The newly elected pontiff hosts journalists at the Vatican for the first time in his papacy.

Edan Alexander, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, who has been held captive in since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, has been released by Hamas.

Kate Middleton has been crowned the reliable, glamorous face of a modern monarchy. Several royal experts believe that her secret to success has been playing by the rules and not breaking out as a royal rebel.Edward White has written a new book about Kates late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, titled "Dianaworld: An Obsession." It examines the "Diana Effect" and how it continues to influence both the monarchy and pop culture, decades after her death at age 36.White told Fox News Digital that, unlike Diana, who became engaged to the much older former Prince Charles when she was just 19 years old, Kate was more mature when she said "I do" to Prince William. Kate married the royal in 2011 when she was 29, and he was 28.KING CHARLES' INFIDELITY LED PRINCESS DIANA TO RELY ON 'REVOLVING DOOR' OF 'SPIRITUAL ADVISORS': AUTHOR"Kate Middleton is much more reminiscent of the older generation of royal figures in the way that she comports herself," White explained. "She was almost 30 when she married William, and that was deliberate from both sides. The big lesson that she probably learned from Dianas life is dont rush into becoming a royal.""Dianas life is more reminiscent to me of a pop stars life," White shared. "She didnt know what she was getting herself into. She was so young and very, very sheltered when she entered the royal family. Someone once said, If you dont know who you are before youre famous, then fame is the thing that you become. It is the thing that will define who you are. I think thats what happened to Diana, at least for many years."Kate was not born into royal life. Shes the daughter of a flight attendant and a flight dispatcher and comes from a well-to-do area of London.It was at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland where Kate first met William, the elder son of Charles and Diana and heir to the British throne. They were first friends and then housemates before they were romantically linked in 2004. Kate graduated in 2005 with a degree in art history and a budding relationship with William.William complained about press intrusion, and Kates lawyers asked newspaper editors to leave her alone. Even so, the British media followed every twist in their relationship, including a brief split in 2007. The tabloids dubbed her "Waity Katie" for her patience during their courtship. William later acknowledged that the couples romance wobbled for several months, saying they were both young and trying to find their way.In comparison, Diana was known as "Shy Di" when she found herself suddenly thrust into the glaring media spotlight. She later became an unlikely revolutionary during her years in the House of Windsor.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERDiana helped modernize the monarchy by making it more personal, changing the way the royal family related to people.By interacting more intimately with the public kneeling to the level of children, sitting on the edge of a patients hospital bed, writing personal notes to her fans she set an example that has been followed by other royals as the monarchy worked to become more human and remain relevant in the 21st century.But Dianas brief life was plagued with problems. She became paranoid of the palace trying to control her and cited a lack of support from senior members and the "men in gray," or palace aides who prioritized tradition. Meanwhile, Charles continued seeing his mistress, Camilla Parker Bowles. Their marital woes played out on the world stage and Diana famously declared in an explosive 1995 interview with the BBC, "There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded.""Diana dealt with the press scrutiny in the way that she felt that she could, and in the way that she felt she had to," said White. "I dont think anybody was advising her to behave the way that she did with them. Its an invidious position to be in. Kate Middleton handles the press scrutiny really well, but she had to switch herself off and only focus on duty.""The best way of dealing with the scrutiny is by giving [the press] nothing," White continued. "By stepping through the hoops of shaking hands, cutting ribbons and smiling, being dutiful and not being too big for your boots. Those are all the things that the monarchy is built on."WATCH: PRINCE WILLIAM, KATE MIDDLETON CAN LEARN FROM PRINCESS DIANA'S MARRIAGEBritish broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital that Kate receives constant support from both the palace and her family something that Diana lacked as she struggled with royal life."The truth is, there was an enormous amount of tension and animosity betweenPrincess Diana and Prince Charles," said Chard. "They were not a happy couple and didnt work as a team Princess Diana was like a rabbit thrown into the headlights. Life was hard as she didnt have the support she craved and needed. She learned to fend for herself, grew in strength and was perceived as a rebel. She wasnt going to allow anybody to dim her light.""Princess Catherine came from a supportive family, "Chard shared. "She also had a longer time edging her way into royal life. The most important factor is that she and Prince William are a dream team. They work together perfectly. They are each others rocks, plus they have an amazing extended support network. Princess Catherine has always had a strong sense of self, a quiet strength, confidence and resilience She also knows what is expected of her as the future of the modern monarchy.""She navigates her role like a breeze and is the perfect future queen," Chard added.Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner also agreed that William, a supportive spouse, has been essential to helping Kate navigate royal life with ease."Diana was strangled by royal bureaucracy, having to live with royal rules and regulations," he said. "After trying everything to make Charles love her, she eventually decided to fight back."LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS"I used to work with Diana during those days," he shared. "I watched on many occasions when both competed with each other for the best photo opportunity. Diana always won because she was The Peoples Princess and everybody wanted to see her on public walkabouts, not Charles, which he grew to hate."Diana also confided in the wrong people when she wanted her voice heard, Chard argued.In 2021, William and Harry criticized the BBC after it was revealed that one of the broadcasters journalists used "deceitful behavior" to secure Dianas TV interview. William said the BBCs failures contributed to the deterioration of his parents marriage and worsened Dianas feelings of paranoia.Diana was killed in 1997 from injuries she sustained in a car accident. She was 36. At the time, her car was being chased by paparazzi."Princess Catherine had far greater preparation and resilience than Princess Diana due in part to entering into the monarchy as an adult, well aware of the institutions demands, and with years of support from Prince William, her family as well as the palace," British royals expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital."Shes been able to turn to her family to help her navigate both public and private challenges," Fordwich shared. "She has handled the intense media scrutiny with a blend of transparency, regal dignity and composure. Even her recent public acknowledgment regarding the unfortunate photo editing controversy demonstrated accountability and leadership, shielding the royal family from any further backlash.""Despite intense international speculation during her illness, Princess Catherine even managed to share information on her terms, balancing public interest with personal privacy," Fordwich continued. "She hasnt played the press in the same way Princess Diana did, as Princess Catherine is far more secure in general."Theres one thing all the royal experts agreed on the monarchys future looks bright, something Diana would be proud of."Princess Diana sparkled, had an affinity with children, and loved her children more than anything in the world," said Chard. "The same can be said of Princess Catherine."

