

Video shared by the Diamond League on X captured the historic moment as Kerr threw his arms into the air after crossing the finish line while the packed stadium erupted.

The league's official account declared, "History made by Josh Kerr!"

The former University of New Mexico standout finished more than three seconds ahead of American Yared Nuguse, who crossed in 3:45.69. Britain's Jake Heyward finished third in a personal best 3:46.73, according to the official results released by World Athletics.

SABASTIAN SAWE FINISHES LONDON MARATHON IN UNDER TWO HOURS TO BREAK MEN’S WORLD RECORD

Reaction poured in across social media shortly after Kerr's record-breaking run.

Team Scotland wrote on X: "A new world record. Congratulations to Josh Kerr, breaking the long-standing mile world record with an incredible run of 3:42.66. What an achievement."

The Olympic Games' official X account also celebrated the feat, posting: "History made. Great Britain's Josh Kerr roars to a world record in the men's mile, snapping a 27-year record in 3:42.66 at the London Diamond League."

SABASTIAN SAWE FINISHES LONDON MARATHON IN UNDER TWO HOURS TO BREAK MEN’S WORLD RECORD

Kerr had targeted the London Diamond League mile as one of his primary goals this season, which does not include the Olympics or World Championships, according to the AP.

Speaking with BBC Sport after the race, Kerr said the atmosphere inside London Stadium helped carry him through the final stretch.

"It was just me, my shoes and the track," he told the outlet. "I was absolutely deaf in that last 110 meters."

"I didn't take my foot off the gas," Kerr continued. "But ... I started to glide and I was like, 'Oh wow, this feels incredible.' It's incredible because I'm slowing down. So, I was like, 'I better get to the line.' So, crossing the finish line, seeing 42-something, anything, was my goal, so it was great."

Kerr also reflected on the pressure he put on himself after publicly declaring months ago that he would chase the record.

"It's very overwhelming with the amount of hype [I created]," he told BBC Sport. "It's silly to call [the attempt] that early because there's a lot of things which can go wrong, but I am surrounded by amazing people and was able to stay consistent and put the work in."

Kerr said he hoped the performance would help define his legacy in British athletics.

"If I am to leave my mark on this sport as a British legend, following in the footsteps of the legends behind me, I have to put in those performances," he told BBC Sport.

"Those performances take every single part of you, every single part of your team. The amount of work behind the scenes is incredible. Today it was a performance I was able to bring out — I just hoped it would be a little bit faster!"

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Before turning professional, Kerr starred at the University of New Mexico, where he won three NCAA titles, captured eight Mountain West championships and set the collegiate record in the 1,500 meters, according to the school's athletics website.

Saturday's performance lowered Kerr's previous personal-best mile time of 3:45.34 by nearly three seconds and erased one of track and field's longest-standing world records, according to World Athletics.

Gisele Bündchen stuns in white bikini as she shares rare glimpse of baby son during family getaway in Tahiti

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 21:54:54 -0400

Gisele Bündchen showed off her summer style as she shared rare photos of herself with her one-year-old son while enjoying a family vacation in Tahiti.

On Saturday, the 45-year-old supermodel posted a carousel of snaps that included images of her youngest child, her husband Joaquim Valente and her older children Benjamin Rein, 16, and Vivian Lake, 13, whom she shares with her ex-husband Tom Brady, 48.

Bündchen and Valente married in 2025, months after welcoming their son, whose name they have not publicly revealed.

SHAKIRA SOAKS UP THE MIAMI SUN AS BIKINI-CLAD NINA DOBREV, KIM KARDASHIAN SHOWCASE SUMMER GETAWAYS

In the first photo, Bündchen donned a white bikini and a straw hat as she stood in the ocean hand in hand with her baby son, who wore matching white swim trunks.

The former Victoria's Secret Angel uploaded a selfie in which she was seen in a pink sleeveless knit dress that she paired with delicate gold necklaces and a white lei. Bündchen also sported a crown made of tropical flowers as she smiled at the camera.

In another photo, Bündchen wore the same ensemble while dancing with her baby son and Valente to live music played by Tahitian performers.

Valente was seen enjoying some quality time with their child in one snap that Bündchen shared. The jiu-jitsu instructor wore snorkeling goggles on his head and black swim trunks as he stood in the ocean while holding up their son as what appeared to be a stingray swam by in the water below them.

Bündchen also captured sweet moments that her children shared during the family trip. In one photo, Benjamin was seen holding his younger half-sibling while on a boat as they looked down at the waves.

Vivian was also seen on the boat while tenderly embracing her baby brother in another snap. Bündchen also included a photo of Vivian wrapping her arm around her older brother as the two enjoyed a scenic view from on top of a cliff.

In other images, the family was seen bike riding, snorkeling, doing headstands in the ocean, enjoying tropical scenery, eating fresh fruit and stargazing.

"What a special place! Que lugar especial!" Bündchen wrote in the caption of her slideshow.

Bündchen first confirmed her relationship with Valente in June 2023, around seven months after her divorce from Brady was finalized.

The model and the former NFL star made their split official in October 2022 after 13 years of marriage. Bündchen gave birth to her third child in February 2025 and she and Valente later wed during a secret ceremony in December 2025.

Last month, Bündchen praised Valente and honored her own father Valdir Bündchen in a Father's Day tribute that she shared on Instagram.

Happy Father’s Day @joaquimvalente !" Bündchen wrote in both English and Portuguese in the caption of her slideshow. "Thank you for leading by example, and for the values you embody, love, humility, integrity, discipline, kindness and consistency."

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"You are an incredible role model," she continued. "We are all so grateful for you, and we love you so much.And dad, thank you for your unconditional love, wisdom, and support through every stage of my life."

"Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there," Bündchen added.

