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Earthquake shakes Peru's Andes region, killing at least 5, displacing hundreds

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 13:50:37 -0400

A powerful earthquake ripped through Peru's Andes region overnight, killing at least five people and leaving hundreds displaced as homes and a church collapsed, with authorities warning Sunday that an unknown number of people remain missing.

The magnitude 5.5 quake struck shortly after 9:20 p.m. Saturday near the city of Sicaya in central Peru, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake injured more than 20 people and forced at least 300 residents from their homes, Peru's National Civil Defense Institute said.

Officials were still trying to account for missing residents Sunday after several buildings collapsed or were left unsafe, including a local church and convent.

SECURITY GUARD SURVIVES EIGHT DAYS BENEATH COLLAPSED SHOPPING CENTER AFTER VENEZUELA EARTHQUAKES

Authorities said the region's widespread use of traditional adobe construction likely made the damage worse. Luis Vásquez, head of the local civil defense office, said the rustic building materials "contributed to the greater impact and damage."

Images from the hard-hit farming community of Chongo Bajo showed families wrapped in blankets outside damaged homes as neighbors picked through the rubble. Animals could also be seen trapped beneath collapsed buildings.

BOY, 2, PULLED ALIVE FROM RUBBLE SIX DAYS AFTER VENEZUELA'S DEVASTATING TWIN EARTHQUAKES

"My home has been destroyed," resident Hermenegilda Guamalato told local radio while looking for shelter with her three children in the neighboring province of Huayucachi.

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Peru sits along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," one of the world's most active earthquake zones. In 2007, a magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck the coastal province of Pisco, killing nearly 600 people.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Stomach bugs surging as doctors say certain travel essentials could save your trip

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 13:45:18 -0400

Stomach bugs can quickly turn a dream vacation into days spent in a hotel room, but doctors say packing a few key essentials can help keep your summer or fall trip on track.

Gastrointestinal illnesses caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites commonly trigger nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The agency says travelers' diarrhea, usually caused by bacteria, is the most common travel-related illness.

WHY A BLOWN-OUT PLANE WINDOW NEARLY SUCKED A PASSENGER OUTSIDE AT 16K FEET

It affects an estimated 30% to 70% of travelers during a two-week trip, depending on the destination and season.

While not every stomach bug can be prevented, doctors say packing a few essentials before you leave can help manage symptoms, prevent dehydration and make it easier to know when it's time to seek medical care.

Before your next trip, the CDC recommends packing the following items:

Oral rehydration salts or electrolyte packets. These help replace fluids and electrolytes lost through diarrhea or vomiting.
An over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medication, such as loperamide, for mild diarrhea. It should not be used alone if diarrhea is accompanied by a fever or bloody stools.
Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), which may help prevent or relieve travelers' diarrhea in some cases. The medication is not appropriate for everyone, including people with aspirin allergies, certain medical conditions, pregnant women or some children.
Hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. This is for situations in which soap and water aren't available.

If illness does strike, staying hydrated should be the top priority.

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Most people recover from common stomach bugs within one to three days without treatment, though dehydration can become serious enough to require medical attention, Chad D. Neilsen, director of Infection Prevention and Control at Nemours Children's Health in Florida, previously told Fox News Digital.

Doctors say smart food choices can also help reduce the risk of gastrointestinal illness while traveling.

Bethany Doerfler, a senior clinical research dietitian at the Digestive Health Institute of Northwestern Medicine, recommends thoroughly cooking higher-risk vegetables, such as leafy greens and fresh herbs, to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal illness, including parasitic infections such as Cyclospora.

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"Heating to temperatures over 160 degrees [Fahrenheit] will kill the parasite," Doerfler told Fox News Digital.

She also recommends choosing fruits and vegetables with thick skins that can be washed and peeled, such as bananas, avocados and melons, instead of avoiding fresh produce altogether.

Careful food and beverage choices can help lower the risk of gastrointestinal illness, the CDC says, although the choices cannot eliminate it completely because restaurant hygiene and local sanitation are often beyond a traveler's control.

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Travelers should seek medical care if diarrhea persists or worsens, particularly if it is accompanied by a fever, bloody stools or signs of dehydration.

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Angelica Stabile of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.

Bill Maher admits he could vote for JD Vance, warns 'cowardly' Democrats face socialist takeover

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 13:44:05 -0400

Comedian and HBO host Bill Maher said Sunday that he could vote for Vice President JD Vance in the 2028 presidential election if Democrats nominate a candidate aligned with the party's socialist wing, calling Democrats "cowardly" and warning that radicals are taking over the party.

"Yes," Maher said when asked by ABC News "This Week" co-anchor Jonathan Karl if Maher could see himself voting for Vance. "If this is the Democratic side, yes."

VANCE CONFRONTED ABOUT 2028 AMBITIONS AFTER TRUMP TEASES 'DREAM TEAM' RUBIO TICKET

Maher said his vote remained open because President Donald Trump cannot run again and rejected efforts to distinguish socialism from communism while discussing the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).

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

"I mean, I know the talking point is that it’s not communism, it’s socialism. OK, I’ve read the quotes from the DSA platform from their own mouths. Don’t tell me I’m not seeing what I am seeing," Maher said.

Maher also contrasted Republicans' willingness to appear on his HBO program, "Real Time with Bill Maher," with Democrats who declined invitations despite receiving his vote.

MAHER SHAMES CLINTONS, KAMALA, DEMS, SAYING THEY WON'T GO ON HIS SHOW OR ANYWHERE THEY AREN'T 'PRE-ADORED'

"The Democrats don’t come, and yet they got my vote. What... it’s just odd, isn’t it? Why is that? So what is that all about?" Maher said. "Democrats are cowardly. They’re cowardly."

The HBO host warned that the Democratic Party was being overtaken by increasingly radical figures, recalling the criticism he received after refusing to embrace left-wing positions.

"Their party is being taken over now by, you know, every day I hear about a new very radical," Maher said.

"I feel very good about [it]. Like 10 years ago, like I did lose fans because, you know, I wasn’t going to go along with some of this crazy stuff on the left too," he said.

DEM REP HENRY CUELLAR REJECTS DSA AGENDA, SAYS SOCIALISTS ARE TRYING TO 'USE' DEMOCRATIC PARTY

Maher said he had not changed his views about Republicans but refused to overlook positions promoted by members of his own political camp.

"I didn’t change really on what I thought about the right, but just, I can’t sit and just not notice stuff which people seem to want to do because it’s all about my team or your team," Maher said.

"But you know there’s some crazy stuff. You know, when we’re cheering for the Intifada, I cut, I’m out," he said.

He also predicted Democrats would perform well in the 2026 midterms because the races would remain a referendum on Trump. He distinguished those contests from the next presidential election.

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"2028 is a different story because by then this wing of the party, this new wing with all the energy, and it’s not just a few people anymore," Maher said.

Maher cited candidates in Colorado and Wisconsin advocating the abolition of police and prisons as examples of the party's leftward movement.

"I read every day I read about a new person in some Colorado and Wisconsin, somebody who is saying some variation of not defund the police," Maher said. "Abolish the police. No prisons, no police. Like, what world do they think we could possibly live in under these conditions?"

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The DSA’s 2026 program calls for public ownership of the largest corporations and essential industries, fully abolishing police and prisons and abolishing the Senate.

'Let's brew it in the United States': Teamsters target Modelo and Corona in push for Mexican beer tariffs

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 13:28:07 -0400

One of the nation's largest labor unions wants President Donald Trump to make one of America's favorite imports a lot more American.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters are urging the administration to impose significant tariffs on Mexican beer, arguing more of it should be brewed by U.S. workers instead of across the border.

The request comes as the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative continues to assess whether certain countries’ policies have fueled unfair manufacturing advantages.

The Teamsters argue Mexico has fueled its brewing industry through government-backed investment incentives, lower labor costs and export-focused policies that have expanded production and exports, helping imported beer capture a growing share of the U.S. market.

AMERICA'S FAVORITE BEERS — AND THE JOBS TIED TO THEM — ARE AT THE CENTER OF A BREWING TRADE FIGHT

The tariff push could have implications for some of America's best-known imported beer brands, including Modelo, Corona, Pacifico and Tecate, much of which is brewed in Mexico before being shipped to retailers across the U.S.

"We can brew Modelo beer. It's the same recipe. Let's brew it in the United States," Sean O'Brien, general president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, told Fox News Digital. "We are very good at producing goods and services in this country," he added.

In its filing, the union said Mexican beer production has increased 85% since 2014, with about 80% of the country's beer exports shipped to the United States. Meanwhile, capacity utilization at major U.S. breweries fell from 82% in 2013 to 65% in 2023, a trend the Teamsters say threatens thousands of well-paying union jobs.

