Charlotte officials have talked up police statistics showing crime is trending downward across the city. But the public isnt buying it, especially after a 23-year-old commuter was stabbed to death on a light rail train.For many residents and conservative leaders, the stabbing death highlights what they see as a dangerous disconnect between statistics and reality on the streets."The progressive policies seem to be in a reactive posture something bad happens, and then they throw a Band-Aid on it," Chris Swecker, a former chair of the North Carolina Governors Crime Commission who worked for the FBI, told Fox News Digital. "They dont draw the connection between their policies, which are very pro-crime and anti-victim, and these tragic incidents. The data and the history are clear: more officers, more proactive policing, more prosecutions drive crime down."The case has become a flashpoint in debates over crime, public safety and repeat offenders in Democrat-led cities nationwide.GOFUNDME PULLS FUNDRAISERS FOR FELON ACCUSED OF KILLING COMMUTER IN RANDOM CHARLOTTE TRAIN ATTACKAccording to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's Central Division data, overall crime in uptown Charlotte where many people live, work and visit daily rose 2.4% in the first half of the year, with violent crime up more than 9%. Robberies spiked 54.5%. Police said the spike is being fueled by robberies near bars, nightclubs and transit hubs, and have rolled out a multi-million-dollar safety initiative with corporate partners to try to restore public confidence.Citywide, Charlotte officials say that crime is down. CMPD data show overall offenses fell 8% in the first half of 2025, with violent crime down 25% and homicides dropping nearly 30%.Yet when Charlotte is measured against the rest of the country, the picture is far more troubling. AreaVibes reports the citys total crime rate is 77% higher than the national average, with violent crime about 746 per 100,000 residents, and property crime roughly 73% above average. NeighborhoodScout estimates residents face a 1-in-26 chance of becoming a victim of a property crime.Charlotte had 105 homicides in 2024 compared to 88 in 2023, the Associated Press reported, and the rate of vehicle thefts per 100,000 people more than doubled there from 2020 through 2024."When I got here in 1999, crime was under 50 homicides a year. Charlotte used data-driven policing and accountability, and crime dropped. But starting around 2020, with no-cash bail, decriminalized drug crimes and talk of defunding the police, arrests and prosecutions dropped," Swecker said. "Those policies have conspired to drive crime rates up everywhere.""The public should believe their own eyes. They see crime going up, and theyre right. Police commanders across the country are under pressure to downcode crimes or bundle them together to make the numbers look better," he said. "But the reality is the worst of the worst keep finding their way back on the street."On Monday, the White House released a list of recent policies it says have fueled Charlottes crime crisis.In 2020, the Charlotte City Council launched a "reimagine policing" initiative that diverted 911 calls away from police officers. That same year, then-Gov. Roy Cooper created the "Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice," co-chaired by thenAttorney General and now-Gov. Josh Stein, which recommended eliminating cash bail, "deemphasizing" certain felony crimes and prioritizing "restorative justice." Fox News Digital has reached out to Stein's office for comment.Since then, Mecklenburg County Criminal Justice Services has taken in millions from foundations pushing no-cash bail and reduced jail populations, while also hiring "equity consultants" and tasking its Office of Equity and Inclusion with reducing "racial disparities" in the justice system, according to the White House.In 2020, current CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings told WCCB Charlotte that "law enforcement, in general, is based on racism." Fox News Digital has reached out to the CMPD on Jennings' past comments."Our entire agency, law enforcement in general, is based on racism. Ive never really heard that view, but when you have enough people that are saying its an issue, you have to pay attention to it," he told the local outlet in June 2020. "Internally, theres also work that we can do where we focus more on the violent offenders in some of the discretionary arrests or things that we can probably slow down a little bit on. We can do that as well."DEM GOVERNOR BREAKS SILENCE ON MURDER OF UKRAINIAN REFUGEE AFTER SOCIAL MEDIA BACKLASHZarutska, a Ukrainian refugee who had fled the war for safety in America, was fatally stabbed on the citys light rail while commuting home from her job at a pizzeria on Aug. 22.The accused killer,Decarlos Brown Jr., had been arrested14 times previously and had served time in prison.His lengthy rap sheet, examined by Fox News Digital,spans more than a decade. His convictions include larceny and breaking and entering in 2013, as well as a 2015 conviction for robbery with a dangerous weapon, for which he served more than six years in prison. He was released in 2020 and remained on parole until 2021. More recent charges included communicating threats and misuse of the 911 system earlier this year.He is now charged with first-degree murder for the stabbing death of Zarutska.WATCH: Video shows moments before Ukrainian refugee killed on Charlotte trainViral surveillance video captured the attack. Court documents obtained by Fox News Digital revealed that Zarutska was stabbed three times. A folding knife was found at the scene.Charlotte transit officials confirmed there were no security officers present on that train car at the time. Extra patrols have since been deployed.WATCH: Jarring details revealed from suspect's mother in Charlotte stabbing casePresident Donald Trump called Brown a "lunatic" and argued the case proves America needs stronger measures to "handle evil."Rep. Mark Harris (R-NC) called Charlottes situation a "microcosm of a national epidemic."Rep. Dan Bishop (R-NC) said the Zarutska killing exposes "a justice system unwilling to keep violent, mentally unstable offenders off the streets," and demanded state-level reforms to prevent similar tragedies.Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) criticized what he described as "Democrat-run cities and counties downplaying crime while citizens pay the price." He urged tougher sentencing, bail reform rollback and more federal-local coordination to take on violent repeat offenders.CHILLING VIDEO SHOWS MOMENTS BEFORE UKRAINIAN REFUGEE STABBED TO DEATH ON CHARLOTTE LIGHT RAILCharlottes Democratic leadership has largely emphasized systemic issues in responding to the killing of Zarutska."I am heartbroken for the family of Iryna Zarutska, who lost their loved one to this senseless act of violence, and I am appalled by the footage of her murder. We need more cops on the beat to keep people safe," Stein posted on X on Monday morning. "Thats why my budget calls for more funding to hire more well-trained police officers. I call upon the legislature to pass my law enforcement recruitment and retention package to address vacancies in our state and localagencies so they can stop these horrific crimes and hold violent criminals accountable."In remarks first reported by local radio station WFAE, Mayor Vi Lyles framed the stabbing as part of broader challenges tied to mental health and homelessness, warning against "stigmatizing" vulnerable groups.Days later, she shifted tone, calling the murder a "senseless and tragic loss" and thanking outlets that withheld the graphic surveillance video out of respect for the victims family, according to the New York Post.In a statement to Fox News Digital on Monday, Lyle said that the incident was a "tragic failure by the courts and magistrates.""We need a bipartisan solution to address repeat offenders who do not face consequences for their action and those who cannot get treatment for their mental illness and are allowed to be on the streets," she said, in part. "We have partnered before on legislation like North Carolina's pre-trial integrity act, and we stand ready to partner again at the local, state and federal level."On the city council, Dimple Ajmera told WCNC Charlotte that immediate transit safety reforms were needed, while fellow councilmember Edwin Peacock criticized leaders for being too reactive instead of proactive.Mecklenburg County District Attorney Spencer Merriweather, in comments to Axios Charlotte, acknowledged that the case exposed major gaps in both the criminal justice process and the mental health system, pointing to resource shortages and legal hurdles that keep dangerous individuals on the street.

San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. made a heroic effort to save a home run on Tuesday night against the Cincinnati Reds.Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson was up at the plate with a runner on first and Cincinnati already up two runs in the top of the fourth inning. He drove a pitch from Michael King out to right field. Tatis began tracking the ball almost immediately.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMTatis got to the warning track, leaped and made the incredible catch in front of the Padres faithful. He nearly picked up the double play as well. He was 0-for-3 with a walk on the night."He made a hell of a play and hes a hell of an athlete," he said, via MLB.com.Stephenson, however, eventually had the last laugh.AARON JUDGE PASSES YANKEES LEGEND YOGI BERRA ON TEAM'S ALL-TIME HOME RUN LISTHe hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning this time to left field to give the Reds the lead and the 4-2 win over the Padres. He was 1-for-4 on the night. The home run was his 10th of the season.The Reds pulled within three games of the New York Mets for the final wildcard spot in the National League. Cincinnati is 73-72 this season.San Diego fell to 79-66 and are two games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers for the National League West crown. They are three games ahead of the Mets for the second wildcard spot.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Qatar threatened to "retaliate" against Israel in the wake of an airstrike in Doha that targeted the leaders of Hamas, as the countrys prime minister called the situation a "decisive moment" for the Middle East."The State of Qatar is committed to act in a decisive way with anything that would target its territories and will reserve the right to retaliate and will take all the needed measures to retaliate," Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani declared at a news conference Tuesday,according to a translation by the Qatar-based news organization Al Jazeera.Al-Thani described Israels strike on Hamas as "state terrorism that is being exerted by someone like [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu.""I think that we have reached a decisive moment. There should be retaliation from the whole region in the face of those barbaric actions that only [reflect] one thing: It reflects the barbarism of this person that is leading the region, unfortunately, to a point where we cannot address any situation, and we cannot repair anything, and we cannot work within the frameworks of international laws," al-Thani added. "He just violates all those international laws."TRUMP DIRECTED ENVOY TO WARN QATAR AHEAD OF UNFORTUNATE ISRAELI STRIKE, WHITE HOUSE SAYSKhalil al-Hayya and Zaher Jabarin weretwo targets of the explosion that rocked the Middle Eastern nations capital on Tuesday, according to Israeli media reports.Al-Hayya recently was involved in talks for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of the remaining hostages being held byHamas.Zaher Jabarin is responsible for Hamas' finances and is a key player in the terrorist organization's West Bank operations. He reportedly was involved in the negotiations as well, although his role was less prominent.Hamas claimed in a statement Tuesday that Israel failed to "assassinate the brothers in the negotiating delegation."OPINION: ISRAEL'S DOHA STRIKE SENT A DECISIVE MESSAGE THAT TERROR WILL FIND NO SAFE HAVENThe White House revealed Tuesday that prior to the strike, President Donald Trump "immediately directed" his special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff to inform Qatar of the "impending attack" by Israel. "This morning, the Trump administration was notified by the United States military that Israel was attacking Hamas, which very unfortunately was located in a section of Doha, the capital of Qatar," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. "Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign nation and close ally of the United States that is working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker peace does not advance Israel or America's goals.""However, eliminating Hamas, who have profited off the misery of those living in Gaza, is a worthy goal. President Trump immediately directed special envoy Witkoff to inform the Qataris of the impending attack, which he did," Leavitt added. A spokesperson for Qatars Ministry of Foreign Affairs later pushed back on Leavitts remarks, saying, "statements being circulated about Qatar being informed of the attack in advance are baseless.""The call from a U.S. official came during the sound of explosions caused by the Israeli attack in Doha," the official wrote on X.Fox News Thomas Ferraro contributed to this report.

