Gov. Kathy Hochul rejected socialist New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdanis plan for taxpayer-funded supermarkets, telling a Hamptons crowd, "I favor free enterprise," according to the New York Post.Hochul delivered the line Saturday at a business breakfast hosted by billionaire supermarket mogul John Catsimatidis, drawing applause from attendees.Catsimatidis, whose Gristedes and DAgostino chains could be threatened by the proposal, later praised Hochuls comments, telling the Post, "These types of grocery stores just dont work."The pushback adds to mounting Democratic resistance to Mamdanis agenda, which critics warn would undercut private grocers and burden taxpayers.CRITICISM OVER SOCIALIST NYC CANDIDATE MAMDANI'S RENT-STABILIZED APARTMENT MOUNTS AFTER ETHICS COMPLAINT"Snappy slogan. Doesnt work, and Mamdani doesnt care if it does or doesnt," Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi said in an email to Fox News Digital."Gov. Cuomo has proposed a plan that was actually thought out to help those with food insecurity, and the answer isnt Soviet-style breadlines. Kansas City just closed their government-run grocery store (and eliminated their free buses) after wasting millions of taxpayer dollars."Cuomo blasted Mamdani in a post on X, writing: "When you have rich parents to fall back on, the results dont matter. As @ZohranKMamdani has said, cest la vie. Thats not a governing philosophy. Its an excuse for failure. Its time to build. That requires real affordability policies. Lets do it."The Kansas City reference points to the recent closure of the city-owned Sun Fresh Market, which received about $18 million in public funds over a decade but was plagued by theft, empty shelves and heavy losses. Its shutdown was followed by cuts to the citys free bus program.SOCIALIST MAMDANI'S SUPERMARKET PLAN WOULD BE 'BULLET TO THE HEART' OF BLUE-COLLAR AMERICA, LAWMAKER WARNSMamdani, a self-described democratic socialist who represents Queens in the state Assembly, has proposed opening five municipal supermarkets, one in each borough, at a projected cost of $60 million. He argues the stores would fight rising food prices and expand access to affordable groceries. Critics counter the plan could shutter private competitors, limit consumer choice and stick New Yorkers with unmanageable costs.The mayoral frontrunner is also under fire over housing. Earlier this month, Fox News Digital reported that Mamdani faces an ethics complaint questioning whether he improperly benefited from a rent-stabilized apartment while earning nearly $150,000 as a legislator.Cuomo has pounced on the issue, proposing "Zohrans Law" to block high earners from taking subsidized units. Mamdani has said he moved into the apartment when he made $47,000 and did not know it was rent-stabilized, while his campaign has dismissed the criticism as politically motivated.Hochul, a centrist Democrat who has not endorsed in the mayoral race, is the latest establishment figure to take aim at Mamdanis platform. Cuomo, meanwhile, continues to cast himself as a counterweight to what he calls untested progressive ideology.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPMamdanis campaign did not respond to Fox News Digitals request for comment on Hochuls remarks. Gov. Hochul did not immediately return Fox News Digital's request for comment.Fox News' Alec Schemmel contributed to this report.

