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WNBA followers enraged over three head coaches' comments on protecting women's sports in two days

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 07:43:05 -0400

The WNBA had three head coaches in two days enrage WNBA followers with answers to questions on the protection of women's sports.

Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White, who oversees superstars Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham, gave her answer during a pre-game press conference on Friday.

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

It triggered a social media meltdown among WNBA followers who were dissatisfied with her platitude. Actor Rob Schneider and New York Giants Super Bowl champion Jake Ballard were among those to criticize White for her answer.

After the game, the Fever drew further criticism after they did not make Caitlin Clark available to reporters, and then abruptly ended the press conference when an OutKick reporter attempted to ask Aliyah Boston about Cunningham's recent stance in support of protecting women's sports.

Liberal sports journalist Jemele Hill even criticized the Fever for not making Clark available.

FEVER SHUT DOWN SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM QUESTIONS, ABRUPTLY END PRESS CONFERENCE

Portland Fire head coach Alex Sarama also came under scrutiny when he gave his answer on whether biological males should be allowed to compete in women's sports before his team took on the Fever on Friday. Sarama was asked an hour before White was asked.

"My focus is as a basketball coach. To be completely honest, I don't think I've ever had to think about that. I'm completely supportive of people from all communities, people from all walks of life, so that's my stance, completely, I'm support of everyone in the Portland community," Sarama said.

His answer also triggered a tsunami of criticism, but White's answer ultimately overshadowed his and drew attention away from his as the night went on.

SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM RALLY ROCKS WNBA GAME AS 'SAVE WOMEN'S SPORTS' ACTIVISTS FACE COUNTERPROTEST

Then on Saturday, Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve, who will lead her team against Indiana on Sunday, was asked her thoughts on the recent rallies that have followed the Fever to celebrate Cunningham's stance in supporting the protection of women's sports.

Reeve defended the right of "Save Women’s Sports" demonstrators to gather outside Sunday’s game, but also said that the scenario of "biological men" in girls' locker rooms is "not the case."

"It is not the case that we have 'biological men' in girls' locker rooms. The way it's being phrased, the innuendo there that transgender women are predators of some kind in the locker room. There's a lot of narrative that is problematic that we need to address," she said.

While Reeve also drew criticism, she also garnered praise from pro-trans social media users.

The national debate over trans athletes in women's sports has gripped the WNBA after Cunningham revealed her stance on the issue in an ESPN article last month. The two rallies that have taken place at Fever games since then have garnered mainstream national attention.

The first rally in Seattle resulted in a national controversy when Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton allegedly berated two young Cunningham fans who attended, as the owner was later suspended for five home games and fined. The second rally in Portland on Friday saw a crowd of counterprotesters show up, some in costumes.

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Now, all eyes are on Minneapolis for the third rally, and a game between Reeve's Lynx and Cunningham's Fever in one of the highest-stakes games of the WNBA season.

Hotel Wi-Fi phishing attack targets Microsoft logins

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 07:41:39 -0400

Hackers are tampering with Wi-Fi equipment at hotels and conference centers, turning an everyday internet connection into a path toward fake Microsoft 365 login pages. The hotel Wi-Fi phishing attack poses a particular risk to business travelers. You might connect before a meeting, open your laptop and see what appears to be a normal Microsoft sign-in screen. However, the hotel's compromised network may have quietly sent you to a page controlled by hackers.

Cybersecurity company ReliaQuest says the campaign has been active since at least June. Researchers found compromised Wi-Fi gateways in several U.S. cities. Organizations in financial services, professional services, legal, health care, energy and retail connected through the affected equipment. That broad range suggests the hackers may be targeting traveling employees rather than one specific industry. Here is how the attack works, which warning signs to watch for and the steps you can take to protect yourself while traveling.

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FBI HELPS TAKE DOWN AI PHISHING RING

Hackers are changing hotel Wi-Fi DNS settings

A Wi-Fi gateway controls how connected devices reach the internet. Once hackers gain administrative access, they can change the gateway's Domain Name System settings. DNS works like an address book for the internet. It translates a website name into the numerical address needed to reach the correct server.

In this campaign, hackers alter that process. When someone tries to open a legitimate Microsoft login page, the compromised gateway may direct the browser to a fake site instead. Your device can still appear connected normally. The hotel name may show up in your Wi-Fi settings and other websites may continue loading. That makes the attack difficult to notice before you enter sensitive information.

How attackers may be breaking into Wi-Fi gateways

ReliaQuest has not confirmed how the attackers first gained access to the affected appliances. However, the researchers identified several possible entry points. Some gateways may expose administrative tools directly to the internet. Hackers could search for weak passwords, vulnerable web dashboards or poorly protected remote management services.

Older Wi-Fi appliances may also run software with known security flaws. If a hotel or event venue delays an update, an attacker may exploit that opening and take control. Once inside, the hacker can change the DNS configuration without touching each guest's phone or laptop. One compromised gateway can affect many people who connect during an event.

WHAT YOUR INTERNET PROVIDER, WEBSITES AND ADVERTISERS SEE

Fake Microsoft 365 pages capture business logins

ReliaQuest says the attackers registered at least four domains for the fake Microsoft portals:

m365-owa[.]com
owa-ms365[.]com
ms365-device[.]com
ms365-live[.]com

These addresses contain familiar Microsoft terms. A traveler moving quickly between meetings may overlook the unusual domain name. The fake page can collect a Microsoft 365 email address and password. A stolen account may expose business email, private documents and company cloud services. Hackers could also use the account to impersonate an employee. That creates opportunities for payment fraud, internal phishing or further attacks against coworkers and clients.

A device code prompt may bypass MFA

Some incidents involved a more deceptive device code authentication flow. A user reached a fake Microsoft page that displayed an authorization prompt. The prompt appeared to be part of a legitimate sign-in process.

Behind the scenes, however, the hacker had already started an authentication session. When the user approved the request, Microsoft issued a legitimate OAuth token to the attacker's client. That token could give the hacker account access without requiring the attacker to steal a password or intercept a one-time code.

This technique can get around multifactor authentication because the user completes the approval. The security system sees a valid authorization even though the attacker initiated it. A login prompt that suddenly asks you to approve a device deserves extra scrutiny. Stop and verify the request through your company's IT department before continuing.

Researchers also spotted attempts to abuse WPAD

In roughly one-third of the cases, the attackers attempted to abuse Web Proxy Auto-Discovery, commonly called WPAD. Windows can use WPAD to find network proxy settings automatically. The attackers responded to those requests with a malicious proxy auto-configuration file.

In theory, that file could send traffic from Windows applications through a proxy controlled by the hackers. That may give attackers another chance to observe or manipulate network activity. ReliaQuest could not confirm whether those WPAD attempts succeeded. Still, the activity shows that the attackers may be looking beyond Microsoft login credentials.

Public DNS services may not stop the attack

Switching your device to a public DNS service such as Google's 8.8.8.8 may sound like an easy defense. Unfortunately, ReliaQuest says that step alone cannot block this campaign. Traditional DNS requests travel across the network in plain text. A compromised Wi-Fi gateway can forge the response before your request reaches the public resolver.

Your device may think it contacted the DNS service you selected. In reality, the gateway can answer first and point you toward the hacker's server. Encrypted DNS offers stronger protection because it prevents the local gateway from easily reading or changing those requests. However, you need to configure it in strict mode so your device does not quietly fall back to an unencrypted connection.

Ways to stay safe on hotel and conference Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi can still be useful, but you should treat it as an untrusted network. These steps can reduce your exposure while traveling.

1) Use an always-on full-tunnel VPN

A full-tunnel VPN encrypts your internet traffic and sends it through a trusted VPN server. Services can help protect travelers using hotel, airport or conference Wi-Fi. Make sure the VPN covers all traffic rather than selected apps. Connect it before opening email, checking financial accounts or signing in to any sensitive service. For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com

2) Consider using your phone's hotspot

Your phone's cellular hotspot can help you avoid the hotel gateway entirely. This works well when you need to access email or business documents for a short period. Check your mobile data allowance first. Large downloads and video calls can use a significant amount of data.

3) Verify every Microsoft login address

Before entering a password, look closely at the full web address. A domain containing "Microsoft," "365" or "OWA" does not make the page legitimate. Use a saved bookmark for your company's Microsoft 365 portal. You can also open the official application instead of following a prompt that appears after connecting to Wi-Fi.