FIRST ON FOX: Bodycam footage of former Letcher County, Kentucky Sheriff Shawn "Mickey" Stines obtained by Fox News Digital shows the Kentucky State Police (KSP) questioning Stines just minutes after he allegedly shot and killed District Judge Kevin Mullins in his chambers.In the police interview, taken in the hallway of the Letcher County Courthouse, where the shooting occurred, a "paranoid" Stines continually insisted that police or someone else was about to kill him, a belief which his defense attorney told Fox News Digital was a contributing factor in the shooting on Sept. 19, 2024.The former sheriff, wearing jeans and polo shirt emblazoned with his title on it, was handcuffed and seated on a chair while being questioned. Throughout the interview, his legs shook and he appeared to scan his environment for potential threats.KENTUCKY SHERIFF SEEN IN FOOTAGE SHOOTING AT JUDGE IN SHOCKING PRELIMINARY HEARINGHe answered few questions about what happened that day, as most of the interview was spent trying to quell his fears.During the police questioning, Stines asked to be jailed in Letcher County, mere steps away from the courthouse, rather than risk being transported to another facility."I leave this building, I won't draw another breath," he told KSP Investigator Clayton Stamper, who led the investigation.FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON XWhen informed that jailing him in Letcher County would violate protocol, a fact that officers noted he should understand given his position as sheriff of the county, Stines was told that he would be taken to the Leslie County Jail, about an hour away."I'll never make it to the Leslie County Jail," he told police. "Put me in the Leslie County Jail, I'll get killed there. I'll get killed in any jail."Police continually reassured Stines that nobody was going to hurt him, but those reassurances fell on deaf ears."Mickey, why do you think we're going to do something to you?" Stamper asked. "Why would we wanna hurt you?""Well, somebody on the way [to the Leslie County Jail], if y'all stop and let somebody on the way," Stines said."Look, I know that this is obviously a very crappy situation, but I assure you we have no intentions of harming you whatsoever," Stamper said.To assuage his fears, police agreed to allow KSP Trooper Jason Bates, a former Letcher County deputy whom Stines has known for years, drive him to Leslie County.Bates also joined in the interview in an attempt to calm Stines.Stines, however, still couldn't shake his fears.SIGN UP TO GET THE TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER"Come on, be fair to me now," he said to Stamper. "I seen the look Y'all come on now, don't kill me. Don't punish me, you know. Let's be fair. Don't shoot me, nothing like that."When police were finally able to settle Stines down enough to ask him what led to the shooting, Stines refused to answer."Y'all are gonna kill me, aren't you?" he replied before again asking about the transportation to Leslie County."Y'all are gonna kill me, I know you are," he said. "Let's just get it over with. Let's just go."The questioning culminated in a dramatic exit of the courthouse into the jail's sally port, during which Stines peered through windows and down stairwells, apparently looking for potential threats."Come on guys, be fair with me now," he said on multiple occasions.A quiet hour-long drive to the Leslie County Jail followed, with the officers asking intermittently if Stines wanted to discuss what happened.According to Stines' attorney Jeremy Bartley, fear of blowback against his family stemming from his testimony in a civil lawsuit against a former Letcher County Sheriff's deputy drove him to the brink."Specifically, in the approximate two-week period prior to the incident in the judge's chambers, pretty much all the witnesses the investigators talked to support what those close to Mickey had said as well," Bartley told Fox News Digital last week."And that's simply this: Mickey had become extremely paranoid. He'd become sleepless, basically wasn't sleeping. [He] slept little, if at all. He had sort of become withdrawn. And you know, it was of such a concern that his co-workers urged him to go to the doctor, and he ultimately did the day prior to the shooting.""On the day that this [shooting] happened, my client had attempted multiple times to contact his wife and daughter, and he firmly believed that they were in danger," Bartley said. "He believed that they were in danger because of what he knew to have happened within the courthouse. And there was pressure, and there were threats made to him to sort of keep him in line, to keep them from saying more than these folks wanted him to say."Bartley is planning an insanity defense.Stines had been deposed just days prior in the explosive lawsuit, which was fraught with accusations of sexual abuse in the Letcher County Courthouse, specifically in Mullins' chambers, just three days prior to allegedly killing the judge. Stines was named as a defendant in the civil case, but only insofar as he allegedly failed to properly supervise the deputy who is the primary target of the suit.The attorney for the plaintiff in that case, Ned Pillersdorf, lobbed accusations about the culture of the courthouse in an interview with Fox News Digital last week."Just my general concern as a criminal defense lawyer they were running a brothel out of that courthouse," Pillersdorf said. "I mean, the pimping at least three women we know of, though I think it's higher."Pillersdorf conducted the deposition with Stines three days before the shooting, and also noted that Stines was acting oddly.Bartley did not return a request for comment Friday.Prosecuting attorney Jackie Steele has not returned multiple comment requests."The sheriff is obviously suffering mental impairment, though it is unclear exactly what his diagnosis or combination of diagnoses is," Dr. Carole Lieberman told Fox News Digital, adding that sleep deprivation could be an aggravating factor to a mental illness.Lieberman, a psychiatrist and mental health practioner who has been an expert witness in cases ranging from attempted homicide and domestic violence to celebrity divorce proceedings, said that Stines' most obvious symptom of mental illness is his paranoia."Regardless of how many times they tried to reassure him that they were going to keep him safe, he would not let go of this delusion that their intentions were to kill him," she said.She described Stines as "panicky" during his interaction with law enforcement, and noted that the shuffling in his chair was an attempt to comfort himself."The sheriff is in obvious discomfort, with his protruding abdomen taking over his presence, and rocking back and forth in the chair which is self-soothing behavior," she said. "He is constantly grimacing, reflecting his physical and emotional pain."Another condition that could have contributed to Stines' behavior is called Brief Reactive Psychosis, and could have resulted from his deposition in the civil lawsuit three days earlier, according to Lieberman.She said that such a condition could have occurred "as a reaction to his having given a stressful deposition in a sextortion' case and being sued civilly himself, then suddenly realizing that his coworkers in law enforcement and the courthouse could turn against him if his testimony implicates them in criminal behavior.""He seems to feel pressure from threats (real or imagined) to keep him from saying too much," she said.