TRUMP BET TARIFFS WOULD BRING BACK AMERICAN FACTORY JOBS. NEW REPORT SAYS IT DIDN'T WORK

The union argues tariffs would help shift more beer production back to the U.S., supporting American breweries along with the farmers who grow barley and hops, aluminum manufacturers that produce cans and the truckers who move beer across the country.

"I'm pro-America, pro-American worker, pro American jobs. So if there's an opportunity to tariff Mexican beer in this situation, which is gonna provide opportunity for our current members, which we have tens of thousands in the brewery and distribution industry, then I'm all for tariffs and all for keeping American jobs in America," O'Brien added.

THINK YOUR STATE IS EXPENSIVE? NEW DATA REVEALS WHERE AMERICANS FACE THE HIGHEST COST OF LIVING

The Teamsters say the threat to U.S. brewery jobs is growing as major brewers continue investing billions of dollars in Mexico.

According to the filing, breweries have announced plans to add another 19 million to 23 million hectoliters of production capacity over the next five years, an expansion the union attributes to export-focused tax incentives, lower labor costs and industrial policies aimed at boosting manufacturing for foreign markets.

The filing also cites Mexico's 2023 tax incentives for export-oriented manufacturers and its broader "Plan México" industrial strategy, arguing those policies have encouraged additional investment while suppressing wages and making it more difficult for U.S. producers to compete.

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The Teamsters have publicly backed tariffs as high as 75% on Mexican beer imports, calling them one potential remedy to what they describe as an uneven playing field. In a separate submission to USTR, the union said continued pressure from imported beer could force more U.S. brewery slowdowns or closures, jeopardizing good-paying brewery jobs that have supported American families for generations.

The Teamsters' filing is one of several submitted as USTR weighs potential trade actions under its ongoing Section 301 investigation.

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

Historic nude beach in California is putting its clothes on when it opens later this month

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 13:19:25 -0400

Another historical clothing optional location in California is putting its clothes on. The San Gregorio Ranch State Beach, considered one of the first nude beaches in the state, is being added to the California State Parks.

The nonprofit land trust Peninsula Open Space Trust purchased the land last spring and has plans to donate it to the state park system later this year. The beach will open on July 29 and clothing will be required.

The day-to-day operations will be managed by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, KQED reported. Bonny Hawley, the Executive Director of the organization, said nudity isn't allowed at state parks.

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

She added that the parks system will be educating the public about the beach no longer being a nude one. A sad day, I'm sure, for those who enjoy letting it all hangout while allowing sand easier access to their bodies.

"I’m not happy about it," Bob Morton told the Los Angeles Times. He's been to the beach and is confused by the state parks not allowing the swinging to and fro of body parts normally covered up in public.

"It seems counterintuitive," he added. "You go there to be one with nature."

FAMOUS BEACH NOW REQUIRES VISITORS TO RESERVE SPOTS WEEKS AHEAD AND PAY FEES

How in the world are you expected to be one with nature with your swimsuit on at the beach? You can be close to one with nature, but to some that isn't enough.

They require the sun and the ocean breeze covering their entire body. As if the rule changes at the historic beach weren't enough, they're not allowing dogs on the stretch of beach either.

They apparently are going after a dull beach experience. Swimsuits will be on every single person and nobody will have to dodge any piles of dog crap. Where's the sense of adventure that made California?

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DAVID MARCUS: Socialism and El-Sayed run into harsh reality in blue-collar Michigan

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 13:07:43 -0400

By now, we have all seen the evidence that the socialist uprising happening in the Democratic Party is fueled mainly by highly educated White voters, and on Saturday, I saw even more evidence of it at a Detroit rally for Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. It was whiter than a toothpaste ad.

Scanning the hundred or so people in line for the event that featured Marxist superstars Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., I saw fewer Black people than you could find at Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse’s restricted beach club in Rhode Island.

Outside of the Opera House where the event was taking place, I met Chris, selling socialist merch. Like me, he had arrived that morning, redheaded, ruddy and a bit sunburned from his recent swing through Texas supporting the supposedly non-socialist Senate candidate James Talarico.

DEMOCRATS' CIVIL WAR HEADS TO MICHIGAN WHERE PROGRESSIVES FACE BIGGEST TEST YET IN HIGH-STAKES SENATE SHOWDOWN

A bit surprised that the Democratic Socialists of America were stumping for Talarico, I asked him whether Texas voters were put off by it.

"I’m not supposed to do interviews, but yeah, it’s different for sure depending on where we go," he said.

A moment later, I had a conversation with the spokesperson for Don Offord, the progressive running for the Democratic nomination in Michigan’s 11th Congressional District. One of the animating elements of this socialist insurgency became crystal clear, as he couldn't stop talking about AIPAC.

DEM CIVIL WAR HITS PRIMARY DEBATE STAGE IN FIERY BATTLEGROUND SHOWDOWN: 'WHAT ARE YOU HIDING?'

"Don doesn’t take any money from AIPAC (the pro-Israel lobbying group)," Mark said proudly. I asked him if this could be a problem, not just with Jewish voters, but with moderate Democrats who support the Jewish state. A kind of shock fell over him, as if he’d never considered this, and he just refused to answer.

Tim, from Ann Arbor was there, not as a fan of the socialists but as a concerned citizen, largely worried about data centers.

"I just want transparency," he told me. "People are making so much money, and us normal people don’t have much say over it."

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

I asked if he found the arguments from AOC and Bernie convincing, to which he simply replied, "Not really."

Later in the evening at the Anchor Bar, named not for sailors but for the newsmen who historically call the dive bar home, I met Glen, in his 50s who works for the federal government in Detroit and is not particularly fond of socialism.

"No way El-Sayed can win," he told me. "These socialists sound crazy. Free, free, free everything, that’s not going to work here."

When I asked about El-Sayed’s supposedly more moderate opponent, Rep. Haley Stevens, Glen told me, "She seems fine."

It does appear in recent days that the El-Sayed camp is aware of the warning Glen laid out. He has been all over TV claiming that he is not a socialist even as he appeared on stage with Bernie and AOC, the king and queen of the commie jamboree.

With the primary drawing nearer, we are seeing cracks behind El-Sayed’s Mamdani-esque creepy permasmile, as he tries to distance himself from the socialists while also trying to surf their zeitgeist.

It turns out that, unlike the communist corridor in New York City, here in Michigan, being a socialist is more of a bug than a feature. It's a lesson that the suddenly capitalism-loving El-Sayed has probably learned just a bit too late.

This is the reality that Democrats smitten by the socialism bug are soon to run smack into all over the country, whether they know it or not. Does Talarico in Texas really want redheaded Chris and his communist buddies to be an avatar for him in the Lone Star State? I doubt it.

From what I see on the ground, both from his supporters and his detractors, El-Sayed is in serious trouble in this Senate election. Saying, "I hate Israel" only gets you so far, especially in a city and state that has seen economic improvement over the distinctly non-socialist President Donald Trump era.

It is too soon to say that this race for the Senate nomination in Michigan is over. Perhaps there is a scandal or two that can harm Stevens in the late stages, but right now, she has the momentum, and El-Sayed has little or no ability to find new voters.

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Meanwhile, the establishment is beginning to strike back against the socialists, with the Congressional Black Caucus this past week endorsing Stevens, as a check on the emerging power of the White and immigrant socialist voting bloc within the Democratic Party.

The question is whether there are enough tattooed White kids with worthless degrees to get El-Sayed over the top. The answer, it seems increasingly clear, is no.

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Trump to present FIFA World Cup winners with trophy

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 13:05:41 -0400

President Donald Trump will present the FIFA World Cup trophy to the winner of the match between Spain and Argentina on Sunday, a White House official confirmed to Fox News.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said last month on "Fox & Friends" that he and Trump would deliver the trophy to the winning team’s captain on the field of New York/New Jersey Stadium.

WATCH ARGENTINA VS SPAIN LIVE

Infantino also said at the time that Trump would attend the contest. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the president’s attendance "a fitting conclusion to a tournament that showcased America's ability to host the world on the grandest stage."

Trump was on stage during the FIFA Club World Cup trophy presentation after Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

Earlier in the World Cup, Trump got involved in one of the World Cup's biggest controversies, calling Infantino and requesting a review of Folarin Balogun's red card. Balogun was suspended for Team USA's Round of 16 match, but he was later ruled eligible for the game.

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Trump has yet to attend a World Cup match, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio was spotted at the U.S. Men's National Team's opener against Paraguay, a 4-1 win on June 12.

The president was awarded the first FIFA Peace Prize at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., during the World Cup final draw in December.

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Trump recently attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, while the White House played host to UFC Freedom 250 last month. An IndyCar race will take place in Washington, D.C., next month.

Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.

Mamdani pummeled online as critics call possible Netanyahu arrest ‘pure political theater’

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 12:56:35 -0400

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was blasted by critics on social media Saturday after he disclosed that New York City attorneys were exploring whether NYC police could arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he visits Manhattan for the United Nations General Assembly in September — suggesting the mayor lacked authority and was interfering with U.S. foreign policy.

"Whatever the law allows me to do in New York City, that’s what we will do, but we won’t be writing our own laws to that end," Mamdani said in an interview with The New York Times.

The mayor said the city’s Law Department was actively discussing the issue and reiterated his support for the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against Netanyahu.

WORLD COURT PROSECUTOR WHO WENT AFTER NETANYAHU FOR WAR CRIMES SUSPENDED OVER SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

"I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in 'The Hague.' He’s a war criminal who has been charged by the International Criminal Court. And what you will find is that it is an opinion that is held by many, purely because of what his actions have wrought over these last many years," Mamdani told The New York Times.

"Federal authority trumps any local mayor’s wishes. This is pure political theater," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said on X.

Waltz cited several legal barriers, including that America is not a party to the Rome Statute that established the International Criminal Court, diplomatic protections surrounding U.N. visits and immunity for foreign leaders.

FETTERMAN WARNS MAMDANI RISKS 'CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS' BY VOWING TO DEFY SCOTUS IMMIGRATION RULING

House Republicans urged Mamdani to turn his attention to problems within the five boroughs rather than attempting to involve local police in international affairs.

"Mamdani is threatening to arrest the head of one of our closest allies," House Republicans said on X. "He should stop politicizing local law enforcement and interfering with US foreign policy and instead focus on rising rent and housing prices and antisemitism in NYC."

Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who preceded Mamdani, said the proposal could also carry consequences for Americans serving overseas and promised to welcome Netanyahu to the city.

NYC REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER SLAMS MAMDANI ANTISEMITISM OFFICE AS A ‘BLACK HOLE’ LACKING PUBLIC-FACING RESOURCES

"This isn’t a college protest. This is the City of New York," Adams said on X. "Threatening to arrest the democratically elected leader of one of America’s closest allies during U.N. General Assembly week isn’t bold. It’s reckless."

Republican New York City Councilwoman Vickie Paladino went further, arguing on X that any effort to carry out the ICC warrant would amount to rebellion against federal authority.

"Just so we’re clear, this would be an act of insurrection," Paladino said. "The United States is not a party to the ICC and it has no jurisdiction in this country. No law enforcement agency at any level has the authority to enforce its orders."

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The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024 over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity connected to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Israel has rejected the allegations and challenged the court’s jurisdiction.

The United States is not a member of the ICC. Federal law prohibits state and local government entities from cooperating with ICC requests or providing support to the court.

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The New York City Mayor's Office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Fetterman calls Zohran Mamdani a 'clown' over push to arrest Netanyahu in New York City

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 12:51:16 -0400

Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman took fresh aim at New York City Democratic socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Sunday, branding him a "clown" over his repeated interest in having Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrested if he visits New York for the United Nations General Assembly this September.

"[He's] such a tough guy to say that kind of thing. He has no way to do that," Fetterman said on "Sunday Morning Futures."

"America's not even part of that corrupt court," he continued, referring to the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu.

FETTERMAN WARNS MAMDANI RISKS 'CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS' BY VOWING TO DEFY SCOTUS IMMIGRATION RULING

"He's [Mamdani is] just a clown to even say that, so he won't try that. Just sit down and focus on other... problems that they have in New York. That's really not your purview. You and I know that. Sit down."

Mamdani has repeatedly said he would seek to have Netanyahu arrested if the Israeli leader travels to New York City, citing the International Criminal Court's November 2024 arrest warrant accusing Netanyahu of war crimes and crimes against humanity stemming from Israel's war against Hamas.

Most recently, the far-left mayor said his administration is actively exploring whether the city has the legal authority to arrest Netanyahu, calling him a "war criminal" who "belongs in The Hague," during an interview with The New York Times.

Netanyahu has denied the allegations, and Israel rejects the ICC's jurisdiction over the matter.

SEN JOHN FETTERMAN PLEDGES TO BE 'LAST MAN STANDING' IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN SUPPORT OF ISRAEL

The United States is not a party to the Rome Statute that established the ICC and does not recognize the court's jurisdiction over U.S. citizens or Israeli officials.

Fox News Digital previously reached out to the mayor's office asking whether Mamdani stands by calling Netanyahu a "war criminal," whether City Hall is actively consulting with the Law Department regarding possible legal action against the Israeli leader and whether the mayor would direct the NYPD to arrest Netanyahu if attorneys determined the city had legal authority. The mayor's office did not immediately respond, however.

Meanwhile, Fetterman has emerged as one of Israel's most outspoken defenders in Congress, simultaneously acting as one of Mamdani's — and the progressive left's — greatest internal party critics.

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Speaking to Fox News' Maria Bartiromo, Fetterman discussed his bond over Israel with the late South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham and why he would reconsider his position in the Democratic Party should its official platform adopt anti-Israel terms.

"That would force me to kind of reevaluate should I remain as a Democrat," he shared, later adding, "If we became the kind of party that would embrace someone like Hasan Piker, maybe my party doesn't want like a reasonable commonsense kind of Democrat that reminds people that standing with Israel... used to be part of our core values and one of the reasons why I've been I'm proud to be a Democrat."

Liberal state Supreme Court justice blasts SCOTUS conservatives, says Hawaii will defy high court

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 15:08:17 -0400

A Hawaii Supreme Court justice used a ruling overturning a decades-old criminal conviction to deliver a blistering rebuke of Chief Justice John Roberts' Supreme Court, accusing the nation's highest court of weakening constitutional rights, damaging democracy and advancing a political agenda.

Justice Todd Eddins authored the 91-page majority opinion Wednesday in State v. Granillo, a case involving a man convicted in 1990 of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a woman on Maui.

The court ordered a new trial after concluding that hair and fiber evidence presented by an FBI expert relied on forensic science that has since been discredited.

But in roughly eight pages of the opinion, Eddins argued Hawaii's courts should not look to the Roberts court when interpreting the state constitution, using the case to deliver an unusually sharp critique of the nation's highest court.

LAWYER WHO BEAT HAWAII GUN LAW CALLS STATE’S RELIANCE ON BLACK CODE ‘DISGRACEFUL’

"When six justices walk away from those they are supposed to protect, state constitutions hold the line," Eddins wrote, referring to the court's six conservative justices. "That is not defiance. That is the design."

Eddins argued that Hawaii's Constitution provides stronger protections than the federal Constitution as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court and said the court has abandoned landmark civil rights principles.

"The Court that now defines federal due process does not honor the work of 1954," Eddins wrote. "It revives the work of 1857. The work of 1896."

Eddins was referring to Brown v. Board of Education, ruled in 1954, which ended racial segregation in public schools, and Dred Scott v. Sandford, the infamous 1857 decision denying citizenship to Black Americans and Plessy v. Ferguson, the 1896 ruling that upheld racial segregation.

Eddins argued that the Roberts court no longer reflects the constitutional principles established in Brown v. Board of Education. Instead, he argued the court's originalist approach relies on the same type of constitutional interpretation in the discredited Dred Scott and Plessy decisions.

"Today’s hubristic originalists use the same method to control modern life," Eddins wrote.

SUPREME COURT STRIKES DOWN LIMIT ON PARTY CAMPAIGN SPENDING IN COORDINATION WITH CANDIDATES

"The Court overrides what Congress passed," Eddins continued. "It overrides what the people chose. All to serve its own ends. What this Court has done to constitutional rights, democratic institutions, and the rule of law explains why Hawaiʻi’s Constitution takes no instruction from it."

Throughout the opinion, Eddins pointed to many of the Roberts court's most consequential decisions as evidence that constitutional protections have been weakened, including Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned the federal constitutional right to abortion; Citizens United v. FEC on campaign finance; Rucho v. Common Cause on partisan gerrymandering; Trump v. United States on presidential immunity; and New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which expanded Second Amendment protections.

Eddins accused the Roberts court of adopting a "colorblind" approach to the equal protection clause that, in his view, ignores the amendment's original purpose of protecting formerly enslaved Black Americans.

"The Roberts Court sees only white," he wrote. "It refuses to acknowledge who the Equal Protection Clause was written to protect."

He also suggested that recent Supreme Court decisions have repeatedly expanded the power of government officials and wealthy interests while reducing protections for individual rights.

"A court that systematically dismantles democratic safeguards, steamrolls constitutional liberties, and tramples human dignity does not chart the course for the Hawaiʻi Constitution," he wrote.

