Jessica Alba stuns in patterned bikini during passionate PDA with boyfriend Danny Ramirez

Celebrities are bringing the summer heat to spring ahead of the season.

Stars including Jessica Alba and Jessie James Decker enjoyed some time at the beach this week, whether they were showing off their athletic abilities or just lounging on the sand.

Here are some of the hottest bikini and swimsuit photos from this week.

JESSICA ALBA FLAUNTS TONED ABS IN BIKINI PHOTOS DURING MIAMI VACATION WITH BOYFRIEND DANNY RAMIREZ

Jessica Alba was photographed enjoying some fun in the sun, and a lot of PDA, while on vacation in Miami, Florida.

She and her boyfriend, Danny Ramirez, were spotted with their arms wrapped around each other and sharing multiple passionate kisses as they cooled off in the water.

The actress opted for a black and white bikini, which she paired with sunglasses and a white wrap around her waist, while Ramirez wore a pair of tan swim shorts and a brown hat.

In addition to splashing around in the water together, the two also relaxed together side by side on the lounge chairs, with Alba cozying up with a book and occasionally glancing up at Ramirez with a smile.

Alba also posted a series of photos from the long weekend in an Instagram post on Wednesday.

The photos showed her at an event celebrating famed soccer player, Lionel Messi, eating out with Ramirez and a bikini shot.

"Long weekend vibes 👌🏽 Celebrated @leomessi x @kith x @adidas, enjoyed beach days and a little spa reset @thesetaimiamibeach and dinners that I’m still thinking about 🤤 10/10," she captioned the post.

JESSICA ALBA STUNS IN REVEALING BIKINI SNAPS FROM LUXURY FAMILY GETAWAY

In her bikini picture, Alba's toned stomach and legs are visible as she lounged on the sand at the beach with a drink in her hand, wearing a black and white patterned bikini bottom.

Fans in the comments section couldn't help but gush over the "Fantastic Four" actress, with one writing, "The most beautiful woman in the world truly." Ramirez also took to the comments section, writing, "A dream weekend with you ❤️."

Jessie James Decker and her husband, Eric Decker, showed off their athletic prowess in a new Instagram post featuring them doing acrobatics on the beach.

In the video, Jessie, who is wearing a blue bikini, puts one foot on her husband's thigh and the other on his shoulder, hooking it around his neck, and stands up steadily while flashing her arm muscles at the camera.

"Ok trust me… this was harder than it looks. I DOUBLE dog dare you to try for yourself and see 😆," Jessie wrote in the caption.

The two accomplished the acrobatic trick while at the beach, with the crystal clear blue ocean shining behind them. Eric wore a matching blue swimsuit and baseball cap, while both accessorized with sunglasses.

MEGAN MORONEY MAKES WAVES IN BLUE BIKINI AND CROSS NECKLACE DURING SUMMER BOAT DAY

Fans in the comments section couldn't get over the couple's show of athleticism, with one writing, "Ok but you made this look so easy 😂😂," and another adding, "we just tried and this is so hard!! how did you make it look so easy!?"

Carly Pearce took to Instagram to share a series of fun moments she's had in a big photo and video dump.

The carousel of photos includes a number of mirror selfies taken backstage, either on her own or with her band, as well as behind-the-scenes shots of her on-stage, getting ice cream with her boyfriend, dancing to "Whoomp! (There It Is)" with one of her bandmates and a bikini picture.

In the bikini picture, Pearce is seen lying on a green and white striped cushion on the water in a leopard-print bikini top with red accents and a gold hoop embellishment and black high-waisted bottoms. Her face is hidden in the shade and halfway out of frame as she gives the camera a slight smile.

IRINA SHAYK STUNS IN BARELY-THERE BIKINIS DURING LUXURIOUS GETAWAY

She also gave fans a peak at an awkward moment at the doctor's office, sharing a text she sent to her friend, reading, "Nothing like being butt naked during a skin exam and being told they love your song w Riley Green."

"I also love your song with Riley green 🤷‍♀️," one fan wrote in the comments, while another added. "I genuinely want to know what your reaction was when they said that 🤣." A third commented on her beauty, writing, "Always beautiful!👏❤️."

Irina Shayk shared "What’s been living in my camera roll…." with her Instagram followers in a new photo dump.

Among the photos included in the slideshow getting her makeup done, posing for photos during a photoshoot, herself on the cover of magazines, Polaroids of her as well as her dog and one bikini mirror selfie.

In the photo, the Victoria's secret model is standing in the middle of a living room with her hair in a loose updo covering her face with her phone as she takes a mirror selfie dressed in a tiny black bikini.

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"BEAUTIFUL QUEEN! ICON," one fan wrote in the comments section. Another added, "Yes you're the best beautiful girl 🔥❤️."

Kristin Cavallari strutted her stuff down the runway during the Shop Resa x Uncommon James fashion show during Miami Swim Week.

The "Very Cavallari" star stunned on the catwalk in a snakeskin-print bikini, which showed off her muscular abs and arms, which she paired with a matching cover-up skirt tied around her waist.

She accessorized the look with multiple bracelets, as well as layered necklaces, each with a different style, and gold earrings.

Cavallari posted a video of her walking down the runway on her Instagram, captioning the post, "We did a thing." Fans were quick to flood the comments section with compliments, with one writing, "Kcav will always be THAT girl 😍🔥," and another adding, "The body is insane !!!!!😍😍😍😍."

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Julianne Hough shared her take on the viral trend lip syncing and dancing to "The Puerto Rico Song" on Instagram.

In her video, the "Dancing with the Stars" host started the clip in bed with an infrared light therapy mask on, before quickly throwing off the covers and revealing a black one-piece bathing suit with cutouts on the chest and a halter neckline.

Throughout the video Hough is seen dancing on the staircase before taking the camera outside and showing her followers the picturesque ocean view from her yard as she dances on an outdoor dining table.

"I swear girl you can make fun out of anything❣️," one fan wrote in the comment section. Another added, "Most beautiful woman in the world."

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Trump warns judge against sacrificing national security by blocking White House ballroom, drone base

President Donald Trump is warning against obstruction of the $400 million White House ballroom and rooftop drone base, directly calling out U.S. District Judge Richard Leon for giving in to a "serial plaintiff" and a "ridiculous lawsuit" putting U.S. national security at risk.

"The DronePort at the White House Ballroom will be, perhaps, the most sophisticated anywhere in the World!" Trump wrote Sunday on Truth Social. "It will safeguard our Nation’s Capital, Washington, D.C., long into the future.

"Judge Richard Leon should stop playing games with America’s Security!"

Trump urged Leon to dismiss the lawsuit from a person he described as a "highly litigious woman," warning the judge would be "held responsible" if an attack hits the White House.

FEDERAL JUDGE QUESTIONS TRUMP AUTHORITY ON WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM PROJECT

"If anything happens, he will be held responsible for the Death and Destruction caused to our Country," Trump added. "He has already created enough problems by allowing 'Top Secret' information to be released and exposed based on a ridiculous lawsuit started by a highly litigious woman (serial plaintiff!) whose 'strolling,' in her opinion, will be disturbed by the new, desperately needed structure – In any event, a woman who has absolutely no STANDING!

"With the advent of highly sophisticated, and powerful, modern day weaponry, we can no longer defend Washington, D.C., with rifles and pistols, alone. This ridiculous lawsuit must be dismissed, IMMEDIATELY!" Trump added.

The post came as the Justice Department again pressed Leon to lift an injunction that has held up parts of the project, arguing in a court filing that a shooting outside a White House checkpoint earlier this month underscored the need for stronger security measures at the executive mansion.