Legacy media outlets have rushed to revive the "Republicans pounce" trope in its coverage of murdered 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska.Recently released video of Zarutska's killing last month in Charlotte, North Carolina, spread across social media. The clip shows 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr. standing up behind her on a light rail train and repeatedly stabbing her in the neck with a pocketknife. Brown has been charged with first-degree murder and is now facing federal charges.White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the attack Tuesday, criticizing the medias coverage."Perhaps most shamefully of all, the majority of media many outlets in this room decided that her murder was not worth reporting on originally, because it does not fit a preferred narrative," Leavitt said.LEAVITT BLASTS MANY OUTLETS IN THIS ROOM AT BRIEFING FOR FAILING TO COVER MURDER OF IRYNA ZARUTSKAMuch of the coverage has focused on the rights reaction to the murder rather than the crime itself.The New York Times covered the attack with the headline, "A Gruesome Murder in North Carolina Ignites a Firestorm on the Right." The article called the killing an "accelerant for conservative arguments about crime, race and the perceived failings of big-city justice systems and mainstream news outlets in the Trump era.""The outrage over the Charlotte killing is a part of a pattern in which President Trump and his allies highlight horrific crimes to bolster their case that the country is plagued by American carnage, as Mr. Trump put it in his first inaugural address, despite statistics that show crime is dropping," the Times reported.TRUMP CONDEMNS LUNATIC IN CHARLOTTE STABBING: IF WE DONT HANDLE EVIL, WE DON'T HAVE A COUNTRY'Politico followed similar framing with the headline, "Ukrainian refugee killed in North Carolina gets dragged into political messaging war.""A young refugee from Ukraine who was killed in an apparently random attack in North Carolina is being pulled into Americas culture war," Politico began its report. Notably, Politico's report does not include images of Zarutska or Brown nor does it note their races, but it does feature an image of President Donald Trump.Axios went viral with its headline "Stabbing video fuels MAGA's crime message," telling readers that "The rising number of surveillance cameras in public spaces, including on Charlotte's light rail, has become a big accelerant in these cases.""MAGA influencers are drawing repeated attention to violent attacks to elevate the issue of urban crime and accuse mainstream media of under-covering shocking cases," Axios wrote. The outlet added that surveillance footage "is easily shared or leaked, and can instantly pollinate across social media a visual counterpoint to statistics showing crime decreases."The Associated Press ran the headline "Charlotte leaders criticized over killing of Ukrainian woman as Trump, MAGA target another Dem city," noting that the attack "quickly drew the attention of President Donald Trump and MAGA allies who blame Democrats for what they say is out-of-control crime in blue cities."CNN media analyst Brian Stelter said the fatal stabbing is being used as a "political symbol" by "pro-Trump activists" and "MAGA media" in pushing for harsher punishments and more incarcerations, and condemned what he described as a racist reaction to the attack."Most murders in the U.S. never become national news. This one's got our attention for a couple of reasons. Number one, first and foremost, the recent release of that gruesome video. Second, the energy from pro-Trump activists. They picked up on this video from local news and ran with it," Stelter said Monday."I have to say, some of the replies to Musk, some of the comments around this story are baldly racist, stoking fear of African Americans because this man attacked a White woman," Stelter later continued. "The open racism on sites like X today, it's eye-popping. But there are also legitimate questions about this so-called career criminal, someone who had been a repeat offender. And those questions, I hope they're not lost amid all of the cesspool kind of comments on social media."CNN'S BRIAN STELTER SAYS 'PRO-TRUMP ACTIVISTS' SEIZED ON CHARLOTTE STABBING, RIPS BALDLY RACIST COMMENTSCLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST MEDIA AND CULTURE NEWSRolling Stone also criticized what it called "racist propaganda" that has "flourished" on social media as a result of Zarutska's murder in a report published Monday, saying "some on the far right disseminated the footage and still images from it in order to further a clearly racist agenda.""Reducing Zarutskas cruel and untimely death to racist memes also erases the role that mental health something that Republicans are happy to bring up whenever a white mass shooter guns down Americans in cold blood likely played in the ghastly crime," Rolling Stone wrote. "Its very convenient, however, for extremists hoping that Trump continues to weaponize federal resources against the minorities they despise, since this spin validates their authoritarian impulses and the politics of resentment that propelled their leader to power in the first place. As more details trickle out, you can expect them to milk this heinous crime for all its worth."Zarutska came to the U.S. as a refugee fleeing war-torn Ukraine after Russia's 2022 invasion. She had been working at a pizzeria in Charlotte and was still wearing her uniform the night she was attacked, just after 9:45 p.m. on Aug. 22.Records obtained by Fox News Digital show Brown has had more than a dozen arrests over the past decade. His convictions include felony larceny and felony breaking and entering in 2013, and a 2015 conviction for robbery with a dangerous weapon that sent him to prison for more than six years. He was released in 2020 but remained on parole until 2021. More recent charges included communicating threats and misuse of the 911 system earlier this year.