A killer nobody expected has pleaded guilty in the 2001 murder of a Chevy Chase, Maryland, mother.Defendant Eugene Gligor, 45, of Washington, D.C., walked free through the nation's capital for more than 20 years before his DNA linked him to then-50-year-old Leslie Preer's murder in 2001.Preer's daughter, Lauren Preer, told FOX 5 D.C. that she dated the suspect when they were both 15 years old. She was 24 when her mother was killed.Montgomery County authorities linked DNA found beneath Preer's fingernails at the time of her murder to Gligor's "distant relative from Romania" who had voluntarily submitted her DNA to an online database, ultimately leading authorities directly to him last year, Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy said during a Wednesday press conference.CALIFORNIA 1977 COLD-CASE MURDER SUSPECT IDENTIFIED AS 69-YEAR-OLD FORMER ARMY PRIVATE LIVING IN OHIOGligor had lived in the D.C. area since committing the gruesome crime some 24 years ago. Fox News Digital has reached out to his attorney for comment."Lauren, her family, and friends have waited 24 years to finally get closure and justice for this horrific crime that tore her family apart," family attorney Benjamin Kurtz told Fox News Digital. "The fact that it turned out to be someone they allowed in their home with open arms, just makes it that much harder to understand."CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL TAKES STANCE ON MENENDEZ BROTHERS PROSECUTOR STAYING ON CASE AMID RESENTENCING BATTLEKurtz added that "Lauren has been given a sense of peace knowing that her father has finally been vindicated of any wrongdoing, even if after his death, and she feels he can finally rest in peace with the knowledge her killer has been caught."She also "wanted to express her gratitude to the Montgomery County Police Department who never stopped trying to get justice for her family and to the States Attorneys Office for their efforts of securing a guilty plea from Leslies murderer.""Lastly, while the guilty plea will never bring back her mother, or create any of the moments she never got to experience due to losing her at such a young age, she and her family can finally have some closure to this horrific loss and try to start the healing process," Kurtz said. "She wanted to express her sincere appreciation to all of her family and friends for the love and support over the years and decades and during the last year waiting for a conviction."SIGN UP TO GET THE TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTERPreer's boss found her dead in the second story of her Chevy Chase home on May 2, 2001, after she did not show up for work that day. Her death was ruled a homicide. There was blood all over the house, McCarthy said.She died of blunt force trauma and strangulation.In 2022, police submitted DNA collected from the crime scene to a lab for forensic genetic genealogical DNA analysis and later identified Gligor as a potential suspect.McCarthy called Preer's case "historic" during a May 7 press conference, saying it was the first time familial DNA was used in a cold-case murder in the county.ATTEMPTED MURDER FUGITIVE BUSTED AS 40-YEAR SCHEME POSING AS DEAD COLLEGE MATE UNRAVELS"This was excellent police work that took place for over two decades," former Washington, D.C., homicide detective Ted Williams told Fox News Digital. "This is how science, familial DNA, was able to help law enforcement catch a person who felt that they had committed the crime. The fact that the DNA that was found under [Preer's] fingernails was preserved all of those years and was later used to track down Mr. Gligor he would have gotten away with murder, absent having this near-exact science, and that is familial DNA."Authorities obtained a sample of Gligor's DNA by staging a fake second security screening at Dulles International Airport. They escorted the then-suspect into a room, where there were several water bottles. Gligor drank one water bottle and threw it away before leaving the room, according to court filings obtained by The Washington Post.GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB"There are times, unfortunately, when the evidence that is gathered at a crime scene does not lead in any one specific direction," Williams said. "I am sure that at the early stages of the investigation, the investigators were looking at anybody they believed may very well have been involved with this murder, but [Gligor] did not come up on their radar screen. That happens in murder cases all the time and at some stage or another, the development of the scientific evidence is something or two that law enforcement now have in their possession to go back many, many years."Gligor worked at a real-estate firm and was known as a "zen" and friendly person, the Post reported last year, when he was named as a suspect.DNA SAMPLE TIES ELDERLY MAN TO 40-YEAR-OLD COLD CASE MURDER OF TEXAS WOMANCourt records and accounts from those who knew him obtained by the Post show that he was a mischievous high-schooler with some history of substance abuse. His parents divorced while he and Lauren were dating in high school, and he did not take the separation well. He was also expelled from boarding school, the Post reported.Following Preer's death, when friends and family offered support to Lauren, Gligor apparently drove cross-country to visit a friend in Oregon while Lauren was grieving. That friend told the Post that Gligor didn't tell him he was coming to Oregon until he was already on his way.Lauren recalled a moment years before her mother's murder, when she and Gligor were still dating, when Gligor was accused of assaulting a woman on a bike path between the two then-teenagers' houses. Lauren told the Post she went to the police station with a friend, insisting to officers that Gligor was innocent.FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X"We both said, there is no way Eugene would have done this," Preer recalled to the Post.Authorities have not shared any kind of motive behind Preer's murder. McCarthy said it will be up to the defendant to share what the motive was in his decision to kill Preer, adding later that there was no evidence to suggest the murder was "premeditated," and Preer had no criminal record.McCarthy, speaking on Lauren's behalf during the Wednesday press conference, remembered Preer as a "spectacular, loving, wonderful person."Gligor faces up to 30 years in prison, which was the maximum penalty for second-degree murder in 2001 when the incident occurred. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 28, 2025, at 9 a.m.

