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NYPD officers fatally shoot man armed with butcher knife after he advanced toward cops: police

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 23:18:17 -0400

NYPD officers fatally shot a 54-year-old man Sunday afternoon after police said he advanced toward them with a large butcher knife inside a Lower East Side apartment building.

The shooting happened shortly after 4 p.m. at 126 Ludlow Street, where officers were responding to multiple 911 calls reporting an assault in progress.

When officers entered the building, they found a trail of blood leading up a staircase, NYPD Assistant Chief Melissa Eger said during a Sunday evening news conference.

As officers headed upstairs, they encountered 54-year-old Wei Chan coming down the staircase while armed with what police described as a large butcher knife.

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"Officers repeated multiple commands for the male to show his hands in an effort for him to drop the weapon," Eger said. "As officers issued repeated commands, the male continued to advance towards the officers armed with the large butcher knife."

The officers then opened fire, striking Chan. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

"He has no known criminal history with our department. However, he does have a documented mental health history with the department," Eger said.

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Officers also found Wei Chan's 75-year-old father, Cheung Chan, suffering from a laceration to the head. Investigators said Wei Chan had injured his father before police arrived.

He was also taken to the hospital and is expected to survive.

The responding officers were also taken to a hospital for evaluation, police said.

"Their actions are a reminder of how officers run towards danger and not away from it," Eger said.

VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SHOOTING SUSPECT FOUND HIDING IN DORM CLOSET ARRESTED

Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Sunday that he had been briefed on the shooting and that the incident would undergo an internal investigation.

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"As with every incident in which NYPD officers discharge their weapons, there will be an internal investigation, and body-worn camera footage of the incident will be released," Mamdani wrote on X.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation.

Hayden Panettiere dead at 36

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 23:12:03 -0400

"Nashville" actress Hayden Panettiere died, her representative confirmed to Fox News Digital. She was 36.

Circumstances surrounding her death were not immediately made available.

"It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her – and to the millions who watched her onscreen," her rep said in a statement provided to ABC.

Fox News Digital's Christina Dugan Ramirez contributed to this report.

This is a developing story. Check back here for updates.

Von Miller signs with Cowboys in homecoming move for 2-time Super Bowl champion: 'Let's make this one special'

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 22:20:27 -0400

Von Miller, the eight-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion, is heading to Jerry’s World for his 15th NFL season.

Miller announced he is signing with the Dallas Cowboys, though the specifics of the deal were not disclosed.

"Dallas ! Let’s make this one Special !" Miller wrote on X with a photoshopped picture of himself in a Cowboys uniform.

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Cowboys legend Demarcus Ware, who also won a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos alongside Miller, also posted a FaceTime screenshot of the two of them smiling together with the a smiling emoji and "#CowboysNation."

Miller also won SB 50 MVP during that game against the Carolina Panthers as well.

Miller is coming off a nine-sack season for the Washington Commanders, where he also collected 26 combined tackles across 17 games with his fourth NFL franchise in his career.

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Now, Miller will be facing off against the Commanders, and other NFC East foes, with the Cowboys.

COWBOYS LEGEND RELISHES IN CALEB DOWNS PICK AS RIVAL TEAM MISSES OUT ON FILLING SECONDARY HOLE

Miller is a future Hall of Fame defensive end who has two first team All-Pro nods under his many accolades. He also heads into the 2026 NFL season tied ninth all-time in sacks alongside Ware with 138.5 for his career.

This is also a full-circle moment for Miller, who returns home. The DeSoto, Texas native starred at DeSoto High School before earning national recognition during his time with the Texas A&M Aggies.

The Broncos ended up taking Miller second overall in the 2011 NFL Draft, but now he heads to Dallas, which is less than an hour away from where he grew up.

For the Cowboys, the addition of Miller runs with the theme they’ve had since trading away Micah Parsons one year ago. They have been trying to find that skilled pass rusher since Parsons landed with the Green Bay Packers.

Last season, the Cowboys had just 31 sacks, which was in the bottom third of the league. Of course, sacks are not the only statistic that matters, but as a defense, Dallas allowed the third-most yards (377.0) and the most points (30.1) per game of any team in the league.

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The Cowboys have tried to shore up their defense this offseason, including the addition of Parsons’ old Packers teammate, outside linebacker Rashan Gary, ex-Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Otito Ogbonnia, and ex-San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters while using two first-round draft choices on defensive players — Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and UCF linebacker Malachi Lawrence.

Finally, with new defensive coordinator Christian Parker in place, the Cowboys want to see their defense keep opponents out of the end zone, while their offense continues to find it like they did at a high rate last season. The Cowboys had the second-best offense in terms of yards in 2025.

Can Miller be that much of a difference, though? Can he fill the sack void left when Parsons packed for Green Bay?

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He had a solid performance in 2025, and perhaps the homecoming will add some extra juice for the future Hall of Famer as he joins his new team.

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American missionary Kevin Rideout released after more than 9 months in captivity in Niger

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 08:36:17 -0400

Kevin Rideout, an American missionary who was abducted in Niger and released after more than nine months of detention, is ready to fly home to the United States, President Donald Trump announced on Sunday.

Trump said Rideout was reunited with his wife, adding: "This return marks the 110th captive American liberated since I was sworn in as President for a second time. I look forward to seeing Kevin and Krista at the White House soon!"

Christian missionary organization SIM International previously announced Rideout's release.

"We are grateful to confirm that our good friend and brother in Christ, Kevin Rideout, has been released after over nine months in captivity," the organization said in a statement shared with Fox News Digital.

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Rideout was kidnapped near his home in Niger's capital Niamey on Oct. 21, 2025, SIM said.

He was released into the care of U.S. officials and is in good health, according to the organization.

Rideout, who serves as a pilot for the North Carolina-based SIM, will now return to his wife and children.

"He will soon be reunited with Krista, his children, and his extended family," SIM International’s statement read.

"Krista and the rest of Kevin’s family are profoundly grateful for the prayers offered on their behalf by people around the world throughout his captivity, and in particular for the deep level of prayer and support offered by our SIM family," the statement also read.

Trump previously acknowledged Rideout's rescue in a social media post Friday, adding that the missionary is back in U.S. custody after being kidnapped by "Jihadi terrorists."

"I am proud to announce that Kevin Rideout, a wonderful Christian Missionary, is back in United States Custody. Kevin was kidnapped by Jihadi terrorists in West Africa — The epicenter of Islamist terrorism, where there have been more deadly attacks in the past year than anywhere else on Earth," Trump wrote in a Friday post on Truth Social.

"Kevin, the United States of America looks forward to welcoming you HOME. Glad to have helped!" Trump wrote.

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Rideout was abducted just 150 feet from Niger’s presidential palace, The Washington Post reported in November.

No information has been released about the group that took Rideout, though the Post cited analyst speculation that his abduction was connected to Islamic terror groups in the region.

Niger has been a hotbed for Islamic terrorism since a military junta overthrew the democratically elected government in 2023. Following the coup, the military expelled French and U.S. military personnel, forcing the Western nations to abandon Air Base 101 in Niamey, according to U.S. Africa Command.

Islamic groups, particularly the ISIS-affiliated Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP) and the al Qaeda-affiliated JNIM, have grown in strength and influence in the region since the takeover.

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"JNIM activity in Niger saw a substantial increase... representing an almost fourteenfold increase in fatalities and marking the highest number of deaths and attacks by JNIM in the country to date," according to a report from the Global Terrorism Index in 2025.

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Fox News Digital contacted SIM International, the White House, the State Department and AFRICOM for further comment.

Louisiana man accused of killing wife, propping her body up for multistate drive

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 21:20:57 -0400

A Louisiana man is accused of killing his wife and propping her body up in the passenger seat of his car and driving through multiple states before he was arrested in Tennessee, according to authorities.

Tyronne Brazille, 50, was pulled over by police in Memphis for a traffic violation on Thursday when officers found the lifeless body of his wife, Lanessa Bradford, 50, in the passenger seat of his vehicle with a gunshot wound, WREG reported.

A longtime friend of the woman, Shelicka Decker, told the outlet that the couple had been married for years and Bradford was planning to leave Brazille.

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"She had the money saved up. She had come up with a plan, and she was going to just vanish. That was the only way she would be able to get away from him," Decker said. "She was going to leave her car, she was going to leave all the things behind, and she had been in touch with her family that was out of town, and that’s how she was going to make this move to get away."