4) Be cautious with device code requests

Do not approve an unfamiliar device code simply because the page looks authentic. Ask why the request appeared and confirm that you started the login process. Contact your IT or security team when a prompt feels unexpected. A quick verification can prevent an attacker from receiving a valid session token.

5) Keep your devices and browsers updated

Install operating system, browser and security updates before traveling. These updates can close vulnerabilities that attackers use alongside network-based attacks. Restart your device after installing an update when prompted. Some fixes do not take effect until the restart finishes.

6) Use strong security software

Strong antivirus software can help detect malicious pages, suspicious downloads and other threats that follow a phishing attempt. Keep its web protection features turned on. Security software cannot repair a compromised hotel gateway. However, it can add another barrier when an attacker tries to deliver malware or send you toward a known phishing site. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com

7) Ask your company to review Microsoft settings

ReliaQuest recommends disabling Microsoft Entra ID device code authentication when an organization does not need it. Companies should also review login records for unusual locations, unfamiliar devices or suspicious application approvals. IT teams can disable WPAD where business systems do not require it. They should also investigate unexpected proxy configuration activity on Windows devices.

Kurt's key takeaways

This campaign shows how a hotel Wi-Fi network can look completely normal while sending you toward a fake Microsoft 365 login page. The network name may match the hotel and the sign-in page may look polished, which makes the attack difficult to spot. Your biggest warning may be an unexpected request to enter your work password or approve a new device. Slow down before signing in, especially when you are rushing between meetings or working from a conference center. Use an always-on full-tunnel VPN whenever possible. You can also switch to your phone's cellular hotspot when handling sensitive email, files or account logins. Finally, never approve a Microsoft authentication request you did not start. If anything feels off, stop and contact your company's IT department through a trusted channel.

Will this Wi-Fi threat change how you connect to your accounts when staying at a hotel? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com

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In-N-Out president says ‘heart is broken’ after employee, customers killed in Idaho shooting

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 07:26:18 -0400

In-N-Out President Lynsi Snyder said her "heart is broken" after an employee and customers were killed when a gunman opened fire at one of the burger chain’s newest restaurants in Idaho.

Three people were killed and seven others injured, some critically, in the Saturday afternoon shooting at the In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, city spokesperson Josh Palmer said. Police found the suspected gunman dead near the restaurant, though Palmer said it was not immediately clear whether the shooter was included in the city’s reported death toll.

"We lost one of our beautiful Associates tonight," Snyder said in a statement posted to Facebook. "She was taking care of our most important asset — our Customers, and her life was taken by a disgusting human who doesn’t value the lives of others or his own."

Snyder said the gunman fired both on and away from In-N-Out property before ending his own life shortly after killing the employee and customers.

MULTIPLE PEOPLE KILLED IN SHOOTING AT IDAHO IN-N-OUT RESTAURANT, SUSPECT DEAD

"My heart is broken, my chest is heavy, my eyes burn from the tears I’ve shed," she wrote.

TOLEDO POLICE FOLLOWING 'MULTIPLE LEADS' AS MANHUNT ENTERS 3RD DAY AFTER FESTIVAL SHOOTING

Officials had not released the names, ages or other identifying details of the victims as authorities worked to notify their relatives.

Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks said investigators were also working to identify the suspected shooter and determine a motive.

"We believe the threat to the community is over," Hicks said during a news conference. "It was a very chaotic scene."

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

The shooting unfolded at about 2 p.m. in a busy shopping plaza where hundreds of people were in the area, according to Palmer.

Video recorded from across the street appeared to show a person dressed in black carrying a long rifle toward a white vehicle. The person opened the driver’s door and then the trunk before reaching inside, prompting the driver recording the scene to leave out of concern that the shooter might be retrieving additional weapons.

Multiple victims were taken to St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center. A hospital spokesperson said the facility was working with law enforcement and emergency personnel as they responded to the shooting.

The restaurant first opened on July 24, barely a week before the attack, as part of In-N-Out’s expansion into the Gem State.

Snyder said the company would mourn alongside the victims’ families and support the employees and customers who experienced the violence.

"I am no stranger to loss, but this is so incredibly tough, and my heart also goes out to all of the Associates and Customers who were there during this traumatic event," she said.

She urged the In-N-Out community to "turn to God, not in anger, but seeking comfort and strength for those who are hurting."

"We will stand together, and we will do everything we can to learn from this situation," Snyder added.

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The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting local authorities with the investigation.

Twin Falls, a city of roughly 56,000 residents, is about 130 miles southeast of Boise.

'Today' show intruder who allegedly hurled slur sent to Rikers without bail after probation violation

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 07:00:34 -0400

The man accused of slipping past security at NBC's "Today" show studios and hurling a racial slur at co-host Craig Melvin was ordered to be held at Rikers Island without bail after violating the terms of his probation, according to court records.

Andrew Truelove, 41, was remanded to the Rikers Island jail complex without bail on Wednesday after violating parole tied to a criminal mischief charge he pleaded guilty to in May, court records show. Truelove is accused of sneaking into a vestibule that is near Studio 1A in Rockefeller Center on July 16 and went up to Melvin, allegedly hurling a racial slur.

Truelove was allegedly searching for Al Roker but encountered Melvin instead. He faces hate crime charges of burglary, a felony, and menacing, a misdemeanor, in connection with the incident.

‘TODAY’ SHOW SECURITY GUARD FIRED AFTER INTRUDER ENTERS UNAUTHORIZED AREA, TARGETS CRAIG MELVIN: REPORT

The man has a criminal history that extends beyond New York.

Truelove was convicted of trying to abduct an 8-year-old from a school in Norfolk, Virginia, in 2007. He was sentenced to 10 years of prison, with six years suspended and followed by 10 years on probation, according to court records.

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During those court proceedings, a psychiatrist testified Truelove had bipolar disorder symptoms and stopped taking medications.

‘TODAY’ SHOW SECURITY GUARD FIRED AFTER INTRUDER ENTERS UNAUTHORIZED AREA, TARGETS CRAIG MELVIN: REPORT

His rap sheet also includes charges of trespassing, destruction of property, making bomb threats and multiple probation violations, according to Virginia court records.

GOT A TIP?

After the mid-July incident at Rockefeller Center, Melvin wrote, "I've heard from so many of you over the last few hours. I'm doing just fine. Thanks for reaching out. I'm looking forward to seeing you tomorrow morning on [TODAY Show]."

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The "Today" show said in a statement it was reviewing security protocols after the incident. A security guard who reportedly failed to keep Truelove out of the studio was fired.

‘TODAY’ SHOW SECURITY GUARD FIRED AFTER INTRUDER ENTERS UNAUTHORIZED AREA, TARGETS CRAIG MELVIN: REPORT

"An individual entered an unauthorized area in a vestibule near Studio 1A," a "Today" spokesperson said in a statement. "The person approached anchor Craig Melvin, who alerted security. The individual was detained and taken into custody by law enforcement without further incident. There was no altercation, and no one was injured. TODAY is cooperating fully with law enforcement as they investigate the matter. NBC and TODAY take the safety and security of our employees, talent, staff and guests extremely seriously. We are reviewing the incident and our security protocols and remain committed to providing a safe and secure environment for everyone who works at and visits our studios."

It’s up to Congress to save the Smithsonian from the anti-American left

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 07:00:24 -0400

That’s the impression you would get if you visited the exhibit on Entertainment Nation at the American History Museum on the National Mall — the Smithsonian Institution’s flagship museum that explains to between 2 million and 4 million visitors every year what America is all about, and why.

You won’t find any permanent exhibit on the Founding Fathers or the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

But you will find a display that claims one of America’s most beloved and iconic cartoon characters, Mickey Mouse, was actually inspired by blackface minstrelsy — an entertainment trend directly linked to the demeaning of African Americans in our past.

TRUMP ORDERS SIGNS OUTSIDE SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM AMID ROW OVER ITS DEPICTION OF AMERICAN HISTORY

Does that mean the Smithsonian thinks Mickey is a racist symbol? In congressional testimony on July 22, Museum’s Director Anthea Hartig said no, but she’s not fooling anyone.

The bitter truth is, the woke toxin that has been destroying American education has spread deep into our national museum culture — corrupting even the ones that most represent who we are to foreign visitors.