The eldest granddaughter of President Donald Trump, Kai Madison Trump, turns 18 on Monday as the family shares birthday wishes.She is the oldest of the five children of Donald Trump Jr. and his ex-wife Vanessa Trump. Her four siblings are Donald John III, Tristan Milos, Spencer Frederick and Chloe Sophia.The Florida native has participated in the political arena, speaking at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Wisconsin as she honored her grandfathers bid for a second term.FIRST LADY MELANIA TRUMP TURNS 55: HER LIFE IN PHOTOS, FROM SLOVENIA TO WHITE HOUSE"To me, he's just a normal grandpa," she said of President Trump at the time. "He gives us candy and soda when our parents aren't looking, he always wants to know how we're doing in school."She added, "When we play golf together, if I'm not on his team, he'll try to get inside of my head. And he's always surprised that I don't let him get to me. But I have to remind him I'm a Trump, too."Kai Trump is a senior at The Benjamin School in Palm Beach, Florida.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTERThe rising golf star announced last summer that she plans to attend the University of Miami, committing to join the womens team.She's often seen posting on social media about playing golf with President Trump and golf elites, including Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau.She's no stranger to the spotlight, taking social media by storm as she shares content on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.Last year, she started a YouTube channel that has over one million subscribers, posting glimpses into her daily life.For more Lifestyle articles, visit foxnews.com/lifestyleVideos show her giving sneak peaks into the White House residence, golf challenges and traveling with her grandfather to UFC 314.In a video recapping her UFC trip, President Donald Trump shared his praises."I just wanna say that I play a lot of golf with Kai and she's a fantastic golfer," Trump said in the video.The president added, "She's a scratch player, which is amazing. I think some day in the not-too-distant future she's gonna be much better than scratch."

Sean "Diddy" Combs' trial on sex trafficking charges will begin on Monday, a year and six months after he settled a lawsuit brought by his ex-girlfriend, accusing him of rape and abuse. The 55-year-old rapper faces charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution.The "Ill Be Missing You" singer faces a minimum of 15 years behind bars or a maximum sentence of life in prison if found guilty.Here is a timeline of how he landed in the hot seat.CELEBRITY LAWYER MARK GERAGOS STEALS DIDDY TRIAL SPOTLIGHT, RUNS INTO TROUBLE WITH JUDGEDiddys trial begins Monday in Federal District Court in Lower Manhattan as he faces sex trafficking, racketeering, fraud and prostitution charges.During court on Friday, Judge Arun Subramanian said a pool of 45 prospective jurors will be narrowed to 12 jurors and six alternates on Monday before opening statements begin.The trial is expected to last around eight weeks as the rapper and mogul faces the possibility of life in prison if hes found guilty on all the charges.Jury selection began last Monday for Diddys trial, with both sides questioning the potential jury pool in an effort to narrow it down to 12, with six alternates.The potential jurors were asked everything from their beliefs about infidelity and their taste in music to their recognition of celebrities like Kanye West and Mike Myers.On Tuesday, Judge Subramanian instructed the lawyers that jury selection would "continue for the next few days," with the trial scheduled to begin May 12 with opening statements. He gave jurors instructions "not to discuss the case or read about it. Delete news alerts. Dont allow anyone to speak to you."JAMES COMEY'S DAUGHTER IS KEY TO DIDDY PROSECUTION AFTER TAKING DOWN EPSTEIN ACCOMPLICE"Inquiring if jurors recognize certain celebrity names helps determine their exposure to media coverage or personal opinions about individuals who may be involved in the case," Victor Balladares with Offit Kurman told Fox News Digital."Familiarity with key figures could influence a juror's perspective, consciously or subconsciously.Identifying such connections ensures that selected jurors can evaluate the case based solely on the presented evidence, free from external influences."Diddy was arrested at a Manhattan hotel last September on sex trafficking and racketeering charges that were revealed in an unsealed indictment accusing him of coercing women into sexual performances through his business empire. Diddy has pleaded not guilty and denied all the charges against him.His arrest came after his homes in Los Angeles and New York were raided in connection to a federal human trafficking investigation, officials confirmed to Fox News Digital at the time.Prosecutors added two new charges against Diddy in an April 3 superseding indictment after federal prosecutors claimed the rapper engaged in sex trafficking a female victim as recently as 2024. He was accused of transferring the woman, referred to as "Victim 2," along with sex workers across state lines to engage in prostitution between 2021 and 2024.On May 17, 2024, CNN released surveillance video that showed Diddy in a towel beating his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in a hallway of a Los Angeles hotel room.Two days after the release of the video, which was shot in 2016, Diddy shared an on-camera apology in his now-deleted Instagram post, though he didn't mention Ventura by name."Its so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that. I