7 Clear Signs Your Ancient Soul Is Awakening Full Audiobook (Inspired by Helena P. Blavatsky)

President Donald Trump supports Russian leader Vladimir Putin's proposal for Moscow to take full control of the Donbas region and freeze the front lines elsewhere for an agreement with Ukraine, a European diplomat confirmed to Fox News.Donbas had a pre-war population of 150,000 and includes the Luhansk and Donetsk regions.After meeting with Putin on Friday in Alaska, Trump told European allies that the Russian president reiterated that he wants the key Luhansk and Donetsk regions, but that he appeared open to the possibility of ending the stalemate in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson along with a freeze along the front lines.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously rejected the idea of surrendering the territory in the Donbas.ZELENSKYY OUTLINES PEACE DEMANDS BEFORE HIGH-STAKES WHITE HOUSE MEETING WITH TRUMPZelenskyy has refused to withdraw from the remaining 30% of Donetsk that Ukraine still controls. He has said that doing so would be unconstitutional, and the territory could be used as a staging ground for later Russian attacks.The Ukrainian leader is scheduled to meet with Trump at the White House on Monday.Trump also reversed his support for a ceasefire and instead is seeking a peace agreement after the meeting with Putin, who has long said Moscow is not interested in a temporary truce and is looking for a long-term settlement that supports the Kremlins interests.TRUMP: WE'RE GOING STRAIGHT TO RUSSIA-UKRAINE PEACE DEAL, 'NOT A MERE CEASEFIRE'After calls with Zelenskyy and European leaders, Trump said Saturday on social media that "it was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up."German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told ZDF television that Trump said Russia "seems to be prepared to conduct the negotiations based on the so-called line of contact and not the administrative boundaries."In a statement after the call with Trump, major European leaders did not address whether they preferred a peace deal over a ceasefire.The leaders said they "welcomed President Trumps efforts to stop the killing in Ukraine, end Russias war of aggression, and achieve just and lasting peace."Putin described his talks with Trump in Alaska as "very frank.""We, of course, respect the position of the American administration, which sees the need for a speedy end to military actions," Putin said at the follow-up meeting at the Kremlin, adding that "we would like to move to resolving all issues by peaceful means."The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Sydney Sweeney made a denim-clad return to social media three weeks after the release of her controversial American Eagle "Good Jeans" ad campaign.On Friday, the 27-year-old actress, who has not publicly commented on the ad or its mixed reception, shared a carousel of photos on Instagram in which she was seen rocking a pair of oversized blue jeans and a white lace-front crop top while spending a night out at a bar with friends."duval diaries." Sweeney wrote in the caption.SYDNEY SWEENEY'S BROTHER MAKES CHEEKY 'GOOD JEANS' JOKE AFTER HIS AIR FORCE PROMOTIONIn one photo, Sweeney was seen kicking her leg up as she posed with a group of friends, who also wore denim or blue and white ensembles.Sweeney and a friend appeared to be performing karaoke as they stood back to back on a stage while holding microphones in another snap.In another image, Sweeney was seen holding a tray of drinks while surrounded by a group of friends as they beamed at the camera. Other snaps featured "The White Lotus" actress dancing with her friends at the crowded venue.American Eagle debuted their ad campaign titled "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans" last month, which received a divided response on social media.Some dubbed the campaign "tone-deaf" due to alleged racial undertones, others have praised Sweeney for killing "woke" advertising.In a promo video posted to the brand's Instagram, Sweeney was seen walking toward an AE billboard featuring her and the tagline "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Genes." Sweeney crossed out "Genes" and replaced it with "Jeans" before walking away.In a second ad, Sweeney was seen laying down and fastening her jeans while saying, "Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color." The camera then panned up to her blue eyes, and she said "My jeans are blue."LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSThe ad's detractors have suggested that it has shades of "eugenics" and "White supremacy." According to Salon, the term "great genes" was historically used to "celebrate whiteness, thinness and attractiveness."American Eagle released a statement on its social media on Aug. 1, which read, "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans. Her story. Well continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone."While speaking with Fox News Digital, Reputation Management Consultants CEO Eric Schiffer explained how controversy could potentially turbocharge the actress' career along with her net worth."The AE firestorm shoved Sweeney into toxic culture-war crosshairs exactly where attention monetizes fastest," he said. "Backlash may spook a few safe brands, but risk-tolerant studios will ruthlessly overpay for her heat."American Eagles denim blitz could jam an outrage cocktail of $5 million more in Sweeneys wallet before Labor Day. The viral jeans spot is a ruthless napalm-grade cash cannon every click fires fresh royalty checks at her $40 million pile. Critics rant, but controversy drives denim sales shes riding a volatile tornado straight to the bank."APP USERS