But before Bradford had the chance to leave, investigators allege Brazille shot and killed her during an argument at Independence Community Park in Baton Rouge, according to investigators, WREG reported.

Investigators said Brazille drove through several states with his wife's body in the vehicle before he was stopped in Memphis. He was taken into custody in Memphis as a fugitive.

"I have so many questions, like, what were you doing in the car with her that amount of time while she was deceased," Decker said. "Where was his mind at during that ride? It’s so crazy and heartbreaking."

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Decker said Bradford had told her that Brazille threatened to kill himself or Bradford when she discussed leaving him, but Decker said she never believed he would actually follow through.

"He never put his hands on her up until recently, like maybe like two or three months ago," Decker said. "It wouldn’t have surprised me if someone had called and said that he killed himself because he always says this. It surprised me that he killed her."

Decker said Bradford worked at an elementary school in Baton Rouge, and the school asked police to conduct a welfare check at her home after she missed a few days of work.

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"It’s such an unfortunate situation, like everybody, she was such a good person. Everybody, she uplifted a lot of people, a lot of parents," Decker said. "My prayers are with her family and friends as well as his, because we were all friends. We all, you know, hung around each other, and this is just not the same person that we grew up with."

Brazille is scheduled to appear in court on Monday as he awaits extradition to Louisiana.

Police said Brazille is expected to face a murder charge after extradition in connection with Bradford’s death.

Mercury coach blasts WNBA narratives but ignores Fever coach Stephanie White’s role in the mess

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 20:58:42 -0400

Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts lit up his media session Saturday, taking dead aim at the endless noise surrounding the WNBA.

But instead of addressing why players like Sophie Cunningham and Caitlin Clark keep taking hits from activists and mainstream outlets, Tibbetts rushed to the defense of Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White.

"It really pisses me off. It's disappointing," Tibbetts said regarding the narrative around the league.

"This is a great league. We've got great players. There's great stories, great rookies, great teams. We just spend so much time talking about the wrong stuff. I don't know why that happens in our league. It's disappointing. I don't know who can help change the narrative. Is it the coaches? Is it the players? Is it the media? There's outside sources that are trying to create division, and at times it's not a lot of fun."

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Tibbetts singled out the backlash directed at White after her limp reaction to a hard foul on Cunningham.

"We make it about basketball, but some of the things that Steph has to go through, that's wrong," Tibbetts added.

"There's no other coach in any professional sport that has to go through the stuff that she does, and I think of her a lot. It's not fair. It's not fair. She's hired to coach basketball. They got a great team and they're just dealing with stuff that doesn't really matter. So that still pisses me off."

White has been criticized for being too passive in protecting her players, notably after DiJonai Carrington slammed Sophie Cunningham across the neck.

Cunningham was already a target in the media for daring to speak out about protecting women's sports regarding transgender athletes.

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Instead of standing up for her player, Stephanie White ducked behind a wall of corporate word salad. White insisted Carrington had no bad intent, brushed it off as a routine hard foul, and apparently hoped everyone would just move along.

White's spineless refusal to defend Cunningham or acknowledge the targeted hostility toward players like Clark is what actually drives the outrage.

When activists and media hacks attack your locker room, a head coach cannot just sit on the fence.

Tibbetts wants fans to blame outside agitators for ruining the league's momentum.

In reality, his impassioned defense of White is basic WNBA brand protection.

WNBA SUDDENLY WANTS TO STICK TO BASKETBALL AFTER YEARS OF MAKING POLITICS PART OF THE PRODUCT

The WNBA would rather circle the wagons around its own establishment than back players who dare to express their views on matters like protecting women's sports.

Until coaches like White stop playing it safe and start defending their players, Tibbetts can complain about the narrative all he wants.

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

Todd Blanche backs Jeanine Pirro after Lincoln Memorial pool vandalism case dismissal

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 20:54:16 -0400

U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche on Sunday said he supports U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro after her office moved to dismiss the vandalism case involving the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Federal prosecutors on July 31 moved to drop the case against Olympic canoeist David Hearn, who was accused of damaging the $14 million project after cracks, algae growth and peeling sealant were discovered. Prosecutors cited evidence indicating the damage may have stemmed from a botched renovation rather than vandalism.

Blanche said he and President Donald Trump both support Pirro, but acknowledged that he could not fault the president for his reaction to the case dismissal, as "potential vandalism" may still be involved.

"I absolutely support U.S. Attorney Pirro, as does President Trump," he said on NBC’s "Meet the Press."

TRUMP URGES JEANINE PIRRO TO REVISIT DROPPED LINCOLN MEMORIAL REFLECTING POOL VANDALISM CASE

"Now, that’s different than whether the president is extraordinarily frustrated at what happened in that case. And I don’t in any way fault him for that."

Blanche clarified that the court filings did not conclude that all of the damage was caused by faulty construction, noting that a witness reportedly claimed to have seen Hearn vandalizing the reflecting pool. However, he acknowledged that witness accounts alone are not sufficient evidence to prove the case.

"Well, there’s a witness that said, ‘I observed the defendant vandalizing the reflecting pool.’ Now, that’s different than whether ultimately we have the proof."

Hearn has maintained his innocence.

TRUMP DOUBLES DOWN ON REFLECTING POOL VANDALISM ALLEGATIONS, CITES NEW WITNESS ACCOUNT

Despite the evidentiary issues surrounding the case, Blanche said Pirro is doing a "phenomenal job" prosecuting vandalism involving memorials and monuments.

His comments came after Pirro’s office pursued a separate $1,000 property-destruction case involving a veterans memorial last Thursday. A female suspect, Melissa L. Farris, allegedly spray-painted the words "clean hands, diary money" in bright pink paint and dumped bubble soap into the memorial’s fountain.

"U.S. Attorney Pirro is doing a phenomenal job enforcing that, going after anybody who’s doing it. And I think judging her on a single case because of the evidence that we had is not fair," he said.

Blanche also said he would also consider last Thursday’s White House request asking the Justice Department to explore whether a new misdemeanor prosecution could be brought against Hearn after Pirro’s office dropped the original vandalism case.

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"Will I take the President of the United States’s view on something into consideration? Yes, of course," he said.

"That’s certainly something that I listen to."

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The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

Rob Schneider leans on faith, holds hope for reconciliation with estranged daughter Elle King

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 20:50:21 -0400

Rob Schneider's relationship with estranged daughter Elle King may be strained, but he has hope for the future.

Schneider, 62, admitted on Andrew Gold's "Heretics" podcast that he'll always be there for the "very talented" country singer despite challenges with the past.

The "Grown Ups" actor recalled a previous public appearance where he admitted he "wasn't the dad" that his daughter needed.

KELSEY GRAMMER URGES AMERICANS TO LOOK TO FOUNDING FATHERS FOR GUIDANCE AS NATION FACES DEEP DIVISIONS

"I wasn't prepared emotionally for the outpouring of what I received after that," Schneider said. "There's an endemic – and I don't know if in other cultures, but in the United States – an endemic of kids who went off to college and came back and said, 'My daughter doesn't want to have a relationship with me anymore,' or, 'I can't see my grandkids.'"

"It's an attack on the culture in a way that the culture is vulnerable."

In 2024, King shared insight into her at-times "toxic" childhood during an appearance on BunnieXO's "Dumb Blonde" podcast. King confessed that her dad was "just not nice" and would go "four or five years without talking" to her.

"I put out my record and people finally started asking about my dad," she said. "My dad called me, and was like, ‘Don’t f---ing talk about me in the press.'"

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She remembered, "If I would ever spend a summer with my dad, it would be on a movie set. I would just get lost in the shuffle. If I ever messed up a shot, if I ever was talking, like, I would get in f---ing trouble."

"He also didn't have a very good reputation. I don't want to be associated with him. He's just not nice. You can want someone to change so much; you can't control anyone else's actions. You can't control people's feelings. All you can control is how you react and what you do with your feelings, and sometimes I f---ing boil up, and I boil over and I f---ing bust my lid."

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King added, "You try every different angle. I would try letters. I would try soft. I would try yelling … my dad forgot about every single birthday. I spent my 18th birthday in a summer school, and they brought me cupcakes, and I came home and my dad forgot my birthday."

Schneider later apologized for the past, and admitted he wasn't sure if his daughter accepted his words.

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"The door's open, and I would say, you know, I love you and ... I'm there when you want," he said. "We had an exchange, and I'll leave it at that. The thing about, as a parent, you just have to love and be available and be an open door. My door's always open."