THOMAS LEAVES NOTHING LEFT UNSAID ON RACIAL GERRYMANDERING DECISION: ‘GO FURTHER’

The opinion quickly drew criticism from legal observers who said it was highly unusual for a state supreme court opinion to devote so much space to criticizing the U.S. Supreme Court.

"The Court issues an unhinged attack on the legitimacy of the Supreme Court," Iowa Solicitor General Eric Wessan wrote on X. "I haven't ever seen something like this. And it's not good."

George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley similarly described the opinion as "devoid of judicial restraint and decorum."

"The Hawaii Supreme Court just issued a truly shocking opinion that unleashed a torrent of rage and recrimination against the majority of the United States Supreme Court, including suggesting that they are de facto racists," Turley wrote on X.

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The opinion comes just weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court handed Hawaii a major loss in Wolford v. Lopez, striking down the state's so-called "vampire rule." In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled Hawaii could not require gun owners to get a property owner's permission before carrying a gun into businesses and other private property open to the public.

Eddins has served on the Hawaii Supreme Court since 2020 after being appointed by former Democratic Gov. David Ige.

Brexton Busch wins first race since father Kyle Busch's death in emotional return to Victory Lane

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 12:42:42 -0400

Brexton Busch found his way back to Victory Lane on Friday night, but this one meant far more than your ordinary checkered flag.

The 11-year-old son of late NASCAR champion Kyle Busch won the restricted micro sprint feature at Port City Raceway in Oklahoma — his first victory since his father died May 21 at age 41 following a severe illness.

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Brexton started 14th before a major wreck on the opening lap sent him toward the back of the field. From there, he methodically worked his way forward and completed the emotional comeback.

"And he ended up with the WIN!!!!" Samantha Busch wrote on her Instagram Stories.

But for the Busch family, the celebration was understandably bittersweet.

"This is his first win since Kyle’s passing," Samantha wrote. "There was a lot of emotions to say the very least."

"Beyond proud of him not just for winning but all that he’s navigating at a young age," she continued, "beyond shattered Kyle isn’t here to be a part of this, beyond grateful for all the support and amazing people we have around us."

Samantha later reflected on how much Kyle loved sharing race days with his son.

"Watching him celebrate all I could think about was Kyle," she wrote. "There was nothing that made him happier than watching Brex race, spending the day tinkering on his car and then being the first one sprinting to Victory Lane with that huge grin on his face."

KYLE BUSCH'S WIFE SHARES HEARTBREAKING FATHER'S DAY TRIBUTE ONE MONTH AFTER HIS DEATH: 'DOESN'T FEEL REAL'

Brexton also opened up about what the win meant to him after an incredibly difficult two months.

"My first win since my dad passed. I don’t like to talk about it much, but the last two months have been really tough," Brexton wrote on Instagram. "I’m missing my crew chief, my driver coach, my dad, the guy who I looked up to more [than] anyone."

Kyle was deeply involved in Brexton’s budding racing career, serving not only as his father but also as his mentor, mechanic and biggest supporter. Brexton has continued competing since Kyle’s death, returning to the track less than two weeks later at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Friday’s victory came with another meaningful connection to his dad, as Brexton also competed in Kyle’s green No. 18 car during the outlaw portion of the event.

Kyle’s final Instagram post was a birthday tribute to Brexton, shared just days before his death.

"Happy Birthday Brexton!!! Your mom & I are so proud of who you’re turning out to be!" Kyle wrote. "You’re the best kid on & off the track, you amaze us every day."

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"Keep doing what you’re doing and there is no limit to what you’ll accomplish! Love you buddy!"

Seems like Brexton’s taking that one to heart.

Shortly after Saturday's win, the young driver posted a video doing Kyle's signature bow, captioned simply: "For my Dad. 🏁"

Betting preview for Patriots after falling short in the Super Bowl and controversial offseason

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 12:38:42 -0400

The NFL has found a way to dominate news headlines regardless of whether the season is happening or not. It could be the draft, free agency, preseason, minicamps, whatever, there is always something happening in the news with football. It can be overwhelming at times, but at others it is a nice reminder that the season is right around the corner. One team in the news for the wrong reasons has been the New England Patriots.

Last year, the Patriots had an unexpectedly good season. They won their division, knocking the Buffalo Bills back down a bit. They had their second-year quarterback looking like an MVP candidate.

Their first-year (with the franchise) coach led them to a great turnaround. The team went 14-3 in the regular season. In their Wild Card round game, they crushed the Chargers 16-3. Then, against Houston, they destroyed the Texans in a forgettable game for quarterback C.J. Stroud. Finally, they took on the Broncos and barely beat them in the AFC Conference Championship.

A.J. BROWN HEADED TO NEW ENGLAND TO REUNITE WITH MIKE VRABEL AFTER A SEASON OF EAGLES UNHAPPINESS

Offseason additions and subtractions

The biggest addition for the Patriots came recently as they traded for A.J. Brown. We know that when Brown is motivated, he can be one of the top wide receivers in the league. I think with this new team, he should be ready. He also goes to a pass-first quarterback instead of a run-first quarterback. They addressed some of their offensive line needs via the draft and free agency, and that could help. The biggest loss was Stefon Diggs, but he was replaced by Brown or even Romeo Doubs.

Roster

I like the offensive weapons that New England has surrounded Drake Maye with. There are very few positions that I feel like are lacking. I also think the team should still have a lot of strengths on defense. They have a good pass rush, and they have some solid players in the secondary. I don’t know that either will be elite, and most teams take a step back after the Super Bowl (especially after losses).

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HOW THE DIANNA RUSSINI-MIKE VRABEL SCANDAL COULD DERAIL THE PATRIOTS' SEASON ON THE FIELD

Betting outlook

After making it to the Super Bowl and being embarrassed, the expectation was that this season was going to be another step forward for the young club. Instead, most of the conversation this offseason has been about an alleged affair between their head coach, Mike Vrabel, and a reporter, Diana Russini. This will likely be a distraction until the season starts, as it seems like every few days, new pictures or pieces of the affair come out. I am bringing this up in a betting article because I think it is important to figure out if this will be a distraction or help the team focus on football. I’m sure there will be questions, but winning cures all.

Unfortunately, I don’t see them winning this year. Last year was a fluke to me. I need to see Maye do it again before I believe it. Vrabel will have his defense ready, but I like the under 10.5 for them.

For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024

Trump's election integrity speech: 7 takeaways every American should know

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 12:35:57 -0400

In his speech to the nation on July 16, President Donald Trump made a fundamental point seemingly lost on his critics:

Every American, whether you’re a Republican, Democrat, independent or otherwise, should be able to agree that we deserve the most secure, honest, and fair election system anywhere in the world. Secure elections should not be a partisan issue.

Yet Democratic critics are already disputing the evidence and conclusions Trump presented.

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Here are the seven biggest takeaways about the vulnerabilities in our election process, as outlined by the president:

1. In his speech, Trump said newly declassified intelligence showed that China had illicitly acquired or attempted to acquire voter-registration information involving as many as 220 million Americans across multiple states. He characterized it as the "largest compromise of election data in history," involving the theft of "220 million U.S. voter files."

This allegation is shocking but not surprising. The Chinese engaged in a similar hack during the Obama administration, when they stole the personnel files of roughly 22 million current and former federal employees (including me) from the Office of Personnel Management. The Chinese military maintains units devoted to cyber operations targeting foreign governments and industries.

CHINA DISMISSES TRUMP ELECTION INTERFERENCE ACCUSATIONS AS 'ENTIRELY FABRICATED,' THREATENS COUNTERMEASURES

2. Instead of warning officials in the 18 affected states, President Trump alleged that individuals within the intelligence agencies "worked to actively suppress and downplay information about the extent of China’s" cybersecurity attacks, without even briefing the president or members of Congress. According to the president, an analyst admitted in an email that officials "deliberately massaged the presidential daily briefing to withhold" this information, while another FBI official said she was running a "shadow government" to keep intelligence about China’s meddling from becoming known.

If true, this is outrageous behavior. The president has instructed federal agencies to immediately provide states with all the information needed to remedy the vulnerabilities that allegedly allowed this to occur. That should have been done when the breach was first discovered.

3. According to President Trump, CIA reports indicate that the Chinese worked to "undermine domestic confidence" in the president. That effort included "efforts to use Chinese contacts with big U.S. companies to influence U.S. business leaders to turn against the president" as well as to use "U.S. journalists who had reported negatively on the U.S. president." These allegations obviously need further investigation.