Those hearings demonstrated just how far the poison has spread, and how administrators continue to deny or cover it up.

REP GILL CHALLENGES 'GENUINELY INSANE AND OBJECTIVELY OFFENSIVE' DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS AFTER VIRAL HEARING

In addition to smearing Mickey Mouse as an artifact of the historical denigration of Blacks, the Museums as a Site for Social Action (MASS Action) Toolkit, a guide for radicalizing museums which the Smithsonian approves as a reference work, cites virtues such as "politeness" and "objectivity" as part of White supremacist culture. (Director Hartig claims the museum doesn’t use the toolkit).
The 1619 Project proclaiming that slavery, not freedom, lies at the root of our identity as a nation, has been heavily integrated into exhibits at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture — even though the project itself has been debunked as a tissue of historical distortions and outright lies.

The African American Museum also has a lurid fascination with violent Marxists such as Angela Davis and Stokely Carmichael, while it was only after considerable protest and outrage that it finally conceded part of an exhibit to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
Two national monuments outside Washington D.C., Monticello and Montpelier, have fully embraced the woke agenda, and turned the homes of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison into propaganda centers for leftist messaging regarding slavery in America instead of celebrating the contributions of two of our greatest founders.

SMITHSONIAN PUSHED ‘REVOLTING’ SOCIAL ACTION TRAINING AFTER ‘WHITENESS’ CHART APOLOGY: EXPERT

This takeover by the radical left has been going on for years, as its practitioners have crafted a view of history that systematically denigrates America, while turning words like diversity and inclusion into guided missiles for attacking our most important institutions.

And the blame falls squarely on conservatives.

They watched as the radical left took over our universities and colleges, and did nothing.

They frowned a little as the left took over K-12 education, but did nothing.

They squirmed when the left took over Monticello and Montpelier, but again did nothing.

Now a DSA-style agenda has infected our most important museums in the nation’s capital.

The shame is, there’s such a great story that our national museums could be telling.

It’s a story of how our founding on the principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness has been the guiding light in our history for 250 years. Our most dramatic episodes, from the American Revolution and the Civil War to the building of the transcontinental Railroad and the rise of American industry and technology, all show that same Founders’ spirit and drive that animates what we call American exceptionalism.

It’s also a story of how women, African Americans, Native Americans and immigrants of every color and background have struggled but also triumphed in their pursuit of the American Dream. Their story is an inspiring saga which we continue to see unfold before us — one that still draws millions to our shores in pursuit of the same dream.

In short, America’s story is one of the greatest, most exciting, and most inspiring, adventures in all history. The radical left, however, is determined to turn that story into an extended horror movie. Our Smithsonian museums are only their latest theaters for spreading their lies and distortions.

Now, finally, Texas Republican Rep. Brandon Gill and his colleagues have publicly exposed the threat, with their hearings. So has the White House, with its Domestic Policy Council report detailing how the Smithsonian has been captured by a radical, activist ideology. It’s time for ordinary Americans to stand up against the radical denigration of their country and its culture.

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Even liberals should be horrified at what’s happened. We can quote the words of an iconic liberal historian, Arthur Schlesinger Jr., who wrote more than three decades ago:

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"If we repudiate the quite marvelous inheritance that history bestows on us, we invite the fragmentation of the national community into … cultural and linguistic apartheid."

Apartheid is precisely what the left wants, in order to seize power. Now, in our 250th anniversary, it’s time to turn the telling of history in our nation’s capital from condemnation to celebration.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM ARTHUR HERMAN

American Culture Quiz: Test yourself on popular personalities and retro revivals

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 06:00:14 -0400

The American Culture Quiz is a weekly test of our unique national traits, trends, history and people — including current events and the sights and sounds of the United States.

This week's quiz highlights popular personalities, retro revivals — and more.

Can you get all 8 questions right?

Give it a try and see how you do!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES

To try your hand at more quizzes from Fox News Digital, click here.

Also, to take our latest News Quiz — published every Friday — click here.

US companies win billions in African data center deals in direct competition with China

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 06:00:03 -0400

JOHANNESBURG: The U.S. is beating China in a high-tech trade war over data centers in a fierce battle being waged across Africa.

Major new deals have been engineered in a public-private partnership between the Trump administration and U.S. companies in Africa, while States across the U.S. clamp down on the centers over their massive reliance on electricity.

The administration’s Bureau of African Affairs has reported it has worked on 37 commercial transactions that have closed since the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term — representing $25.67 billion in total value, with more still being reported.

RESOURCE-RICH NATION PRAISES US TIES AMID WASHINGTON-BEIJING CRITICAL MINERALS RACE

Data centers are at the heart of today's global economy — fueling the massive demand for AI and hosting everything from video streaming to housing cloud networks.

In Lesotho, with U.S. help, an American company has won a $6.2 billion deal for a data center and hydropower plant. It is the largest transaction in this Southern African country’s history.

In Gabon, the U.S. Embassy helped win $600 million in business for American companies in 2025. And this year, the embassy in this central African country has assisted in securing a $100 million contract to supply two data centers and a gas-to-power plant, in the face of strong competition from China.

Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Frank Garcia, told Fox News Digital, "Under President Trump’s leadership, the United States is assisting U.S. companies to find new markets and flourish in Africa."

The main strategic competitor in Africa is China. While American goods traded with Africa last year were valued at $83.4 billion by the Office of the United States Trade Representative, Beijing’s General Administration of Customs claimed bilateral trade between China and Africa reached $348 billion for the same period.

But Garcia called out China for giving African countries a raw deal, saying "there are others (notably China) that trap, coerce and undermine. The choice to me is clear — partner with the United States for prosperity."

To drive this initiative, the State Department, through the Bureau of African Affairs, launched the Commercial Diplomacy Strategy in early 2025, with Garcia telling Fox News Digital the U.S. "is working worldwide to advance a level playing field for U.S. companies and address disparities in trade practices."

The playing fields in Lesotho are not level: Geographically because this is a mountain kingdom. Financially because China is historically deeply entrenched in life there. Beijing has dropped all tariffs on Lesotho’s exports. Payments between the two countries have been simplified, with Lesothans able to bank directly with the State-owned Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.

Beijing has canceled debt on major projects in Lesotho, and among other major projects is building a new fire station, a solar power plant and even completed a police fingerprint examination laboratory.

CHINA IS BUILDING AN AI WAR MACHINE. WASHINGTON MUST WAKE UP BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE

This makes it all the more remarkable that, with the administration’s help, primarily through the local embassy, U.S. company Convalt Energy has secured a $6.2 billion agreement with the government of Lesotho.

Garcia told Fox News Digital that the "project includes a 1,200MW pumped-storage hydropower facility and a 900MW AI data center, increasing Lesotho's electricity generation capacity by approximately 1,600% and transforming the country into a net exporter of electricity. The project is expected to generate approximately $2 billion in U.S. energy equipment exports."

Convalt Energy’s President & CEO, Hari Achuthan, told Fox News Digital how U.S. companies such as his are beating China on their traditional turf "American companies can compete successfully by innovating faster, integrating hardware and software, and remaining intensely focused on the needs of the end customer."

A new data center, Achuthan believes, is not only at the heart of the project, but is essential for any country’s growth. "The next major cycle of economic growth will increasingly be driven by artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and the energy systems required to support them. AI cannot scale without physical infrastructure. Every data center requires reliable power, water, fiber connectivity, land, cooling systems and resilient transmission infrastructure."

"The Trump administration’s emphasis on trade and private-sector investment, rather than relying primarily on grant funding, is closely aligned with our approach in Africa," Achuthan continued. "In Lesotho, we are pursuing a commercially sustainable infrastructure platform built around long-term investment, bilateral trade with a durable, sustainable operating business."

"At the same time," Achuthan added, "the project can create meaningful economic benefits in the United States. Convalt’s U.S. manufacturing facilities are being developed to serve domestic customers as well as international markets, particularly Africa, where demand for power, manufacturing capacity and digital infrastructure is growing rapidly."

The construction of two data centers is part of the $100 million deal Assistant Secretary Garcia says administration officials have helped American company Cybastion secure. Garcia added, "notably, the U.S. company prevailed over Huawei (a Chinese company) in a direct competition for the project."