He added, "The second she needs me, I'll be there. That's all you can do, and the idea that I'm going to somehow ... that I need something, that I can force my way or force ... no. It has to be something that ... an openness."

Schneider conveyed the importance of recognizing a "higher power" to help guide him through difficult times.

"When things get taken away, and if that's everything – your fame and your attachment to this stuff – if that gets taken from you, and that's all you have, then you have nothing," he said.

"But if you realize there is something higher than all of that and your connection to that, then at that point there's nothing that anybody could do to you."

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He added, "The thing about Christianity, it's really … it's love others, and it's really about forgiveness. And forgiveness isn't something you give to somebody else. It's a gift you give to yourself. You can't carry stuff. You have to let go."

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

Iran war thrusts Diego Garcia into spotlight as official calls US military base ‘integral’

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 20:38:23 -0400

An official with the self-described Chagossian government-in-exile said Sunday that the war with Iran has underscored Diego Garcia’s strategic importance to U.S. forces and Middle East regional stability, with the Pentagon shifting logistics to the remote U.K.-U.S. base in the Indian Ocean after an Iranian strike on a major American installation in Bahrain.

The base, in the southern Chagos Archipelago, has reportedly supported carrier strike groups including the USS Abraham Lincoln, whose forces have conducted air operations and helped enforce the blockade of Iranian ports.

The U.S. military’s wartime logistics network now stretches across a roughly 2,200-mile maritime supply route to Diego Garcia, allowing forces to avoid coastal facilities vulnerable to Iranian attacks but requiring longer shuttle runs and slower replenishment, according to The New York Times.

"That is an inconvenience, but it shows the importance of the base," James Tumbridge, an international lawyer who serves as attorney general for the Chagossian government-in-exile, told Fox News Digital.

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"The base is integral to regional security for the U.K., U.S. and our allies. This latest news emphasizes it."

"Bahrain is a far easier target, so the U.S. change of supply arrangement makes sense," Tumbridge said, adding, "Hopefully the new British PM will not deny the U.S. this change of use."

"It shows the importance of the base and asking a third country for permission is not what the U.S. will want, and so I hope this means Trump will still oppose the handover," Tumbridge went on to say, referring to a proposed agreement that would transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

In 2025, the U.K. and Mauritius signed a treaty that would recognize Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago while allowing the U.K. to retain control of Diego Garcia for an initial 99-year period.

The British government later put implementation of the agreement on hold amid renewed U.S. concerns over the sovereignty transfer.

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Reports emerged in June that U.S. officials had drafted a proposal to bypass Britain and strike a deal to take control of Diego Garcia, one of several alternatives to then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer's plan to transfer sovereignty to Mauritius.

The first minister of the self-described Chagossian government-in-exile responded that month and said the Chagos Islands were not for sale or "for stealing either," but argued that he "can’t blame" Trump for "looking to secure the military base."

"Trump cannot buy the islands. That suggestion made by some is unhelpful to us all. Only the U.K. can sell the islands, as only the U.K. owns them," Tumbridge also said on Sunday.

"The arguments over sovereignty do not get fixed via a sale, and Mauritius cannot sell them unless the U.K. first gives them away," he added.

"It is not in the U.K.’s interest to sell them. Whether we keep them and continue our support for the U.S. base or we cede them to Mauritius is the choice — my desire is the former."

Mauritius has long claimed sovereignty over the archipelago, a position backed by a 2019 advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice and subsequent U.N. action.

The U.K. government, however, permitted the U.S. to use Diego Garcia for limited defensive operations targeting Iranian missile capabilities in March after initially withholding approval for offensive strikes.

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"The U.S. wanted to use Chagos Diego Garcia for air strikes at the very beginning. The U.K. consulted Mauritius and refused — hence Trump finally appreciating why sovereignty transfer was a problem," Tumbridge said.

"After the attacks on Cyprus, the U.K. allowed certain so-called defense uses, and Iran did fire at Diego Garcia, but they missed."

On March 20, Reuters reported that Iran had fired two ballistic missiles toward Diego Garcia.

One missile failed in flight, while a U.S. warship fired an interceptor at the other, though it was initially unclear whether the interception succeeded. British officials later said one missile fell short and the other was intercepted.

"No serious concerns have been shared — the earlier attempt showed a lack of range and targeting ability," Tumbridge said.

"The British Government and the Commissioner for the Territory have already tried to say the last attack makes the islands unsafe. No one seriously believes that Iran would try to target the outer islands that presently only have a population of six people."

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The reported U.S. logistical strains and renewed focus on Diego Garcia came as the USS Abraham Lincoln approached nine months of continuous deployment in the region.

Speaking at Joint Base Andrews on Aug. 14, Trump said a new aircraft carrier was heading to the Middle East to replace it.

"That ship is moving," Trump said when reporters asked about the carrier.

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Meanwhile, Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, also met with service members aboard the carrier, which is expected to be relieved amid concerns raised by families over the extended deployment.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Pentagon for comment.

Todd Blanche rejects NBC anchor’s DOJ independence pledge, says Trump would never cross ‘legal line’

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 20:30:15 -0400

Newly confirmed Attorney General Todd Blanche rejected NBC host Kristen Welker's request Sunday on "Meet the Press" that he pledge the Justice Department (DOJ) would always act independently of the White House, arguing the agency must remain able to carry out lawful presidential policy priorities.

"No, I’m not going to pledge that. And no attorney general should ever pledge that," Blanche said.

Blanche used President Donald Trump’s directive to target violent criminals to distinguish lawful presidential direction from political interference in an individual case.

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"If President Trump says, ‘I want the Department of Justice to go after every violent criminal in this country,’ which is what he has said, what you’re saying to me is I should say, ‘No, sir, I’m not going to do it,’" Blanche said.

According to the Justice Manual, the department's own rules draw the distinction Blanche described. They permit coordination between the White House and DOJ on policy matters unrelated to pending cases, while limiting contacts about cases to senior officials to protect enforcement decisions from partisan or improper influence.

Blanche also gave a similar answer when Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., asked whether the Justice Department was independent from the White House during his confirmation hearing in July.

"The Department of Justice, like every single Department in the executive [branch], is part of the executive," Blanche said.

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The Justice Department pointed Fox News Digital on Sunday to a post from Emily Covington, director of DOJ’s Office of Public Affairs, in response to questions about Welker’s exchange with Blanche. NBC News and the White House did not immediately respond.

"DOJ is part of the executive branch. Are you suggesting that the focus of the Department should not align with the policy goals of the President, who was elected by the American people? Elected because the people voted for the priorities of that President," Covington said.

Welker followed Blanche's explanation by asking whether he would comply if Trump directed him to cross an ethical or legal line. Blanche rejected the premise and pointed to his constitutional oath.

"He never has. He never will," Blanche said. "I swore to the Constitution of the United States like every cabinet secretary has done and like every attorney general before me has done."

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DOJ separately told Fox News Digital that Blanche had addressed the issue publicly and raised the Biden-era investigation into classified records at Mar-a-Lago.

"The AG has addressed this at length publicly," a DOJ spokesperson said.

FBI records released by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley showed officials in the Washington Field Office said they had not established probable cause for a search warrant and favored seeking Trump’s cooperation through a consensual search. The DOJ’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section maintained that probable cause existed and pressed forward with the warrant. A federal magistrate approved the warrant before the August 2022 search.

A separate May 2022 FBI communication showed coordination among DOJ, the White House Counsel’s Office and the National Archives during the classified-records investigation. Plans to interview Trump aide Walt Nauta depended on the timing of a Biden briefing and coordination between White House Counsel and DOJ. The publicly reported excerpt concerned the Nauta interview and executive-privilege questions, rather than an explicit White House directive to conduct the later search.

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The National Archives said the White House transmitted a DOJ-backed statutory request for the FBI to access 15 boxes Trump had returned, but distinguished that process from the later search and said NARA had no prior knowledge of or involvement in it.

Blanche later said he would consider Trump's views on an individual prosecution but would stand up for what he believed was right. He also denied that the president directs him to prosecute specific people.

Blanche's confirmation faced opposition as some Senate Republicans demanded that he rescind a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund and narrow IRS audit protections for Trump and his family. Senators Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, ultimately joined every Senate Democrat in opposing his nomination.