REPUBLICAN SAYS TRUMP'S TOP ELECTION PRIORITY 'DEAD' IN SENATE AS GOP FRACTURES AHEAD OF MIDTERMS

4. The administration said DHS database comparisons flagged approximately 278,000 voter-registration records nationwide as potentially associated with noncitizens. Fox News Digital separately reported that DHS letters alleged more than 256,000 potential matches in four states. A release from the Department of Homeland Security indicates that 10 states have voluntarily participated in this program, and DHS reviewed the public files from California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Nevada, which have refused to cooperate. The president claims that "since many Democrat states refuse to share their voter files the real number [of registered aliens] is actually much higher than that." But even this "limited analysis" should raise concerns, according to the president — and he is right.

5. The president says that intelligence reports assess "that centralized election-related data repositories, such as voter registration databases, poll books, and other official election websites are most vulnerable to exploitation, and adversaries could use this access to these systems to disrupt election processes." He says Americans "were blatantly lied to about the security of our election infrastructure… They’re vulnerable and they’re easily compromised and people within our government knew that." This calls for complete cybersecurity audits by state officials of their electronic election systems.

6. According to the president, much of this information was found in "burn bags," which are used for classified documents marked for destruction but, because of "gross incompetence," were never burned. The president has directed the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Department of Justice, the FBI, and the CIA to investigate "how and why such crucial information was hidden, to fire those involved in the cover-up and to file criminal charges, if appropriate." That is clearly the correct course of action.

7. Finally, the president demanded that the Senate pass the SAVE America Act, which would implement voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements for federal elections. He is also right about that — this is needed to fix the current registration "honor" system, which is too often dishonored.

The president’s presentation was not what his critics probably expected. As Fox News’s Ashley DiMella reported, there were no claims that China changed votes or altered election results.

But Trump outlined allegations of serious cybersecurity problems that have now been uncovered, including a Chinese influence campaign, and said the information was apparently hidden from him, the public, Congress and state election officials.

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Those who claim none of this is true are doing so before they have even reviewed the treasure trove of formerly classified documents that has now been released, and before any states have even begun to investigate the potential compromise of their election systems.

It seems obvious that all of this should — indeed, must — be investigated. That is the only way to address alleged existing vulnerabilities and make sure no future elections are compromised.

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A failure to do so will further damage the confidence the American people have in the election process, rather than the president’s decision to bring these intelligence assessments to light. Based on my research, the evidence from states that have implemented election-integrity reforms, such as voter ID, makes it clear that such reforms improve public confidence and turnout in our elections.

That is what we should all be aiming for.

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WWE's Charlotte Flair thanks NBA star for donation to family of 8-year-old who died after tragic cancer battle

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 12:31:25 -0400

WWE star Charlotte Flair lavished praise on Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton on Saturday night for a kind gesture he made for someone who was close to the former champion.

Flair appeared at Sports Illustrated Beyond the Pitch in New York City and told Fox News Digital that Haliburton contributed $10,000 to a GoFundMe set up for the family of 8-year-old Scarlett Guillen who recently died after battling a rare and incurable form of brain cancer known as Diffuse Midline Glioma.

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"It really helped cover her funeral costs," Flair said. "I saw him tonight at the show and I was like, hey, thank you. You have no idea how much that meant to me, to the family. Just, what a great guy."

Scarlett was known as Flair’s biggest fan. She was featured in a segment before WrestleMania 42 about how the two shared a bond that will never be broken. Flair also wore butterfly ring gear in honor of Scarlett.

Upon her death, Flair put out a message on her X account.

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"Thank you for the light you brought into my life," she began.

"You reminded all of us that a life isn’t measured by its length, but by the love it leaves behind. Your light doesn’t end here. It lives on in your family, your friends, and in every heart you touched. It lives on in every butterfly that makes someone stop and smile, and in every diamond that catches the light.

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"You will always be our butterfly. You will always be our diamond girl. You are loved beyond words, and you will never, ever be forgotten."

Trump administration touts more than $1B in UN budget cuts as reform push gains momentum

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 12:24:34 -0400

UNITED NATIONS — The Trump administration says it has secured more than $1 billion in cuts to United Nations budgets in just six months, calling the reductions evidence that an institution long considered resistant to change is finally beginning to reform.

The latest milestone came June 30, when all 193 U.N. member states approved a peacekeeping budget of approximately $5.1 billion for the coming fiscal year — about $550 million, or 9.7%, less than the previous year.

Combined with a 15% reduction to the U.N.'s regular budget approved in December, U.S. officials say the agreements amount to more than $1 billion in cuts to assessed U.N. budgets, a level they describe as unprecedented.

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Assessed budgets are funded through mandatory contributions charged to member states under a formula based largely on the size of their economies.

"On June 30th, with U.S. leadership, all 193 countries came together again for the second time in six months," U.S. Ambassador for U.N. Management and Reform Jeff Bartos told Fox News Digital. "We've achieved over a billion dollars of savings in six months, which is unprecedented. Any one cut would be unprecedented. The totality of the reforms is monumental."

The agreement comes as the United Nations faces mounting financial pressure and prepares for a leadership transition in 2027, with Secretary-General António Guterres set to leave office at the end of his second term. At the same time, the Trump administration has made reform a central pillar of its U.N. strategy, arguing the organization has become overly bureaucratic and inefficient.

In response to questions from Fox News Digital, U.N. spokesman Stéphane Dujarric confirmed that the peacekeeping budget was reduced by roughly $550 million and the regular budget by 15%, describing both as "unprecedented reductions."

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Bartos argues the reforms reflect sustained pressure from the Trump administration and months of negotiations led by the U.S. Mission.

"The new budget, this reformed budget, the enhanced efficiency changes the culture of how the U.N. looks at peacekeeping," Bartos said. "Every dollar has to achieve impact on the ground."

He pointed to the U.N. Mission in South Sudan as an example, saying the United States worked to streamline the mission's mandate before reducing its budget accordingly.

Another reform highlighted by the administration changes how the U.N. handles unused budget credits.

Until now, U.N. financial rules required the organization to return unspent funds to member states even if those contributions had never actually been paid, a practice critics said worsened the organization's recurring liquidity crisis.

The General Assembly voted on June 30 to introduce, on a four-year trial basis, a new methodology under which unspent funds will be returned only when backed by cash actually received.

Bartos said the change could save the organization more than $1 billion over the next three years. That projected figure is separate from the more than $1 billion in budget reductions already approved over the past six months.

He called the change another example of "common-sense" reform and said it could save the organization more than $1 billion over the next three years.

The United Nations likewise welcomed the change, though officials noted it had been a long-standing priority of Guterres.

TRUMP CELEBRATES AFTER UN CLIMATE COMMITTEE MOVES AWAY FROM ITS MOST EXTREME GLOBAL WARMING SCENARIO

"I have been pushing for this reform for almost a decade," Guterres said after the vote. He described the previous system as a "Kafkaesque cycle" in which the organization was expected "to give back cash that did not exist."

Dujarric said the reform would allow the U.N. to manage resources "in a more predictable and responsible way" while helping ensure operational continuity, particularly for peacekeeping missions.

Bartos insists the latest budget agreements are only the beginning.

Among the administration's next priorities are reforms to staff compensation, employee benefits and the U.N. pension system, areas he argues consume resources that could otherwise support humanitarian operations and peacekeeping missions.

"We're going to continue to see us push whether it's on benefits, whether it's on staff compensation, whether it's on the pension system," Bartos said. "There's massive numbers of additional reforms that our team is working on right now."

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He also suggested reform will remain a central issue as member states begin selecting the next secretary-general.

"We're going to select the next secretary-general," Bartos said. "That reform momentum that has been growing over the last 15, 18 months... you'll see that continuing in 2027 with the new secretary-general."

Europe's fires reveal deadly mix of record heat, human error, arson and land mismanagement

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 12:11:42 -0400

Since the beginning of the month, France and Spain have been hit by massive wildfires. Some observed the fires looked like a scene from Armageddon. The infernos destroyed buildings and forests alike, where the epic heat wave in Europe has hit record levels in many parts of the bloc. The heat has already led to thousands of deaths. However, the fires are not just due to the record heat.

Notably, last week, the famous Fontainebleau Forest near Paris was set alight, destroying 2,000 hectares (4,942 acres) of woodland. Approximately 1,000 people were evacuated, and 850 emergency firefighters were deployed — efforts to end the fire could take weeks.

The latest data from France's Ministry of Agriculture says nine out of 10 wildfires are caused by people. Often it's campfires, unextinguished cigarettes or similar negligence. That was exacerbated by the extreme heat this year in France and Spain, which in many cases turned scrub grassland into a tinderbox. It's also true that both countries have regulations that prohibit clearing of certain protected lands, according to information from each country. "Policies of nature restoration and building have made it hard in some cases to clear the brush that piles up," Daniel Lacalle, chief economist at Madrid-based investment company Tressis, told Fox News Digital.