Bündchen's carousel featured several photos of Valente in sweet moments with their son. The Vogue cover star also highlighted the close relationship that Valente shares with her older children. She included a snap in which Vivian was seen embracing Valente and a photo of Benjamin standing back to back with his stepfather.

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The blended family were also pictured in a group hug while sitting on the floor.

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Speaking with Vogue France in May 2025, Bündchen described her ideal day as she reflected on how her priorities have shifted since welcoming her third child.

"Being with my family, especially when we can do outdoor activities together," she said. "Spending time with them is what makes me happiest."

NORAD F-16s intercept multiple aircraft violating temporary flight restrictions over New Jersey

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 21:22:42 -0400

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) announced on Sunday that its F-16s intercepted multiple aircraft that violated temporary flight restrictions over New Jersey.

NORAD F-16 fighter jets intercepted multiple general aviation aircraft that violated the temporary flight restriction airspace over Bedminster and East Rutherford in New Jersey, according to NORAD.

More than 10 general aviation aircraft entered restricted airspace on Sunday, including three that NORAD said it had to intercept.

FEDS CHARGE FOUR AS WORLD CUP DRONE CRACKDOWN TOPS 400 SEIZURES ACROSS US HOST CITIES NATIONWIDE

During two of the intercepts, NORAD aircraft dispensed flares to draw the pilots’ attention, which may have been visible to the public.

NORAD said the flares were deployed "with the highest regard for safety, burn out quickly and completely, and pose no danger to people on the ground."

PILOTS ACCIDENTALLY BROADCAST 'MEOWING' OVER REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT FREQUENCY

All general aviation aircraft were safely escorted out of the area by NORAD aircraft, NORAD said.

"Should NORAD aircraft intercept a general aviation aircraft, the pilot should immediately come up on frequency 121.5 or 243.0 and turn around to reverse course until receiving additional instructions on one of those frequencies," NORAD said.

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NORAD urged pilots to check temporary flight restrictions before entering an airspace.

"Pilots: check your Notice to Airmen (NOTAMS) and FAA Temporary Flight Restrictions," NORAD said.

Former Blue Jays reliever Duane Ward dead at 62 while in Toronto for World Series tribute

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 21:18:48 -0400

Former MLB reliever Duane Ward, known for helping the Toronto Blue Jays win World Series in the 1990s, has died. He was 62 years old.

The Blue Jays announced Ward’s death on Sunday, saying he died of natural causes while in Toronto.

Ward was in Toronto for the unveiling of a statue outside the Blue Jays’ home Rogers Centre to commemorate the back-to-back World Series championship from 1992 and 1993, which he was a part of.

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The unveiling was set for Saturday, where over two dozen players, coaches and executives were on hand to see it for the first time.

"Duane will be deeply missed by our fans, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family," the Blue Jays said in a statement. "Duane will always be a cherished part of the Blue Jays family, and we will be forever grateful for his contributions to our organization and to baseball in Canada."

BOBBY COX, LEGENDARY ATLANTA BRAVES MANAGER WHO LED 1995 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS, DEAD AT 84

The Blue Jays also had a tribute for Ward before Sunday’s first pitch against the Chicago White Sox, holding a moment of silence for him after a montage played on the videoboard in center field.

Ward was the top draft choice of the Atlanta Braves out of Farmington High School in New Mexico during the 1982 MLB Draft, but while he made his major league debut with the club, he didn’t last there long.

Ward was traded to the Blue Jays midway through the 1986 season, and he truly found a home north of the border.

He spent parts of nine years with the ballclub, turning into a key reliever that could be relied upon as the Blue Jays proved they had what it took to reach, and win, the World Series in the early 1990s.

Ward’s best season came during the 1993 World Series run, leading the league with 70 games finished and 45 saves, while owning a 2.13 ERA across 71.2 innings (71 games).

Ward also had a dominant 1.95 ERA during the 1992 season, earning himself 12 saves, and 103 strikeouts across 101.1 innings pitched.

In the postseason, Ward was just as exceptional, owning a 1.13 ERA and two saves during his World Series appearances. And though Game 6 of the 1993 World Series will forever be remembered for Joe Carter’s walk-off home run against the Philadelphia Phillies, it was Ward who earned the victory as the pitcher that shut the door to allow that to happen.

"Whether setting the stage in the eighth inning or closing out wins, he will be remembered for the role he played in some of the greatest moments in Blue Jays history," the team’s statement continued.

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After an arm injury forced Ward to miss the entire 1994 season, he pitched in just four games in 1995 before he last saw a big league mound.

In 462 games, Ward earned a career 3.28 ERA with 679 strikeouts over 666.2 innings pitched.

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Scottie Scheffler comments on Bryson DeChambeau's two-shot Open Championship penalty: 'not a cheater'

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 21:06:41 -0400

As the world's best player, when Scottie Scheffler speaks, it carries some weight. Which is why many golf fans were interested to see what he said about the controversial two-shot penalty handed out to Bryson DeChambeau after round two of The Open Championship.

Scheffler, who played with DeChambeau in that fateful second round, was asked about it the following day, but decided against giving his opinion. "I don't really have a ton to say on it," he told the media on Saturday, before changing his quote. "Actually, I do have a ton to say. I haven't decided exactly what I want to say publicly yet." He also added that he wanted to focus on the tournament at hand, without worrying about making comments that might take on a life of their own.

After a frustrating tournament filled with missed putts and missed opportunities through the first three rounds, Scheffler got himself back in contention on Sunday. Including getting a controversial break himself with very beneficial TIO relief after pulling his second shot on the par-5 17th left of the grandstand. But he came up just short with a disappointing 18th hole, making bogey and falling to seven under.