Cybastion CEO Dr. Thierry Wandji believes U.S. companies can and are now coming to the fore. Earlier this month the U.S. embassy in the Ivory Coast confirmed an even larger deal for Cybastion. The $170 million contract will bring a data center, government digitalization platform and a cutting-edge border surveillance system to this West African country.

Wandji told Fox News Digital, "We believe we are the better option compared to other global competitors. Cybastion brings a unique understanding of the African context and local business environments."

"Africa has some of the world's fastest-growing economies," Wandji continued. "Across the continent, countries are prioritizing sovereign data centers, modernizing their government services through digitalization, and digital workforce development as part of their national development plans.

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"The U.S. tech sector offers global competitiveness unparalleled to any country in the world," Wandji added. "We deliver innovation, transparency and accountability in our business offerings, while creating new markets for U.S. companies."

Convalt’s Achuthan told Fox News Digital what’s working for U.S. business in Africa, "American companies must clearly communicate the value of quality, transparency, safety, responsible business practices and long-term community partnership. Competing solely on price is not enough going forward. Companies from the United States should compete on performance, reliability, innovation, institutional trust and the ability to create sustainable local economic benefits."

Vulnerable Democrat warns party to 'fight back' against growing socialist movement

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 04:00:19 -0400

A senior House Democrat is urging his party to push back against the growing socialist wing that's been gaining influence in recent years.

"I don't ascribe to any of those ideas at all, and I think that there's very little support for those ideas," Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., told Fox News Digital in an interview.

He compared the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) to the House Freedom Caucus, a group on the rightmost flank of the House GOP, while denouncing the DSA's use of the word "democratic" in its name — implying its ideals were mostly socialist in nature.

"Much like the Republicans have had to deal with the Freedom Caucus, the Democrats are going to have to deal with this group," Suozzi said. "I don't like the idea of them using 'democratic.' I think that we should be, as the Democratic Party, should be fighting against that and saying, 'You know, you shouldn't be using the word democratic ... that's us, that's not you."

RAHM EMANUEL WARNS DSA AGENDA DOESN'T PLAY WELL OUTSIDE 'UPPER WEST SIDE OF MANHATTAN'

It comes as DSA-linked candidates are making significant inroads in primary elections across the country, even defeating incumbent House progressives in New York and Colorado.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS AIM TO TURN DEMOCRATIC CIVIL WAR INTO MIDTERM WEAPON

And as Republicans work to capitalize on a burgeoning civil war within the party, Suozzi warned fellow Democrats to take the perception of a DSA takeover seriously.

"I try not to waste my time on worry. I try to take action. So I just say very clearly, 'That's not me and that's not us, and this is why that's not us, and that's why this is not me.' And I fight back against it," Suozzi said. "And there are a lot of Democrats who say, 'Oh, if you look at it, it's just a very small percentage in very deep-blue seats. And it's not that big a deal.' I think that's wrong to just discount it like that. I think you just come out head-on, and take it on and say, 'These guys are wrong. We've got nothing to do with them.'"

100 DAY SPRINT TO THE MIDTERMS KICKS OFF AS REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS CLASH FOR CONTROL ACROSS THE COUNTRY

Suozzi himself is part of an ever-shrinking group of moderates on both sides of the aisle. He's also co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, which is dedicated to finding legislative solutions that both parties can get behind.

The New York Democrat is one of Republicans' top targets in the coming midterm elections, and his November victory would be key to Democrats taking back control of the House. Suozzi's district, anchored in the wealthy Long Island suburbs outside of New York City, was won by President Donald Trump in 2024.

He told Fox News Digital that Democrats should not focus on running against Trump the person, but rather argue about his specific policy actions.

"Your grocery prices are higher, your fuel prices are high, your health insurance costs are higher. Your energy bill is higher. Your kids can't buy a house — all these different factors. And that's happening because of this administration," Suozzi argued. "I think it should be less about Trump himself. You know, when I say it should be a referendum on Trump, it should be a referendum on this administration's performance addressing the things in your life."

Meanwhile, Republicans have argued that a Democrat-controlled House will embolden the party's socialist wing to take control and push policies that are unpopular with Americans.

In the Empire State, for example, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, has become a prominent boogeyman for the right.

Suozzi said the tactic "would be effective" if he had not distanced himself from the socialist's policy platform early on.

"He's a very smart guy, he's very charismatic," Suozzi said. "I just fundamentally disagree with his positions on things."

But it's not enough to speak out against the socialist left, Suozzi warned.

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"I started a thing called The Promise to America, where I've got now 10 members of Congress signed onto it. We're in the process of getting 200 state and local officials," he said. "We've identified 10 candidates, Democratic candidates, to sign the pledge that says 'We're capitalist, not socialist. We're for safety, not lawlessness. We're proud, not ashamed of America, and we're mainstream, we're not extreme.' So we've just got to organize, we've got to do the work necessary."

Suozzi is running against Republican former state lawmaker Mike LiPetri, whom Trump endorsed to flip the seat red.

Inside the behemoth Smithsonian museum network drawing fire from the Trump administration

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 05:00:25 -0400

The Smithsonian Institution, whose museums in Washington, D.C. have come under fire from conservatives and President Donald Trump over what they describe as increasingly left-wing messaging, is the world's largest museum complex, comprising a sprawling network that spans the country and influences millions of people each year.

Founded in 1846 with funds from the will of British scientist James Smithson, who never visited the United States but left his fortune to establish an institution "for the increase and diffusion of knowledge," the Smithsonian steadily grew from a single museum into the world's largest museum, education and research complex.

Today, the Smithsonian owns or leases nearly 700 facilities across eight states, Washington, D.C., and Panama, encompassing roughly 13.6 million square feet of museums, laboratories, archives, warehouses, research stations and support facilities.

The organization now houses more than 157 million artifacts and specimens, operates 21 museums along with the National Zoo and 14 education and research centers, maintains 21 libraries, and partners with more than 200 affiliate museums and cultural institutions nationwide.

TRUMP ORDERS SIGNS OUTSIDE SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM AMID ROW OVER ITS DEPICTION OF AMERICAN HISTORY

Visitors see only a fraction of the Smithsonian’s overall collection. Roughly 99% of the Smithsonian's more than 157 million artifacts and specimens are kept in storage facilities, laboratories and archives, where they are preserved and studied by researchers.

The Smithsonian as a whole welcomes over 30 million in-person visitors each year, while its educational resources and digital platforms reach millions more. The institution operates on an annual budget of more than $1 billion.

The Smithsonian isn't just a museum operator, it's effectively a national education and research institution that has a vast reach across school campuses nationwide as it helps shape the educational experience of the nation’s students.

GOP LAWMAKER DEMANDS ANSWERS AFTER SMITHSONIAN CHIEF URGED MOVING BEYOND 'AMERICA FIRST MENTALITY'

Through initiatives like the Smithsonian Learning Lab and Smithsonian Science Education Center, the institution provides millions of free lesson plans, classroom activities, virtual field trips and other educational resources used by teachers and students nationwide. It also offers professional development for educators and educational programming that extends well beyond its museums.

On college campuses, the Smithsonian is actively involved in partnering with schools across the country on internships, fellowships, research collaborations and joint academic programs which put the organization in touch with thousands of undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral students each year.

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Earlier this month, the White House released a sweeping report warning about an alleged infiltration of leftist politics inside the Smithsonian, a report an expert told Fox News Digital is an example of the "long march through the institutions" that socialist and communist activists have been pushing in the United States for decades.

"That shift from history to activism is clearly documented in this report. Anthea Hartig, NMAH’s director since 2019, has explicitly stated that she sees history as a ‘prime tool of social justice’ and one of her roles as connecting ‘research and scholarship to activism and advocacy,’" the White House report stated.

Last week, President Trump ordered his administration to install signs outside the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History directing visitors to what the White House describes as "accurate" information about the nation's past, guaranteeing that the controversy over the Smithsonian's cultural influence will remain a topic of conversation for months to come.

Louisiana becomes latest state to launch Fauci investigation following explosive Senate hearing

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 02:58:29 -0400

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said Saturday that her office will investigate Dr. Anthony Fauci, days after the former top health official invoked his Fifth Amendment right during a contentious Senate hearing.

Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination 111 times during Wednesday's Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing and declined to answer lawmakers' questions.

Murrill shared a Fox News Digital story on X noting that, despite receiving a federal pardon from former President Joe Biden, Fauci could still potentially face prosecution under state law.