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"Mr. Blanche has taken several actions that have further eroded the Department’s independence, and that is the basis for my vote to oppose his confirmation," Collins said.

Blanche sought to reassure DOJ employees during his first workforce address as attorney general Thursday by promising fair and impartial enforcement.

"I promise you that I will lead this department with integrity," Blanche said. "I promise you that I will focus on our core mission, which is to uphold the rule of law fairly and impartially."

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese rivalry gets a new chapter in Fever-Dream overtime thriller

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 20:17:30 -0400

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese gave the WNBA an overtime thriller Sunday evening at State Farm Arena.

Clark scored 26 points, hit two enormous free throws late in overtime and grabbed the game-sealing rebound as the Indiana Fever beat Reese and the Atlanta Dream, 95-91.

ANGEL REESE’S LATEST WNBA CONTROVERSY SHOWS HOW VICTIMHOOD BECAME CENTRAL TO HER BRAND

It was a real team win for the Fever. But Clark and Reese were right in the middle of the biggest moments, including Reese’s missed layup at the end of regulation that sent the game to overtime.

Indiana had to earn it, too.

The Fever trailed by eight after Atlanta scored 28 points in the third quarter to open a 72-64 advantage. But for a team known for its offensive firepower, it was Indiana’s defense that made the clutch plays down the stretch. The Fever held the Dream to nine points in the fourth, outscored Atlanta 17-9 and forced overtime.

It was the lowest fourth-quarter scoring output for the Dream this season. But it almost didn't matter.

The Dream had the ball in the final seconds of regulation with the score tied 81-81. Rhyne Howard missed a 3 with 5.5 seconds left, but Reese grabbed the offensive rebound and had a clean look at the basket.

She clanked the layup attempt off the backboard and then the front of the rim. Naz Hillmon collected the rebound and threw up a desperation shot before time expired, but she also missed and the game went to overtime.

Reese opened the extra period with a basket off a teammate’s miss, but Indiana scored the next eight points. Kelsey Mitchell’s layup with 13.6 seconds left stretched the Fever’s lead to 93-88 and gave her 20 points, extending her streak to 19 consecutive 20-point games.

Then came the wild finish.

A controversial foul call on Clark with 10 seconds remaining sent Howard to the line for three free throws. Indiana challenged the call and ESPN broadcasters said they thought the call would be overturned. Instead, officials upheld the call.

Howard made all three, cutting Indiana’s lead to 93-91.

WNBA SILENT AFTER CAITLIN CLARK SAYS LEAGUES SHOULD DETERMINE WHO SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN WOMEN'S SPORTS

Atlanta had no choice but to foul Clark on the other end.

She calmly made both free throws to essentially seal the victory.

The Dream missed their final shot, Clark grabbed the rebound and alertly heaved the ball to the other end of the court to run out the remaining few seconds.

Clark finished with 26 points and nine assists, though she needed 20 shots to get there and committed five turnovers. Still, she was there when Indiana needed her most, both at the line and on the glass.

Mitchell added 20 points on 9-for-22 shooting. Makayla Timpson was terrific with 20 points on 9-for-13 shooting, including six points in OT. Aliyah Boston posted 18 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, five steals and three blocks.

Sophie Cunningham had just three points, but they came on a clutch and-1 to give the Fever a 78-77 lead with 3:35 left in the fourth quarter.

Reese put together another active stat line with 15 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. But she shot just 5 for 16 from the field, committed four turnovers and had five fouls. Allisha Gray carried Atlanta offensively with 32 points, while Howard added 17.

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The Dream made nearly everything at the foul line, going 25-for-26. It still wasn’t enough.

Clark and Reese have played in plenty of big games before. Sunday’s game had a little of everything: early runs, a late defensive stand, a missed shot at the buzzer, overtime drama and Clark sealing it at the line.

That’s a pretty good new chapter.

Haley Stevens urges El-Sayed to ditch Hasan Piker affiliation after Michigan primary

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 20:17:18 -0400

Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., urged Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, who defeated her in Michigan's fierce Democratic primary election, to sever ties with controversial, far-left streamer Hasan Piker on "The Sunday Briefing," saying the party's nominee should now turn his attention toward Michigan voters as he pivots to the general election.

Stevens maintained her primary-season criticism of Piker even while backing El-Sayed, describing herself as still committed to the party.

"It certainly makes sense to get rid of this Hasan Piker affiliation," she said, also asserting that the Democratic plans for healthcare, democracy and Black-owned businesses are better than those of Republican Mike Rogers, who will oppose El-Sayed in the Senate race.

Asked whether El-Sayed had said or done anything other than winning the Democratic nomination to earn the support and assuage the concerns of groups that voted for Stevens, such as Jewish voters, Black voters or Reagan-era Democrats, Stevens pointed to her own good performance with those demographics, identifying herself as a Zionist Democrat and asserting that her party had room for all those communities.

HASAN PIKER TORCHED OVER PLAYBOOK TO DODGE HIS PAST CONTROVERSIES: 'BATS--- CRAZY'

DSA BRAND ON TRIAL AS EL-SAYED STRUGGLES WHERE DEMS CAN LEAST AFFORD IT

"I came really close [to winning the primary] and I'm still a Democrat. I'm still out here talking about my views and values. I want the people who share my views and values to feel safe and to feel heard in the Democratic Party."

The face-off to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters, who backed Stevens, is a must-win contest for Democrats and one of roughly a dozen general election Senate races expected to determine whether Republicans retain their narrow majority.

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A new Fox News poll indicates that the progressive El-Sayed trails Republican candidate Mike Rogers by four points in the general election race, and that he is underperforming with Black voters, women and suburban voters compared with former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.

Rogers and El-Sayed are set to face off in the swing state's Senate election on Nov. 3.

Trump orders major cut to US-South Korea drills as North Korea ramps up missile tests

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 19:32:30 -0400

President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to scale back upcoming U.S.-South Korea military exercises on Sunday, arguing that the operations cost too much and send a hostile message to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

At the same time, the president went on to criticize Seoul for declining to join U.S. war efforts to denuclearize Iran.

Writing on Truth Social, Trump noted that while it was too late to cancel the drills entirely, he was dissatisfied with the longstanding military arrangement between Washington and Seoul.

"Based on my very good relationship with Kim Jong Un, of North Korea, I am not happy with the fact that the United States has, long ago, agreed to participate in Joint Military Exercises with South Korea," Trump wrote.

NORTH KOREA LAUNCHES ANOTHER BALLISTIC MISSILE AS US, SOUTH KOREA PREPARE FOR MILITARY DRILLS

"These exercises are not only costly, with much of these costs paid for by the United States of America (as usual!), but send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile, to a Country that, as long as Donald J. Trump has been President, has been unthreatening and respectful."

In the same post, Trump linked his frustration over the military exercises to a separate diplomatic exchange regarding Iran.

"While somewhat unrelated (?), I recently asked the President of South Korea if they would like to join us in the Denuclearization of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and they said, ‘No thanks!’" Trump wrote, referring to Lee Jae Myung.

NORTH KOREA EXPERT WARNS US CAN 'NEVER TAKE THEIR EYE OFF' KIM JONG UN FOLLOWING MISSILE TEST DURING IRAN WAR

Trump’s directive came a day before what is known as the Ulchi Freedom Shield, an 11-day annual joint military exercise scheduled to begin Monday.

The routine maneuvers are to strengthen defense readiness across the Korean Peninsula, where about 28,500 U.S. service members are stationed as part of U.S. Forces Korea.

This year’s exercise is set to involve roughly 18,000 South Korean troops, a level similar to previous years.

Pyongyang, however, has consistently opposed the annual drills, with North Korea’s Foreign Ministry calling the exercise "a rehearsal for an aggressive war" last week in a statement carried by state media, Reuters reported.

Trump’s order to scale back operations also follows a fresh surge in weapons testing by Pyongyang, which conducted two ballistic missile launches within six days this month.

MOSCOW, KYIV ASSASSINS HUNT WEAPONS BOSSES AS UKRAINE WAR SPILLS BEYOND THE BATTLEFIELD

Following the most recent test on Aug. 12, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said it was consulting closely with regional allies, adding that its assessment indicated the launch did not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel, territory or allies.

U.S. officials issued a smiliar response after the earlier launch on Aug. 6, saying Washington remained committed to defending the U.S. homeland and its regional allies.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also warned that Pyongyang is using Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to test and refine its military hardware on active battlefields.