GOLF ANALYST BRANDEL CHAMBLEE DISGUSTINGLY BURIES BRYSON DECHAMBEAU AFTER BRITISH OPEN PENALTY

That set the stage for his post-round media availability, where, naturally, he was asked again about the DeChambeau ruling. And after all that anticipation over which side Scheffler would take, he took a little bit of both.

"All I'll say is Bryson – I've known him for a long time, and he's a lot of things, but he's definitely not a cheater," Scheffler said. "I've never seen him cheat once, whether we were having a putting contest on the putting green or chipping contest, or anytime we played amateur golf, I never saw anything suspicious."

That's a clear-cut defense of DeChambeau's integrity and commitment to following the rules. But immediately after, did say that the rules need to be more strictly enforced and that he might have been "careless" with his steps.

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU CLAPS BACK AT NICK FALDO, OTHER CRITICS, AFTER -3 ROUND AT THE OPEN: 'INCREDIBLY STRATEGIC'

"When you're watching him there from that camera angle, maybe he was a touch careless around his ball, but I don't think he did anything intentionally," Scheffler explained.

"All I can really say is I think maybe we need to be a little bit more strict in the way that we are policing guys, but it's a little bit of a balance because you've got certain guys like a Bryson, who every shot he hits is going to be shown on TV. When you have camera angles that are far away, things can look different than they do when you're right there."

That's another point that several other players, including Russell Henley, brought up. Every shot DeChambeau takes is recorded by cameras, whereas players who aren't subject to that level of scrutiny might be able to get away with a bit of say, adjustment, to the conditions around them.

RORY MCILROY SHOULD BE THE LAST GOLFER TO CRITICIZE OTHERS FOR 'PERFORMATIVE' BEHAVIOR

"We've seen penalties happen with -- like you remember Jon Rahm a couple years ago at the Memorial when his ball moved in the rough, and it's like to the naked eye, can you really tell that?" Scheffler added. "I think sometimes it's just a difficult position in the game of golf."

Still, after defending DeChambeau, the world number one did say that there should be more enforcement of the "traditions" of golf and stricter policing moving forward.

"When I was growing up, like if this was the line, here are the rules and this was the right side of it and this is when you're doing things against the rule," Scheffler said. "You always tried to stray really far that way I feel like at times. Sometimes, you see players maybe push it a little bit further than they should.

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"I think we need to kind of get back to the traditions of the game, and maybe we do need to police things a little bit more stricter in the game."

So he defended DeChambeau and his character, saying he believes there was no intentional violation of the rules. But he also seemed to say that the penalty was correct, and that there should be stricter enforcement of similar situations moving forward.

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That's where many golf fans find themselves after the tournament, defending DeChambeau's intentions, believing that improved lies happen frequently without penalty, while also thinking that the rules should be more strictly enforced. Though it's one thing for outsiders to say, and entirely different coming from the best in the world.

Platner ally Troy Jackson locks down delegates as top rivals for Democratic Senate nomination drop out

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 20:56:30 -0400

Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson appears to have locked up enough delegates to win the abbreviated race to replace now ex-candidate Graham Platner as the Democratic Senate nominee in the high-stakes showdown to face off with longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

Delegates aligned with Jackson won the vast majority of the 500 slots that were up for grabs on Saturday and Sunday as Maine's 16 counties held two days of delegate selection for next weekend's nominating convention. And Jackson's top two rivals for the nomination, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and Nirav Shah, a former top public health official, dropped out of the race on Sunday.

"In November, Mainers will defeat Susan Collins, and we will take back our Senate seat from the billionaires and corporations who think they own it," Jackson said in a social media post Sunday evening.

While the delegates on Jackson's slate are not required to support him at next weekend convention, he is in an extremely strong position to secure the nomination and face off in the midterm elections against Collins in what's expected to be a combative and expensive ballot box battle that's among a dozen nationwide which will determine if the Democrats can win back the Senate majority. The GOP currently holds the chamber 53-47.

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A fifth-generation logger and a one-time conservative Republican who became a Democrat over two decades ago, Jackson came in third place last month in Maine's Democratic gubernatorial primary.

On Saturday, in the race to replace Platner, Jackson-aligned delegates won more than 90% of the slots, including all 149 in Cumberland County, Maine's most populous county and home to the state's largest city, Portland.

"Yesterday was an unbelievable huge step, but our work is not finished — not even close," Jackson said Sunday morning. And the winning streak of Jackson-aligned delegates continued throughout the day.

Over 470 of the 500 delegates elected this weekend were on Jackson's slate. The delegates chosen will join another 101 coming automatically from the Democratic State Committee. All 601 will officially vote for the Senate nominee at next Saturday's convention in Bangor, Maine.

Bellows, who unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, exited the Senate sprint on Sunday morning.

"Donald Trump’s attacks on our democracy are only accelerating, and the best way that I can serve our state and country at this moment is by focusing exclusively on my role as Secretary of State," Bellows said in a statement that didn't mention Jackson.

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Shah, a former director the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention from 2019 to 2023 who later served as principal deputy director of the federal CDC during then-President Joe Biden's administration, and who came in second in last month's Democratic gubernatorial primary, dropped out Sunday evening and backed Jackson.

"To Maine Democrats: Susan Collins will not be defeated without a united Democratic Party. And we cannot unite without treating one another with respect," Shah wrote in a statement. "No matter whom you supported in this race, I urge us all to remember that in the weeks ahead."

Jackson, in a social media post, thanked Shah and urged, "Now it's time for all of us to come together, build the broadest possible coalition, and defeat Susan Collins. Let's get to work."

Jordan Wood, a former congressional staffer for then-Rep. Katie Porter of California who unsuccessfully ran for the Senate as well as the Democratic nomination in the state's 2nd Congressional District this cycle, also dropped out on Sunday. Another Senate candidate, Maine Beer Company co-founder Dan Kleban, announced a campaign suspension on Sunday as well..