TRUMP PULLS BACK CURTAIN ON WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM’S FORTRESS-LIKE DEFENSES ABOVE AND DEEP BELOW

"In light of the recent attacks against President Trump’s life — including two attempts in less than a month — the injunction entered by this Court for the benefit of a strolling woman, who filed suit against the East Wing Project long before she knew what was going to be built (This is a woman who is a known serial plaintiff throughout Washington, D.C.), and who has absolutely no standing, must be immediately vacated, and this suit, which is a complete embarrassment to our Country, must be dismissed," acting Attorney General Todd Blanche wrote in the five-page filing.

"This is a terrible, tremendously harmful case to the United States of America, and all it stands for!" .

The gunman who opened fire at the White House checkpoint was shot by officers and later died at a hospital.

APPEALS COURT LETS TRUMP RESUME WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM CONSTRUCTION, SEEKS LOWER COURT CLARITY

Leon ruled in April that Trump lacked the legal authority to build the ballroom without congressional approval. He issued an injunction halting "above-ground construction of the planned ballroom," though an appeals court quickly put that order on hold, allowing construction to continue until June.

The lawsuit was brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a congressionally chartered nonprofit organization. The group has said it would not drop the case, even after the Justice Department cited a foiled attack at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in April as a reason to dissolve the injunction and dismiss the lawsuit.

Trump previously disclosed that the ballroom project would include a rooftop drone base and a six-story underground military complex with a hospital and research facilities.

During a tour with reporters , Trump said the ballroom’s roof would be built for military use and designed to withstand a direct attack.

"The entire roof is built for military," Trump said. "They have a massive drone capacity. Not only is it drone-proof, if a drone hits it, it bounces off, it won’t have any impact. But it’s also meant as a drone port that would protect all of Washington."

The proposed 90,000-square-foot ballroom would dwarf the historic White House complex and has become a flashpoint in a broader fight over presidential authority, security spending and the preservation of historic federal buildings.

WHITE HOUSE SAYS EAST WING DEMOLITION WAS NECESSARY DUE TO STRUCTURAL ISSUES

Trump has argued that the ballroom is necessary to host large events of up to 1,000 people in a secure location, saying current White House entertainment spaces are too small.

The White House has said the project’s security features include titanium fencing, hardened roofing, thick special glass and underground facilities. Trump told reporters the roof would be made of "impenetrable steel," and said the fencing was strong enough that "a bulldozer cannot knock it over."

Leon has not yet ruled on the Justice Department’s latest request to dissolve the injunction and dismiss the case.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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Frankie Valli, 92, abruptly cancels remainder of Four Seasons farewell tour to focus on his health

Frankie Valli has canceled the remainder of his Four Seasons' farewell tour amid ongoing health concerns.

"I’m so sorry to disappoint the folks who have purchased tickets to my shows, but I have decided to take the rest of the year off from touring to focus on my health," the 92-year-old singer wrote on social media Friday. "I’m looking forward to getting healthy and seeing you all again soon. Thank you for all your good wishes."

Valli, the frontman and only original member still performing with the Four Seasons, launched the farewell tour, "The Last Encores," in October 2023.

Fans were quick to offer their support.

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"I am so glad that you are taking time to take care of yourself, wishing you and your wife some relaxation and some quiet time," one follower commented on Instagram. "Looking forward to seeing you next time."

"No need to apologize. You've given us some of the greatest songs ever written. Take care of yourself," another wrote.

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In 2024, Valli addressed fans after videos of his recent performances sparked concern among fans online.

"I know there has been a lot of stuff on the internet about me lately so I wanted to clear the air," the musician said in a statement, via People magazine. "I am blessed to be 90 years old and still be doing what I love to do and as long as I am able, and audiences want to come see me, I am going to be out there performing as I always. I absolutely love what I do. And I know we put on a great show because our fans are still coming out in force and the show still rocks."

"How do we do the show?! The Four Seasons sound was always about layering vocals and instruments," he explained. "We use our 60 years of experience so we sound like the records. I sing, I have singers who sing, great arrangements…. everything. I get a chuckle from the comments wondering if someone forcing me to go on stage. Nobody has ever made me do anything I didn’t want to do."

"I plan to be doing shows as long as I can, delivering that great Four Seasons sound. Like that line in ‘Jersey Boys,’ I’m like that bunny on TV, that just keeps going and going and going. Chasing the music."

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Spencer Pratt torches 'Hacks' star Hannah Einbinder as 'elite minority' after she slams mayoral run

Spencer Pratt keeps hitting back against his loudest critics.

Pratt, who originally rose to fame as a reality star on "The Hills," has been receiving a lot of attention for his move to politics. He's running for mayor of Los Angeles, with his campaign gaining quite a bit of steam, and "Hacks" star Hannah Einbinder spoke out against him at an event Friday.

"There’s a lot of wealth in this city and I think that there are a lot of people who masquerade as Democrats or people on the left, but really, money is their key issue and that’s what leads them to vote for people like Spencer Pratt — who is endorsed by Donald Trump, and I will remind everybody of that," she told Variety.

"So, yeah," she added. "It's important to resist that."

LISA RINNA FACES BACKLASH FOR DISMISSING SPENCER PRATT'S MAYORAL RUN AS FANS SLAM HOLLYWOOD 'CLOWN SHOW'

Einbinder said that there are "no perfect candidates" in L.A.'s mayoral race, and admitted that she's "underwhelmed in a lot of ways," but said that she's endorsing Nithya Raman.

Pratt reposted a video of her comments on X, writing, "She says from a literal red carpet, surrounded by armed security, completely insulated from the horrors on our streets that Angelenos and their kids have to suffer through every day."

He continued, "I’m glad she doesn’t have to suffer the consequences of Karen and Nithya’s failures, but she’s in an elite minority and the rest of us want change."

Fox News Digital has reached out to Einbinder for comment.

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It's not the first time Pratt has taken the time to address celebrity criticism of his campaign. Earlier this week, when Lisa Rinna said that the next mayor of Los Angeles shouldn't be a "reality star," he was quick with a comeback.

"Hey Lisa, if you're against me because I was on a TV show in my 20's, wait til you learn what Karen Bass was doing in her 20's..." he wrote on X while sharing an edited video of an interview he did with Fox 11.

"[Bass] was in Cuba learning how to make bombs with the people that would then go bomb Capitol Hill," Pratt said in the video. "So, if we're looking at backgrounds, I'm pretty proud of what I was doing at 20 on reality television. Even though I may not have been the most likable character, it was still TV versus trying to destroy America and going to Cuba 20 times and praising Fidel Castro."

SPENCER PRATT TORCHES CHELSEA HANDLER WITH EPSTEIN DINNER PARTY JAB AFTER SHE MOCKS HIS MAYORAL RUN

"Against my opponent, my background is pretty strong," he added.

Chelsea Handler shared a video on Instagram earlier this month that she called "a reminder that a straight white male former reality star that has no previous experience in government should not be a legitimate political candidate" — Pratt addressed that criticism as well.

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"Most of you have probably never heard of Chelsea Handler, so here's an introduction!" he wrote, attaching a video of comedian Shane Gillis at the recent Netflix roast of Kevin Hart.

WATCH: SPENCER PRATT GAINS GROUND IN LOS ANGELES MAYORAL RACE AS POLLS TIGHTEN

In the video, Gillis said, "Chelsea Handler went to dinner at Jeffrey Epstein's house in 2010. That's just a fun one. You can look it up, there's articles. It wasn't like a big party, there was, like, seven people there. It was like, Prince Andrew and Woody Allen were there."

In a poll released Thursday by the L.A. Times, Mayor Karen Bass has the support of 26% of voters, Raman has 25% and Pratt has 22%.

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Ed Orgeron-Lane Kiffin pairing already paying dividends for LSU Tigers during pivotal recruiting weekend

I tried to warn you guys, I really did.

About a week and a half ago, when LSU added former head coach Ed Orgeron to new coach Lane Kiffin's staff, I mentioned that the Bayou Bengals addressed the one weakness that plagued their former regime and that the addition of Coach O would pay dividends down the road on the recruiting trail.