was f---ed up I hit rock bottom but I make no excuses," he said. "My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video."Diddy admitted, "I was disgusted then when I did it. Im disgusted now. I went and I sought out professional help. I got into going to therapy, going to rehab.""I had to ask God for his mercy and grace. Im so sorry. But Im committed to be a better man each and every day. Im not asking for forgiveness. Im truly sorry."LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSThe Los Angeles District Attorneys Office said at the time that it wouldnt be able to file charges against Diddy over the assault because the statute of limitations was up.Diddys apology was met with skepticism from Ventura's legal team."Combs most recent statement is more about himself than the many people he has hurt,"Meredith Firetog, a partner at Wigdor LLP, the legal firm representing Ventura, told Fox News Digital at the time."When Cassie and other multiple women came forward, he denied everything and suggested that his victims were looking for a payday.That he was only compelled to apologize once his repeated denials were proven false shows his pathetic desperation, and no one will be swayed by his disingenuous words," she added.In March of last year, federal agents with Homeland Security raided Diddys homes in Los Angeles and Miami as part of their investigation.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERA day after the raids, the rapper spoke out, calling them "meritless accusations."His lawyer, Aaron Dyer, said it was a "gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs residences.""There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated," he added. "Mr. Combs was never detained but spoke to and cooperated with authorities."Diddys ex, Cassie Ventura, who goes by Cassie as an R&B singer, filed a lawsuit against the rapper in November 2023, accusing him of subjecting her to years of abuse, beatings and rape.The rapper settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed amount a day later while denying the accusations through his attorney.Cassie claimed in the lawsuit that he raped her in her own home, and made her endure "over a decade" of his "violent behavior and disturbed demands," including forcing her to have sex with male prostitutes while he watched and filmed.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPA week later, two more women came forward accusing Diddy of sexual abuse in lawsuits.This was followed by dozens of additional lawsuits by more women and men who accused Diddy of similar behavior. He has denied all of the allegations. Fox News Tracy Wright, Lauryn Overhultz and Ashley Hume and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

A California sheriff is condemning what he described as a "meritless" lawsuit filed on behalf of UCLA students and community members, arguing that law enforcement officers responding to a pro-Palestinian encampment at UCLA last year unjustly "attacked" students.The lawsuit, filed by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)-Los Angeles, argues that the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and California Highway Patrol (CHP) "engaged in a joint operation to attack and clear the UCLA Palestine Solidarity Encampment." UCLA declared the encampment to be unlawful at the time and canceled classes.The LAPD and CHP told Fox News Digital they do not comment on pending litigation. Sheriff Chad Bianco in neighboring Riverside County, who is not involved in the suit, shared his belief with Fox News Digital that the plaintiffs are "100% completely in the wrong.""At that time, there were numerous protests across not only our state but other states that were happening, and my frustration always is that school administration allows it and law enforcement allows it," Bianco said. "And then when it gets out of hand then it makes for a spectacle on the news or on social media and unfortunately, this is probably a meritless lawsuit just for publicity. This is just absolutely ridiculous. It's a gross injustice to our legal system."WHAT'S THE PENALTY FOR ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTERS? UCLA'S WARNING INCLUDES 1 CRUCIAL WORDBianco added that he believes there are people with good intentions who allow for demonstrations and the right to express free speech at the schools where such protests take place, but they are afraid of being labeled as a "genocide" supporter or "bad people" by those who "take advantage of the situation."ISRAEL'S PRESIDENT RELEASES BLISTERING STATEMENT ON US UNIVERSITY ENCAMPMENTS: 'RESURGENCE OF ANTISEMITISM'"The majority of those protesters are being paid. The majority of the kids that are there are thinking that they're doing something worthwhile, or they're just going along with the program, and the good people are taken advantage of," Bianco said. "The good students that are there that don't want it there, that don't want the attention, that don't want that on their campus, they are being absolutely ignored for a very, very, very small minority. The unlawful actions of that very, very small minority are completely disrupting our school systems."Students erected the encampment on April 25 and lasted until the early morning hours of May 2, when police began dismantling it."Officers tore down the encampment walls and attacked the students and community members gathered inside," states the lawsuit filed on May 1 exactly a year since the UCLA encampment began to shutter.The lawsuit also says that on "April 30, pro-Israel [protesters] violently attacked the encampment and