MAINE DEMOCRATS RALLY BEHIND PLATNER'S PLATFORM IN SPRINT TO REPLACE HIM

Along with Platner, Jackson had the support of progressive champion Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont as he ran for governor, and he is currently backed by 'Our Revolution,' the group born in 2016 out of Sanders' first presidential campaign.

Jackson, similar to Platner, is running on a progressive and populist platform aimed at working-class voters. He backs raising taxes on billionaires, the universal healthcare system known as "Medicare-for-all," abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and he opposes military aid to Israel at a time that Democrats are increasingly divided on support for America's longtime Middle East ally.

Platner, a combat veteran and oyster farmer who was backed by Sanders soon after he launched his bid last August, saw his campaign quickly catch fire. Two-term Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, who was heavily recruited by longtime Democratic Senate leader Sen. Chuck Schumer to run for the Senate, suspended her campaign this spring after trailing Platner in fundraising and in the polls.

THE TWELVE RACES THAT WILL DETERMINE THE SENATE MAJORITY

But even as Platner steamrolled the Democratic establishment and crushed the competition last month to capture the nomination, he had already been forced on defense in the wake of a slew of scandals.

Platner dropped out earlier this month, amid calls from top Democrats in Maine and across the country to immediately exit the race following an explosive report containing an allegation of rape from a woman he previously dated. Platner denied the report but stepped aside.

While Jackson was among those who quickly called on Platner to end his bid in the wake of the rape allegation, he had previously campaigned alongside Platner and made the case that he was the best candidate to continue the fight for the progressive and populist agenda.

"This movement has always been bigger than one person. It's about taking on a system rigged against working people, fighting for ‘Medicare-for-all,’ strong unions, higher wages, reproductive freedom, and an economy where billionaires and corporations finally pay their fair share," Jackson said last week during a Our Revolution virtual town hall, as he pointed to Platner supporters.

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At last week's first debate among the replacement candidates, Jackson pointed to Platner and said, "That's the thing that I think Graham did the best: talked about fighting against the health care industry and the prescription drug industry to make sure that people in this state and this country have affordable, quality health care."

Young airman killed in heavy equipment accident at California Space Force base

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 20:50:54 -0400

A 23-year-old airman from North Carolina died Thursday following a heavy equipment accident at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, officials announced Friday.

The airman was identified as Airman 1st Class Cedric Eneluna, a member of the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron’s Pavements and Equipment Flight, according to the base’s Space Launch Delta 30 Public Affairs office.

The unit maintains critical infrastructure, including roads and airfields, that supports Vandenberg’s launch, test and range operations under the U.S. Space Force, officials said. The base is responsible for launching satellites into polar orbit and conducting intercontinental ballistic missile tests.

AMERICAN FORCES NETWORK EMPLOYEE FOUND WITH FATAL GUNSHOT WOUND AFTER VEHICLE COLLISION NEAR CALIFORNIA BASE

Eneluna was operating heavy equipment when it rolled down an embankment, according to the base. No other personnel were injured in the incident.

"It is with profound sadness that we share the loss of Airman 1st Class Cedric Eneluna, a member of the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron," Vandenberg Space Force Base said in a statement.

"A1C Eneluna served with honor, humility, and an unwavering commitment to his teammates and the mission. His loss is felt across our Vandenberg family."

US SERVICE MEMBER KILLED IN IRAQ AS TROOPS RECOVER UNIDENTIFIED REMAINS IN JORDAN: CENTCOM

The official cause of death has not yet been determined by the Santa Barbara County Coroner’s Office. Units at Vandenberg are supporting a Safety Investigation Board review into the incident.

According to the base, Eneluna was from Fayetteville, North Carolina, and also spent part of his childhood in the Philippines.

He joined the military on March 5, 2024, and arrived at Vandenberg in August for his first duty assignment, where he became part of the unit’s "Dirt Boyz" team, a group of pavement and heavy equipment specialists.

US SERVICE MEMBER KILLED IN IRAQ AS TROOPS RECOVER UNIDENTIFIED REMAINS IN JORDAN: CENTCOM

"During his assignment at Vandenberg, he earned the respect and admiration of those around him through his positive attitude, tireless work ethic, and willingness to help others," the base said.

"He made a lasting impression on his teammates through his character, dedication, and genuine care for others," U.S. Space Force Col. James T. Horne III, commander of Space Launch Delta 30 and Vandenberg Space Force Base, said in a statement.

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Eneluna’s squadron commander added that the young service member exemplified the qualities of an outstanding Airman.

"He brought out the best in everyone," U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Seth Poulsen, 30th CES commander, said. "He was always ready to work, always willing to help, and always had a positive attitude. He truly represented what it means to be an Airman."

Mass shooting rocks crowded downtown Tucson district, leaving 10 wounded

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 20:48:05 -0400

At least 10 people were wounded in a mass shooting in downtown Tucson, Arizona, early Sunday morning after a gunman opened fire in a crowded entertainment district, according to officials.

The suspect, whose identity has not been released, allegedly tried to flee the scene before he was shot by a responding police officer, the Tucson Police Department (TPD) said. He was taken to a local hospital in life-threatening condition.

No deaths were reported, but nine victims suffered gunshot wounds, according to Mayor Regina Romero. Police said the victims sustained gunshot wounds primarily to their extremities, including their arms and legs.

GUNFIRE SHATTERS TORONTO LATIN STREET FESTIVAL, LEAVING AT LEAST 2 DEAD AND MULTIPLE WOUNDED

"Last night, Tucson experienced another serious and senseless act of gun violence," Romero said in a statement Sunday. "A shooter recklessly began shooting in a crowded area striking nine people before being stopped by a Tucson Police Officer."

Police said the shooting unfolded around 2 a.m. in the 100 block of East Congress Street, a downtown area known for its bars, restaurants and nightlife.