I fully believed that to be true, but even I couldn't have anticipated how quickly Orgeron would hit the ground running in Baton Rouge.

Almost immediately after joining the LSU payroll, Orgeron was able to secure both an in-person visit and official visit from the nation's No. 1 recruit, five-star defensive tackle Jalen Brewster.

The battle for Brewster was shaping up to be a two-horse race between in-state Texas Tech, the program he is currently committed to, and the Florida Gators.

It took less than two weeks, and Orgeron has not only already gotten the Tigers' foot in the door for Brewster, but may have actually helped to push them to the forefront of his recruitment as the leaders in the clubhouse.

Some videos are emerging from his official visit this weekend in Louisiana, and if you're a Red Raiders fan, you may want to avert your eyes, because it looks like Brewster and Ed O are having a blast getting to know each other better.

It's like seeing a video of your girlfriend on a girl's trip to Miami dancing with some amateur bodybuilder (not that I'm speaking from experience or anything).

But Texas Tech isn't the only program from the Lone Star State whose commit list LSU is plundering.

I mentioned this name in my article last week, but five-star wideout and current Texas commit Easton Royal is also in town for an official visit this weekend.

DOES UCLA'S SURPRISING TOP-10 RECRUITING CLASS HAVE LEGITIMATE JUICE OR IS IT JUST FOOL'S GOLD?

It's worth noting that Royal is from nearby New Orleans and was already seen as a flight risk for the Longhorns, with the hometown Tigers being the most likely landing spot, but having Orgeron in tow only adds to the chances he flips

Two of the best players in the country in town during the same recruiting weekend is a coup for any program, and if the Tigers pull this off, they will have an elite group of 2027 commits.

THREE COLLEGE FOOTBALL STORYLINES TO FOCUS ON INSTEAD OF LSU COACH LANE KIFFIN THIS OFFSEASON

They only have five commits in the fold right now, but all five are blue-chip prospects, with two being five-stars in their own right.

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Adding Brewster and Royal to that cocktail would allow Kiffin and his staff to fill out the rest of their class however they like and still be a mortal lock to land in the top five of every recruiting site worth a damn.

This is what every SEC fan feared when Kiffin signed on the dotted line to be LSU's next coach, and it's what I envisioned after he pulled the coup of adding Orgeron to the mix.

People called me crazy when I said the Orgeron hire made LSU the most dangerous team in the country when it came to talent acquisition.

I'm starting to look like a prophet already, though this is one of the few times I wish I was wrong.

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Pirates celebrate America with nighttime spectacular that proves drone shows are superior to fireworks

On account of the USA hitting the big 2-5-0, we're seeing all kinds of celebrations across the nation and across sports.

On Friday night, the Pittsburgh Pirates did just that, and in the process, they proved something I have now been saying for years.

Drone shows wax the floor with fireworks shows.

When it comes to forms of entertainment that force you to crane your neck at the sky, fireworks shows have been around the longest (unless you count kites, which I don't), followed by air shows, and then there was very little development on this front until the last 10 to 15 years when drone shows came along.

AMERICA 250 EVENTS TAKING PLACE THIS SUMMER CALLED 'ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME' TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES

Drone shows are so impressive that you overlook the stiff neck that can come from watching them.

Don't believe me?

Check out what the Pirates had going on in the skies above PNC Park after defeating the Minnesota Twins on Friday night.

I've always been kind of lukewarm on fireworks. Yeah, explosions are fun, but once you've seen one good fireworks display, you've kind of seen them all.

Hey look, one exploded over there.

Ooh, there's another one. How 'bout that?

FLORIDA BOMB SQUAD DEMONSTRATES DAMAGE FIREWORKS CAN INFLICT USING WATERMELON

That one kind of looked like a smiley face if you squint... sort of...

But drone shows? They're the perfect fusion of technology, showmanship and flying in formation in the shape of stuff.

I loved that. I mean, I was sold when they made a bald eagle, but then they went several steps further by having it spread its wings.

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Wings that shot flames out of them.

Sure, occasionally a drone goes rogue and careens into the crowd. But a drone show is still way safer than when your cousin lights a Roman candle off his cigarette at your family Fourth of July picnic.

This was the first of two drone shows the Pirates have planned, interspersed with fireworks shows.

Which, as we've established, are fine, but certainly no drone shows.

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Mamdani’s ‘COGE’ rollout gets DOGE’s attention after critics say he ripped off Elon Musk

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani introduced the Commission on Government Efficiency, or COGE, on Thursday in New York, saying the panel would find ways to make city government "work smarter, faster, and more effectively" for working people.

City Hall said COGE will review the city charter, hold public hearings and develop proposals that could go before voters in November.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos responded to the announcement by praising the concept and calling for tax relief.

"This is great and they do deserve that. And, with some of the savings, we can zero out taxes on the bottom half of earners. The best way to put money in people's pockets is not to take it out in the first place," Bezos said on X.

SOCIALIST ZOHRAN MAMDANI LAUNCHES ELON MUSK-STYLE ‘COGE’ CHAIRED BY SOROS-ALIGNED DEM

Mamdani said the commission was aimed at improving how government serves residents.

"For too long, bureaucracy has stood in the way of delivering the housing, transit, childcare and public services our city needs," Mamdani said.

"The Commission on Government Efficiency will take a hard look at how City government functions and identify the reforms we need to deliver faster, smarter and more effectively for working people."

Mamdani said rebuilding public trust requires demonstrating that the government can produce results.

MAMDANI'S WALL STREET COURTSHIP SPARKS CRITICISM OF ANTI-BILLIONAIRE AGENDA

"Restoring faith in government starts with proving government can actually deliver," he said.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., said Mamdani’s announcement showed Democrats were warming to an issue they previously criticized when President Donald Trump’s administration pursued federal government efficiency efforts.

"Remember when Democrats ridiculed President Trump and his administration for tackling government waste?" Blackburn said, adding that the idea of cutting government waste had broad appeal.

"Looks like they ran the numbers and found eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse is quite popular," she said.

JASON CHAFFETZ: DEMOCRATS HAVE MADE A FATAL ERROR OPPOSING DOGE

The White House established the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, by executive order on Jan. 20, 2025, saying the office would modernize federal technology and software "to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity."

Matt Van Swol, a conservative commentator and former Department of Energy nuclear scientist, said Republicans’ push for efficiency had been rejected because of its political source.

"It's insane how every Republican idea is bad because it's a Republican doing it," he said.

'MISSISSIPPI MUSK': STATE AUDITOR'S MOGE REPORT FINDS $400M IN GOVERNMENT WASTE

Conservative journalist Nick Shirley also compared the new commission to the Trump administration's DOGE.

"This sounds a lot like DOGE … Weird how your own governor questioned me when I speculated the sudden increase in spending in areas like childcare in NYC and now you do this. (Which is a good thing btw!)," Shirley said.

Shirley argued government efficiency should transcend partisan politics.

"Cutting waste, fraud, and abuse should be the most nonpartisan issue in America as it affects everyone," he said.

Comedian Arynne Wexler criticized the commission from the right.

"Exactly what NYC needs," Wexler wrote. "More government run by socialists."

Mayor Mamdani's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

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'The Mandalorian and Grogu' is a prime example that Disney's Star Wars is on life support

Ever since Disney took over Star Wars, one of America’s most well-known and cherished franchises, it has been eroding.

Is it dead? Not quite, but I’d say it’s on life support. To be charitable, I could say that it’s a shell of its former self.

It used to have one of the most, if not the most dedicated fanbases in all of film and television, but then, Disney took over. The new trilogy bastardized the established canon and disrespected the original characters. Former President of Lucasfilm Kathleen Kennedy decided to go the woke route by staking the claim that "The Force is Female," putting an emphasis on female empowerment over proper storytelling and character development.

Disney also unjustifiably fired Gina Carano from The Mandalorian after season 2, Solo bombed, The Acolyte was an abomination that got cancelled after only one season, and the list goes on.