its participants with chemical irritants, fireworks, metal rods, wooden boards, and other weapons and attempted to tear down the barricades and breach the encampment, an assault that lasted for five hours before any sort of intervention by police."UCLA FALLS TO ANARCHY AFTER COUNTERPROTESTERS CONFRONT ANTI-ISRAELI ENCAMPMENT: 'HORRIFIC ACTS OF VIOLENCE'Plaintiff Abdullah Puckett described police officers as "militarized" in a May 5 statement."The horrific scene of how militarized police attacked unarmed peaceful protestersthe same night I was shot by police, unprovoked, with my hands upreflects the [violence] we have all seen [from] the IDF [as they] bomb, and commit mass murder against, unarmed Palestinian women and children," Puckett said. "This alone is enough of an argument that all links supporting Israeli militarism should be cutespecially links between the IDF and U.S. law enforcement and military."He added that officers' actions in May 2024 are "a clear sign that if we dont stand against the oppression that others, like Palestinians, face abroad, those methods will be used against us here in America."The lawsuit alleges that officers used nonlethal rubber bullets, batons and other riot gear while responding to the protest, and it includes photos of some students' injuries as a result of the campus chaos last year.VIDEO SHOWS ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTERS BLOCK JEWISH STUDENT FROM GETTING TO CLASS; UCLA RESPONDS"Across the country, from coast to coast, universities have called upon militarized law enforcement agencies to silence student voices demanding justice for Palestine," CAIR-LA Legal Director Amr Shabaik said in a statement. "Campuses that should be bastions of free thought have become battlegrounds of suppression This lawsuit is about drawing a line. Its about saying that students have the right to speak out without being brutalized and violently attacked by law enforcement."Bianco reacted to statements from CAIR, saying "'militaristic' is a word that incites a type of a fear in a normal person that, oh my gosh, the military is coming in.""It is absolutely a horrific miscarriage of our justice system that attorneys are allowed to do this," he said.Harley Lippman, executive committee member on the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, similarly told Fox News Digital that the "protesters' encampment created an inherently volatile situation by erecting barriers, restricting campus access and disrupting university operations, all actions that fall outside the scope of protected speech and gave officers clear legal grounds to intervene.""This lawsuit faces significant legal hurdles that suggest it is designed more for publicity than legal success," he added. "Courts have consistently upheld qualified immunity for officers responding to dynamic protest situations, with the Supreme Court repeatedly emphasizing that police use of force must be judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, not with perfect hindsight. While the lawsuit might achieve limited success on some peripheral claims or potentially reach a settlement to avoid protracted litigation costs, complete success appears highly unlikely given both the current legal landscape regarding qualified immunity and the substantial evidence that protesters were violating reasonable time, place and manner restrictions."Meanwhile, Wade Stern, president of the Federated University Peace Officers Association, which represents 350 sworn police officers serving the University of California's 10 campuses across the state, issued a Wednesday statement describing the allegations in the lawsuit as "baseless and inflammatory."He further described law enforcement's dismantling of the encampment as a "necessary and carefully coordinated response to a dangerous and escalating situation."WATCH: UCLA STUDENT ON CAMPUS BECOMING A WAR ZONE"The encampment had grown increasingly volatile following violent clashes between opposing groups. It immediately threatened campus safety, public order, and the rights of all students and faculty to access a safe and secure learning environment," Stern said. "Law enforcement's actions, including those of UCLA Police Department officers and outside agencies brought in to support the operation, were measured, lawful, and in accordance with departmental policies and training."Stern noted that students and protesters "ignored" "repeated warnings" from officials to "disperse from an illegal encampment that had descended into chaos and violence."ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS TAKE OVER PART OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY DURING FINALS, CALL IT LIBERATION ZONEThe officers' response was meant to "prevent further injury" and "restore order" for those on campus experiencing disruptions to their studies."It is telling that the lawsuit disregards the extensive documentation of violence that occurred within and around the encampment before police intervention," Stern said. "Officers were subjected to physical resistance, and in some cases, direct attacks. The suggestion that this was a violent attack by police on a group of peaceful demonstrators is not only falseit is a dangerous distortion of reality."Students are accusing officers of assault, battery by a police officer, negligence and conspiracy, as well as Bane Act and Ralph Civil Rights Act violations.Bianco said he believes similar violent clashes between students and police will continue unless leaders "stand up and say we're not doing this anymore."UCLA and CAIR did not respond to requests for comment.