CAN FAUCI HIDE BEHIND THE FIFTH? GAME-CHANGING BIDEN PARDON MAY NOT PROVIDE COMPLETE COVER, EXPERTS SAY

"Fauci lied," Murrill wrote. "Louisiana and Missouri deposed Dr. Fauci. At the time, he claimed to not recall many key details of his own actions and now we are discovering contemporaneous records he kept."

"Louisiana will join Alabama & Florida in investigating Fauci and whether he committed any other offenses that could be pursued in our State courts," she added.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry also weighed in, writing on X, "As someone who was Attorney General alongside Eric Schmitt, and deposed Dr. Fauci, I am happy to have Louisiana join Alabama and Florida!"

FAUCI'S FIFTH FUELS VOW TO HAUL HIM INTO COURT 'EVERY DAY' DESPITE BIDEN PARDON

Louisiana is the latest state to announce an investigation into Fauci.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Thursday that his office would investigate Fauci following the Senate hearing. Uthmeier previously told Fox News Digital that "any and all potential violations of Florida law" are under review.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., also told Fox News Digital that Fauci's federal pardon does not shield him from potential state prosecutions because presidential pardons apply only to "offenses against the United States."

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: WHY FAUCI'S 111 FIFTH AMENDMENT PLEAS COULD END UP BEFORE THE COURTS

"Anthony Fauci is responsible for the deaths of millions of Americans and tens of thousands of Alabamians," Tuberville said. "The 'pardon' signed by Joe Biden's autopen doesn't apply to state-level crimes."

Tuberville, who is running for Alabama governor, said that if elected he would explore ways to pursue state charges against Fauci while encouraging Alabamians to pursue civil claims.

"When I'm governor of Alabama, I will look into ways we can hold Fauci accountable for all of the Alabamians who died under his watch."

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Fox News Digital has reached out to Fauci's attorney for comment.

Fox News Digital's Charles Creitz contributed to this report.

New Mexico woman's bodycam confession about hiding newborn baby in hospital garbage tossed by state court

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 02:48:35 -0400

The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled that the body camera footage of a woman confessing to hiding her newborn baby in a hospital trash can in an attempt to conceal her pregnancy cannot be used by prosecutors in her murder case because of doctor-patient confidentiality.

Alexee Trevizo, who was 19 when she was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence in 2023, was captured on police body camera admitting to hospital staff and her mother that she dumped the baby boy in the trash after workers reported the incident to authorities.

But the court ruled in a unanimous decision that all statements made in front of a police officer in the hospital room cannot be used at trial because her confession was protected under doctor-patient confidentiality, People reported. The state's high court also upheld the Fifth Judicial District Court’s ruling that surveillance video showing Trevizo inside the hospital and any body camera footage captured by police were also not admissible in court.

Trevizo’s doctor entered the room with two officers and informed the then-high school cheerleader and her mother that a dead newborn was found in the trash and had to be reported, the body camera footage shows.

NEW MEXICO WOMAN CHARGED WITH MURDER AFTER DEAD NEWBORN FOUND IN TRASHCAN

"I’m sorry, it came out of me. I didn’t know what to do," Trevizo was heard saying in the footage after a doctor told her the baby was found in the trash.

"I was scared," she continued, claiming that the child "was not crying or nothing."

After learning that a newborn had been found in the trash can, Trevizo’s mother asked: "How big is the baby?" A nurse told her that the baby appeared to be full term, to which Trevizo responded that "nothing was crying."

Trevizo's mother then asked her: "Where did you put the baby at? Tell me the truth. You put it in the bag?" Trevizo confirmed that she did put the newborn in the trash bag.

Police had not read Trevizo her Miranda rights before making the confession, but prosecutors argued that she did not need to be Mirandized since she was speaking to hospital staff in front of officers and not directly to any police.

The young woman was also receiving medical treatment when officers entered the room with body cameras.

"Despite her unresolved medical crisis, Dr. [Heather] Vaskas, without authorization, ambushed Defendant, bringing with her two armed officers who stood in the doorway of her hospital room, and disclosed her personal medical information to all persons in the room without warning," the court said in an opinion written by Justice Michael E. Vigil.

Since Trevizo was "not given the opportunity to exclude anyone from the room before Dr. Vaskas discussed her condition in the presence of others" and in a "compromised medical condition," the justices said that they "cannot conclude that Defendant’s waiver of her physician-patient privilege was voluntary."

Trevizo, now 22, arrived at Artesia General Hospital for severe back pain on Jan. 27, 2023, when hospital staff began running tests and giving her morphine for the pain as they waited for her results.

The teenager repeatedly denied to hospital staff that she was pregnant before running out of her hospital room and holding her backside on her way to the bathroom. Her mother followed her toward the bathroom and knocked several times on the locked door, waiting with hospital staff for around 20 minutes before the high school senior opened the door just as a nurse was about to unlock it.

After she opened the door, Trevizo was found cleaning up a heavy amount of blood on the floor. Hospital staff originally suspected the blood was from the woman attempting to terminate her pregnancy.

The bathroom had blood splattered on the wall, so hospital staff asked a janitor to clean it.

As the janitor was cleaning the bathroom, they noticed the trash felt heavier than expected and dug around until they discovered the newborn baby that was no longer breathing hidden inside. The janitor then told nurses of the discovery, and police were notified as required by law.

The New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator later determined the newborn died by homicide, finding that the child died from entrapment after being placed and tied inside a plastic trash bag beneath bloody paper towels and other garbage. The autopsy report also said the child had air in his lungs and that there was evidence of a hemorrhage consistent with hypoxia.

Despite these findings, Trevizo has maintained that the baby was stillborn. She has also continued to claim that she did not realize she was pregnant until she gave birth to her child in the hospital bathroom.

NEW MEXICO TEEN ACCUSED OF KILLING NEWBORN FACES 'NONSENSE' PETITION TO BAN HER FROM COLLEGE: LAWYER

The district attorney’s office filed charges against Trevizo based on the conversation captured on body camera footage as well as video taken from hospital security cameras that showed her in the hospital hallway entering and later leaving the bathroom. But that evidence is now inadmissible.

After her arrest on May 10, 2023, Trevizo was released from jail and allowed to finish her senior year of high school without an ankle monitor or house arrest while waiting for trial.

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Trevizo attended prom and had planned to walk at her high school graduation while awaiting trial, but the school asked her not to attend.

She then attended New Mexico State University, where students launched a petition that received more than 30,000 signatures demanding she be banned from campus.

Fox News Campus Radicals Newsletter: Parents left in the dark, Trump starving socialist breeding grounds

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 00:32:50 -0400

FAMILY UNDER SIEGE: Controversial teacher training targets parental authority as oppression, education expert warns

LIZ PEEK: Trump is starving the machine that creates America's socialist revolutionaries

HEATED EXCHANGE: Piers Morgan eviscerates Ivy League student who refused to work 'for a Jew' as 'brazenly' antisemitic

CLASSLESS: Washington school district reviewing incident of employee making celebratory remark about Charlie Kirk's death

UNDER SCRUTINY: Harvard tops nation in foreign cash haul as Cotton demands probe into China funding

'THERE WAS NOTHING:' Washington mother pulls children from school after Pride lesson shown in music class without notice

DISTRICT ON TRIAL: Trump Education Department probes school after teacher allegedly required same-sex students to kiss

ACT OF DEFIANCE: Kansas teacher says she'll continue using students' preferred pronouns as district faces federal investigation

Texas man allegedly bought 77 head of cattle with bad checks totaling over $159K: sheriff

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 23:53:16 -0400

A 25-year-old Texas man faces charges after he allegedly bought dozens of cattle with bad checks.

Payton Dean Carroll was charged with felony second-degree cattle theft after purchasing 77 head of cattle from Buffalo Livestock Marketing, Inc., the Leon County Sheriff’s Department said in a release on Saturday.

The alleged theft totaled $159,604.03.

CHICK-FIL-A EMPLOYEE BUSTED IN BIZARRE $80K MAC-AND-CHEESE THEFT SCHEME

The sheriff’s office’s Criminal Investigations Division began investigating Carroll on July 17 after receiving a report of the alleged crime.

THE SINGLE CRUSHING PROBLEM AMERICAN CATTLE RANCHERS WISH TRUMP WOULD FIX INSTEAD

"Our office extends thanks to Buffalo Police Department, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, and Navarro County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance throughout this investigation," the sheriff’s office said in the release.