1. Trump blasts Democrats as Charlotte mayor wins primary2. Hellfire missile bounces off mysterious orb in UAP footage3. Grieving Illinois father blames sanctuary policies as ICE issues crackdownJUDICIAL CHECKPOINT Judge issues ruling on Fed governor Lisa Cook amid Trumps bid to oust her. Continue reading MOB SCENE Federal agents forced to retreat on slashed tires after immigration raid confrontation. Continue reading BALLOT BOX TEST Democrat wins special congressional election where Trump loomed large. Continue reading SHEEN COMES CLEAN Charlie Sheen reveals how his massive drug habit alarmed the drug cartel supplying him. Continue reading DISCIPLINED Eagles defender Jalen Carter learns fate after costly mistake in season opener. Continue reading --DEAL ON THE HORIZON Modi and Trump signal mutual optimism for US-India trade negotiations moving ahead together. Continue reading MALICIOUS Newsom says Trump has relentless, unhinged obsession with California during State of the State address. Continue reading SAFETY GAPS Hawley pushes legal action against Meta after whistleblowers detail child abuse in VR. Continue reading 'PROVEN LEADERSHIP' Cuomo makes major campaign move amid Mamdani battle in sprint to Election Day. Continue reading Click here for more cartoonsCLOWN POLITICS Liberal comedian has had enough of Newsom's Trump-like Twitter antics. Continue reading WOKE SKYWALKER Mark Hamill says he's 'really ashamed' America elected Trump twice, the second time is 'on us'. Continue reading 'WANT TO BE CLEAR' Crockett blasted for saying the point of law enforcement 'isn't to prevent crime'. Continue reading 'REALLY BAD' Justice Sotomayor warns 'The View' about 'the price we pay' for overturning Roe v Wade. Continue reading SEN RAND PAUL The GOP once knew how to fix the deficit now theyre losing the battle. Continue reading SEN STEVE DAINES, SEN ANGUS KING America's national parks are at a crossroads. Continue reading --NARCOTICS BLITZ Military sinks alleged smuggler boat in fiery takedown during Pacific Viper mission. Continue reading GRIDIRON GRUDGE Mike Vrabel disputes Bill Belichick's claim he's unwelcome at Patriots facility: 'He's been back'. Continue reading AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ Test yourself on autumn amusements and federal firsts. Take the quiz here CELEBRITY CURVEBALL Morgan Wallen accidentally hits baseball legend's wife with bat during concert entrance. Continue reading FROM VET TO VINEYARD U.S. Navy veteran shares his path from military to winemaking. See video ELLIE COHANIM Trump 'not thrilled' about Israeli strike on Qatar as Middle East on high alert. See video ALEX CLARK The Left is 'hellbent' on letting American cities burn to the ground. See video Tune in to the FOX NEWS RUNDOWN PODCAST for today's in-depth reporting on how President Trump is escalating the war on drugs. Check it out ...Whats it looking like in your neighborhood?Continue readingFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitterLinkedInFox News FirstFox News OpinionFox News LifestyleFox News Entertainment (FOX411)Fox BusinessFox WeatherFox SportsTubiFox News GoThank you for making us your first choice in the morning! Well see you in your inbox first thing Thursday.