Sure, there have been some bright spots such as "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," "Andor," though it's been a costly show financially that is not watched nearly as much as it should because of Disney's failure to keep fans interested, and "The Mandalorian" season 1 and parts of season 2.

There’s no better indication that Star Wars is cooked more than what is happening in the box office right now, though.

After a seven-year absence from the box office, where fans were booing in the theater as Rey was revealed to be a Skywalker in Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker, Star Wars made its return on Memorial Day weekend with "Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu." The title within itself should tell you how far Disney’s Star Wars has fallen into creative bankruptcy. It’s a bloated title with the names of the main characters. Imagine Star Wars Episode VI being called "Luke Skywalker and His Father" instead of "Return of the Jedi". It’s that bad.

Anyway, the film ended the holiday weekend at the top of the box office, but it performed worse than the massive Disney Star Wars flop, Solo, when you adjust for inflation. Solo actually defeated "The Mandalorian and Grogu" in both nominal dollars and inflation-adjusted dollars. Solo's $84.4 million three-day opening in 2018 is equivalent to roughly $109–110 million today, about 33% higher than "The Mandalorian and Grogu's" $82 million opening weekend.

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If you compare the four-day holiday openings (both were Memorial Day releases), the gap is even larger. "The Mandalorian and Grogu" earned about $102 million over the four-day holiday weekend, while inflation-adjusted estimates put Solo's 2018 Memorial Day debut at roughly $136.6 million in 2026 dollars. 

And even worse, an independent horror, "Obsession" just surpassed "The Mandalorian and Grogu" for the top spot at the box office on Wednesday. A film that had a budget reportedly around $750,000, directed by a YouTuber and TikToker, just took out a Star Wars film, which reportedly had a production and marketing budget of more than $300 million. If that’s not a clear indication that Star Wars is on life support, I don’t know what is. Word of mouth just trounced a cultural juggernaut brand.

EARLY REVIEWS FOR NEW 'STAR WARS' MOVIE ARE GENERALLY HORRIFIC, BUT DOES ANYONE EVEN CARE AT THIS POINT?

Where "Mandalorian and Grogu," and much of Star Wars has gone wrong, is best described in some of the responses to the movie from the media. The BBC said, "It’s felt like homework" to see Star Wars and try to somehow some way connect to stories and characters that aren’t worth loving or caring for at any significant level. Inverse said, "The Mandalorian and Grogu is Barely A Movie," which is spot on because the movie feels more like a few episodes of a weak Disney+ show that has to be stretched into a movie like butter scraped over too much bread.

Star Wars can no longer print money, simply because of name recognition. The constant reliance on cheap callbacks and recycling characters through cheap imitations is leaving audiences feeling cheated and empty. For example, in this movie, Grogu is a baby version of Yoda, the Hutts are back, the Mandalorian plays a Luke Skywalker figure who falls in a pit to fight a giant monster while visiting the Hutts, there’s a battle on a snow planet calling back to "Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back," and so on. Baby Yoda was fine for a season or two of the show, but now it just feels as if Disney cannot make compelling original characters, or find a way to properly care for the ones that established this franchise in the first place. Disney can’t even compel audiences to care enough to keep a Star Wars movie at the top of the box office for a whole week. It’s damning.

This is what modern-day Hollywood has done to beloved intellectual properties, though. It has desecrated them with woke nonsense, weak storytelling, uncompelling characters, and a belief that sticking to the source material and respecting established lore is old-fashioned. "Star Trek," "Doctor Who," "Marvel: Phase Five" (properly known as the M-She-U), "Lord of the Rings" (Rings of Power), you name it. Hollywood has again and again lit the fire and burned many franchises to the ground to the point they are unrecognizable.

The question is now, "What does Disney do next with Star Wars?" My guess is it tries a reboot of the original trilogy, and the fact that I’m even writing this makes me want to throw up. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't see where else Disney goes, especially after the Starfighter movie featuring Ryan Gosling that'll attract audiences because of the actor, not because they care about the Star Wars brand or story being told. Star Wars is a franchise that should have had a century’s-long staying power, yet its grave is already being dug, with the studio scrambling to find a way to salvage the spare parts like Jawas.

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Dakich: sports media has created an ‘industry’ out of complaining about white athletes like Caitlin Clark

Dan Dakich thinks the latest Caitlin Clark complaint is part of a much bigger media problem.

Former ESPN host Cari Champion recently criticized Clark, accusing the Indiana Fever star of receiving favorable treatment from the WNBA and taking issue with the way Clark and her fans carry themselves.

Dakich did not see it that way.

The OutKick host used Champion’s latest Clark criticism to unload on what he sees as a sports media industry built around race-based complaints whenever prominent White athletes or media figures are involved.

"Sports media waits on every single move that a white person makes," Dakich said on Thursday's Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich. "The latest is ‘blatant favoritism.’ Well, it can’t be any farther from the truth when talking about Caitlin Clark and the Fever."

Then Dakich took it a step further.

"But an African-American and failed SportsCenter anchor, Cari Champion, is once again whining about Caitlin Clark," Dakich continued. "I’m telling you, man, there’s an industry for African-Americans to whine about every move — whether it’s Jaxson Dart, whether it’s Caitlin Clark, whether it’s me — of every white person. Y’all are doing pretty good with it."

That was the real point.

Dakich was not just defending Clark from one media personality. He was arguing that Clark has become the latest White athlete to be picked apart through a racial lens by people who realize that attacking white athletes makes them popular among a certain segment of the population.

We also need to acknowledge the obvious: Caitlin Clark is popular because people care about Caitlin Clark.

She sells tickets. She drives television ratings. She brings attention to the WNBA in a way no player ever has. Her games matter in the national sports conversation, and every hard foul, technical, facial expression and postgame comment becomes a debate.

CAITLIN CLARK IS THE 'MOST POPULAR ATHLETE IN AMERICA,' WNBA COMMISSIONER DECLARES

It's certainly not because the WNBA is protecting her. In most cases, the opposite is generally true.

It's because she is the biggest star the league has ever had. And even that isn't because she's white. It's because she plays basketball in a way that no woman ever really has. Steph Curry isn't popular because he's Black. He's popular because he hits threes unlike anyone in history. Clark brought that to the women's game.

Dakich also ripped Champion directly for her criticism of Clark.

"Cari Champion, who legitimately, if people are being honest — which they can’t — was the worst employee ever at ESPN," Dakich said.

Champion has publicly framed her ESPN exit as a case of being unappreciated (she also blamed racism because, of course).

She announced in 2020 that it was time to leave ESPN, then later claimed the network made her feel like she "didn’t matter."

That is Champion’s version of the story. But people who worked inside ESPN at the time may remember the situation very differently. I worked there, and Champion’s reputation inside the building was not a secret. I was once assigned to produce an ESPN Radio special involving Champion and my supervisor warned me that she was difficult to work with. In my experience, difficult proved to be a massive understatement.

Dakich described the exit in harsher terms.

"Now think about this: a beautiful African-American woman gets fired at ESPN. Have you turned ESPN on? That tells you how horrible Cari Champion is. But good for her, we’re talking about her," the OutKick host said.

Champion is free to dislike Clark. Nobody has to root for the Fever star. Nobody has to pretend every reaction from Clark is perfect.

JEMELE HILL QUIETLY DELETES CAITLIN CLARK POST FOLLOWING STALKER ARREST

But the idea that Clark has received some kind of easy ride from the WNBA is laughable.

Clark has been shoved, grabbed, mocked, criticized and blamed for the alleged behavior of "her" fans. She has also been expected to carry the weight of an entire league’s newfound popularity while veteran players, media members and commentators continue to preach that she doesn't deserve that attention.

That is the part Dakich clearly finds ridiculous.