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Carroll is from Barry, Texas, according to the sheriff's department.

Chiefs rookie standout Cyrus Allen exits practice after scary collision with teammate Kaiir Elam

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 23:26:52 -0400

A scary training camp collision briefly threatened Cyrus Allen’s strong start with the Kansas City Chiefs, but the rookie wide receiver appeared to avoid a serious injury.

Initial tests showed Allen sustained only a shin bruise, with no tear or broken bone, ESPN reported, citing sources.

Allen was not the only Chiefs receiver to have an injury scare Saturday. Xavier Worthy went down during an 11-on-11 period after hauling in a deep pass near the end zone and landing on his shoulder.

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Worthy has already dealt with shoulder-related concerns early in his NFL career. He injured his right shoulder on the third snap of last season after colliding with tight end Travis Kelce on a crossing route during a game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Worthy later underwent an offseason procedure to address the injury.

Allen went down Saturday during a special teams period as the Chiefs practiced pooch punts. He and defensive back Kaiir Elam, both lined up as gunners, ran into each other near the goal line while attempting to track down the ball. Elam got up and walked off, but Allen stayed on the grass before two staffers helped him onto a cart.

FANS STUNNED AT TRAVIS KELCE'S TRAINING CAMP PHYSIQUE AFTER NUPTIALS TO TAYLOR SWIFT

Allen appeared to shake his head before covering his face with his jersey.

Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub said Allen had been making a strong push for a role before the injury.

"I hate to see somebody get hurt, especially on a special teams drill," Toub said. "We'll see how he is. He's really doing well on offense, and he's doing well for me too. He's at gunner and returner, and he's doing a real good job, putting himself in a good position to be a guy that's going to help us this year."

Toub added that Chiefs rookies are always asked to put in work during special team drills.

"Anytime you have a rookie, everybody is on special teams until they aren't, until they establish themselves, whether it's a starter on offense or defense," he said.

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The Chiefs took Allen in the fifth round of April’s draft, and he quickly emerged as one of Patrick Mahomes’ go-to targets early in camp. Allen has led Kansas City’s wide receivers in catches during 11-on-11 periods.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Oba Femi shows the future of WWE is here as he takes down Brock Lesnar in Hell in a Cell match at SummerSlam

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 22:51:27 -0400

The beast has been slayed. The next big thing is in the past. The future is now.

Oba Femi ruled the ring and defeated Brock Lesnar in an epic Hell in a Cell match at SummerSlam at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. It was a car crash from the start.

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The two major stars of WWE were locked inside the monstrous structure and nearly ripped the ring apart. Lesnar did as much as he could. He took Femi to Suplex City, but it didn’t have much effect on "The Ruler." Lesnar crushed Femi with the steel steps and hit him with multiple F5s but still couldn’t keep him down.

For his last act, Lesnar ripped the canvas to expose the wood blocks underneath. He hit Femi with a tombstone piledriver in an apparent nod to The Undertaker. He came within a millisecond of beating Femi.

But Femi kicked out and delivered a Fall from Grace. He finally was able to pin Lesnar and conquer someone who was deemed to be unconquerable. Femi celebrated the victory in the ring as Lesnar and Paul Heyman watched.

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Lesnar got the last word.

"This is the future, ladies and gentlemen," Lesnar said, referencing Femi. "This is the past. This is the future."

Lesnar seemingly retired after losing to Femi the first time at WrestleMania 42. He left his boots in the ring and waved goodbye to the crowd at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. While Lesnar looked teary-eyed, he raised Femi’s hand as the premium live event went off the air.

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Femi is clearly the next person in line to get a title shot and his eyes will certainly be on the outcome of the World Heavyweight Championship match between Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins on Night 2 of SummerSlam.

The Bellas' alliance with Paige crumbles after stunning SummerSlam loss to Fatal Influence

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 22:44:04 -0400

Fatal Influence may have picked up a huge win in a six-woman tag team match against Nikki Bella, Brie Bella and Page at SummerSlam on Saturday night, but the real stunning moment came moments after the match was finished.

Jacy Jayne hit Paige with a Rolling Encore and pinned her for the victory. Jayne, Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid celebrated as they walked back up the ramp at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

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Paige, Brie Bella and Nikki Bella were back in the ring and taking in the applause of the crowd. Paige turned back around to find Nikki Bella hitting her with a clothesline. She laid the beatdown on Paige, taking out all of her frustrations on her. Brie Bella looked on, grabbing her shoulder and doing nothing to help her former tag team partner.

The Bellas walked up the ramp, leaving Paige in the dust.

"Oh you f----d up," Paige wrote on X after SummerSlam was finished.

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Paige made her return to WWE at WrestleMania 42 when she stepped in for an injured Nikki Bella to vie for the women’s tag team championship. Paige and Brie Bella won the match and held the tag titles for several weeks before losing them to Reid and Henley at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

The joyous moment of WrestleMania appeared to be a thing of the past.

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For Fatal Influence, they have emerged as one of the top groups on SmackDown – let alone WWE itself. Reid and Henley already have gold and Jayne’s opportunities at a singles title has to be coming in the near future.

Randy Orton puts his fangs into Cody Rhodes, costs him WWE title against CM Punk at SummerSlam

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 22:18:31 -0400

Cody Rhodes’ past came back to haunt him on Saturday night at SummerSlam.

Rhodes was in the midst of challenging CM Punk for the Undisputed WWE Championship in one of the final matches of the night at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Rhodes and Punk were putting on an epic performance only those two could deliver.

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Punk and Rhodes went counter-for-counter, trying to get an advantage on one another as they looked to be the one holding the belt at the end of the match.

But neither could have prepared for a snake in the grass.

Rhodes took out the referee when he was trying to hit a Cody Cutter from the top rope. The crowd started to buzz as Randy Orton came through and got into the ring. "The Viper" hit Rhodes with an RKO out of nowhere.

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Punk took advantage and hit Rhodes with a Go to Sleep and pinned Rhodes for the win.

Orton had been out of action since he lost to Rhodes at WrestleMania 42. Orton left with the upper hand as he punted Rhodes in the head before he left the ring. Rhodes was left bruised and battered that night but was still the champion.

This time, Rhodes is leaving Minnesota stunned and without a championship.

Punk, on the other hand, called out almost everyone on the SmackDown roster who could possibly step up to him as a champion. Gunther could be a possibility after he defeated Nick Aldis during the night. Trick Williams was also mentioned as a potential contender.

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However, a No. 1 contender will be decided on Night 2 of SummerSlam. Sami Zayn, who lost the title to Punk, will go up against Finn Balor.

'Sopranos' star sings national anthem at Mets game on same day that fellow castmember dies

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 22:10:28 -0400

Saturday was a bittersweet day for fans of "The Sopranos."

Fans of the legendary TV series were excited to see one of the show's stars belting out the National Anthem at a New York Mets game.

But, eerily, it happened on the same day that one of the series' most recognizable stars passed away.

BEN AFFLECK AND CASEY AFFLECK'S MOM, CHRIS ANNE AFFLECK, DEAD AT 83 AFTER PANCREATIC CANCER BATTLE

On Saturday, the Mets hosted the Miami Marlins at Citi Field, and before the game, they welcomed Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who played Meadow Soprano on the series, to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner."

That was a solid rendition, and fans were excited to see Sigler out on the field handling anthem duties.

However, there was a bit of an eerie coincidence that fans started to notice as the day went on.

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Also on Saturday, it was announced that actor Vincent Pastore, who played Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero, had passed away at the age of 80.

Fans certainly took notice of how the two things coincided.

Again, a total coincidence... but let's be honest about it, that's kind of odd.

It's not every day that a cast member from the show sings the anthem at a Major League Baseball game, so for it to happen and start making the rounds on social media on the same day that we learned that a beloved actor from the show had died?

Yeah, that's really wild.

But it also goes to show what an impact "The Sopranos" has had, considering it came to an end in 2007.

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Which is just under 20 years ago.

Feel old?

Famed mountaineer Nirmal Purja, 43, among 10 climbers killed after avalanche in Pakistan

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 21:59:24 -0400

Famous mountaineer Nirmal Purja, who was the subject of a 2021 Netflix documentary, was among 10 climbers confirmed dead on Saturday on the world’s 12th-tallest mountain in Pakistan.