Russian tennis star Anna Kalinskaya is pursuing her first Grand Slam singles title of her career while other players on the mens circuit appear to be going after her.Kalinskaya, 26, appeared in an interview on Tuesday and said Danish tennis player Holger Rune was one of a few who had frequented her social media direct messages.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMShe said on "First&Red" that she ignored Rune because the "thinks too much of himself.""Tennis players more often before," she said of who asks her on dates. "Now Im older. I dont know, for some, its just no chance at all. No need to write. Someone wrote like 10 times and then gave up."Ill say it now, but Holger Rune. He writes to everyone. He deserves all this. Thinks too much of himself. But hes not the only one. A couple (more)."TRUMP SIGNS AUTOGRAPHS FOR TENNIS FANS BEFORE LEAVING US OPENRune replied to the clip that took social media by storm."Ha ha ha. We might have cultural differences that make Anna read a comment on a story as an invitation to a date," he wrote on X. "if I want to go on a date, I ask for a date . Dont worry."Kalinskaya, who previously dated Italys Jannik Sinner, has one singles title to her name and four doubles titles. The Grand Slam circuit was a bit of a struggle for her this year.She didnt compete in the Australian Open and was ousted in the first round of the French Open. She made it to the second round at Wimbledon and was bounced in the third round from the U.S. Open. The furthest shes ever gotten at a Grand Slam was the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2024.Kalinskaya is ranked No. 32 in the world.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

They may have gained popularity for diabetes and weight loss, but GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy have been linked to ever-expanding health benefits.In fact, some doctors including Dr. Terry Dubrow, a plastic surgeon and TV personality based in Newport Beach, California recommend that everyone takes a low daily dose, even if they dont need to lose weight.Dubrow spoke on camera with Fox News Digital about the benefits of "microdosing" these medications.(See the video at the top of this article.)GLP-1 receptor agonists work by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, which is released from the gut after eating.The drugs help to regulate blood sugar, slow down emptying of the stomach and diminish appetite, and have also been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease."Sugar's the enemy, and these drugs affect sugar in your blood," Dubrow told Fox News Digital. "They affect the way insulin reacts."GLP-1s help insulin move the glucose (sugar) out of the bloodstream and into the bodys cells, where it can be used for energy or stored, the doctor said. The drugs also help to prevent the inflammation and damage sugar can cause in the blood vessels, nerves and organs.'NEXT OZEMPIC' AIMS TO DELIVER 30% WEIGHT LOSS WITH FEWER SIDE EFFECTS"I don't think anyone would argue that if there was a way to manipulate the amount of sugar and inflammation your body's exposed to, that is something we want to lean into. And that's exactly what these drugs do," Dubrow added.In addition to regulating blood sugar and triggering weight loss, GLP-1s have also been approved to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events and kidney disease in certain patients."Even if youre not overweight, being on these GLP-1 drugs helps to minimize and prevent a repeat recurrent heart attack," Dubrow said.Semaglutide was also recently approved for MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis), an inflammatory form of fatty liver disease.GLP-1s are also being studied for potential cognitive benefits in Parkinsons patients."I have never seen a drug in the history of medicine be on such a rapid path to approval," Dubrow said.Along with other experts, Dubrow is an advocate for microdosing, which is where people take low, steady doses of GLP-1s every day, even if they dont need them for diabetes or obesity.While patients with diabetes take doses that increase every four weeks, microdosing entails using a low-level dose that doesnt go up.WEIGHT LOSS TOUGHER WITH ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS LURKING IN NEARLY EVERY MEAL, SAY EXPERTSA younger population on TikTok has zeroed in on microdosing, Dubrow pointed out and he thinks everyone should be doing it."I am obsessed with the concept of microdosing," he said. "I think maybe half the starting dose for diabetes is the way to go and you probably don't need it every seven days, it's probably every 10 days, just to sort of modulate the amount of sugar in the blood."The doctor noted that there are still a lot of unknowns with GLP-1 medications."We are just figuring out now how to use these drugs for different indications, for different reasons," he said. "We're learning as we're using it."As with other drugs, like Botox, Dubrow said there is a bit of "human experimentation" at play."We're figuring it out, and we're teaching the medical profession how to do it. The patients are telling us how to use these drugs."GLP-1 medications have been linked to several potential risks. The most prevalent is gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea and vomiting.Others have reported an increased risk of pancreatitis, muscle loss and thyroid tumors."I read every study that comes out on these drugs, and I can tell you, it's very clear they dont cause pancreatitas," Dubrow said.OZEMPIC PUSH FOR SENIORS? SOME DOCTORS SAY MORE PEOPLE AGE 65 AND OVER SHOULD BE ON IT"In fact, if you really look at the populations who have been using it, pancreatitis is less in those populations."Dubrow confirmed, however, that the drug has been linked to an increased risk of the very rare medullary cancer of the thyroid."If you have a family history of that, that's a contraindication to you using these drugs," he said.Regarding the digestive side effects, the doctor said the medications do slow down the GI tract, but it's been shown that the body adjusts to that over time."These particular drugs are natural hormones that occur in our small intestine, and you get used to the side effects. They go away."The severity of side effects is linked to the dose amount, Dubrow noted."The low dose, particularly the microdose, really has a low propensity toward the constipation, the nausea, the potential diarrhea, the GERD (reflux)," he said. "I think those side effects are less significant for people who microdose."To counteract the risk of muscle loss, Dubrow recommends increasing protein intake and incorporating resistance training as a core component of an exercise routine.Those who do experience severe side effects should talk to a doctor, he advised.When contacted by Fox News Digital, manufacturers of GLP-1 medications warned against microdosing the products."Lilly does not have any data on the benefits or risks of microdosing of Zepbound and Mounjaro," said a spokesperson for Eli Lilly, maker of the GLP-1 drugs Mounjaro and Zepbounda. "Both autoinjectors and Zepbound vials are approved for single-use only dose-splitting or microdosing is not contemplated by the FDA label. As such, off-label use of Zepbound and Mounjaro may pose patient safety risks."Novo Nordisk, maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, said it does not condone "misuse" of its products."Its important to understand that