"She’s claiming the Fever star gets favorable treatment from the league, along with proclaiming that she, Cari Champion — who is the worst of the worst — doesn’t like how she acts or how her fans act," Dakich said. "See, this is an age-old thing. Weren’t we talking about this three years ago? Of course we were."

The names change, but the playbook does not. Dakich brought up Jaxson Dart for a reason.

Dart recently introduced President Donald Trump at a rally in New York, and the reaction from many corners of sports media was as predictable as it was exhausting. The conversation quickly became another referendum on politics, race, and locker-room dynamics.

That is the pattern Dakich was pointing to.

With Dart, it was a White quarterback standing next to Trump. With Clark, it's a White basketball star bringing unprecedented attention to the WNBA. With Dakich, in his view, it's a White media personality saying things the sports media class does not like.

Find the white person. Frame the controversy through race. Pat yourself on the back for being a hero. Devour the praise from like-minded race-hustlers in sports media.

Rinse. Repeat.

Dakich is right that there's an industry built on this pattern, but the more important point he made was this:

"Y’all are doing pretty good with it."

That's exactly why this isn't going to change anytime soon.

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Trump says Iran is 'negotiating on fumes,' believes regime thought they could outwait him

President Donald Trump declared Wednesday that Iran is "negotiating on fumes" and that the regime thought they could outwait him when it comes to reaching a deal to end the war. 

Trump, speaking during a Cabinet meeting about three months after the launch of Operation Epic Fury, said Iran "very much" wants to reach an agreement. 

"So far they haven't gotten there. We're not satisfied with it, but we will be, we will be. Either that or we'll have to just finish the job," the president warned. 

"But their navy has gone, as I've said a thousand times, their navy is gone. Their air force is gone. Everything's gone and they're negotiating on fumes. But we'll see what happens. Maybe we have to go back and finish it. Maybe we don't," he continued. 

LIVE UPDATES: TRUMP SAYS 'NOBODY'S GOING TO CONTROL THE STRAIT,' OR 'WE'LL HAVE TO BLOW THEM UP'

The president also said Iran’s economy "is in freefall" with surging inflation and money that "has no value." He mentioned, "They're just going back to the internet because they're getting clobbered," referencing reports on Tuesday that Internet access in Iran was partially being restored following a lengthy blackout.

"They thought they were going to outwait me, you know, ‘We'll outwait him, he's got the midterms.’ I don't care about the midterms. Look what happened last night. That was the prelude to the midterms," Trump added. 

IRAN AND HOUTHI TERROR PROXY FACING RED SEA THREAT FROM PRO-US AFRICAN NATION

"Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. I'm doing that for the world. I'm not doing it just for us. And we've had great support from other nations, by the way. We don't need it at all. But we've had great support from other nations," Trump also said. "The problem is you always get the support when you don't need it. When you need it, you don't get the support. With Operation Epic Fury, our warriors are ensuring that the world's number one state sponsor of terror never obtains a nuclear weapon. And they won't." 

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, following Trump, that diplomacy remains the first option for resolving the war with Iran.

"There's an agreement to be made. We want that to be made. I think there's been some progress and some interest. And we'll see over the next few hours and days whether progress could be made," Rubio said during the Cabinet meeting. 

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth added, "Whether it is through the efforts of your negotiators that they ensure that they never have a nuclear weapon, or we have to go back to the War Department to finish the job that way, we're prepared to do that." 

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Trump says he thinks he'll attend NBA Finals game as Knicks close in on long-awaited championship

President Donald Trump all but confirmed his attendance at the NBA Finals beginning next week, revealing Wednesday that he plans to watch the New York Knicks as they make their first Finals appearance in nearly 30 years.

Trump said at Cabinet meeting at the White House on Wednesday that he initially had plans to attend the Knicks Game 5 at Madison Square Garden, but the team swept the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night to make their first Finals appearance since 1999. 

"I was invited to the – I was going to go on Wednesday, but they closed it out very quickly," he said when asked by a reporter if he planned to attend. 

"Jim Dolan's a great guy. He's, as you know, owns and is in charge of Madison Square Garden. He's having a good year. Boy, what a team. They won all their games. They have some great players. I think I'll be going to one of the games. I was invited by numerous people and Jim. And I think I'll be going. Great, great to see it."

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates. 

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US ally pledges support for Trump's push to break Iran's grip on Hormuz: 'We are ready to contribute'

UNITED NATIONS — The Czech Republic is prepared to help protect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and is aligning closely with the Trump administration on security, NATO and Israel, Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka told Fox News Digital during an exclusive interview at the United Nations in New York.

Prague already had begun discussions about contributing specialized capabilities to help secure the strategically vital waterway amid growing tensions with Iran, Macinka said while speaking at Security Council-related meetings at the U.N. 

"We are ready to contribute to freedom of passage and the Hormuz trade," Macinka said. 

"We were among the first countries that were ready to contribute … We have no navy, as we are in the middle of Europe," he explained, "But we have some unique passive surveillance capabilities."

TRUMP SEEKS WARSHIPS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES TO HELP SECURE STRAIT OF HORMUZ

Macinka warned that Iran posed a global threat through what he described as four main "war tools": nuclear proliferation, drones and ballistic missiles, international terrorism and threats to the Strait of Hormuz. 

"Their nuclear military program must be stopped," he said. "It’s a global risk and global threat."

The comments come as the Trump administration has increased pressure on European allies to take a larger role in protecting international shipping routes amid Iranian threats tied to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit choke points. Roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption passes through the narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea.

Speaking after a meeting with foreign ministers in Sweden Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio questioned the value of hosting U.S. military bases in allied countries that later restrict American military operations during wartime.

"One of the arguments I always made was that these bases in the region provided us with logistical options that we wouldn’t otherwise have," Rubio told reporters. "And when some of those bases are denied to you during a conflict that we’re involved in, then you question whether that value is still there."

President Donald Trump also has sharply criticized NATO allies over a reluctance to participate in military operations tied to the Iran conflict and securing the Strait of Hormuz. 

Trump said he was "strongly considering" pulling the United States out of NATO after allies failed to join the U.S. campaign against Iran, according to an April 1 interview with Britain’s Daily Telegraph, calling the alliance a "paper tiger."

The Czech Republic, a NATO member since 1999, reached NATO’s benchmark of spending 2% of GDP on defense and has supported calls for Europe to increase military readiness amid Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Macinka strongly defended the administration’s calls for Europe to increase defense spending and reduce dependence on Washington for long-term security guarantees. 

"We should do our homework and build our defense to become stronger," he said, arguing that Europe had delayed necessary military investments for too long.

He also tied Europe’s defense spending challenges to the European Union’s Green Deal policies, the bloc’s sweeping climate agenda aimed at reducing carbon emissions, calling them ideological and financially destructive. 

"If we get rid of this green, crazy alarmism, then we have enough money to build our defense," he said.

The Czech foreign minister also voiced unusually direct support for Trump and his administration, praising what he described as a global "common sense" shift following Trump’s election victory.

"We are friends of Israel, and we are friends of America," Macinka said. "Especially me as a politician, I'm a friend of the ideology of the current American administration."

Macinka also referenced a clash earlier in 2026 with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the Munich Security Conference, where he criticized Europe’s liberal political establishment and defended the populist wave reshaping parts of Europe and the United States.

EUROPE MUST LEAD ON UKRAINIAN SECURITY GUARANTEES, GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS: 'WE ARE THE NEIGHBORS'

Macinka linked Prague’s strong support for Ukraine to the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968, when hundreds of thousands of Warsaw Pact troops occupied the country for more than two decades.

He said that historical experience continues to shape Czech public opinion and support for Kyiv.

"The Czech society feels a big solidarity with Ukraine," Macinka said, describing the war as a "symmetric war" between a powerful Russian military and a Ukrainian army backed by the West.

Macinka highlighted Prague’s leading role in a Czech-backed ammunition initiative supplying Ukraine with artillery rounds collected through international donor efforts. 