The climbers were killed when they were hit by an avalanche on the 26,414-foot-tall Broad Peak Thursday in the Karakoram mountain range.

"The world has lost one of mountaineering's greatest climbers," Elite Exped, the company involved in the expedition, said in a statement, adding, "we mourn not only Nims, but every life lost in this tragedy."

AMERICAN CLIMBER'S REMAINS FOUND AFTER AVALANCHE IN PAKISTAN, OTHER MOUNTAINEERS STILL MISSING

The company added, "No words can ease the pain of this unimaginable loss."

Purja had been leading the group up Broad Peak.

A Pakistani rescue team recovered three bodies on Friday, including American Sarah Mallory Geis, but had to temporarily halt the operation in the "remote and difficult" area due to weather conditions.

NOVICE CLIMBER SURVIVES 1,500-FOOT DROP ON CALIFORNIA'S MOUNT SHASTA AFTER HELICOPTER RESCUE DELAYED BY CLOUDS

The search resumed on Saturday and rescuers are attempting to recover the remaining seven bodies.

"The loss of these courageous climbers, who came from different nations united by their passion for the mountains, is an immeasurable loss to the global mountaineering fraternity," Irfan Arshad Khan, the president of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, said.

"The mountains inspire us with their beauty, but they also remind us of the immense risks faced by those who venture into the high Himalaya and Karakoram," he added, thanking the military, Sherpas and civilians who took part in the rescue mission.

Along with Purja, who was British-Nepali, and Geis, the other climbers were from Pakistan, Nepal and China.

Purja was featured in the 2021 Netflix documentary "14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible" in which he attempted to summit the world’s 14 tallest mountains in seven months.

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British Defense Minister Wes Streeting called Purja an "inspirational man who served in our Armed Forces for many years — and whose incredible mountaineering adventures are known the world over."

The 43-year-old had served in the British army with the Gurkhas, Nepali soldiers recruited to serve with the U.K., and he later served in the British special forces.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

Liv Morgan proves herself as top women's star in WWE as she retains title at SummerSlam over Iyo Sky

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 21:20:42 -0400

Kicking off a major WWE premium live event like SummerSlam is no tough task. The competitors involved in the first match have to set the tone for how the rest of the next few hours will go.

Liv Morgan and Iyo Sky set the pace immediately at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

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Morgan, the women’s world champion, hadn’t had a title defense in quite some time and already lost to Sky in the Queen of the Ring finals. But the lack of title defenses recently didn’t seem to affect Morgan immediately. As Sky tried to take the fight to the outside, Morgan flipped the script and the "Genius of the Sky." She threw Sky into the barricade and nailed her opponent in the ribs before delivering the Three Amigos.

Sky has the ability to turn the tables on a dime and she did just that. A kick to the head followed by a missile dropkick gave Sky the momentum. A Bullet Train Attack put Morgan right where Sky wanted her. Morgan was hanging on the middle rope and Sky nailed a sunset-flip powerbomb to the mat outside of the ring.

Just as Sky was going up for a moonsault, Morgan’s Judgment Day cronies got involved. Roxanne Perez distracted the referee while Raquel Rodriguez tossed Sky down from the top rope. Morgan, however, couldn’t get the pinfall.

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Sky ended up taking out Perez and Rodriguez with a moonsault to the ground. Morgan got out of the way and regain composure just for a moment. Morgan would get caught up on the top rope and Sky hit an incredible Spanish Fly.

Sky pulled out all the stops – a double underhook faceplant and backbreaker. She even hit Morgan’s Oblivion finisher. But the champ wouldn’t go down. Sky nailed Morgan with a German suplex on the apron followed by a Bullet Train Attack. Sky went for the Over the Moonsault, but Morgan got her knees up.

Morgan followed up with an incredible sequence. She hit one Oblivion, followed by a codebreaker and another Oblivion. She put Sky down for the three count.

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Morgan proved that the sky has to fall sometimes. She put away one of her most formidable challengers on the Raw roster and retained the Women’s World Championship.

Stephanie White, let me 'educate' you on the science of why men don't belong in women's sports

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 21:15:31 -0400

Before the Indiana Fever won their fifth straight game, WNBA poster child Caitlin Clark secured her fourth career triple double and Sophie Cunningham shot lights out from three, Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White said pregame that she wasn’t "educated enough from a scientific standpoint" to answer whether males should compete in women’s sports.

Though I doubt this is truly the case, here’s a brief overview of what decades of biological and sports science have consistently shown, Coach White.

Following puberty, males develop physical advantages that are well-documented in medical and sports performance research. Those differences don’t disappear simply because someone decides to identify as a female.

CAITLIN CLARK KEPT FROM REPORTERS DESPITE TRIPLE-DOUBLE NIGHT AS COACH GOES VIRAL FOR WOMEN'S SPORTS COMMENTS

Among the most significant biological differences are:

Males develop significantly more lean muscle mass than females.
On average, men possess 30%-40% greater upper-body strength.
After puberty, males typically have testosterone levels many times higher than females, leading to greater muscle development, increased power output, and faster strength gains.
Men generally have higher bone density, wider shoulders and longer reach.
Males typically have a greater proportion of fast-twitch muscle fibers, improving explosive speed and power.
Men generally have larger hearts and lungs, contributing to greater aerobic capacity.
On average, males have a 10%-12% higher hemoglobin concentration, allowing more oxygen to be delivered throughout the body during exercise.
Males typically possess a 15%-20% higher VO₂ max than similarly trained females, improving endurance performance.
Men generally have larger and stronger tendons and ligaments, allowing them to generate and withstand greater force.
Males usually have larger skeletal frames, including bigger hands and feet, which can improve leverage and force production in many sports.
Greater absolute muscle mass and anaerobic power also contribute to faster recovery between repeated maximal efforts.

MEGAN RAPINOE SAYS EFFORTS TO BAR TRANS ATHLETES FROM WOMEN'S SPORTS ARE 'ATTACK ON WOMEN IN SOCIETY'

These biological differences are the reason men’s and women’s sports have separate competitive categories in the first place. They are why Title IX exists.

Across nearly every measurable athletic performance, from sprinting and jumping to throwing, lifting and endurance, elite male performances exceed elite female performances.

This isn’t about effort, dedication, or the talent of female athletes. Women have earned opportunities to compete on a level playing field against other women.

If the concern is fairness and safety in women’s sports, then biological sex matters.

Coach White, you said you weren’t sufficiently informed on the science. Now you are.

The conversation should be grounded in biology, physiology and competitive fairness. Admitting the fact that men in women’s sports is not safe, nor fair, is not "transphobia" or "hate." It’s actually one of the best ways to show you actually support the first letter of the WNBA acronym.

The science and biology behind this issue has been well established since the dawn of time.

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Now is the time for women in the WNBA to stop politically pandering, gaslighting conservatives who have helped make the league notable, and potentially profitable, for the first time in its 30-year history.

Coach White, it’s time to join forces with your player, Sophie Cunningham. It’s time to proclaim common sense and stand up for the many women and girls affected by men in their sports.

Democratic socialist headed for $142K legislature salary begs for rent handout, deletes post after backlash

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 20:49:29 -0400

A Democratic Socialist expected to coast to victory in a deep-blue Queens state Assembly district is facing questions after briefly asking supporters to help cover his rent and grocery bills while waiting to take office.

Brian Romero, the Democratic nominee for New York's 34th Assembly District, removed a GoFundMe campaign Friday after the New York Post inquired about the fundraiser, which sought $2,000 to help with living expenses.

Romero said he left his job as a senior adviser to state Sen. Kristen Gonzalez earlier this year after receiving ethics guidance once he became a candidate for Assembly, according to the Post. While he handily won June's Democratic primary and faces no Republican challenger in November, Romero said he has exhausted his savings while searching for consulting work and has been unable to collect unemployment benefits.

SHOCKING PERCENTAGE OF DEMOCRATS IDENTIFY AS 'DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS' ACCORDING TO NEW POLL: 'TOXIC POLICIES'

"As many of you know, I had to leave my full time job in the legislature when I got on the ballot for our Assembly race," Romero wrote on the since-deleted fundraising page, according to the Post. "I'm excited that we won and I saved for months to get by but I've now depleted my savings as I'm close to closing down some consulting gigs."