In a statement posted to social media, Zelenskyy said Moscow is preparing to deploy additional North Korean troops and has received additional North Korean ballistic missiles.

"For the first time in its history, Russia cannot wage war without reinforcements from North Korea," Zelenskyy said.

"North Korea’s ballistic missiles and other weapons are being improved through its collaboration with Russia," Zelenskyy said.

"The more North Korean strikes there are here in Ukraine, in Europe, the more their missiles and soldiers are used, the more they correct their shortcomings and blind spots, the greater the danger will later be for Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, and other countries in the region."

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This is also not the first time Trump has scaled back joint exercises with South Korea. During his first term as well, following his initial Singapore summit with Kim Jong-un, he called the "war games" "provocative" and expensive.

Hakeem Jeffries rejects Medicare for All, DSA agenda as Ro Khanna calls health plan 'most important priority'

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 19:30:50 -0400

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., rejected support for Medicare for All and the Democratic Socialists of America's (DSA) agenda Sunday, saying Democrats should prioritize affordability as they seek to recapture the House in November following a wave of progressive primary victories.

"Meet the Press," host Kristen Welker asked Jeffries directly whether he personally supported Medicare for All.

"No, i — as you indicated, I haven’t cosponsored the Medicare for All legislation that has been introduced over the last several years," Jeffries said. "I do think we need to figure out how to fix our broken health care system and then build something better once we repair the damage that has been done."

Jeffries also said that as the Democratic leader in the House, it was not legislation he supported, while also reiterating that he wanted to find a path to fix the health care system and "make health care affordable for every single American."

THE MEDICARE FOR ALL TRADE-OFFS SOCIALISTS AREN'T TALKING ABOUT, ACCORDING TO EXPERTS

Congressional records show Jeffries formally co-sponsored the Medicare for All Act of 2019 and later co-sponsored the 2021 version. However, he was not among the 102 additional House cosponsors announced when Reps. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., and Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., introduced H.R. 3069 in April 2025.

The NYC DSA Healthcare Working Group credited its months-long organizing campaign with helping secure his 2019 support, although it described his position as qualified because he also backed Medicare X, a public-option bill.

"Rep. Jeffries’ public endorsement of this legislation is the result of all these efforts and of this growing national movement," the working group said at the time.

The DSA's new "Workers Deserve More!" program calls for universal health care at no cost to individuals, as well as abolishing ICE and the Senate, replacing the president and Supreme Court with an executive and judiciary subordinate to Congress and redirecting police funding as a step toward fully abolishing police and prisons.

MAMDANI CLASHES WITH DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS' PUSH TO ABOLISH POLICE AND PRISONS

When Welker asked whether democratic socialists belong under the Democratic Party’s tent, Jeffries rejected the organization’s platform while leaving room for candidates who win Democratic nominations.

"I don’t support the DSA agenda as has been articulated by the DSA itself," Jeffries said.

"You’re going to have individual members who have been elected in Democratic primaries, and if they are elected in the general in November, will be part of the House Democratic Caucus. It’s going to be a broad caucus. There will be progressives. There will be New Dems. There will be Blue Dogs," he added.

Seven incumbent House Democrats have lost primaries this cycle, thus far. They include Jeffries-backed Reps. Dan Goldman and Adriano Espaillat, who lost to DSA-backed or affiliated candidates, Brad Lander and Darializa Avila Chevalier in New York.

TOP DEM TORCHES SOCIALISTS TAKING OVER HIS PARTY: 'THEY'RE ANTI-AMERICAN'

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., publicly broke with Jeffries in a separate "Meet the Press" interview on Sunday and called for a House vote if Democrats regain the majority.

"Medicare for All is arguably the most important priority," Khanna said. "The case for Medicare for All has never been clearer or more urgent. Congress must pass Medicare for All."

Khanna released a statement on an updated Yale analysis on Friday, prepared in response to his inquiry, projecting that a single-payer system could reduce annual national health expenditures from $5.28 trillion to $4.24 trillion.

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Former MS NOW host Mehdi Hasan also criticized Jeffries’ position Sunday, accusing the Democratic leader of being out of step with his party.

"A reminder that the vast majority of Democrats across the country support Medicare for All. This man is so out of touch with his party. How is he their leader??" Hasan said in an X post.

Fox News Digital reached out to the DSA for comment, but did not immediately hear back.

WNBA fan subreddit bans posters from using Sophie Cunningham's name after defense of women's sports

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 19:24:57 -0400

The WNBA and its fans are in a constant struggle to outdo whatever previous record they already set for most ridiculous sports league ever created.

Despite their best efforts and hard work, the WNBA has seen its popularity and general interest increase in recent years thanks primarily to Caitlin Clark. Clark, who singlehandedly brought ratings and attendance up, to the point where the players now receive significantly better salaries and travel benefits, is widely disliked across the league and by many fans of other teams.

Then, over the last several weeks and months, the self-destructive tendencies and nature of the WNBA organization, its coaches, and fans has reared its ugly head yet again. This time, their ire has been directed at Sophie Cunningham.

CLUELESS WNBA ATTACKS 'BAD-FAITH' FANS WHO DON'T WANT BIOLOGICAL MEN RUINING WOMEN'S SPORTS

What did Cunningham do to deserve this treatment? She made comments publicly supportive of keeping male athletes out of women's sports. A position shared by 80%-90% of the American public, and 0% of the league's players, coaches, or officials. Who are preparing for weeks and months of meetings to try and decide on a definition of the word "woman," in the Women's National Basketball Association.

For this unforgivable crime, Cunningham has been booed, faced protests, been criticized by other players, saw opposing coaches wear t-shirts specifically targeted at her. Her own coach rushed to come to the defense of DiJonai Carrington after Carrington clotheslined her, leading to a bloody mouth.

And now, in perhaps the most ridiculous and explanatory example of the league's fandom, has seen her name banned from the WNBA subreddit. Seriously.

One Reddit user tried to post about Sophie Cunningham in the r/WNBA subreddit, only to find that they weren't able to use her name or several other abbreviations. They then messaged the moderators, who then confirmed that this was a purposeful decision and that any further questioning would lean to being banned.

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"Why do you ban people from posting about Sophie Cunningham, who's a WNBA player?," the user asked. "We filter content based on Sophi [sic] because it tends to bring out trolls and people who aren't fans of the W," the mod answered.

"But she's a WNBA player that does have actual fans," the user responded. "If you can't post about a player you're a fan of, that seems ridiculous."

"We have chosen to filter content. If you want to post freely about Sophie you can go to a different sub," the mod said. Unsurprisingly, the user pointed out that it's absurd to block posts about a WNBA player in the r/WNBA subreddit, asking how that made sense.

"You aren't even a contributor to this sub, so I suggest you go back to the other WNBA subs. This is our decision. If you keep messaging about this you will be banned," the moderator answered.

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

Oh yeah. That's the WNBA fandom we all know and "love."

RILEY GAINES SAYS WNBA IS 'HELLBENT' ON BEING AN ACTIVIST ORGANIZATION OVER A BASKETBALL LEAGUE

It really is a near-perfect example of the problems with the league and those around it. They are comically disconnected from the real world and totally disinterested in building up the players people care about. New fans, brought in by Clark and enjoying Cunningham, are raising the profile of the league. And as the old expression goes, a rising tide lifts all boats.

Instead of realizing that, accepting it, celebrating it, and building on it to make the WNBA more popular permanently, after Clark retires, they're doing everything possible to undermine it. Working hard to ensure that any fans who have started watching because of these players is turned off by the fans. Or by the league's open disregard for them. Typical WNBA brilliance.

Angel Reese admits she was 'playing like s---' before helping Dream build halftime lead over Fever

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 18:39:37 -0400

Angel Reese was critical of how she started her Atlanta Dream contest against the Indiana Fever on Sunday night, and let everyone know about it at halftime.

The Dream ended the first two quarters with a four-point lead, but Reese was 0-of-6 from the field to start the game and missed several shots from inside the paint.

But she was pivotal in the Dream putting together a 17-4 run to close out the first half.

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During a halftime interview with ESPN’s Holly Rowe, Reese was quite candid discussing the start she had.

"I was playing like s--- in the beginning, but it’s a game of runs," she said. "You’ve got to put that in your back pocket just because you know you have teammates that have your back. [Allisha Gray], Madina [Okot], [Rhyne Howard] – they’re carrying us right now."