for Wegovy, only the marked doses on the single-use, fixed-dose pens (0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 1.7 and 2.4 mg) are approved for use and represent an authentic FDA-approved medicine," a spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "The starting dose of Wegovyis 0.25 mg once a week, and the dose will gradually increase every four weeks. Patients should work with their healthcare professional to select either 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg for the maintenance dose."CHEAP OZEMPIC KNOCK-OFFS HAVE RISEN IN POPULARITY"It is also important to note that the authentic Wegovyinjectable pen is designed as a single-use pen, the dose is already set, and should not be altered or tampered with, and the pen must be disposed after one use.""Ozempicis a multi-use pen with one pen and multiple needles," the spokesperson added.Dubrow said hes not concerned about supply issues amid the growing popularity of GLP-1s, as major drug companies have the resources to "scale up" to meet the demand.Off-label use of GLP-1s, such as for microdosing, is common, Dubrow said "but finding a doctor willing to prescribe can be difficult."CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTERThe doctor cautioned against buying these drugs from online marketplaces, which he referred to as the "wild wild west.""It's hard to find these drugs online from compounding pharmacies, because essentially they're going rogue it's illegal. They're not allow to do it," he warned."So if you're getting it from rogue pharmacies that aren't allowed to do it or are willing to bend the rules, what is it? You dont know what youre getting.""It may be an adulterated, weird version that has side effects or that's not effective."There are several next-generation drugs in development that combine multiple hormone pathways, Dubrow said."I predict within five years, well have a pill designed to manipulate hunger and insulin resistance," he predicted.For more Health articles, visitwww.foxnews.com/healthOverall, Dubrow said, GLP-1s are "here to stay.""Theyre just going to get better, and we're going to learn how to use them in a more appropriate and clinically effective way," he said. "So fasten your seatbelt. If you're not on them now, you will be later."

In 2021, while I was serving as Israels foreign minister, the U.N. General Assembly passed a series of resolutions against Israel. A year later, in 2022, when I was prime minister, the General Assembly passed yet another series of resolutions against Israel.Nobody cared. No one burst into my office waving a piece of paper in panic. We didnt huddle in front of the television, holdingsweatyhands and waiting for the vote. Israels U.N. ambassador didnt call me, choking back tears, to confess he felt like a failure. The fact that the U.N. meets and votes against Israel is like rain in London: thats just what it does. They gather, deliver the same speech as last year, vote the same way as last year, and then head to dinner at Wolfgangs on Park Avenue.WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE PUSHING TO DISMANTLE TRUMP'S MIDDLE EAST PEACE DEAL, WHO NEEDS ENEMIES?The idea for the United Nations was born out of a desire by democratic nations to promote liberal values and human rights. Its foundation is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 21 declares that the organization will advance democracy around the world, so that everywhere there will be "periodic and genuine elections guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the people." It only lacks five words:Or you wont be admitted.A mix of post-colonial guilt and ideological laziness led the U.N. to admit more and more non-democratic states. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, of the U.N.s 193 member states, only 25 are "full democracies," with another 46 "flawed democracies." In other words, in every vote, on every budget, in every resolution, non-democracies hold an automatic majority. And they use it without the slightest qualm.Thats how Iran sat on the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women in 2022, as Mahsa Amini was murdered. Syria chaired the Conference on Disarmament in 2018 while gassing its own citizens. North Korea presided over that very same disarmament conference in 2022 while openly brandishing nuclear weapons and firing ballistic missiles at Japan. China currently serves on the Human Rights Council apparently because it cares so deeply about human rights.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONAnd all this before we even touch the U.N.s obsessive bias sorry, theres no better word against Israel. I am the last person to claim Israel is perfect or mistake-free. I disagree with most of what the current government does, especially in Gaza (I supported the strike in Iran and the operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon). Still, the U.N.s treatment of Israel is the diplomatic equivalent of a psychotic episode. Israel makes up 0.1% of the worlds population, yet accounts for more than 60% of the U.N.s condemnatory resolutions in the past decade.In 2023, the year Hamas launched the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, the General Assembly passed 15 resolutions against Israel,and only eight against all other countries combined. This was no anomaly. Over the last decade, the General Assembly has passed 187 resolutions against Israel, and only 86 against the entire rest of the world combined. In that same decade, wars in Syria, Yemen, Ethiopia and Myanmar killed far more people than the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (yes, even including the current war in GazaGoogle the facts if you doubt it). But voting patterns at the U.N. never changed.This isnt just absurd its an expensive absurdity. The total expenditure of the U.N. system tops $70 billion, more than the entire annual budgets of Luxembourg, Estonia, Malta and Cyprus combined. Most of that money comes from the U.S. and the European Union. And it disappears into a black hole of unaccountability. One thing is clear: it isnt being used to advance "the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family, as the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world," as the U.N. charter promises.SIGN UP FOR ANTISEMITISM EXPOSED NEWSLETTERWe need a U.N. of democracies. I suggest calling it DAWN the Democratic Alliance for World Nations though perhaps something less poetic would do. We dont need to reinvent its goals. We just need to clarify the terms of membership: a commitment to democracy; a willingness to confront authoritarian leaders who make a mockery of everything we hold sacred; and a focus on fighting the great threats of our age terrorism, religious fanaticism, fake news, nuclear weapons in the hands of reckless regimes, and the abuse of democratic mechanisms by those who despise democracy itself.On the positive side, the organization should focus on genuine economic cooperation among states that uphold intellectual property, human rights, freedom of expression and fair elections creating incentives for other nations to move toward democracy. Above all, we must say clearly to the world: if you want the money, power, and capabilities of democracies, you must abide by their rules.Democracy isnt an exclusive members-only club. Its a binding contract. And those who refuse tohonor it should no longer be allowed to abuse its privileges.