Officers patrolling nearby reportedly heard multiple gunshots and immediately responded on foot, where they encountered a man running from the scene.

TOLEDO POLICE NAME SUSPECT KA NYE TAYLOR IN FESTIVAL SHOOTING THAT INJURED 12, HUNT SECOND GUNMAN

After the suspect allegedly ignored repeated commands from officers, a uniformed officer fired his weapon, striking the fleeing suspect, TPD said.

Police took the suspect into custody and rendered first aid before Tucson Fire Department personnel transported him to a local hospital.

Responding officers also provided emergency medical aid to several victims before firefighters arrived. All the victims were taken to local hospitals for treatment.

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No officers were injured in the incident.

"Thanks to the quick actions and excellent care provided by our firefighters and police officers, all victims were stabilized and taken to the hospital where we are hopeful they will all recover," Romero said.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is leading the investigation into the officer-involved shooting. TPD will also be conducting a separate investigation to determine if any policy violations occurred.

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The Democratic mayor also condemned the shooting and pointed to what she described as Arizona's weak gun safety laws.

"Easy access to guns and Arizona’s weak gun safety laws have continued to put all of us at risk," Romero said. "From requiring universal background checks to extreme risk laws to funding violence prevention there is more lawmakers can and should do."

Pima County Sheriff’s Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

Angel Reese exits game with injury after posting pathetic stat line against former team

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 20:26:41 -0400

Angel Reese’s eventful weekend ended with an injury and one of her worst performances of the season.

The Atlanta Dream star left Sunday afternoon’s game against her former team, the Chicago Sky, after her left leg appeared to give out as she attempted a layup early in the fourth quarter.

ANGEL REESE THANKS WNBA FOR SUSPENDING SANDY BRONDELLO, FRAMES ‘PROTECTED SPECIES’ COMMENT AS DISCRIMINATION

Reese fell to the floor after missing the shot, briefly got back to her feet and then went down again. She eventually returned to Atlanta’s bench, but the Dream ruled her out for the remainder of the game with a left leg injury.

But Reese wasn’t playing particularly well before leaving the game.

And that's actually putting it kindly.

The 24-year-old finished with eight points and five rebounds in 20 minutes. She shot an abysmal 3-of-13 from the field, missed her only three-point attempt and committed three turnovers. She finished with a minus-7 rating in Atlanta’s 93-91 victory. Her minus-7 was the worst mark among Dream players, and she committed three fouls.

Not good.

In addition, Reese grabbed just one defensive rebound. Four of her five boards came on the offensive end, including two "mebounds" where she grabs her own rebound after missing a short shot.

That’s become a familiar part of the Angel Reese experience.

ANGEL REESE GIVES ATLANTA DREAM REBOUNDS AND ATTENTION, BUT HER OFFENSE IS STILL A PROBLEM

She is unquestionably one of the best rebounders in women’s basketball. She also regularly pads those totals by collecting misses around the basket, including her own.

On Sunday, even that wasn’t enough to make the box score look respectable.

Reese entered the game averaging 15.7 points and a league-leading 11.8 rebounds per contest. She had recorded 23 points and 12 rebounds against Toronto on Friday, her league-leading 17th double-double of the season.

She followed that performance by missing 10 of 13 shots against the team that traded her during the offseason.

The rough outing wasn’t caused by the injury, either.

Reese had already logged 20 minutes before getting hurt 14 seconds into the fourth.

Again, the injury is unfortunate. There’s nothing funny about a player getting hurt, and the hope is that Reese avoided anything serious.

After the game, Dream head coach Karl Smesko said Reese was in "great spirits celebrating with her teammates."

According to WNBA reporter Wilton Jackson, Smesko noted that Reese "wanted to go out there and keep playing" but that he "didn't feel comfortable with it because she looked like she was in a lot of pain."

Despite the injury, it's hard to look past just how bad Reese was prior to getting hurt.

Fortunately for the All-Star forward, her teammates bailed her out.

Atlanta led by as many as 22 points before allowing Chicago to erase the deficit. The Dream led by one point when Reese exited.

Atlanta guard Jordin Canada made a game-winning layup as time expired and the Dream escaped with a 93-91 victory over the 9-17 Sky.

The Dream improved to 16-10 and Reese is now 2-0 against the Sky since Atlanta acquired her for two first-round draft picks in April.

Still, this wasn’t exactly the revenge performance Reese probably envisioned against her former team.

CAITLIN CLARK'S FORMER TEAMMATE CALLS OUT WNBA FOR SUSPENDING TEMPO HEAD COACH OVER 'PROTECTED SPECIES' REMARK

She had more missed shots (10) than either points (8) or rebounds (5). She also turned the ball over three times and committed three fouls before hurting her leg.

The good news for Atlanta is that they don't play again until July 29, which gives Reese plenty of time to recover. The bad news is that the WNBA All-Star Game is on July 25 and the league certainly prefers that Reese plays in that game.

Say what you will about Reese, but she's arguably the second-biggest draw in the league after Caitlin Clark. Despite this poor performance, there's no question Reese adds intrigue to the All-Star Game.

Hopefully, she recovers in time to play.

Bulldog's drowning sparks police probe at dog resort marketed as the 'Disneyland for dogs'

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 20:16:33 -0400

A California couple says what should have been a routine pickup at a dog daycare marketed as the "Disneyland for dogs" ended in heartbreak after they were told their beloved English bulldog had drowned while in the facility's care.

The heartbreaking incident has prompted a police investigation and an apology from Camp Canine, which acknowledged in a public statement that it "failed in our responsibility to keep their dog safe."

Bruce, a 1-year-old English bulldog owned by Chris and Ashley Merz of Ventura, died Thursday while in the care of the Santa Barbara boarding and daycare facility.