FEVER AT DREAM BEST BET: WHY ATLANTA CAN COVER THE SPREAD EVEN IF CAITLIN CLARK PLAYS

Gray was the Dream’s leading scorer against Caitlin Clark and the Fever, and she continued that play with 21 points as of the third quarter. Okot also dropped six points off the bench with six rebounds, one steal and one block as well.

"Just playing together, playing collectively and let our defense speak for itself."

Reese finished the first half with seven points on 3-of-10 shooting and nine rebounds.

Rowe asked what changed for Reese after the cold start.

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

"Taking my time. Woosah. And just trusting my work," Reese said.

Reese, who made her third All-Star team in her third WNBA season this year, has been a key piece for the 21-12 Dream in 2026. She has averaged a career-high 15.6 points with 12.0 rebounds per game in 32 contests this year coming into this contest.

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The Dream and Fever are battling for first place in the East, as whoever wins this game will take that spot atop the rest for the time being.

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Long Island street takeover erupts as drivers block road, perform donuts, burnouts: police

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 18:24:26 -0400

Fifteen people were arrested, and seven vehicles were impounded after police descended on an alleged street takeover that brought reckless driving, burnouts and donuts to a Long Island roadway early Saturday, authorities said.

The Suffolk County Police Department said its Street Takeover Task Force got wind of the planned gathering through intelligence gathering and social media monitoring ahead of Friday night, Aug. 14.

Investigators learned the group was preparing to stage a takeover somewhere in Suffolk County, an area covering roughly 1,000 square miles across the eastern two-thirds of Long Island.

Police tracked the group as it moved between several locations throughout the night, authorities said.

VIRAL TEEN TAKEOVERS UNLEASH CHAOS NATIONWIDE AS MALLS, BEACHES AND RESTAURANTS BECOME BATTLEGROUNDS

Officers first broke up attempted gatherings near Commack Road and Sunrise Highway in Islip before disrupting another near Route 112 and Main Street in Patchogue.

Police finally intercepted the crowd around 12:50 a.m. Saturday near Woodside Avenue and Sawgrass Drive in Medford, where authorities said numerous vehicles had effectively shut down the roadway.

"Numerous vehicles effectively closed down the roadway on Sawgrass Drive by driving recklessly, performing stunts in the roadway, and doing donuts and burnouts," police said.

CITIES BRACE FOR HOLIDAY WEEKEND TEEN TAKEOVERS PUTTING BYSTANDERS AT DEADLY RISK, FORMER PROSECUTOR WARNS

Members of the Street Takeover Task Force responded to the scene, arresting 15 people, impounding seven vehicles and handing out multiple traffic tickets, according to the department.

Those arrested came from communities across Long Island and New York City, police said.

Fourteen of the 15 suspects were charged with both participating in an unlawful speed contest and spectating an unlawful speed contest.

The crackdown comes just weeks after another massive street takeover rocked Suffolk County.

'MAYHEM' ERUPTS IN WEALTHY COASTAL ENCLAVE AS HUNDREDS ARRESTED IN MASSIVE TAKEOVER DURING JULY FOURTH WEEKEND

In that incident, police said at least 200 ATVs, dirt bikes and motorcycles flooded roads in Hauppauge and Brentwood, prompting another major law-enforcement response.

Three people were arrested, and 10 vehicles were impounded during that operation, according to Suffolk County Police.

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The Suffolk County Police Department could not immediately be reached by Fox News Digital for comment.

Former ABC News correspondent admits network is liberal, claims ‘nobody’ voted for Trump

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 18:00:06 -0400

Former ABC News correspondent Terry Moran admitted on Friday that his longtime network was liberal and struggled to understand President Donald Trump's supporters because its newsroom lacked political viewpoint diversity.

Co-host of "The Fifth Column" podcast Michael C. Moynihan asked Moran directly, "Is ABC News a liberal institution?"

"Yes. But I think, I think like a lot of mainstream media, it’s because of lack of viewpoint diversity," Moran said. "That was one of the problems in covering Trump. Nobody had voted for him."

ABC NEWS FACES BACKLASH FOR PRESENTING OBAMA CAMPAIGN AD AS AN 'EXCLUSIVE' ON REDISTRICTING MEASURE

Moran said he attempted to challenge the prevailing newsroom perspective by circulating internal messages about the network’s Trump coverage.

"I sent out these ‘Hey, we should be fair to Trump’ internal emails," Moran said. "I heard from people — engineers, maybe the occasional producer — who said ‘Thank you.’"

An ABC News staffer told Fox News Digital after Moran's departure that the veteran correspondent had clashed internally with liberal colleagues, but that his social media post left the network with no other option.

"It's just sad honestly," the staffer said. "It's sad for him, a long-time colleague, friend, a good person, family man… It's just unfortunate, but there was no alternative, especially in these times."

BROADCAST BIAS: NETWORKS TURN TRUMP’S PLANE SWITCH INTO A FANCY SCANDAL

ABC declined to renew Moran's expiring contract after he published a since-deleted post describing Trump and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller as world-class haters. The network said the post violated its policies and reaffirmed its commitment to impartial reporting.

"We are at the end of our agreement with Terry Moran and based on his recent post, which was a clear violation of ABC News policies, we have made the decision to not renew," an ABC spokesperson said. "At ABC News, we hold all of our reporters to the highest standards of objectivity, fairness and professionalism, and we remain committed to delivering straightforward, trusted journalism."

The ABC staffer also told Fox News Digital that the network acted swiftly because allowing the controversy to linger could have driven away viewers amid widespread distrust of legacy media.

"We f---ing took it seriously and dealt with it pretty g--d--- quickly," the staffer said.

TUNING OUT: WHY MANY AMERICANS ARE SICK OF THE NEWS – ESPECIALLY TRUMP NEWS

Moran made a similar acknowledgment shortly after leaving ABC, saying the scarcity of Trump supporters inside the network prevented its news division from hearing large parts of the country.

During Friday’s interview, Moran drew a distinction between fairness and objectivity while discussing how journalists should cover Trump’s attempt to change long-standing political norms.

"There is no such thing as objectivity in journalism," Moran said. "I’d put the work I did at ABC News out there as excruciatingly fair."

Media Research President David Bozell told Fox News Digital that Moran spent years criticizing Trump, and rejected Moran being an "innocent observer of the bias."

"Terry Moran spent years proving ABC News is a liberal institution, including smearing Trump as a ‘Fuhrer," Bozell said.

"Now he admits the newsroom has zero pro-MAGA journalists and lives in a media bubble. Spare us the newfound candor. Moran was not an innocent observer of the bias he now acknowledges. He was one of its most enthusiastic practitioners," Bozell said.

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Less than six weeks before his departure, Moran conducted a combative Oval Office interview with Trump marking the president’s first 100 days back in office.

Trump rebuked Moran while being questioned about Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"I don’t trust you. I don’t trust a lot of people," Trump said. "I don’t trust you. Look at you. You’re so happy to do the interview, and then you start hitting me with these fake questions."

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

‘X-Files’ star Gillian Anderson reveals parenting regret, says she wishes she was 'less selfish'

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 17:40:41 -0400

Gillian Anderson is looking back at the sacrifices she made as her Hollywood career took off — and acknowledging that some of those choices came at a cost for her family.

In a new interview with The Sunday Times, the 58-year-old actress — who became a household name playing FBI Special Agent Dana Scully on "The X-Files" — opened up about her regrets as a young mother and explained how the show’s grueling production schedule affected her ability to be present for her daughter.

"I have absolutely no regrets in my life," Anderson initially told the outlet before reconsidering. "No, there are a couple of things, in terms of early parenting, that I now would say, I wish I’d thought this through or I wish I’d been less selfish."

SCARLETT JOHANSSON, WHO EARNED $43 MILLION IN 2025, SAYS LIFE IS A CONSTANT 'DEFICIT' AT HOME

Anderson became a mother at 26, welcoming daughter Piper with her first husband, "The X-Files" assistant art director Clyde Klotz, just over a year after she began filming the hit Fox sci-fi series.

Her career was rapidly accelerating at the time, with "The X-Files" becoming a global phenomenon and Anderson facing grueling days on set.

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After Anderson and Klotz divorced in 1997, Piper split her time between her mother, who was working on "The X-Files" in Los Angeles, and her father in Vancouver.