The fundraiser said the money would help cover rent and groceries while he navigated the transition to elected office. According to the Post, the page had raised more than $1,000 from 13 donors before Romero removed it Friday.

The online appeal drew criticism because Romero is expected to easily win the heavily Democratic district, where he would earn the state Assembly's $142,000 annual salary once sworn into office, in addition to legislative per diem payments while the Legislature is in session.

MAMDANI-BACKED SOCIALIST IN HOT SEAT AGAIN OVER DELETED POSTS PRAISING COMMUNISM, MARXISM: 'CRAZYPANTS'

Jordan Libowitz, vice president for communications at Citizens for Ethics in Washington, told the Post he could not recall another instance of a lawmaker-elect publicly asking for financial assistance while awaiting office.

Romero told the newspaper he removed the fundraiser after discussing it with friends and described creating it as "a mistake." He also said he did not keep any of the money that had been donated.

"I decided to take it down. It was kind of done pretty quickly in consultation with some friends," Romero told the Post.

Instead, Romero said friends offered to help him financially while he looked for work.

"I have friends I just reached out to directly who said, 'We'll take care of it.' They're just dear friends who know me, they know politics. They know sometimes these long breaks are really tough," he told the newspaper.

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State payroll records cited by the Post show Romero earned $106,469 last year as a legislative aide. The newspaper also reported he lives with his partner in a Jackson Heights apartment that rents for about $2,600 a month.

Romero did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Social media was not loving Caitlin Clark getting snubbed by TV network's MVP graphic

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 20:45:23 -0400

The wild thing about Caitlin Clark is that whenever she gets mentioned, she elicits reactions.

But whenever she's not mentioned, she still elicits reactions.

And if they didn't already know that second part, one of the WNBA's broadcast partners just got a refresher from the folks on social media.

CAITLIN CLARK IS MISSING FROM ESPN'S NEW WNBA DOCUMENTARY AND THE FILMMAKERS WON'T SAY WHY

If you were watching Ion recently… What's Ion?

Ion. C'mon, y'know, Ion... it used to be PAX TV? They showed "Supermarket Sweep," and have since morphed into a quasi-sports network with some WNBA coverage.

What's confusing about that?

Anyway, they were talking about the WNBA's very healthy MVP race this season, but fans were quick to notice that a certain No. 22 who plays in Indianapolis was conspicuously absent.

Now, there are arguments against Clark being the MVP. A high number of turnovers and questionable defensive play among them.

But, considering Clark's play at points this season, including a 43-point performance against Seattle last month and a fourth-career triple-double on Friday night in Portland, it's kind of hard not to see her cracking the top five candidates.

ELLE DUNCAN BLAMES CAITLIN CLARK, HER FANS FOR MEDIA SMEAR CAMPAIGN WHILE IGNORING FACTS

And the way people reacted to Ion's post (remember: Ion is a broadcast network that shows lots of "Law & Order: SVU" reruns), a lot of folks on social media think she certainly is a top five candidate.

Tell us how you really feel about Ion... which is a broadcast network. A real one, we swear!

I don't mean to get all tin-foil hatty, but I'm starting to wonder if these omissions are by design, and simply to drive engagement on social media.

Why? Because it works.

When was the last time most people cared about the WNBA MVP race? About the same time someone said, "Hey, let's roll over to Ion and see what must-see programming they've got going on over there."

Never.

But by leaving out Clark, people start hammering their socials, thereby injecting Ion and the WNBA into people's feeds.

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It's almost like something Andy Kaufman would do if he were running the WNBA or a fringe TV network.

And he probably would've had he not sadly passed... or did he?!

Multiple people killed in shooting at Idaho In-N-Out restaurant, suspect dead

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 20:36:14 -0400

Multiple people were killed in a shooting at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho, on Saturday, police said.

Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks said multiple law enforcement agencies responded to what he described as a "very chaotic" active shooter scene.

Hicks confirmed there were multiple fatalities, including the suspected gunman, but said authorities were still working to notify victims' next of kin before releasing an exact death toll. He added that several other people were being treated for injuries at a local hospital.

AT LEAST 1 SHOT, 1 DETAINED AFTER REPORTED ACTIVE SHOOTER AT TEXAS MALL: POLICE

"What I can tell you at this time is that we've had a shooting at the In-N-Out location that has resulted in fatalities," Hicks said during a news conference. "I don't have the exact number confirmed. We're still trying to make notification of their next of kin."

Authorities have not released the suspected shooter's identity or determined a motive.

"We believe that the threat to the community is over," Hicks said. "The suspected shooter in this incident is deceased. He was nearby on the scene, and we are working to ascertain his identity and the motivations behind that."

Hicks said investigators are interviewing potential witnesses who were at or near the restaurant when the shooting occurred.

"We have literally hundreds of people that were in some way, shape or form in the area of this restaurant at the time that are being interviewed right now," he said.

TOLEDO POLICE FOLLOWING 'MULTIPLE LEADS' AS MANHUNT ENTERS 3RD DAY AFTER FESTIVAL SHOOTING

The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting with the investigation, Hicks said.

"Today has been a very hard day here in Twin Falls. A tragic day," Hicks said.

Police said officers responded to reports of an active shooter at about 2:30 p.m.

"Our department is responding to an active shooter incident in the area of In-N-Out," the Twin Falls Police Department said in an earlier statement. "We are asking all residents and visitors to avoid the area so officers and first responders can work safely."

TUCSON MASS SHOOTING HAS RESIDENTS CONCERNED OVER ONGOING RAMPANT VIOLENCE, POLS DEBATING GUN RIGHTS

Police said the area around the In-N-Out Burger restaurant and the Twin Falls Visitor Center will remain closed Saturday evening as investigators continue processing the scene.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little urged residents to keep the community in their prayers as law enforcement responded.

"Idahoans, join me in keeping the Twin Falls community in your prayers as law enforcement and first responders respond to an active shooter situation near In-N-Out," Little wrote on X. "Please avoid the area and follow directions from law enforcement as they work to keep everyone safe."

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Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador said he was monitoring the situation.

"Praying for everyone in Twin Falls as first responders continue searching for the suspect near In-N-Out," Labrador wrote on X before police confirmed the suspected gunman was dead.

"Twin Falls Police, Idaho State Police, and fire and paramedic crews remain on scene working to secure the area," he added. "If you're in the area, please listen to local authorities and stay away from In-N-Out and the surrounding streets so first responders can do their jobs."

This is a developing story; check back for updates.

Alexander Rossi reacts to his first laps in the next generation of IndyCar

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 19:55:34 -0400

This week, IndyCar officially unveiled its long-awaited new chassis, known as the IR-28, and while the photos were great, it was nice that we didn't have to wait long to get a taste of it in the flesh (carbon fiber?).

That's because two days of running were scheduled for this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway's 2.439-mile road course layout with Ed Carpenter Racing's Alexander Rossi jumping in the cockpit Saturday.

There's a lot of work to be done before the IR-28 and its accompanying refreshed engines from Chevrolet and Honda hit the series in 2028, but Rossi said after spending Saturday in the car that he was impressed by the preparation that went into getting it ready for a shakedown.

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"I’ve been a part of some new car launches before, and I can’t say that any have gone as smooth as this one has," Rossi said, per IndyCar.com. "That’s down to everyone involved. We’ve all been waiting for this for a long time. Drivers, fans, teams, sponsors and all of you have been looking forward to it, and now it’s finally here.

"It’s like Christmas morning."

Unfortunately, the weather wasn't super cooperative, and that limited some of Rossi's track time, but he still got a taste for some of the difference coming the series' way in about a year and a half.

"It's hard to do a full comparison because of the conditions we were dealing with, but everything you could hope for from a day like today was accomplished," he said. "The fact that the car is completely new and the only real issue we had was replacing one sensor is phenomenal. That’s a huge testament to Dallara, IndyCar and everyone involved.

"The car has a lot of incredible qualities that we haven’t even scratched the surface of yet. It was an incredible start and just a joy to drive."

ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!

The IR-28 is IndyCar's first new car since the DW12 — which is still in use — debuted in 2012, and that makes it the first to be designed with the Aeroscreen and hybrid system in mind.

It's expected to weigh around 100 pounds less than the current car, and after the early returns from Rossi, drivers will be eager to get their hands on it.

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The next driver to get a feel for it is reigning series champ Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing, who will test it on the IMS road course on Sunday.