A new report from Defending Education alleges that 55 K-12 school districts have spent over $17 million onethnic studies, professional development, curricula, textbooks, and programming."What is being introduced in schools under the banner of ethnic studies is less about broadening academic horizons and more about advancing a narrow ideological agenda,"Nicole Neily, president and founder of Defending Education, toldFox News Digital in a statement."These programs often prioritize activism over analysis, presenting students with lessons framed around privilege, oppression, and resistance," she added. "The result is an environment that emphasizes division rather than common ground, and criticism rather than understanding. Parents have every right to advocate for a more balanced approach that equips students to comprehensively engage in society without politicizing classrooms."NATIONS 2 LARGEST TEACHERS UNIONS FUNNELED NEARLY $50M TO LEFT-WING GROUPS, WATCHDOG REPORT SAYSSome of the examples in the new report, obtained exclusively by Fox News Digital, include anethnic studies course for grades 912 from Imagine Learning which focuses on "deconstructing systems of power that perpetuate inequality."Gibbs Smith Educations "Voices: An Ethnic Studies Survey," which Defending Education says is used in California and Pennsylvania, "examines the experiences and contributions of Indigenous, Black, Latino, Pacific Islander, and Asian Americans. Students will learn the terms and tools they need to analyze the impacts of race and ethnicity in US history and the present day."Another example highlighted was NewselasCalifornia Ethnic Studies Collection Guide, created by Community Responsive Education and also used in California school districts, which features language such as colorism, environmental racism, implicit bias, intersectionality, patriarchy, and white supremacy.Lessons include questioning national borders and citizenship to promoting movements and groups such as the Black Panther Party,Black Lives Matter, reparations, the "land back movement," and environmental justice.NEW K-12 SCHOOL FOCUSES ON PROMOTING AMERICAN PRINCIPLES, ELIMINATING 'WOKE IDEOLOGY'University of California BerkeleysThe Puente Project curriculum, which Defending Education's report documents as being used in The Golden State and makes courses for middle school, high school, and college, includes teachingracial justice,gender and sexuality, andenvironmental justice.Other examples includedocuments showing Lynwood Unified School Districtcontracted with 5M Legacy to provide a "Black History Matters 2U History Course" that had "ethnic studies" workshops for male students only.The district reportedly spent over $160,000 on the consultant.Riverside Unified School District in Californiaspent an estimated $114,625 to send 14 educators on a cross-country trip as ethnic studies professional development.Rhyen Staley, research director at Defending Education, told Fox News Digital in a statement that ethnic studies are being politicized.NATIONS REPORT CARD' SHOWS ALARMING DECLINE IN SCIENCE, MATH, AND READING SCORES"Ethnic studies, hidden behind a shallow veneer of history and culture, is a far-left political programming meant to turn the youngest children into social justice activists," Staley said. "One of its core purposes is to advance divisive topics such as critical race theory and radical gender ideologies into K-12 schools to turn children against each other and Western culture. Parents and the community writ large should be appalled, demand that ethnic studies cease being taught, and replace it with history that uplifts."Fox News Digital reached out to Gibbs Smith Education, Newsela, The Puente Project, Lynwood Unified School District, and Riverside Unified School District for comment.In a statement to Fox News Digital, Imagine Learning said, "Imagine Learnings Ethnic Studies course supports state-mandated graduation requirements such as Californias AB 101."Imagine Learning added that its "course is aligned with the California Department of Educations Model Curriculum and is designed to promote academic inquiry, civic engagement, and understanding of U.S. history and society. It does not advance political viewpoints."On Wednesday morning, the House Education and Workforce Committee's Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education is holding a related hearing titled, "From Playground to Classroom: The Spread of Antisemitism in K-12 Schools." The hearing is also expected to focus on anti-Americanism.