1,700 EVACUATED, FIREFIGHTER DEAD AS TURKEY WILDFIRES TEAR THROUGH MAJOR CITY

The causes of fires in the U.S. are quite similar to those in France. According to data from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) and the U.S. Forest Service, 85% of fires are caused by people. However, the total wildfire burns in the U.S. from lightning-caused fires tends to burn more acreage because they often strike in remote, hard-to-reach areas.

France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said experts found 10 points around a little more than half of a mile radius that were used for ignition, according to a report by France Insider. It also found that pattern "suggests a voluntary origin," the minister reportedly said.

France 24 reported that dozens of people have been arrested across the nation for either accidentally or deliberately starting fires. On a visit to the Fontainebleau forest last week, French President Emmanuel Macron said the country "has never faced so many outbreaks of fire across the country since the end of World War II." He added, according to the France 24 report, "Here, as everywhere else in France, there will be zero tolerance" for arsonists, "because it is, of course, our national territory that is under attack every time a fire breaks out."

Meanwhile, Spain has been dealing with three separate wildfires, one of which has been stopped. A fire in Zaragoza destroyed 12,000 hectares (29,653 acres) and resulted in the evacuation of six separate villages. Fires in Madrid and Guadalajara impacted at least 2,000 people. "The speed of these fires is something that even the most experienced firefighters are saying they have never seen anything like this," Lacalle told Fox News Digital.

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A fire in the Spanish Andalusia region killed at least 13 people, including a 93-year-old woman who was injured in the fire at Los Gallardos.

Spain has vast areas of unused land with most of the population living in cities. "Some unused areas have not been cleaned up," Lacalle told Fox News Digital. "Because they have uncleared scrub land, there is a higher likelihood of a disastrous fire." That uncleared scrub that gets dried out by an extreme heat wave effectively creates a tinderbox that ignites quickly, even with a partially smoked cigarette.

The number of people exposed to wildfires has grown by an average of 382,700 per year during the period from 2002 to 2021, an increase of 40%, according to a study by the University of East Anglia in England. The study says, "This surge in human exposure was driven mainly by population growth and migration into fire-prone landscapes." Over the same period, the amount of land burned decreased by 26%, according to the UEA study.

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Separately, the extreme heat across France over the last month has caused a high death rate. The Guardian reported that some 2,000 people died at the end of June. The heat wave is forecast to continue through August.

France is the epicenter of the excessive heat, which has resulted in many outdoor events being canceled, especially in the south of the country. "Europe is being hit by a unique situation," Shawn Hackett, president of Hackett Financial Advisors, told FOX News Digital. "The extreme heat and dryness are mainly being driven by the warm surface in the Mediterranean Sea and the cold-water Atlantic." And that situation of warm dry weather will continue into August.

Second death reported in Upper East Side Legionnaires' disease outbreak as cases rise to 72

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 21:40:11 -0400

New York City health officials announced Saturday that a second person has died in connection with a growing Legionnaires' disease outbreak on Manhattan's Upper East Side as the number of confirmed infections continued to rise.

"We are heartbroken to learn that another New Yorker has lost their life to Legionnaires’ disease on the Upper East Side. Our deepest condolences are with their loved ones as they grieve," New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin said in a statement.

"While we mourn this loss, the data are also encouraging," Martin continued. "Our aggressive strategy of testing, enforcement, and remediation appears to have stopped the source of exposure."

NYC HEALTH OFFICIALS WARN CENTRAL PARK VISITORS AFTER LEGIONNAIRES’ OUTBREAK GROWS ON UPPER EAST SIDE

Health officials announced on Friday that the first person had died. The deaths come as the outbreak has sickened at least 72 people as of Saturday, up from 67 cases reported earlier. Nine people remained hospitalized as of Saturday evening, with 50 others having been discharged, according to city health officials.

Investigators are tracing the outbreak to Legionella pneumophila bacteria found in 76 cooling towers across the Upper East Side and one on the Upper West Side. Buildings that tested positive, including the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, have been ordered to clean and disinfect their cooling towers.

Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which naturally occurs in water but can multiply in building water systems such as cooling towers. The illness can be treated with antibiotics if diagnosed early.

DEADLY LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE OUTBREAK SPARKS CONCERN IN MAJOR US CITY: KNOW THE SYMPTOMS

Cooling towers, commonly found on rooftops, help regulate large building cooling systems and can release mist containing the bacteria. Health officials have emphasized that the outbreak is not linked to New York City's drinking water or indoor air conditioning.

Health officials urged anyone who lives, works or has visited the affected area since late June and develops flu-like symptoms to contact a health care provider immediately.

Symptoms typically appear two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches and headaches. The disease spreads through contaminated water droplets and is not spread from person to person.

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Older adults, smokers and people with chronic lung disease or weakened immune systems face the highest risk of severe illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 10 people diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease die from complications.

City health officials said early diagnosis and prompt treatment with antibiotics can significantly improve outcomes for patients who become infected.

Millions warned that popular summer fruit can seriously interfere with medications

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 12:04:36 -0400

Amid this summer's sweltering temperatures, many people are finding relief by sipping fruity cocktails and smoothies or drinking fruit juices.

But a doctor is warning millions of people taking common medications such as statins and antidepressants that ingesting grapefruit — a common "healthy" ingredient in many summer snacks and drinks — can have serious consequences.

"Grapefruit is a pleasant snack for most, but it is important to disclose large amounts of grapefruit use to your doctor because it can interact with an array of medications," Dr. Nicole James, a doctor based in Illinois, told news agency SWNS.

GRAPEFRUIT COULD MAKE YOUR COFFEE BUZZ LAST LONGER AS EXPERTS WARN OF HIDDEN RISKS

Common cocktails that contain grapefruit include palomas, greyhounds, some margaritas and sea breezes.

"Grapefruit contains natural compounds — primarily furanocoumarins and flavonoids. These inhibit an important enzyme called cytochrome P450 3A4," James said.

This enzyme is referred to as CYP3A4.

It plays an important role in breaking down oral medications so that the body can properly process them.

"When you ingest grapefruit, it blocks this enzyme," said James, who is also a clinical research fellow in the department of dermatology at Stanford University.

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"This causes drugs that would normally be broken down in the gut wall to instead pass through intact, leading to significantly higher-than-intended blood levels of the medication," James added.

Having higher concentrations of a medication than normal can cause serious side effects.

Drug concentrations in the blood can rise too fast and to dangerously high levels, Harvard Medical School also noted, as Fox News Digital previously reported.

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"Patients taking statins could experience higher levels than normal, which can cause muscle breakdown and cramps," James noted.

Meanwhile, patients taking certain blood pressure medications like amlodipine "may experience dizziness and low blood pressure."

Sedatives can also pose a risk, with medications like midazolam being impacted by grapefruit and causing "extreme drowsiness and even slowed breathing," she said.

Antidepressants like sertraline also come with a warning to avoid the fruit.

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For those who think it would take a lot grapefruit to have an effect — James said this isn’t the case.

"As little as one grapefruit or 200 mL of juice can cause a clinically relevant increase in medication concentrations, and the effect can last up to 72 hours because grapefruit irreversibly inactivates CYP3A4 enzyme," she said.

People should keep an eye on mixed fruit juices, smoothies and cocktails, as grapefruit juice is a common ingredient, she said.

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"If patients ingest a large amount of grapefruit while on these medications, they should monitor for any symptoms and avoid ingesting any more grapefruit," said James, advising people to always seek medical attention if there are any concerns.

The doctor also warned about other ingredients that patients should be aware of — and reiterated that reaching out to healthcare professionals ahead of time is always a wise move.

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Among the ingredients to watch:

Vitamin K-containing ingredients such as leafy green vegetables or cranberry juice should be carefully considered by those taking warfarin, which is commonly prescribed for reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Dairy-containing products can reduce the effectiveness of certain antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and bisphosphanates (often taken for osteoporosis prevention).

Helen Mirren re-lists historic Hollywood Hills estate after $6.5M price slash

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 12:00:21 -0400

A piece of Hollywood history is looking for its next owner.

Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren and her husband, acclaimed director Taylor Hackford, are putting their longtime Hollywood Hills estate on the market for $12 million, offering buyers a rare chance to own a property steeped in more than a century of entertainment history.

The couple first listed the property in 2021 for $18.5 million before reducing the asking price.

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Spanning 6.5 acres, the approximately 10,199-square-foot compound is far more than a luxury home — it is a surviving piece of Old Hollywood.

Built in 1911 for silent film star Dustin Farnum, the estate has passed through the hands of several notable figures over the decades, including film producer and journalist Mark Hellinger and actress-producer Gail Patrick, who served as executive producer of the original "Perry Mason" television series.