TENNESSEE WOMAN ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY TRYING TO DROWN ONE OF HER CHILDREN IN BACKYARD POOL

The Santa Barbara Police Department told Fox News Digital that officers responded to the business in the 800 block of East Montecito Street at approximately 4:45 p.m. Thursday following a report of a dog drowning.

During the initial investigation, officers interviewed Bruce's owners as well as employees who were present when the incident occurred.

"The Santa Barbara Police Department is committed to a thorough investigation into this matter," the department said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "The case is actively being investigated by our Criminal Investigative Unit and Animal Control Team."

TEXAS DENTIST ACCUSED OF FATAL MISTAKES AFTER 4-YEAR-OLD DIES DURING DENTAL PROCEDURE

According to Ashley Merz's mother, Alison Genet, who spoke with local outlet Noozhawk, Bruce is believed to have drowned sometime between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. The family says they were never notified about his death before arriving to pick him up around 3:30 p.m.

Genet told the outlet the family was instead informed of Bruce's death when they arrived at Camp Canine.

Bruce had attended Camp Canine and trained there for about six months, according to Genet.

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She said English bulldogs are not natural swimmers and that Bruce was typically placed with small or medium-sized dogs because of his size. However, she said he somehow ended up in the large-dog yard, which contains two unfenced pools.

According to Genet, Camp Canine's owners acknowledged Bruce was not supposed to be in that yard but were unable to explain how he ended up there.

A GoFundMe created by Ashley's sister, Savannah, to help cover Bruce's cremation, memorial expenses and legal costs alleges the family's pain was compounded by how the incident was handled.

"What was meant to be a normal day at Camp Canine turned into tragedy when their dog drowned while in the facility's care," the fundraiser states.

"The pain was compounded by the way the situation was handled—they were not contacted when the incident occurred, and only learned of their dog's passing later that day when they arrived to pick him up."

The fundraiser also alleges Bruce's body was returned to his owners in "a storage container in the trunk of a vehicle" and says the family later learned he had not been transported to an emergency veterinary hospital before they were notified.

"My sister and brother-in-law are now left grieving the unimaginable loss of a beloved family member, while trying to understand exactly what happened that day," Savannah wrote.

Camp Canine, which says it has served the Santa Barbara area for 40 years and describes itself on its website as the "Disneyland for dogs," publicly apologized Saturday in a statement posted to Instagram.

"There are no words that can fully express the heartbreak we feel following the tragic loss of a beloved dog while in our care earlier this week," General Manager Jayne Sigman wrote.

"A family entrusted us with a cherished member of their family, and they are now living with an unimaginable loss because we failed in our responsibility to keep their dog safe.

"We are profoundly sorry. Our hearts are with them as they grieve, and we know that no words can lessen the pain they are experiencing."

The facility said it has temporarily suspended daycare operations while it reviews its facility, safety procedures and emergency response protocols.

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"It is our responsibility to learn from this loss, to make meaningful changes, and to ensure a tragedy like this never happens again," the statement continued. "That work has already begun."

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

President Trump steals part of spotlight as Spain celebrates World Cup title over Argentina

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 20:07:34 -0400

The World Cup final on Sunday provided a tense, low-scoring finish to a memorable tournament held across the United States.

Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time to win the World Cup, but President Donald Trump ended up sharing plenty of the spotlight after joining the trophy ceremony.

Trump, alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino, walked to the stage, drawing a mix of cheers and boos as he greeted Spain's players before the trophy presentation.

Fox WORLD CUP ANNOUNCER SAYS TRUMP'S APPEARANCE AT FINAL IS 'FUN, UNIQUE THING' DESPITE POTENTIAL BACKLASH

Trump was briefly part of Spain's team photo as the players hoisted the trophy before Infantino stepped in and suggested he move aside. Trump also appeared in Chelsea's Club World Cup trophy celebration earlier this year after the final in New Jersey.

WATCH:

Trump has become a familiar sight at many of the nation's biggest sporting events during his second term. As previously reported by Fox News' Ryan Gaydos, Infantino had welcomed Trump to take part in the trophy ceremony following the tournament's conclusion in the United States.

Trump arrived aboard Marine One before making his way to the stadium.

FIFA REPORTEDLY WILLING TO LET TRUMP HAND WORLD CUP TROPHY TO WINNING CAPTAIN AT METLIFE STADIUM

The FOX broadcast found Trump before the match with a Taylor Swift-at-Chiefs-games kind of focus.

Seated near Trump's luxury suite were Spain's King Felipe VI, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.

Spain captured its second men's World Cup title, denying Argentina a fourth that would have tied Italy for second-most all time behind Brazil's five. It was also likely Lionel Messi's final World Cup appearance. Fittingly, Spain conceded just one goal throughout the tournament.

WORLD CUP SUPERSTARS ON FULL DISPLAY AS LIONEL MESSI, KYLIAN MBAPPE AND ERLING HAALAND SHINE IN MONDAY'S SLATE

What most viewers enjoyed about this American-set tournament was the heightened stardom of many of the sport's biggest stars. Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham and Lionel Messi dominated headlines throughout the tournament.

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That's how you host a World Cup!

Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela

ISIS poised to exploit historic US Iraq exit, terror group 'actively waiting in the gaps,' expert warns

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 20:04:59 -0400

The Islamic State is quietly rebuilding as the United States prepares to complete its withdrawal from Iraq, raising fears the terror group could exploit a security vacuum, a regional security expert warned Sunday.

With U.S. forces leaving by Sept. 30 and as Baghdad tries to rein in Iran-backed militias, Iraq could also be entering its most dangerous period since ISIS seized Mosul in 2014, according to counterterrorism expert Dr. Omar Mohammed.

"ISIS is waiting actively in the gaps, as it historically always has," Mohammed, author and researcher with the George Washington University Program on Extremism, told Fox News Digital.