CLICK HERE TO VIEW POSTSchiffer also explained that the backlash the actress has received could lead to an influx of career opportunities for her."Outrage addicts labeled the ad eugenics but Hollywood execs smell radioactive buzz and cast her faster," he said. "Hollywood forgives denim puns; it rewards controversial cash."CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERSchiffer continued, "She proved she can take heat and directors love an actress with fierce armor. Her blend of bombshell and backlash is near lethal catnip for producers. Hollywood loves a polarizing star with a merciless marketing punch that sells."However, PR expert Steve Honig voiced his opinion that the backlash was unlikely to affect Sweeney's career."Regardless of which side you are on, the ads have undeniably gotten the actress, and the company, more attention and publicity than they have ever had. Judging by the publics split opinion, I dont think this will have much, if any, impact on Sweeneys career or upcoming projects," he said. "She is a popular, up-and-coming talent with a bright future ahead of her."Honig went on to cite other ad campaigns that saw great success by courting controversy.AMERICAN EAGLE FIRES BACK AT CRITICS AFTER SYDNEY SWEENEY CAMPAIGN SPARKS ONLINE BACKLASH"Historically, ads for jeans have been provocative," he noted. "Look back to Calvin Kleins advertising campaign in the early 1980s featuring Brooke Shields; there was a lot of criticism about how a 15-year-old girl was being portrayed. The ads turned out to have a positive result for both Klein and Shields, and in many ways put the actress/model on the map."Honig continued, "As far as the Sweeney ads being too sexual or aimed at male gazing, I would point to the highly successful Pepsi ad campaign with Cindy Crawford, which was recently rebooted. Gloria Vanderbilts advertising campaign was all about her name being on a womans backside.""The bottom line here is that American Eagle decided to push the envelope in much the same way Klein and Vanderbilt did," he added. "Like it or not, the campaign is sparking discussion and getting a lot of notice, which is likely what they set out to do."Fox News Digital's Janelle Ash contributed to this report.

Billy Joel is closing his motorcycle shop in Long Island, New York, and auctioning off his personal collection of bikes as he battles a brain disorder. The 76-year-old singer revealed in May that he had been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), which affects his vision, hearing and balance, he said on social media at the time.Joel also canceled all of his tour dates for 2025 and through July 2026.Earlier this week, Joel's representative Claire Mercuri told The Associated Press that the music icon will be shuttering 20th Century Cycles in Oyster Bay in late September and selling his collection at auction later this year due to his medical issue.BILLY JOEL'S WIFE REMAINS HOPEFUL AS LEGENDARY MUSICIAN BATTLES BRAIN DISORDERNPH is a condition that occurs when cerebrospinal fluid builds up inside the skull and presses on the brain. It is most likely to impact people older than 65. Treating the condition involves surgery to implant a shunt to drain excess fluid from the inside of the skull, according to the Cleveland Clinic.In his May statement announcing his diagnosis, Joel noted that the condition had been "exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance."The statement added, "Under his doctors instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period."Joel, who grew up in nearby Hicksville, opened 20th Century Cycles in late 2010 as a place to maintain and repair his motorcycles, restore and customize ones he bought and showcase his collection for the public at no charge.LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS"Its basically promoting an aesthetic here," he said in a 2013 YouTube video filmed at the shop. "I like older style. I like the automotive style from the 30s to the 60s. I wanted to collect a whole bunch of those kinds of bikes, put em in one place and let people see what that era of bike looked like. Because its starting to be a lost aesthetic."The "Piano Man" hitmaker said he also wanted to bring foot traffic and business to downtown Oyster Bay a ritzy waterfront community about 25 miles east of midtown Manhattan where part of the street that includes 20th Century Cycles was renamed Billy Joel Way in 2023."Ive been living in this community for a long time," Joel said in the video. "I actually grew up not far from here. And Id like to get a little interest going into the town and the village."Joels nearby home in Centre Island is listed for $29.9 million, and he has been living in South Florida, while keeping a home in Sag Harbor on Long Island.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERThe shop became a popular stop for motorcycle enthusiasts and tourists. It was home to Joels collection of more than 75 bikes, which date all the way back to the 1940s and include Harley-Davidsons, Triumphs, Ducatis, Moto Guzzis, Indians and BMWs.Joel noted that one of his most valuable bikes was a 1952 Vincent Rapide, which can sell for tens of thousands of dollars and sometimes more, according to auction sites.Joels enthusiasm for motorcycles dates back decades. In 1982, he was riding a motorcycle on Long Island when he was struck by a car that ran a red light, injuring his left thumb and dislocating his right wrist. He spent about a month in the hospital.The singer has also ridden motorcycles during various benefits for 9/11 first responders, breast cancer and other causes over the years.A date for the auction of his collection has not been set.The Associated Press contributed to this report.