When Emma Heming Willis sensed something was off with Bruce Willis, she first thought it was his hearing loss from "Die Hard."The former model has written a new book, "The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path." Its centered on her personal experience as a caregiver for her husband, who was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). It also serves as a roadmap for new caregivers."When Bruce was shooting the first Die Hard, he shot a gun underneath a table multiple times, and they didnt have him wear any kind of ear protection," the 47-year-old told Fox News Digital. "That took out a huge percentage of his hearing. And over time, for all of us as we age, our hearing starts to go a bit."BRUCE WILLIS SHOWED 'ALARMING' WARNING SIGNS BEFORE DEMENTIA DIAGNOSIS, WIFE SAYS"Thats what I thought was happening," she reflected. "Maybe were having this miscommunication. He is really not hearing me properly. I thought maybe thats why we werent communicating as well as we used to, because of his hearing."In the book, Heming Willis wrote that after filming "Die Hard" in 1988, Willis "lost a large percentage of his hearing in one ear." It "never posed a real problem" when the couple first got together before marrying in 2009.Still, Heming Willis noticed that her spouse started to "check out" at dinners. She wondered if he was just letting his children, including his three older daughters, "yak it up," as he would say, and have "girl talk.""I assumed his hearing loss made it easier for him to melt into his seat with his hands clasped gently on his lap," Heming Willis wrote.Still, it wasnt the man she knew. Willis loved spending time with his daughters and would often rush home to be with his girls. And there were other signs that something was wrong."Bruce had a severe stutter as a young child," Heming Willis told Fox News Digital.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER"When he went to college, he figured out how to work with that stutter. Hes always been a person that stuttered, but he managed it throughout his life. And for me, some of the first signs were noticing that his stutter was coming back. And our relationship just felt very different. It all felt very different. Our conversations and our connection just felt off. It was really hard for me to understand why or what was happening to be able to put my finger on it.""I never realized, or wouldve ever thought, or have known, that this sort of lack of empathy was a symptom of young dementia," she added.On the surface, the now-70-year-old appeared healthy. He didnt "flag" any changes he was experiencing, she said. And doctors didnt spot any health concerns. Still, Heming Willis knew something wasnt right. His communication just wasnt the same.WATCH: BRUCE WILLIS DIAGNOSED WITH FRONTOTEMPORAL DEMENTIA"I just knew in my gut that something else was going on," she said. "Thats when I approached his doctor. And I think thats so important for other caregivers as well. We know our person better than anybody. Its important for us that we know its OK, and we should feel its empowering to go to our loved ones doctor and say, Something is not right, and I really need you to listen to me. Hear me."In 2022, Willis family announced that the star was diagnosed with aphasia, a condition that causes loss of the ability to understand or express speech. Nearly a year later, the star's family said Willis had a more specific diagnosis of FTD.The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration describes FTD as a group of brain disorders caused by degeneration of the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain that affect behavior, language and movement, according to The Associated Press. Aphasia can be a symptom of it.The association describes frontotemporal degeneration as "an inevitable decline in functioning," with an average life expectancy of seven to 13 years after the onset of symptoms. The progressive disease is terminal and theres no cure.As Heming Willis was "free-falling" from the devastating news, all she was given was a "flimsy pamphlet.""When I walked out of there, I'd never felt so alone, so isolated," she said. "I didnt know another family that was going through this, especially with two young children. I had to take the time to be able to search the World Wide Web to come up with some kind of plan."LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSOver the years, Heming Willis has sought the guidance of doctors and experts to get a better understanding of FTD, its progression and what caregivers can do to give loved ones the best quality of life possible. She's been sharing her findings and conversations on social media."I love and care for my husband so much," said Heming Willis. "I want him to go into this next chapter of his life cared for and loved. But I think what has also helped me is the advocacy part of all this, being able to use my voice to help somebody else. That has been really comforting to me, to be able to share what Ive learned along the way. I think being able to give back in any way I can has been the way for me to continue walking through this journey."Through the pain of watching the disease progress, there are also many moments of joy, she said."Its about being with my husband, just being able to sit with him," she said."He is so present today. He is not thinking about yesterday or whats going to happen later. Hes just in his body here. And for me to be able to just sit with him, hold his hand, hug him and we laugh. We have joy. Our lives are not over. Even with the diagnosis, the person is still human. There is still so much joy and so much laughter that we share with Bruce. Were just in a different phase, a different chapter of our lives with him."Heming Willis hopes that by going public with a private, devastating experience, other caregivers wont feel alone in their journeys. But today, it's all about taking a day at a time, for herself and her husband."Ive come a long way," she said. "I never thought since receiving Bruces diagnosis that I would find laughter again. I think its taken time. I'm still learning. But Im doing the best that I can."