US SERVICE MEMBER KILLED IN IRAQ AS TROOPS RECOVER UNIDENTIFIED REMAINS IN JORDAN: CENTCOM

"The question is not whether American forces leave Iraq in September; that timetable is set. The question is what leaves with them."

"The militias claim the ISIS threat in order to keep their weapons, while ISIS recruits from the grievances that the militias create," Mohammed explained.

"That is exactly the dynamic that hollowed out Mosul before 2014, when the city was caught between a sectarian security apparatus and the insurgency it fed."

After preparing for years, ISIS captured Mosul, about 250 miles north of Baghdad, over a decade ago. Iraqi security forces collapsed and fled the city.

The group built underground networks through assassinations, extortion, intimidation and infiltration before launching its offensive. ISIS seized U.S.-made weapons and hundreds of millions of dollars before leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared the group's self-proclaimed caliphate.

At the time, Mohammed launched "Mosul Eye," a blog that secretly documented life under ISIS rule, exposing its operations and offering intelligence to U.S. forces.

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Mohammed’s story is chronicled in Mosul Eye: A Scholar's Clandestine War Against ISIS, out July 21 from Skyhorse Publishing, with a foreword by Pope Francis and an introduction by retired Gen. David Petraeus.

Iraqi forces, backed by the U.S.-led coalition, went on to recapture Mosul in July 2017. When the U.S. combat mission ended in 2021, ISIS continued operating in parts of Iraq and Syria.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has said it will continue working to dismantle ISIS networks and prevent the terror group's resurgence.

But, citing Iraqi intelligence estimates, Mohammed said the number of ISIS fighters in neighboring Syria has increased from around 2,000 to as many as 10,000 since the collapse of Bashar Assad's government in 2024.

Mohammed also said the Popular Mobilization Forces, or PMF, an umbrella organization integrated into Iraq's security forces, was never disbanded after ISIS's territorial defeat.

He estimated the force has about 238,000 members, receives billions of dollars in government funding and includes factions with close ties to Iran that operate outside the Iraqi government's direct control.

IRAN TARGETS US WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE CAMPAIGN TO MANIPULATE AMERICANS, EMBARRASS TRUMP: EXPERTS

Now Baghdad is trying to bring armed factions, including Kataib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl al-Haq, under full state control.

"Sept. 30 is not one deadline; it is two," Mohammed said, referring to the simultaneous U.S. withdrawal and the domestic disarmament push.

"The militias and ISIS are not separate stories; they are deeply interdependent. Each actively justifies the other. Both forces thrive in the unstable spaces the central state cannot hold."

The U.S. withdrawal also follows a 2024 U.S.-Iraq agreement that envisioned ending the mission in Iraq by 2025 while continuing support for anti-ISIS operations in Syria through September 2026. Mohammed warned against repeating past complacency.

"Mosul did not fall in 2014 because ISIS was strong. It fell because everything that would have detected its strength—presence, attention, honest reporting from the ground—had been withdrawn in the years before, while the world's eyes were elsewhere."

I'VE STUDIED MILITARY STRATEGY. TRUMP NOW FACES IRAN'S OLDEST BATTLEFIELD TRICK

Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s White House meeting July 14, where it was announced remaining U.S. troops would leave Iraq, drew condemnation from Tehran.

According to Iran International, Ali Akbar Velayati, an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei , called al-Zaidi's trip "regrettable" and claimed it damaged Iraq's dignity.

Mohammed said Iran's influence inside Iraq is important to Tehran after U.S. strikes degraded parts of its proxy network.

"Iran's strategic calculation matters more now than at any point in a decade because Iraq is essentially what Iran has left," Mohammed said. "So the regime's real fear is not resurgence. It is irrelevance."

Tehran fears an Iraq where the government successfully disarms the militias, U.S. forces leave on Baghdad's terms rather than Iran's, and no active security crisis remains to justify armed groups operating outside full state control, he said.

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"That said, what happens across the wider region after September will not be decided by anyone's stated intentions or diplomatic promises," Mohammed added.

"I have seen what a city pays when that judgment is wrong. Whether ISIS grows large enough to frighten Iran, or stays just large enough to serve it, will be one of the defining questions of the year after the withdrawal," he warned.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment.

Hunter Biden calls Merrick Garland the 'greatest mistake' made under the Biden administration

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 19:46:52 -0400

Former President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, called the appointment of Merrick Garland as U.S. attorney general the "greatest mistake" his father made in office while appearing on the "I've Had It" podcast on Sunday.

During the show, host Jennifer Welch attacked Garland and the Department of Justice under him for not charging President Donald Trump and for investigating Hunter Biden. She asked Hunter Biden for his opinion on what she described as "capitulation by Democrats" to Republicans for pushing Garland in the first place.

"One of the things that pisses me off is the Merrick Garland DOJ and the not prosecuting of Trump. And that they prosecuted you," Welch said in part when teeing up her question.

"My take is this, and removing myself from it as much as I can, my personal feelings, is the single greatest mistake of my father's administration was the leadership of Merrick Garland," Hunter Biden said.

‘PRIVILEGED’ HUNTER BIDEN, SPARED BY DAD’S PARDON, BLASTS TRUMP’S CLEMENCY POWER

He added, "The reason that we are in the situation that we're in right now can almost... by the way, the buck has to stop with my dad. He was the president and he chose him. Now, once he chose him, he played by the, you know, a higher standard than the Marquess of Queensberry rules. He played by the Constitution and the tradition that the president will never, you know, particularly since Nixon, involve himself in any decision-making as relates to anything at the Department of Justice. So, I guarantee you there was a division between church and state there."

Hunter Biden added more blame to Garland for failing to prosecute Trump for any role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, claiming that it was a "planned conspiracy" through the Trump administration to undermine the 2020 election.