OLIVIA WILDE SPEAKS OUT ABOUT THE EXACT MOMENT SHE KNEW RELATIONSHIP WITH JASON SUDEIKIS WAS OVER

In an effort to maintain consistency in her daughter's education, Piper attended a French lycée in both cities. The arrangement, however, meant the young girl was regularly traveling between her parents.

"It was intense for her, with no French in the household, to suddenly be getting a plane every three weeks," Anderson recalled. "It’s a lot to ask of a six-year-old."

The actress said she was working 17-hour days and didn't believe she was in a position to push back against the demanding schedule, despite being one of the show's two central stars alongside David Duchovny.

TOM SELLECK SAYS 'BLUE BLOODS' CAST MADE MAJOR SACRIFICE TO SAVE SHOW BEFORE CANCELLATION

"That show couldn’t have done without [me], and so I had leverage that I’m not sure I knew," Anderson said.

Anderson has previously spoken about wondering whether she could have made different choices as a working mother.

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In a previous interview with The Sunday Times, the actress acknowledged there was another version of her life in which she could have worked less, lived on a smaller scale and been more present for her children.

"There's another version of my life where I could have worked less, had a smaller life and been more present as a parent. I could have chosen that, that could happen," she said. "But sometimes it feels like why would you, if you keep getting work as an actor, doing things you dreamt of doing and being offered incredible roles at this age, while paying the bills, and you still get to see them a huge percentage of the time and they witness a mother enjoying her work?

Her approach to parenting changed when she later welcomed sons Oscar and Felix with businessman Mark Griffiths.

GOLDIE HAWN SOUNDS THE ALARM ON CHILDHOOD CELEBRITY CULTURE: 'ALL I CAN SAY IS IT'S A NIGHTMARE'

Despite reflecting on what she might have done differently, Anderson has continued working steadily decades after "The X-Files" made her famous.

HEATHER GRAHAM SAYS CLASSMATES DISMISSED HER AS 'NERDY' BEFORE HOLLYWOOD BREAKTHROUGH PROVED THEM WRONG

Her more recent credits include "The Crown," "Sex Education" and "The Salt Path." She also stars opposite Hannah Einbinder in filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun’s "Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma," which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.

Anderson suggested that her relationship with work remains complicated as she approaches 60.

"I feel very lucky to still be working," she told The Sunday Times, adding that while she once imagined slowing down in her 60s to direct and make art, she is reconsidering those plans.

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"I’m having so much fun," she said.

CENTCOM commander touts USS Abraham Lincoln mental health record after more than 260 days without port call

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 17:10:49 -0400

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on Sunday said the USS Abraham Lincoln has recorded one of the lowest numbers of mental health cases in the Navy, amid mounting allegations of poor conditions aboard the carrier.

The Lincoln, which has been at sea for more than 260 days supporting the war with Iran, has been at the center of a dispute over allegations of supply shortages, plumbing problems and crew members threatening to jump overboard. Officials have repeatedly denied such claims and announced Friday that the carrier is expected to be replaced soon.

In a statement posted by CENTCOM, commander Adm. Brad Cooper touted the carrier's mental health record among the Navy's 11 active aircraft carriers after reportedly visiting the ship over the weekend.

"My time aboard USS Abraham Lincoln yesterday was awe-inspiring. I wish every American could see the crew in action. You would beam with absolute pride when witnessing their camaraderie, teamwork and resilience," Cooper said, according to the post on X. "Here’s an important fact: Of the U.S. Navy’s 11 active aircraft carriers, the Lincoln currently has among the lowest number of cases related to mental health."

US NAVY RELEASES PHOTOS OF 'FRESH MEALS,' PUSHES BACK ON REPORTS OF FOOD SHORTAGES ON MIDDLE EAST WARSHIPS

In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Cooper added that many of the allegations involving food and hot water were old concerns raised months ago that have since been addressed by the ship’s leadership.

"Recent media reporting has portrayed varying perspectives on operational tempo, crew morale and the realities facing our deployed forces. What I found aboard the Lincoln is that many elements of those stories are old news. I chatted with junior enlisted personnel and junior officers in small groups. Issues related to food, hot water and other concerns raised months ago were addressed by leadership and resolved," he said.

In his CENTCOM statement, Cooper acknowledged that despite the ship’s low number of mental health cases and improved conditions, extended deployments at sea can still be challenging, as some sailors may respond differently than others to the demands of prolonged missions.

"This doesn’t mean that all is perfect. Find any of the nearly 4 million Navy veterans in America today and they will likely tell you that service at sea for long periods isn’t for everyone. It is uniquely challenging and tough, and every single one of us, including me, reacts to stressors in different ways," he said.

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Cooper credited the ship’s leadership with fostering a culture that supports crew resilience and gives mental health the same necessary attention as "physical health and spiritual health."

"I applaud Lincoln’s leadership — the senior enlisted leaders in the Chief Petty Officers Mess in particular — for stepping up and making mental health and crew resilience a leadership priority," Cooper said.

"To all our Sailors and Marines aboard the ship, keep up the great work and fair winds and following seas on the journey home."

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President Donald Trump said Friday that the Lincoln will soon be "replaced with another very similar ship," which is currently en route to the Middle East. The WSJ reported Thursday that the USS George Washington is heading to the region from the Pacific.

Allegations about conditions aboard the Lincoln emerged following reports of numerous complaints, including food shortages, contaminated water, toilet problems, and a spike in suicidal ideation after months without a port call.

Sean Parnell, who said he experienced a 485-day deployment in Afghanistan, blasted the media reports Friday, calling the accusations twisted.

"The media treatment of the USS Abraham Lincoln is something different. Legitimate challenges of a long combat deployment are being twisted into a false narrative, while the genuine difficulties faced by military families are being used for headlines. That is shameful," he said in a post on X.

Chrissy Metz slams weight loss critics, says they're always 'going to have something to say'

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 16:48:31 -0400

Chrissy Metz is firing back at the haters commenting on her weight loss.

During a recent appearance on "The Tamsen Show" podcast, the 45-year-old actress spoke about why she chose to start taking a GLP-1 medication and slammed haters who comment on her body.

"It's not that I don't have people and naysayers and people who comment all kinds of stuff still to this day," she said. "Like I don't know when people will stop doing that. I don't think it ever will happen."

She then recalled a recent incident in which a distant relative congratulated her for "taking control of your weight," as "weight has always been an issue in our family."

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Metz explained that the relative is "an overweight woman" herself, so she understands the struggles of living in the world as an overweight person. She said comments about her weight from the relative don't sting as much, but added, "The other comments are a little…it's wild to me."

"It's interesting what people say cause would they ever say it to you on the streets? Never. Never," she explained. "They're like, 'Oh, Chrissy, you're pretty, but them eyebrows.' I'm like, 'Oh my god, it doesn't matter what I do. It doesn't matter.'"

She then shared some of the types of comments she received, including "Why'd you wear that? Why did you do this? Like why aren't you losing weight? Oh, you're losing weight?"

"It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter what you do," Metz said. "And I know it's not personal, but it can be taxing, but you sometimes just got to just shut it off cuz no matter what you do, somebody's going to have something to say."

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Metz, who is currently starring in the Broadway musical "& Juliet," called receiving all the criticism and "still doing what you want to do...an act of rebellion."

The "This Is Us" actress also discussed her use of a GLP-1 medication this week during an appearance on "Today."

She told the podcast host that she was always "skeptical" of GLP-1s and that it was something she "was so afraid of even sort of partaking in," but her mentality changed when her father "unfortunately passed away from obesity complications."

One of the ways in which the medication helped her was by quieting the food noise in her mind, which she described as being "loud."

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"I know it sounds so silly now, but I'm like, 'Oh, not everybody hears that all the time? Oh, okay. Oh, there's like something chemically off and metabolically off and hereditary, you know, issues,'" she said. "And so really when that happened with my family and my father, I was like, I have to do something about it. And so, yeah...I feel better on the medication."

The actress is now partnering with Ro, a telehealth company that provides medications for a number of issues, including weight loss.

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Cristiano Ronaldo says 'this is probably my last year' as legendary soccer star looks to future

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 16:27:05 -0400

Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest soccer players to grace a pitch, believes this season will be his last.

During an interview with Vogue, the Portuguese superstar told the outlet this upcoming season will be "probably my last year of football."

Ronaldo, 41, recently married longtime partner Georgina Rodríguez, and perhaps settling down with his family is what the legendary player wishes now.

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Ronaldo currently plays for the Saudi Pro League’s Al-Nassr club, which he has been a part of since 2023. He has scored 102 goals through his 107 matches there.