Vesta Home staged the interiors with a design that walks the line between nostalgia and modern luxury, honoring the home’s cinematic past without turning it into a museum.

Deep silk rugs, rich green tones, warm wood accents, vintage furnishings and oversized black-and-white Hollywood photography fill the grand-scale rooms, creating spaces that feel both glamorous and inviting.

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The private compound features a grand main residence, a separate three-bedroom guesthouse, an office and apartment above the garage, a swimming pool, sweeping terraces and newly refreshed landscaping surrounded by mature trees and panoramic Hollywood Hills views.

"This is a truly rare opportunity to acquire one of the Hollywood Hills' most historically significant and private estates," said listing agent Jonas Heller. "Properties of this caliber, with such a rich legacy and expansive acreage, seldom become available."

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The property is exclusively listed by Jonas Heller and Kurt Rappaport of Westside Estate Agency.

Hackford, the former president of the Directors Guild of America, has been married to Mirren since 1997.

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The Hollywood actress is known for her roles in "The Queen," "1923," "MobLand" and more. She previously told Fox News Digital what surprised her about working with co-stars Pierce Brosnan and Harrison Ford.

"I think with both of them, as I say, it's the way they behave on set, professionally," Mirren said.

"Harrison would sit around and chat with the cowboys," she added. "And it was cold, it wasn't comfortable. He didn't go off to his trailer and sit in a nice, warm, comfortable trailer. He would sit in the cold with everybody else. You know, chatting to the guys, for example."

WATCH: ‘MOBLAND’ STAR HELEN MIRREN CALLS OUT ‘GRUMPY’ RICH ACTORS

"And Pierce — Pierce just is so great. And you know what the other thing is great about them both? They both love what they do. And I've noticed, in my profession, a lot of older actors kind of get grumpy. Actresses don't, but actors do.

"They get grumpy, and I think, what the — excuse my language — f--- do you have to be grumpy about? You're working, you've been paid a lot of money, everyone's looking after you. Well, what do you got to be grumpy about? Harrison and Pierce are so not grumpy. They're just — they love what they do. They're positive about it. It's what they do, and they love it."

Mirren has won five Emmy Awards, an Academy Award and a Tony Award. She has also won four BAFTAs and three Golden Globes.

Former DSA member alleges communists have ‘captured’ socialist group, warns Democratic Party is next

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 11:59:07 -0400

Former Democratic Socialists of America member Jake Altman offered an inside look Saturday at the organization he says has been overtaken by communists — warning the same playbook is now being used to push the Democratic Party further to the left.

"Their organization has been captured..." Altman told Fox News.

"One of my real concerns is that we see a lot of resistance to anti-communism within the DSA, even from the moderate wing of the DSA, and I think this is very, very dangerous."

SOCIALISM’S RISE INSIDE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY NOW THREATENS THE AMERICAN DREAM

Speaking on "Saturday in America," Altman warned the organization is anything but "harmless," claiming its members are "perfectly willing to cohabitate with Maoists, with Trotskyists, with Leninists" — groups he said are intent on dismantling American institutions.

"People who want to pull down American institutions and are very clear about it. People who have this thrill to violence. That is just profoundly troubling at a time when our country is already facing many, many problems," he said.

DSA CO-CHAIR PUSHES BACK ON SOVIET UNION COMPARISONS, WANTS PRISONS TO BE 'LESS NECESSARY'

Altman also said some aspects of the group raised his eyebrows nearly 10 years ago when, while participating in a debate on the organization's behalf, he questioned whether he was the best person to represent its trajectory.

At the time, he claimed, he was reassured that the organization's increasingly radical direction was being driven by only a small faction clustered around "Jacobin" magazine.

"I was debating with Leninists who were saying Bernie Sanders isn't a socialist, and now we're hearing that from DSA, right? Bernie Sanders, AOC, they're not real socialists," he recalled.

"So I think this is just the level of extremism and radicalism we're seeing. People in DSA will try to minimize it and say it's just a few people... they're a small minority. But... look at the executive board. It's full of this alphabet soup of extremist caucuses."

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Altman urged Democrats to stand up against a "radicalized base," as far-left DSA candidates secure wins nationwide.

"These people are not operating in good faith," he said. "DSA members are not in the Democratic Party to operate in good faith."

"They are going to be targeting moderate Democrats. They're going to be targeting progressive Democrats, and they're going to be trying to smear these people any way that they can, because the ultimate goal is to get power," he added.

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

Jake Paul sends fiery message to Tom Brady after dust-up with Logan Paul: 'Revenge is sweet'

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 11:35:22 -0400

Jake Paul had some terse words for Tom Brady after the NFL legend decided to slap Logan Paul during a heated moment at Fanatics Fest in New York City on Friday.

Paul briefly spoke to Fox News Digital at Sports Illustrated Beyond the Pitch, which featured a 50 Cent and Diplo concert.

COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL

"I’m honestly p---ed. I wish I was there to back him up," he said. "But I have one message for Tom. The Paul brothers are coming for you and revenge is sweet. Tom, keep your head on a swivel."

Brady and Logan Paul met on stage with New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns coming in between them. The NFL legend then attempted to slap the WWE star before they were pulled apart before things could really escalate.

Paul and Brady responded to the incident on X afterward.

"This happened bc I was roasting Tom for beating him in flag football. And he tries to smack me ?? Horrible example for the kids," Paul wrote on X. "Aura -100 + Blocked. With a torn tricep."

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Brady called him a "dork."

"I tried America… will try again next time I see this nerd," he added.

Brady suggested in an interview on WWE star Cody Rhodes’ podcast "What Do You Wanna Talk About?" that he would want to get involved in a match.

"I need to get an invite. I've been waiting for (WWE president) Nick Khan to come up with some storyline for me to get in the mix," Brady said Thursday. "I feel like I'm retired from football, and I have an opportunity to go out there and still showcase that I'm a little bit of an athlete."

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Paul is out with a tripcep injury but a big angle may drum up some interest in WWE’s road to WrestleMania 43.

Van Jones warns far-left socialist agenda is 'regressive' threat to Democratic Party

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 11:25:56 -0400

Longtime CNN political commentator and Democrat Van Jones rebuked far-left activists Saturday, warning that their positions on Hamas, prisons and immigration are regressive and threatened to steer the Democratic Party in the wrong direction as socialist-backed candidates celebrated recent primary victories.

"Yes, we want our Democratic Party to be a big tent. But we don’t need 'party poopers. So STOP pooping in the punch bowl — and telling us the turds are ice cubes," Jones said on X, in reference to his Substack post.

Jones accused some Democratic Socialist of America (DSA) activists of promoting positions involving Hamas, policing, prisons and immigration that he considered outside the progressive movement.

DEM REP HENRY CUELLAR REJECTS DSA AGENDA, SAYS SOCIALISTS ARE TRYING TO 'USE' DEMOCRATIC PARTY

"But some people in groups like the DSA are pushing an agenda FAR outside those ideals. Supporting Hamas is not progressive. 'No police, no prisons, no borders' is not progressive. Celebrating the murder of Israeli civilians is not progressive. These ideas are REGRESSIVE," Jones said.

Jones, a self-proclaimed progressive Democrat, outlined the policies he considered central to that political identity.

"I’m a strong Democrat, with a winning bipartisan track record. I’m rooted in progressive ideals and policies: criminal justice reform, Green New Deal, Medicare for All, free education, clean air and water. These are ideas I have fought for my entire adult life," Jones said.

WATCH: HOUSE DEMS DODGE QUESTIONS ON SOCIALIST AGENDA THAT THREATENS TO ABOLISH KEY INSTITUTIONS

The ex-administration advisor to former President Barack Obama also rejected the argument that the far-left was merely advocating the type of social democracy practiced in Nordic countries.

"Some defend the far left by claiming they only want Nordic-style social democracy. If that were true, I might applaud them," Jones said. "I want those policies, too! But what does universal healthcare have to do with Hamas? With abolishing all law enforcement? With erasing all borders? With treating every wealthy person as a villain? Ideas matter. And these are terrible ideas."

The DSA's recently released Workers Deserve More program called for shifting police funding to public services as a step toward abolishing police and prisons. The program also advocated abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ending immigration detention and deportations, legalizing migration and granting amnesty to immigrants regardless of status.

'POD SAVE AMERICA' HOSTS CALL SOCIALIST WINS A 'WARNING SIGN' FOR DEMS, SLAM 'MORONIC' FAR-LEFT VIEWS

The platform's foreign policy section called for ending all U.S. military and economic assistance to Israel and establishing a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

Jones' criticism came after democratic socialist Melat Kiros defeated 15-term Rep. Diana DeGette in Colorado's Democratic primary. In New York, DSA-backed candidates Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier won congressional primaries, while several candidates endorsed by the organization captured state legislative nominations.