Kate Middleton has been crowned the reliable, glamorous face of a modern monarchy. Several royal experts believe that her secret to success has been playing by the rules and not breaking out as a royal rebel.Edward White has written a new book about Kates late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, titled "Dianaworld: An Obsession." It examines the "Diana Effect" and how it continues to influence both the monarchy and pop culture, decades after her death at age 36.White told Fox News Digital that, unlike Diana, who became engaged to the much older former Prince Charles when she was just 19 years old, Kate was more mature when she said "I do" to Prince William. Kate married the royal in 2011 when she was 29, and he was 28.KING CHARLES' INFIDELITY LED PRINCESS DIANA TO RELY ON 'REVOLVING DOOR' OF 'SPIRITUAL ADVISORS': AUTHOR"Kate Middleton is much more reminiscent of the older generation of royal figures in the way that she comports herself," White explained. "She was almost 30 when she married William, and that was deliberate from both sides. The big lesson that she probably learned from Dianas life is dont rush into becoming a royal.""Dianas life is more reminiscent to me of a pop stars life," White shared. "She didnt know what she was getting herself into. She was so young and very, very sheltered when she entered the royal family. Someone once said, If you dont know who you are before youre famous, then fame is the thing that you become. It is the thing that will define who you are. I think thats what happened to Diana, at least for many years."Kate was not born into royal life. Shes the daughter of a flight attendant and a flight dispatcher and comes from a well-to-do area of London.It was at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland where Kate first met William, the elder son of Charles and Diana and heir to the British throne. They were first friends and then housemates before they were romantically linked in 2004. Kate graduated in 2005 with a degree in art history and a budding relationship with William.William complained about press intrusion, and Kates lawyers asked newspaper editors to leave her alone. Even so, the British media followed every twist in their relationship, including a brief split in 2007. The tabloids dubbed her "Waity Katie" for her patience during their courtship. William later acknowledged that the couples romance wobbled for several months, saying they were both young and trying to find their way.In comparison, Diana was known as "Shy Di" when she found herself suddenly thrust into the glaring media spotlight. She later became an unlikely revolutionary during her years in the House of Windsor.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERDiana helped modernize the monarchy by making it more personal, changing the way the royal family related to people.By interacting more intimately with the public kneeling to the level of children, sitting on the edge of a patients hospital bed, writing personal notes to her fans she set an example that has been followed by other royals as the monarchy worked to become more human and remain relevant in the 21st century.But Dianas brief life was plagued with problems. She became paranoid of the palace trying to control her and cited a lack of support from senior members and the "men in gray," or palace aides who prioritized tradition. Meanwhile, Charles continued seeing his mistress, Camilla Parker Bowles. Their marital woes played out on the world stage and Diana famously declared in an explosive 1995 interview with the BBC, "There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded.""Diana dealt with the press scrutiny in the way that she felt that she could, and in the way that she felt she had to," said White. "I dont think anybody was advising her to behave the way that she did with them. Its an invidious position to be in. Kate Middleton handles the press scrutiny really well, but she had to switch herself off and only focus on duty.""The best way of dealing with the scrutiny is by giving [the press] nothing," White continued. "By stepping through the hoops of shaking hands, cutting ribbons and smiling, being dutiful and not being too big for your boots. Those are all the things that the monarchy is built on."WATCH: PRINCE WILLIAM, KATE MIDDLETON CAN LEARN FROM PRINCESS DIANA'S MARRIAGEBritish broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital that Kate receives constant support from both the palace and her family something that Diana lacked as she struggled with royal life."The truth is, there was an enormous amount of tension and animosity betweenPrincess Diana and Prince Charles," said Chard. "They were not a happy couple and didnt work as a team Princess Diana was like a rabbit thrown into the headlights. Life was hard as she didnt have the support she craved and needed. She learned to fend for herself, grew in strength and was perceived as a rebel. She wasnt going to allow anybody to dim her light.""Princess Catherine came from a supportive family, "Chard shared. "She also had a longer time edging her way into royal life. The most important factor is that she and Prince William are a dream team. They work together perfectly. They are each others rocks, plus they have an amazing extended support network. Princess Catherine has always had a strong sense of self, a quiet strength, confidence and resilience She also knows what is expected of her as the future of the modern monarchy.""She navigates her role like a breeze and is the perfect future queen," Chard added.Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner also agreed that William, a supportive spouse, has been essential to helping Kate navigate royal life with ease."Diana was strangled by royal bureaucracy, having to live with royal rules and regulations," he said. "After trying everything to make Charles love her, she eventually decided to fight back."LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS"I used to work with Diana during those days," he shared. "I watched on many occasions when both competed with each other for the best photo opportunity. Diana always won because she was The Peoples Princess and everybody wanted to see her on public walkabouts, not Charles, which he grew to hate."Diana also confided in the wrong people when she wanted her voice heard, Chard argued.In 2021, William and Harry criticized the BBC after it was revealed that one of the broadcasters journalists used "deceitful behavior" to secure Dianas TV interview. William said the BBCs failures contributed to the deterioration of his parents marriage and worsened Dianas feelings of paranoia.Diana was killed in 1997 from injuries she sustained in a car accident. She was 36. At the time, her car was being chased by paparazzi."Princess Catherine had far greater preparation and resilience than Princess Diana due in part to entering into the monarchy as an adult, well aware of the institutions demands, and with years of support from Prince William, her family as well as the palace," British royals expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital."Shes been able to turn to her family to help her navigate both public and private challenges," Fordwich shared. "She has handled the intense media scrutiny with a blend of transparency, regal dignity and composure. Even her recent public acknowledgment regarding the unfortunate photo editing controversy demonstrated accountability and leadership, shielding the royal family from any further backlash.""Despite intense international speculation during her illness, Princess Catherine even managed to share information on her terms, balancing public interest with personal privacy," Fordwich continued. "She hasnt played the press in the same way Princess Diana did, as Princess Catherine is far more secure in general."Theres one thing all the royal experts agreed on the monarchys future looks bright, something Diana would be proud of."Princess Diana sparkled, had an affinity with children, and loved her children more than anything in the world," said Chard. "The same can be said of Princess Catherine."