He also completed his sixth World Cup with Portugal, though he wanted to lift the trophy. Instead, Portugal fell to World Cup-winner Spain, 1-0, in full time in the Round of 16.

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It’s safe to say that Ronaldo will no longer star for the Portugal national team, finishing his World Cup career with 11 goals across 27 appearances. He also has 146 goals across 233 international appearances for his country.

Ronaldo told the outlet he wants to "leave a spectacular legacy," and he’s certainly done that over his many years in the game.

Now, he looks ahead to what life will be off the pitch.

"I have my future all mapped out," he explained. "I have so many things to keep me busy that to tell you just one thing is hard. Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one.

"And also have more fun, travel more, watch and play padel, which I really like, and continue to enjoy what I’ve earned – what we’ve earned. Because after all, it’s been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice."

Ronaldo and Al-Nassr start their season Tuesday. If this is indeed his final season playing, his final match would be May 28, 2027.

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Ronaldo has won the Ballon d’Or, the award given to the best footballer in the world each season, five times. He has been nominated for the award a record 18 times.

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Your waistline could reveal a hidden heart risk your BMI misses, major study finds

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 16:24:01 -0400

A person's waist size may reveal more about their heart health than the number on the scale, according to new research.

A study found that waist measurements can identify potential cardiovascular risks that may be missed when doctors rely on body mass index (BMI) alone.

Researchers from the Cross-Cohort Collaboration analyzed data from nearly 260,000 adults enrolled in 15 long-term health studies, following participants for about 20 years.

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The findings, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, showed that some people considered a normal weight based on BMI still carried higher levels of fat around their midsection.

Among participants in the normal and overweight BMI ranges, those with larger waist measurements or higher waist-to-hip ratios generally faced a 15% to 50% greater risk of several heart-related problems and death during the study period, according to the study.

The results suggest that looking at how weight is distributed across the body may provide a more complete picture than BMI alone.

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"BMI only tells us weight relative to height, it doesn't tell us where fat is stored, and that matters," Erin Palinski-Wade, a New Jersey-based registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator and author of the book "The Sleepdemic Solution," told Fox News Digital.

Fat carried around the abdomen can pose different health concerns than fat stored elsewhere on the body, said Palinski-Wade, who was not involved in the study.

"Where you carry fat matters more than how much you carry, because visceral fat, the fat wrapped around abdominal organs, is metabolically active tissue that drives inflammation, insulin resistance, and artery damage in a way that fat under the skin elsewhere on the body doesn't," she said.

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Palinski-Wade said the research highlights why BMI alone may not provide a complete picture of a person's heart health.

"BMI doesn't tell the whole story, where you carry fat may matter more than the number on the scale," she said.

Researchers examined several health outcomes over the course of the study, including heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, atrial fibrillation and cardiovascular-related deaths.

In addition, the researchers noted several limitations of the study, including that they did not have information on participants' physical activity, diets or genetic risk for obesity, all of which can play a role in cardiovascular disease.

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The study also measured waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio only once, limiting researchers' ability to determine how changes in abdominal fat over time may affect heart disease risk.

Kelly Clarkson won’t let her kids watch ‘From Justin to Kelly’ after brutal admission about 2003 film

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 15:48:48 -0400

Kelly Clarkson has no plans to introduce her children to one infamous chapter of her career.

During her final Las Vegas concert on Saturday, the 44-year-old singer revealed that she has banned daughter River Rose, 12, and son Remington, 10, from watching her 2003 musical comedy, "From Justin to Kelly."

"Well, it’s an Oscar-worthy number, and it’s called ‘From Justin to Kelly,’" Clarkson joked, according to a video obtained by Us Weekly, before explaining her participation in two words: "Contractually obligated."

KELLY CLARKSON LAUGHS OFF WIND-BLOWN WARDROBE MALFUNCTION ON STAGE

"Man, read the f—ing fine print, you know," she told the crowd. "I didn’t know that if you won, you had to do a movie. Not all of us want to be Meryl Streep, we just like watching her, OK? I was like, ‘I don’t want to be in a movie,’ but they were like, ‘Yeah, but you won.’ And I was like, ‘And I feel like I’m losing? It doesn’t feel quite like a win.’"

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Clarkson starred opposite "American Idol" season one runner-up Justin Guarini in the musical, which hit theaters shortly after she became the reality competition’s inaugural winner. The movie followed two young people who meet and fall for each other while on spring break.

More than two decades later, Clarkson made clear she isn't looking back at the project through rose-colored glasses.

After a fan at the concert defended the film, Clarkson joked that the audience member was watching it with "loving eyes," before offering her own decidedly less flattering assessment: "It’s s---."

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And her two children apparently won't get the chance to judge her performance for themselves anytime soon.

"It is funny though, like, my kids, I’ve banned them from watching," Clarkson admitted.

Despite her feelings about the film, the singer said the experience wasn't entirely negative.

"The music part, that was fun," she said. "See? You gotta find the positive, motherf—ers, you know? Turn that s— into lemonade … and cry yourself to sleep."

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"From Justin to Kelly" was released in 2003, one year after Clarkson's victory on the first season of "American Idol."

LIV Golf player admits breakaway tour might be nearing the end: 'I think time might run out'

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 15:32:21 -0400

Since the Saudi Arabia-backed Public Investment Fund announced they were pulling funding for the LIV Golf Tour at the end of the 2026 season, there's been widespread speculation about the future of the breakaway league.

While LIV initially grabbed big name stars like Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson and eventually Jon Rahm with big guaranteed contracts and high purses, that momentum seemingly stalled in recent months and years as the league failed to turn a profit. Some younger players, like Michael La Sasso, a recent men's college golf national champion, did forgo the PGA Tour for LIV, but other big names have stayed put.

LIV CEO Scott O'Neil has maintained that there's significant interest from outside investors to continue backing LIV, and recently announced they'd signed a term sheet with a mysterious, anonymous lead backer. Several players have said they remain committed to LIV, and DeChambeau reportedly has attended meetings with potential investors.

LIV GOLF'S END MAY BE IMMINENT AFTER REPORT SIGNALS SAUDI ARABIA IS PREPARING TO CUT OFF FUNDING

But others are clearly skeptical, or clearly looking to jump ship. Kopeka already rejoined the PGA Tour earlier in 2026 under a "returning member program." Jon Rahm seems to be on his way out in a matter of weeks or months, and the DP World tour may be trying to force some players' hands by declining to offer conditional releases to play events on both tours in 2027.

Now another one of LIV's big initial signings has admitted that the end might be approaching for the tour. Ian Poulter who left the PGA Tour back in 2022, recently joined "GOLF LIFE" on YouTube for a nine-hole match against Jimmy Bullard, and said he thinks time might "run out" on LIV.

Bullard asked Poulter if he believed LIV would continue on past 2026, to which he replied, "I think time might run out."

"There is a hard deadline I think of September 1," he continued. "There is four weeks to find $300 million. That is not a lot of time considering people and contracts have got to be signed.

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"You have to ask the PIF: are you happy to accept sending this business that is running today into bankruptcy to be able to have a go forward into a 2.0 version, and give someone a $6 billion write-off?"

Poulter added that he's not sure what this means for many players, including himself.

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"I hope for a lot of golfers, because a lot of golfers don’t have much of a choice, because they are in the form of playing LIV Golf.

"There are some who have the opportunity to play DP World Tour and there are a few that might have the opportunity to go and play PGA Tour golf, because they are such big names. There are some that can’t do either.

PGA TOUR CEO SHARES JARRING COMMENTS ABOUT PLAYERS RETURNING AS LIV GOLF SAUDI FUNDING DISAPPEARS

"Where am I at? I am 50. I have some opportunity to play Champions Tour. If LIV does a 2.0, I have a choice to go and play that. It’s up in the air."

Clearly, no one involved expected the PIF to back out of funding the tour, let alone so abruptly in 2026. But this was always the risk in joining what amounted to a "start up" golf league, even one with apparently endlessly deep pockets behind it. And Poulter's also right that it's going to put some LIV players in a tough spot. Obviously, DeChambeau and Rahm, or bigger name players like Tyrell Hatton and Joaquin Neimann, will have plenty of options. But for those on the downside of the career, or younger players like La Sasso, this could be a tough pill to swallow.

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If Poulter's right, we might be weeks away from finding out what happens next.