Jones acknowledged the organization’s electoral momentum in an earlier Substack post.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

"The Democratic Socialists of America are winning elections — and sending waves of joy and terror through the Democratic Party. A little historical context might be useful," Jones said.

Jones warned Saturday that mainstream Democrats frustrated with both Republicans and their own party’s establishment could overlook proposals he opposed.

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"Right now, extremists are trying to sneak backwards proposals into our party, hoping mainstream Democrats are too frustrated with MAGA and the Democratic Party establishment to notice. But we see you," Jones said.

'Keep a low profile': State Department warns Americans overseas they could be targeted

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 11:21:05 -0400

The State Department on Saturday reiterated its worldwide warning for Americans overseas as fears grow that Iran or its supporters could retaliate against U.S. citizens and interests far beyond the Middle East.

The "Worldwide Caution" alert, which has been in place since February, warns that groups supportive of Iran could target Americans and U.S. interests overseas.

The advisory urges U.S. citizens abroad to remain vigilant, monitor local developments and follow guidance from nearby U.S. embassies.

WHY THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ MATTERS AS TRUMP ISSUES FRESH ULTIMATUM TO IRAN

The warning follows a series of rapidly escalating developments in the region. Earlier Saturday, the U.S. military said an Iranian missile and drone attack in Jordan killed two American service members and left another missing, underscoring concerns that the conflict could spill beyond traditional battlefields and increase security risks for Americans overseas.

The heightened security concerns were reinforced when the U.S. Embassy in Amman issued a separate security alert after Jordanian authorities evacuated Aqaba's international airport and seaport because of what officials described as a "specific and credible threat."

The embassy urged Americans to avoid both locations and reminded U.S. citizens that the State Department has maintained an ordered departure for non-emergency U.S. government personnel and their families in Jordan since March because of ongoing security risks.

TWO US SERVICE MEMBERS KILLED IN IRANIAN STRIKES ON JORDAN, CENTCOM SAYS

The State Department said the security environment remains "complex" and warned the conflict could escalate with little notice.

Officials also noted that U.S. diplomatic facilities, including some outside the Middle East, have previously been targeted and cautioned that groups supportive of Iran could target other U.S. interests or locations associated with the United States and Americans around the world.

Officials urged Americans worldwide, particularly those in the Middle East, to exercise increased caution, keep a low profile, avoid locations associated with the United States when possible, monitor local news, follow security alerts issued by the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which provides security updates and allows embassies to contact U.S. citizens during emergencies.

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The advisory also warns that continued military activity could lead to commercial flight cancellations and temporary airspace closures, adding to travel disruptions across the Middle East. Travelers were advised to check with airlines before departing and prepare for potential delays, rerouted flights and last-minute itinerary changes as security conditions evolve.

The State Department issues worldwide caution alerts when officials believe security threats extend beyond a single country or region.

While the advisory does not prohibit international travel, it reflects growing concern that the conflict could create security risks well beyond the Middle East, prompting U.S. officials to urge Americans everywhere to remain vigilant and prepared for rapidly changing conditions.

Caitlin Clark 'cheering hard' for Argentina over Spain in World Cup final: 'I want Messi'

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 11:11:50 -0400

Caitlin Clark has officially picked a side in Sunday’s World Cup final. And the United States’ exit in the Round of 16 apparently did not kill her interest in the tournament.

Clark is riding with Argentina.

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Following the Indiana Fever’s 108-88 win over the New York Liberty on Saturday night, Clark was asked whether she would be rooting for Argentina or Spain when the two countries meet for the World Cup final Sunday afternoon.

"I’m cheering for Argentina," Clark said. "I want Messi, so I’ll be cheering hard."

Argentina is attempting to become just the third nation to win back-to-back men’s World Cups, while Lionel Messi is seeking his second consecutive title at 39 years old.

And Clark’s interest in the final goes beyond simply jumping on the Messi bandwagon.

Long before she became a basketball superstar, the Fever guard was also an accomplished soccer player. Clark played during her freshman and sophomore years of high school, scoring 26 goals and earning first-team all-state honors during her first season.

HOW TO WATCH ARGENTINA VS. SPAIN: LIVE STREAM THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP FINAL MATCH

"I loved soccer growing up, and I probably could have played in college, too, but it was hard in the state of Iowa," Clark said last month on the "Post Moves" podcast with Candace Parker and Aliyah Boston.

"Soccer was during the spring, and so was AAU basketball. I was leaving for some USA Basketball stuff, and would miss part of the high school soccer season. Then I’d came back and I felt like a bad teammate, so I eventually gave it up after my sophomore year. But I loved it."

Seems like she made a good choice.

But Clark said the skills she developed on the soccer field still helped shape the basketball superstar she became.

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"The best thing it did for me was obviously foot speed, but also reading angles. That’s what soccer is — getting your body in the correct angle, leading people on passing, putting the ball on the perfect spot where they can run onto," Clark said.

"That helped me as a passer, understanding angles and leading people, manipulating where I want them to go. And it helped me get in incredible shape for basketball."

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Clark will be parked in front of a TV watching the World Cup final on Sunday afternoon. But she’ll return to her primary sport Wednesday night when the Fever host the Connecticut Sun at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

'Breakfast Club' star Anthony Michael Hall reveals the key to surviving Hollywood after 51 years

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 11:00:01 -0400

"Breakfast Club" star Anthony Michael Hall knows exactly why he's been able to survive Hollywood for over 50 years.

Hall is starring on the FOX celebrity competition series "Nation's Dumbest," hosted by Jack Whitehall. At the press event, Hall explained the secret to longevity in Hollywood.

"Having a thick skin, and just being game and just wanting to work with the best people you can," he began. "Just being persistent and tenacious. And thank God I was born with a hard head. But you have to have a thick skin."

"You have to really want and love what you do. So I think that's it."

MATT DAMON SAYS HOLLYWOOD'S 'RUTHLESS' NATURE HAS TAKEN HIM AWAY FROM FATHERHOOD MORE THAN HE'D LIKE

Hall also told Fox News Digital the biggest lesson he's learned after five decades in the industry.

WATCH: 'Breakfast Club' star Anthony Michael Hall reveals the key to surviving Hollywood after 51 years

"Stay humble, stay focused, keep your eyes on the road, and just keep moving ahead somehow. There's no guarantees of anything in this business, and it's a tough business, but it's really great business, so I'm very fortunate," he noted.

"[I] feel very blessed. This is my 51st year doing this, and this was really a unique thing, because it was something I never expected," Hall continued, referring to "Nation's Dumbest."

"It really took me by surprise, and it was really lot of fun," he said. "So, it was about learning that lesson, too. Staying open to new opportunities, just being cool with it and having fun. So, we really had a great time, all of us. It was nice."

WATCH: Dr. Drew and Andrew Yang reveal most frustrating part of 'Nation's Dumbest'

"Nation's Dumbest" is FOX's new celebrity competition series that puts a comedic twist on the traditional game show format. Hosted by Whitehall, the series challenges 12 celebrities to return to "summer school," where they compete in a mix of classroom-inspired trivia, physical games and school-themed challenges.

But unlike most competition shows, the objective isn't to win — it's to be eliminated. Each week, the contestant who performs the best "graduates" from the competition, while those who struggle remain in the game. In the end, the last celebrity standing earns the title no one wants: "The Nation's Dumbest."

Hall told Fox News Digital that he saw some parallels from his days on the "Breakfast Club" and being back in a classroom setting on FOX's new competition series.

WATCH: JoJo Siwa and Chase Hudson talk competing on FOX's 'Nation's Dumbest'

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"Do you know what, there was some parallels for sure. We all got thrown together. We're all stuck, we couldn't really go anywhere. And honestly, we all really got along. It was a real nice organic surprise that I had a great time with all these people. It was coming into a year where I wasn't sure where the next job was gonna come, like we often feel in this industry. And I got the call, and I was just really excited by it," he said.

"And I really embraced it and I just went up to Toronto and had a good time shooting it and everybody was really cool. So we had a really good time," Hall concluded.

The inaugural cast includes Hall, Ice-T, Jon Heder, Hilaria Baldwin, Carmen Electra, Chase Hudson, Elle King, Matt Leinart, Dr. Drew Pinsky, Steve-O, JoJo Siwa and Andrew Yang.

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The format, which has found success internationally, blends pop quizzes, report cards, recess-inspired games and "final exams" with Whitehall's signature humor. FOX has described the series as a fresh take on celebrity competition television, designed to deliver laughs by turning the usual goal of winning completely upside down.

WATCH: Elle King reveals what made her say yes to 'Nation's Dumbest'

The series premiered Wednesday, July 15 on FOX and streamed the next day on Hulu.

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