FIRST ON FOX: Bodycam footage of former Letcher County, Kentucky Sheriff Shawn "Mickey" Stines obtained by Fox News Digital shows the Kentucky State Police (KSP) questioning Stines just minutes after he allegedly shot and killed District Judge Kevin Mullins in his chambers.In the police interview, taken in the hallway of the Letcher County Courthouse, where the shooting occurred, a "paranoid" Stines continually insisted that police or someone else was about to kill him, a belief which his defense attorney told Fox News Digital was a contributing factor in the shooting on Sept. 19, 2024.The former sheriff, wearing jeans and polo shirt emblazoned with his title on it, was handcuffed and seated on a chair while being questioned. Throughout the interview, his legs shook and he appeared to scan his environment for potential threats.KENTUCKY SHERIFF SEEN IN FOOTAGE SHOOTING AT JUDGE IN SHOCKING PRELIMINARY HEARINGHe answered few questions about what happened that day, as most of the interview was spent trying to quell his fears.During the police questioning, Stines asked to be jailed in Letcher County, mere steps away from the courthouse, rather than risk being transported to another facility."I leave this building, I won't draw another breath," he told KSP Investigator Clayton Stamper, who led the investigation.FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON XWhen informed that jailing him in Letcher County would violate protocol, a fact that officers noted he should understand given his position as sheriff of the county, Stines was told that he would be taken to the Leslie County Jail, about an hour away."I'll never make it to the Leslie County Jail," he told police. "Put me in the Leslie County Jail, I'll get killed there. I'll get killed in any jail."Police continually reassured Stines that nobody was going to hurt him, but those reassurances fell on deaf ears."Mickey, why do you think we're going to do something to you?" Stamper asked. "Why would we wanna hurt you?""Well, somebody on the way [to the Leslie County Jail], if y'all stop and let somebody on the way," Stines said."Look, I know that this is obviously a very crappy situation, but I assure you we have no intentions of harming you whatsoever," Stamper said.To assuage his fears, police agreed to allow KSP Trooper Jason Bates, a former Letcher County deputy whom Stines has known for years, drive him to Leslie County.Bates also joined in the interview in an attempt to calm Stines.Stines, however, still couldn't shake his fears.SIGN UP TO GET THE TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER"Come on, be fair to me now," he said to Stamper. "I seen the look Y'all come on now, don't kill me. Don't punish me, you know. Let's be fair. Don't shoot me, nothing like that."When police were finally able to settle Stines down enough to ask him what led to the shooting, Stines refused to answer."Y'all are gonna kill me, aren't you?" he replied before again asking about the transportation to Leslie County."Y'all are gonna kill me, I know you are," he said. "Let's just get it over with. Let's just go."The questioning culminated in a dramatic exit of the courthouse into the jail's sally port, during which Stines peered through windows and down stairwells, apparently looking for potential threats."Come on guys, be fair with me now," he said on multiple occasions.A quiet hour-long drive to the Leslie County Jail followed, with the officers asking intermittently if Stines wanted to discuss what happened.According to Stines' attorney Jeremy Bartley, fear of blowback against his family stemming from his testimony in a civil lawsuit against a former Letcher County Sheriff's deputy drove him to the brink."Specifically, in the approximate two-week period prior to the incident in the judge's chambers, pretty much all the witnesses the investigators talked to support what those close to Mickey had said as well," Bartley told Fox News Digital last week."And that's simply this: Mickey had become extremely paranoid. He'd become sleepless, basically wasn't sleeping. [He] slept little, if at all. He had sort of become withdrawn. And you know, it was of such a concern that his co-workers urged him to go to the doctor, and he ultimately did the day prior to the shooting.""On the day that this [shooting] happened, my client had attempted multiple times to contact his wife and daughter, and he firmly believed that they were in danger," Bartley said. "He believed that they were in danger because of what he knew to have happened within the courthouse. And there was pressure, and there were threats made to him to sort of keep him in line, to keep them from saying more than these folks wanted him to say."Bartley is planning an insanity defense.Stines had been deposed just days prior in the explosive lawsuit, which was fraught with accusations of sexual abuse in the Letcher County Courthouse, specifically in Mullins' chambers, just three days prior to allegedly killing the judge. Stines was named as a defendant in the civil case, but only insofar as he allegedly failed to properly supervise the deputy who is the primary target of the suit.The attorney for the plaintiff in that case, Ned Pillersdorf, lobbed accusations about the culture of the courthouse in an interview with Fox News Digital last week."Just my general concern as a criminal defense lawyer they were running a brothel out of that courthouse," Pillersdorf said. "I mean, the pimping at least three women we know of, though I think it's higher."Pillersdorf conducted the deposition with Stines three days before the shooting, and also noted that Stines was acting oddly.Bartley did not return a request for comment Friday.Prosecuting attorney Jackie Steele has not returned multiple comment requests."The sheriff is obviously suffering mental impairment, though it is unclear exactly what his diagnosis or combination of diagnoses is," Dr. Carole Lieberman told Fox News Digital, adding that sleep deprivation could be an aggravating factor to a mental illness.Lieberman, a psychiatrist and mental health practioner who has been an expert witness in cases ranging from attempted homicide and domestic violence to celebrity divorce proceedings, said that Stines' most obvious symptom of mental illness is his paranoia."Regardless of how many times they tried to reassure him that they were going to keep him safe, he would not let go of this delusion that their intentions were to kill him," she said.She described Stines as "panicky" during his interaction with law enforcement, and noted that the shuffling in his chair was an attempt to comfort himself."The sheriff is in obvious discomfort, with his protruding abdomen taking over his presence, and rocking back and forth in the chair which is self-soothing behavior," she said. "He is constantly grimacing, reflecting his physical and emotional pain."Another condition that could have contributed to Stines' behavior is called Brief Reactive Psychosis, and could have resulted from his deposition in the civil lawsuit three days earlier, according to Lieberman.She said that such a condition could have occurred "as a reaction to his having given a stressful deposition in a sextortion' case and being sued civilly himself, then suddenly realizing that his coworkers in law enforcement and the courthouse could turn against him if his testimony implicates them in criminal behavior.""He seems to feel pressure from threats (real or imagined) to keep him from saying too much," she said.