Recalling a visit to Kyiv earlier in 2026, he said he received intelligence briefings on battlefield ammunition consumption from Ukrainian military officials.

TRUMP, ZELENSKYY TO MEET FOR KEY DEAL AS NATO ALLIES, RUSSIA WAIT, WATCH

The Czech initiative delivered more than half a million rounds of ammunition in 2026 alone, according to Macinka, helping stabilize the battlefield ahead of possible peace negotiations.

Macinka argued that maintaining a stable front is essential for meaningful negotiations, warning that shifting battle lines will only harden demands on both sides.

With Washington increasingly focused on the Middle East, Macinka also said Europe must begin taking a larger diplomatic role in future negotiations over Ukraine.

"America is quite busy with the Middle East," he said. "Europe should wake up and ask for a place at the table."

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Sharyn Alfonsi out at ’60 Minutes' after feud with Bari Weiss, rips CBS for ‘chilling message’ to newsroom

"60 Minutes" correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi announced Wednesday that CBS News declined to renew her contract months after she lashed out at editor-in-chief Bari Weiss for delaying a segment about allegations of abuses at the El Salvador prison CECOT. 

Liberal critics of Weiss and Paramount CEO David Ellison have accused them of bending the knee to President Donald Trump and trying to curry favor with his administration. Alfonsi, a longtime correspondent for "60 Minutes," insisted late last year that the decision by Weiss to hold the story, "Inside CECOT," was done for political rather than editorial reasons. 

Six months later, Alfonsi said her agent’s attempts to negotiate were ignored by CBS honchos and blasted the network for "abandoning" its mission to prioritize independent reporting. 

"Over the weekend, my contract with CBS News expired, drawing to a close nearly twenty years with the network, including more than a decade at ‘60 Minutes,’" Alfonsi told Fox News Digital. 

'60 MINUTES' CORRESPONDENT LAMBASTS 'CORPORATE MEDDLING' AT CBS, ADMITS SHE COULD BE FIRED

"Following an intense editorial dispute over our CECOT story, repeated attempts by my representation to establish a path forward were met with absolute silence from network executives. The message could not be clearer: my time at ‘60 Minutes’ is apparently over," she continued. "In the coming days, network leadership may attempt to hide behind corporate euphemisms like ‘modernization’ and ‘restructuring’ to explain away my departure. Don't be misled."

Alfonsi, who is technically still employed by CBS News, said that it was "not a routine corporate transition," and instead a "deliberate choice to penalize a journalist for refusing to sanitize factually accurate reporting, and it sends a chilling message to the entire newsroom."

"Fearless, independent reporting has always been the defining standard at ‘60 Minutes.’ Today, CBS management is abandoning that mission, choosing access journalism over accountability and protecting power rather than scrutinizing it," she said. 

'60 MINUTES' REPORTER LASHES OUT AT BARI WEISS AFTER SEGMENT ON EL SALVADOR PRISON YANKED AT LAST MINUTE

"The wall between editorial independence and corporate interest at CBS is being methodically torn down. Journalists willing to challenge authority are being pushed aside in favor of those who will not," Alfonsi added. "If this continues, the result will be a broadcast that looks like ‘60 Minutes’ but lacks the courage and character to produce journalism that matters." 

CBS News did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

In December, Weiss delayed the "Inside CECOT" segment that featured Alfonsi interviewing some released deportees, who described torturous conditions. A CBS spokesperson told Fox News Digital at the time that it was determined the segment needed "additional reporting," reportedly due to concerns about not yet having an on-the-record response from the Trump administration for the newsmagazine segment. 

In a stunning note to fellow "60 Minutes" staffers that quickly leaked to the media, Alfonsi said her segment was being held for political reasons, not editorial ones. Alfonsi told colleagues Weiss had "spiked" the story and not given her a chance to discuss it further.

"Our story was screened five times and cleared by both CBS attorneys and Standards and Practices," Alfonsi wrote. "It is factually correct. In my view, pulling it now, after every rigorous internal check has been met, is not an editorial decision, it is a political one."

WHO IS SHARYN ALFONSI? ‘60 MINUTES’ CORRESPONDENT IS ALLEGING POLITICAL INTERFERENCE IN HER STORY ON CECOT

She added that "60 Minutes" made requests for comment to the White House, Department of Homeland Security, and the State Department. Their silence was their statement, she wrote, and allowing that to delay the story was effectively giving them veto power.

"If the administration’s refusal to participate becomes a valid reason to spike a story, we have effectively handed them a ‘kill switch’ for any reporting they find inconvenient," she wrote.

CBS ended up airing the segment in January. 

Alfonsi previously came under fire in 2021 for a "60 Minutes" segment where she challenged Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and painted a narrative that he had given supermarket chain Publix preferential treatment on distributing COVID vaccines because its PAC had donated $100,000 to his campaign.

However, the story came under significant criticism, including from Democrats like Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz. Publix had more than 800 locations in the state, making it an ideal location for distributing the vaccines to a state with a high senior population.

Publix fired back against the notion that it essentially bribed DeSantis, calling the suggestion "false and offensive."

Weiss has seen several high-profile talent exits during her tenure, which has been marked by sharp criticism from liberal media observers.

Fox News Digital’s Joseph A. Wulfsohn and David Rutz contributed to this report. 

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WATCH: Embattled GOP senator warns red state ‘at risk’ of historic Dem victory as voters head to polls

As voters head to the polls today in Texas, GOP Sen. John Cornyn is warning the longtime red state is "at risk" of Democrats pulling off a historic upset for a critical Senate seat.

Cornyn’s primary race against challenger Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton finally comes to a head in today’s runoff election. After what has been a particularly bruising primary, Cornyn expressed his worry that Republicans stand to lose a seat that would be devastating for the party’s hopes of retaining a majority in the upper chamber.

Speaking with Fox News Digital ahead of Election Day, Cornyn touted Texas as "the most conservatively governed state in the country," making it a "land of opportunity and where the American dream is still very much alive."

"But I think all of that's at risk, depending on how this primary runoff turns out, because I think Ken Paxton's flaws and the baggage he brings to the general election are going to be exploited up to the fullest by James Talarico and by Democrats," he said.

SENATOR JOHN CORNYN RESPONDS TO TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT OF KEN PAXTON

Whoever emerges Tuesday night will have to face state Rep. James Talarico, a Democratic rising star who many in the party believe has broad enough appeal to finally flip the state for the first time in over two decades.

Cornyn expressed worry about Talarico’s fundraising abilities, citing the $27 million he raised in the first quarter of the year. He asserted that if Paxton wins, "there will be a tsunami of money coming into the state from outside."

He also asserted that "it's not only that Senate seat he [Paxton] puts at risk, it's also all the down-ballot races, state legislative races, local races, like the judges and the like."

"We haven't elected a Democrat in statewide office since 1994 in Texas," he said. "President Trump is not running, so the Senate race will be at the top, and I believe that I will be in a better position to help provide a significant margin, a winning margin, not only in my case, but also to help everybody down ballot."

"I don't think the attorney general can do that because of the significant baggage he brings into the race, which jeopardizes success from the top to the bottom," he said.

Paxton has faced a slew of scandals and legal problems that have battered him over the past decade. In 2023, the Texas House of Representatives voted to impeach Paxton, but he was eventually acquitted of all charges by the state Senate.

TRUMP FLEXES MAGA MUSCLE IN TEXAS SENATE RUNOFF CLASH BETWEEN CORNYN AND PAXTON

The attorney general is also dealing with a very messy divorce, with his wife citing "biblical grounds" based on "recent discoveries" in filing last year to end their marriage.

Despite this and Cornyn’s status as a longtime fixture of the Republican Party, it is Paxton who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump.

"Ken is a true MAGA Warrior who has ALWAYS delivered for Texas, and will continue to do so in the United States Senate," Trump wrote in a social media post.