HUNTER BIDEN ADMITS HE SHOULDN'T HAVE TAKEN BURISMA BOARD SEAT WHEN PRESSED ON ACCUSATIONS RELATED TO ROLE

"[I]f Merrick Garland had started a completely 100% legitimate investigation rather than thinking like let's not fan the flames… did you not watch what I watched? Did you not see the people storming the Capitol of the United States of America, beating cops and running congressmen and senators literally out of the building? You didn't see that? You didn't see a president and know that it was a concerted and planned effort on their part beginning all the way back from the day before the election when they knew they were going," Hunter Biden said.

Both Welch and Hunter Biden also described Garland as a "moderate" and suggested that he was only selected by President Biden to appeal to Republicans and as a favor after former President Barack Obama previously pushed him for Supreme Court justice.

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"Obama picks this milquetoast candidate. Your dad is a decent man, felt bad about what happened to Merrick Garland. And he played integrity politics. Like, well, 'I'm going to make him whole and make him attorney general.' And then Merrick Garland gets there, and he's like, 'Well, we can't upset these crusty White Republicans,'" Welch said.

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"Massive mistake," Hunter Biden said.

Hunter Biden was previously under investigation since 2018 under President Donald Trump's first term. However, he was later pardoned by his father for any offense he "has committed or may have committed" from Jan. 1, 2014, to Dec. 1, 2024 during his final weeks in office.

Unsecured metal pipes impale California sedan in terrifying highway crash

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 19:15:18 -0400

A driver narrowly escaped a terrifying crash Thursday after unsecured metal pipes from a nearby pickup truck pierced through the back of the driver’s sedan on a Southern California highway.

The incident occurred on a highway in Orange County when a white pickup truck carrying the cargo collided with a gray sedan, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Santa Ana Area Office said Thursday.

"After investigation, it was determined the white pickup truck loaded with metal pipes crashed into the gray sedan," CHP Santa Ana said in a statement.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT TRUCK DRIVER FROM INDIA ARRESTED IN DEADLY CALIFORNIA HIT-AND-RUN AFTER BIDEN RELEASE

"After the initial impact, the unsecured metal pipes from the pickup truck were propelled forward, into the sedan, and through the sedan’s rear window."

Photos released by the agency showed the gray sedan with at least six long metal pipes lodged through the shattered rear windshield, narrowly missing the driver’s side of the vehicle.

Officials said the driver thankfully escaped the two-vehicle crash with only minor injuries.

'SLAP ON THE WRIST': ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT TRUCKER'S SENTENCE IGNITES OUTRAGE AFTER CRASH KILLED 3

CHP used the incident as a warning to motorists about the dangers of unsecured cargo, noting that road debris contributes to hundreds of deaths nationwide each year.

"Unsecured cargo causes crashes every year, leading to hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries nationwide," the agency said. "When a load isn’t properly secured, everyone on the road is at risk."

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The agency reminded drivers to properly secure all cargo before hitting the road, using equipment such as ropes, netting, bungee cords or straps. Officials also advised motorists to use sturdy tarps or covers to prevent debris from falling out and to avoid overloading vehicles.

According to data released last year by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, road debris was a contributing factor in roughly 53,000 crashes annually between 2018 and 2023. Those crashes resulted in an average of about 5,500 injuries and 72 deaths each year.

Bill Maher claims Donald Trump felt 'betrayed' by him with 'silly' feud after cordial 2025 dinner

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 19:09:52 -0400

"Real Time" host and comedian Bill Maher claimed on Sunday that President Donald Trump feels "betrayed" by him after they continued to feud following their cordial dinner in 2025.

During an interview on ABC's "This Week," Maher discussed recently accepting the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center, where Trump serves as the chairman. Ahead of the award ceremony, Maher and Trump traded several barbs after it was reported that the Trump administration initially attempted to stop him from receiving the award.

"I love that, you know, he takes the game seriously. Like no, ‘I’m going to block this guy.’ I respect the move," Maher said on his "Club Random" podcast in April. "But I know that on June 28, it's going to happen. We're going to be at the Kennedy Center, and I couldn't be more appreciative, honestly."

THE FEUD BETWEEN TRUMP AND MAHER IS HEATING UP AGAIN AS HBO HOST RESPONDS TO THE PRESIDENT’S LATEST DIG

After finally accepting the award, Maher addressed his ongoing fight with Trump, arguing that it stemmed from the fact that he refused to agree with Republicans after meeting with Trump last year.

"He was just mad at me because I went to his house for dinner with no guarantee that I would leave – guarantee? It was never in the cards that I was ever going to come over to their – his side," Maher said. "You know, it's better to just talk and go through this."

PATTON OSWALT SAYS BILL MAHER WAS WRONG TO TRY TO 'PLACATE' TRUMP, ARGUES IT ALWAYS BACKFIRES

During the interview, anchor Jonathan Karl pointed out that Maher had previously faced backlash for meeting with Trump, and Maher ultimately stood by the decision.

"I reported honestly that it, no, it wasn't a terrible experience at all from a guy who has done some terrible things," Maher said.

Karl remarked that Trump's attacks against Maher have seemed to grow worse since the dinner.

"Yes, because now he feels betrayed, which is silly because there was never a deal. It was only set up as, instead of shouting at each other, talk to each other," Maher said.

BILL MAHER ARGUES CANCELED STARS LIKE LOUIS CK, KEVIN SPACEY SHOULD BE LET OUT OF 'SHOW BUSINESS JAIL'

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment.

Though Maher was adamant in his political stance against Trump, he admitted during the interview that he could see himself voting for a Republican like Vice President JD Vance in 2028 if his opponent is supported by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).

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"My vote is in play because it can’t be Trump running, so I’m not living in communist America," Maher said.