Trump said, "John Cornyn is a good man, and I worked well with him, but he was not supportive of me when times were tough." Pointing to the senator's past criticism of him, Trump added, "John was very late in backing me in what turned out to be a Historic Run for the Republican Nomination, and then, the Presidency."

Cornyn, in turn, emphasized his support for the president and his agenda, telling Fox News Digital, "President Trump has called me a friend and a good man, and we've worked with him closely for both terms of office."

Paxton, who grabbed significant national attention the past dozen years by filing lawsuits against the Obama and Biden administrations, disagreed.

ON EVE OF REPUBLICAN SENATE RUNOFF ELECTION, GOP SEN JOHN CORNYN TELLS FOX NEWS DIGITAL ‘TEXANS CAN BE PRETTY INDEPENDENT’

"John Cornyn fought Trump on the border. And you can go back over about a decade and see that he was not for the border wall," Paxton charged in an interview on Fox News' "The Big Weekend Show."

Paxton also argued that the senator "fought the president's reelection. He fought him in 2024, said his time had passed, and he fought him in 2016. So, this is not a pro-Trump guy. I don't know if we could be more different on the Republican issues than John Cornyn and me. So, there is a vast difference between the two of us."

Cornyn pushed back.

"I don't know how much more with him I could be than 99.3% of the time," the senator told Fox News Digital.

"I want him to be successful. I want America to be successful, and I want Republicans to be successful. But you know, in the end, as I said, Texans are the only ones going to be able to make a choice, and I think Texans can be pretty independent," Cornyn added.

Fox News Digital reached out to Talarico for comment.

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Democrat congressman slams Graham Platner's Nazi-linked tattoo as 'disqualifying'

Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass, delivered a sharp rebuke of Maine candidate Graham Platner, breaking with his party over the Senate hopeful’s Nazi-linked tattoo.

"I find that tattoo and his commentary about it to be personally disqualifying," Auchincloss told CNN on Monday. "I hope Maine voters agree with me."

"I think it would be a mistake for the Democratic Party to think that Graham Platner’s brand of the Democratic Party is what wins us durable majorities throughout this country," the Massachusetts lawmaker continued.

Platner, the Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee in the battleground Senate race, has faced months of scrutiny over the controversial chest tattoo that he had for most of his adult life.

DEMOCRATIC MAINE SENATE CANDIDATE GRAHAM PLATNER CONFRONTED BY MS NOW HOST ABOUT TATTOO CONTROVERSY

Platner, a former Army and Marine Corps veteran, got the tattoo in 2007 during a night of drinking while stationed in Croatia. 

The Senate hopeful had the tattoo covered up earlier this year amid fierce backlash over the Nazi-linked design and old Reddit posts in which he made offensive statements for nearly a decade.

He has repeatedly claimed that he did not know the meaning of the tattoo resembling a Nazi "totenkopf," a skull-and-crossbones design. But multiple reports have found that Platner knew about the symbol’s links to the Nazi SS.

Auchincloss, a Jewish lawmaker representing a Boston-area seat, is among the relatively few Democrats who have publicly criticized Platner for his tattoo and past controversial statements.

He became the first Democratic lawmaker to call on Platner to exit the race in October 2025 after Platner’s tattoo and past controversial statements came to light.

Still, the vast majority of Democratic lawmakers have declined to speak out against Platner as he is expected to face vulnerable Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, in November’s general election.

TOP DEM LAWMAKERS DUCK QUESTIONS WHEN PRESSED ON PLATNER'S REDDIT SCANDAL

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who backed Maine Gov. Janet Mills’ failed primary run, issued tepid support for Platner after Mills suspended her campaign.

Meanwhile, leading progressives, including Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., have vigorously supported his campaign.

Warren has called Platner her "kind of man," despite his myriad controversies.

Auchincloss clarified in a statement posted on social media Tuesday that he does not support Collins’ Senate campaign.

"Susan Collins is a rubber stamp for the worst admin in history," he wrote. "Claims that I would endorse her, implicitly or otherwise, ignore my track record supporting Democrats to take back both chambers."

A spokesperson for the Platner campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Brewers flamethrower Jacob Misiorowski sets MLB record for pitches over 100 mph in dominant start

It may not officially be summer until June 21, but Milwaukee Brewers star Jacob Misiorowski has already brought the heat.

Misiorowski lit up the radar gun during the Brewers’ 5-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday at American Family Field, throwing 57 pitches of at least 100 mph. The 24-year-old set the MLB record for most pitches thrown over 100 mph in a single game since pitch tracking began in 2008.

"That's what I do," Misiorowski said. "I throw hard."

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Misiorowski was dominant, as he allowed just one run on two hits over seven innings while striking out 12 hitters. Nine of his strikeouts came on fastballs that were over 100 mph.

Misiorowski reached 101 mph on 40 of his 96 pitches. He got to 102 mph on 22 pitches and had nine of at least 103. His top velocity was 103.4 mph, which he reached three times.

The first six pitches of Misiorowski’s start were at least 103 mph, but he was not at all surprised.

"I feel like that’s how it should be every day," Misiorowski said. "I feel like that’s where I’m at. I feel like that’s just my normal."

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene held the previous record for most 100 mph pitches in a game when he threw 47 against the Cardinals on Sept. 17, 2022.

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

Brewers manager Pat Murphy had high praise for Misiorowski’s performance.

"Magnificent," Murphy said. "One of the best performances I've seen in a long time."

For Misiorwski, the start has embodied his incredible start to the season. In 11 starts, he has a 5-2 record with a 1.83 ERA in 64 innings, while striking out 100 hitters compared to 19 walks.

In five starts this month, Misiorowski has allowed just one run and 11 hits while striking out 49 and walking six over 31 1/3 innings. When the Cardinals scored their lone run in the sixth, it snapped Misiorowski's streak of consecutive scoreless innings at 29 1/3.

That represented the third-longest streak of shutout innings in Brewers history. Teddy Higuera had 32 straight scoreless innings in 1987, and Freddy Peralta had 30 last year.

Misiorowski hasn't allowed an extra-base hit in six straight starts since giving up a double to Miami Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers on April 19.

The Brewers (31-20) will look to keep things rolling when they play the Cardinals (29-23) in the second game of a three-game series on Tuesday at 7:40 p.m.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Are Apple devices spying? What your iPhone tracks

It starts with a small moment that feels a little too coincidental. You say something out loud, then an ad shows up that feels way too specific.

Bill recently reached out to us asking if the Apple devices in his home are actually spying on him.

It is a fair concern. The short answer is no, your Apple devices are not secretly recording everything you say. But they are listening in specific ways and collecting some data. Once you understand how it works, you can decide what to change.  If you have an Android, here are the privacy settings you should review. 

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To understand what is really going on, it helps to break down how your devices listen, what data gets collected and where the bigger risks live.

If you use Siri on your iPhone or other Apple devices, your device is always listening locally for the wake phrase. It isn't recording full conversations. When it hears the trigger, it starts processing your request.

MUST-DO PRIVACY SETTINGS ON YOUR IPHONE IN IOS 18.1

Siri may send that request to Apple's servers when needed, although much of the processing now happens directly on your device. Even so, accidental activations happen. That can lead to short snippets of audio being processed when you did not intend it.

Apple markets itself as privacy-focused, especially compared to Google and Meta Platforms. That is generally true, but Apple still gathers certain types of data, depending on your settings, including:

5 TECH TERMS THAT SHAPE YOUR ONLINE PRIVACY

Apple says much of this is anonymized; simply put, that means it isn't directly tied to your name or identity, but it still exists.

Here is where things get more important.

Most privacy exposure does not come from Apple itself. It comes from the apps you install.

Many apps request access to:

If you approve those permissions, apps can collect more data than you expect. Some of that data can be shared with advertisers or third parties.

IS THAT IPHONE APP SPYING? APPLE’S APP PRIVACY REPORT REVEALS ALL

You have probably had this experience. You mention something out loud, then an ad appears later. That usually has nothing to do with your microphone.

Instead, it is driven by:

All of that creates a detailed profile of your interests. The ads feel personal because they are based on your behavior, not your conversations.

If you want more control over your privacy, a few simple changes can make a big difference.

IS YOUR PHONE LISTENING TO EVERYTHING YOU SAY? IT’S COMPLICATED

Some apps use Bluetooth to track nearby devices or location patterns.

Apps can access your entire photo library, including metadata like location.

Turn it on to see which apps access your data and when

Some of these run quietly in the background. You can turn several off without affecting how your iPhone works day to day.

Turn these OFF (for more privacy, minimal impact)

Optional depending on your usage:

Leave these ON (core features & accuracy)

Leave ON (unless you have a specific reason)

What those arrows mean (from your screen)

You don't need to flip everything off. Focus on ads, analytics, suggestions and tracking features. Those give you the biggest privacy win without breaking anything.

Even with strong settings, your data can still circulate through data brokers or exposed databases. Using an identity protection service can help monitor your personal data, alert you to suspicious activity and add financial safeguards if something goes wrong. See my tips and best picks on best identity theft protection at CyberGuy.com.

Apple devices are not secretly recording your conversations all day. Still, they do listen for Siri and collect certain types of data. The bigger concern comes from the apps you install and the broader tracking ecosystem that follows you across the internet. The good news is you have more control than you might think. A few minutes in your settings can significantly reduce what your devices share.

If your devices already know so much based on your behavior alone, how much privacy are you willing to trade for convenience going forward? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report

Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

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Monday Night Club: What next for relegated West Ham as Spurs survive?

Mark Chapman and guests debate this week's football.

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New Jersey governor, Democratic senator spend Memorial Day protesting ICE facility

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill and Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., met with the families of detainees being held at a migrant detention facility that critics say should be shut down amid "unacceptable" conditions and an ongoing hunger strike.

Kim and Sherrill, both Democrats, have asked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for access to the Delaney Hall center in Newark, where hundreds of illegal immigrants are being held.

"I’m back at Delaney Hall with @GovSherrillNJ and other members of the NJ delegation to meet with families of detainees and listen to community advocates," Kim wrote Monday on X. "We’re working together to make sure they’re heard and to speak out with them. Delaney Hall must be shut down immediately. ICE cannot be allowed to continue operating in this way."

BUMPY WEATHER OVER NEWARK: HOUSE DEMOCRATS COULD FACE CONSEQUENCES FOR DELANEY HALL INCIDENT

Fox News Digital has reached out to ICE for comment.

A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson said Kim personally called Secretary Markwayne Mullin, and that he was allowed in the facility to conduct his congressional oversight responsibilities. However, the spokesperson criticized Sherrill over he appearance at the detention center. 

"Governor Sherrill’s visit to Delaney Hall is nothing more than a political stunt on Memorial Day when visitation is currently suspended due to riots outside the facility," the spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "Yesterday, approximately 125 agitators surrounded Delaney Hall Detention Facility, many carrying anti-ICE signs and Antifa flags. They formed a human chain around entrances to the facility and set up barricades, blocking all entries and exits."

On Sunday, protesters clashed with authorities outside the privately run facility — which was revamped as an immigration detention center last year — where some detainees have gone on a hunger strike to protest allegedly poor conditions inside.

Sherrill said she was "deeply disturbed" by the conditions inside Delaney Hall, noting that she has always opposed private detention facilities and advocated against them.

"I will continue to call for the closure of Delaney Hall because of reports like these," she wrote Sunday on X. "I have contacted ICE to gain access to the facility and my office remains in close coordination with our federal delegation and with advocates, and I commend their continued oversight and work to hold DHS accountable."

Kim and Rep. Rob Menendez, D-N.J., arrived at Delaney Hall on Sunday but were denied entry. Critics of the facility allege that detainees endure squalid conditions and mistreatment from staff.

US ATTORNEY ALINA HABBA ANNOUNCES REP. MCIVER HIT WITH FEDERAL CHARGES OVER NEWARK ICE CLASH

"In sum, Delaney Hall is dangerous for those being detained, their loved ones, and all who care about immigrants’ rights, fundamental constitutional freedoms, and democracy," the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey said in February. "Yet in the face of these cruel conditions, community members and families have united in fierce opposition to Delaney Hall’s existence and the abuse of human beings therein."

All detainees are provided with 3 meals a day, clean water, clothing, bedding, showers, soap, and toiletries, "DHS said. 

"Illegal aliens also have access to phones to communicate with their family members and lawyers," the agency said. "Certified dieticians evaluate meals. In fact, ICE has higher detention standards than most U.S. prisons that hold actual U.S. citizens."

"It is a longstanding practice to provide comprehensive medical care from the moment an alien enters ICE custody," the statement continued. "This includes medical, dental, and mental health services as available, and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care. For many illegal aliens this is the best healthcare they have received their entire lives."

Democrats have repeatedly called for Delaney Hall to be closed. In May 2025, protesters — including three congressional lawmakers and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka — gathered outside the facility and clashed with authorities. They allegedly rushed past security through the gates, which had opened to allow an ICE bus inside.

U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., faces a federal three-count indictment for allegedly assaulting, resisting and impeding federal law enforcement officers that day. She allegedly shoved and struck officers to prevent the arrest of Baraka.

At the time, then-Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin categorized some of the detainees inside Delaney Hall as "murderers, terrorists, child rapists and MS-13 gang members" while questioning why the lawmakers continued to advocate for them.

from Latest & Breaking News on Fox News https://ift.tt/F7S9fc0

One type of sitting may pose greater dementia risk than another, study suggests

For years, researchers have believed prolonged sitting could raise dementia risk — but new findings suggest the type of sitting may matter more than previously thought.

The research, which was published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine in March, found that replacing mentally passive sedentary behavior with mentally active sedentary behavior was associated with a significant reduction in dementia risk.

Mentally active sedentary behaviors could include reading, office work and other activities that keep the brain engaged while sitting, while mentally passive behaviors may include watching television or other low-engagement screen activities.

'I'M A NEUROLOGIST — HERE'S WHY DEMENTIA IS RISING AND HOW TO REDUCE YOUR RISK’

To gather the findings, Swedish researchers analyzed data from more than 20,000 adults between ages 35 and 64 who were tracked over a 19-year period, between 1997 and 2016, according to a press release.

Participants answered questions about their sitting habits, physical activity and other lifestyle behaviors, while dementia diagnoses were identified using Swedish health and death records.

Mentally active sedentary behavior was associated with "a significant reduction in dementia risk" compared to more passive sitting activities.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Although the study was based in Sweden, the release said the findings "are likely generalizable to a wider global population" and could help "inform public health guidelines and preventive strategies to reduce dementia."

In a statement, lead researcher Dr. Mats Hallgren of Sweden's Karolinska Institute said the study highlighted major distinctions between passive and mentally engaging sedentary habits when it comes to brain health.

"While all sitting involves minimal energy expenditure, it may be differentiated by the level of brain activity," said Hallgren.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

"How we use our brains while we are sitting appears to be a crucial determinant of future cognitive functioning and, as we have shown, may predict dementia onset."

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Sedentary behavior is a "ubiquitous but modifiable risk factor for many health conditions, including dementia," according to the researcher.

"Our study adds the observation that not all sedentary behaviors are equivalent; some may increase the risk of dementia, while others may be protective," he added. "It is important to remain physically active as we age, but also mentally active — especially when we are sitting."

The CDC projects that by 2060, nearly 14 million American adults will have Alzheimer's disease.

One recent study published by the Alzheimer's Association found that a person's biological age may be tied to dementia risk.

Researchers also recently found that a higher intake of unprocessed meat may protect against dementia in older people who have a variant of a certain gene.

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