George Clooney was allegedly left "shaken to his core" after an uncomfortable face-to-face with former President Biden during a star-studded fundraiser in 2024.In an excerpt from the upcoming book, "Original Sin: President Bidens Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again," authors Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson detail the "terrifying" moment in which the former President of the United States failed to recognize the Oscar Award-winning actor after years of knowing each other."It was like watching someone who was not alive," one insider claimed in the excerpt, which was published by The New Yorker on Tuesday. "It was startling. And we all looked at each other. It was so awful."GEORGE CLOONEY PRAISES EXTRAORDINARY BIDEN, DISCUSSES NY TIMES ESSAY THAT PRESSURED PRESIDENT TO DROP OUTBy the time the 2024 Presidential race had started, Clooney had known Biden "well for fifteen years.""He had last seen Biden on December 4, 2022, when Clooney was in D.C. with his wife, Amal, to be celebrated at the Kennedy Center Honors," the authors wrote. "Biden looked older, sure, but in the East Room of the White House, at the reception for the honorees, the President was playful and seemed cogent enough."Fast-forward to 2024, and the authors claim Clooney - who was accompanied by good friend and fellow actor Julia Roberts - immediately noticed Biden's physical decline the moment he saw him.LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS"The President appeared severely diminished, as if hed aged a decade since Clooney last saw him, in December, 2022," they wrote. "He was taking tiny steps, and an aide seemed to be guiding him by the arm."According to the book, Clooney "felt a knot" form in his stomach as the frail President approached him."Biden looked at him. Thank you for being here, he said. Thank you for being here.""'You know George,' the assisting aide told the President, gently reminding him who was in front of him. Yeah, yeah, the President said to one of the most recognizable men in the world, the host of this lucrative fund-raiser. Thank you for being here."The authors wrote that it "seemed clear" that Biden "had not recognized Clooney."CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER"It was not O.K.," an insider, who had witnessed the moment, told the authors, per the excerpt. "That thing, the moment where you recognize someone you know especially a famous person whos doing a f---ing fundraiser for you it was delayed. It was uncomfortable.""Clooney was shaken to his core. The President hadnt recognized him, a man he had known for years. Clooney had expressed concern about Bidens health beforea White House aide had told him a few months before that they were working on getting the President to take longer steps when he walkedbut obviously the problem went far beyond his gait. This was much graver."Biden was showing signs of "obvious brain freezes and clear signs of a mental slide.""It was, to some of them, terrifying," the authors wrote.Representatives for Clooney, Biden, Tapper and Thompson did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.Clooney called on Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential election in a New York Times guest essay published in July 2024, arguing that his disastrous debate performance against former President Trump proved hes too old to win a second term."This is about age. Nothing more. But also nothing that can be reversed. We are not going to win in November with this president," the actor wrote. He also stated in the piece that he noticed Bidens frailty during a Hollywood fundraiser for his campaign in June."Its devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fund-raiser was not the Joe big F-ing deal Biden of 2010. He wasnt even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate," Clooney wrote.In March, Clooney defended his decision to write the op-ed."I was raised to tell the truth," Clooney, the son of a journalist, said when asked about the essay on "60 Minutes". "I had seen the president up close for his fundraiser, and I was surprised, and so I feel as if there were a lot of profiles in cowardice in my party through all of that. And I was not proud of that, and I also believed I had to tell the truth."WATCH: GEORGE CLOONEY ACCUSES MEDIA OF CONCEALING BIDEN'S MENTAL DECLINE

The Episcopal Churchs migration service said it will refuse the Trump administration's request to help resettle dozens of White South Africans granted refugee status by the federal government.In a statement, Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe said the Episcopal Migration Ministries will instead terminate its partnership with the government. The announcement came shortly before 59 South Africans arrived in the United States."In light of our churchs steadfast commitment to racial justice and reconciliation and our historic ties with the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, we are not able to take this step," Rowe said of the government's request that the church help resettle the South African citizens. "Accordingly, we have determined that, by the end of the federal fiscal year, we will conclude our refugee resettlement grant agreements with the U.S. federal government."TRUMP ADMINISTRATION MAKES NEW MOVE TO BRING SOUTH AFRICAN REFUGEES TO US AS PRESIDENT BLASTS NATION'S RULERS AGAINHe cited their "preferential treatment" over others more deserving by jumping ahead of the line."It has been painful to watch one group of refugees, selected in a highly unusual manner, receive preferential treatment over many others who have been waiting in refugee camps or dangerous conditions for years," said Rowe. "I am saddened and ashamed that many of the refugees who are being denied entrance to the United States are brave people who worked alongside our military in Iraq and Afghanistan and now face danger at home because of their service to our country.""I also grieve that victims of religious persecution, including Christians, have not been granted refuge in recent months," he added.The move came after President Donald Trump fast-tracked refugee status for the White South Africans, citing discrimination by their government, while also shutting down most refugee resettlement programs.JD VANCE CLASHES WITH CBS ANCHOR OVER UNVETTED REFUGEES: I DONT WANT THAT PERSON IN MY COUNTRY'The Trump administration has harshly criticized the government of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa over a land expropriation bill, which, under some circumstances, allows for expropriation of land without compensation.Trump has said the bill discriminates against White South Africans. The White House told Fox News Digital that the church's stance raises questions about its "supposed" commitment to humanitarian aid."Any religious group should support the plight of Afrikaners, who have been terrorized, brutalized and persecuted by the South African government," a spokesperson said. "The Afrikaners have faced unspeakable horrors and are no less deserving of refugee resettlement than the hundreds of thousands of others who were allowed into the United States during the past administration. President Trump has made it clear: refugee resettlement should be about need, not politics."Episcopal Migration Ministries has helped resettled refugees under federal grants for nearly four decades. However, just over two weeks ago, the government told the EMM that under the terms of its federal grant, it was expected to resettle White South Africans whom the U.S. government has classified as refugees, Rowe said.He said the church will work to find other ways to service refugees.Meanwhile, Church World Service, another faith-based agency that assists refugees, said it remains committed to serving eligible refugees.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP"We are concerned that the U.S. Government has chosen to fast-track the admission of Afrikaners, while actively fighting court orders to provide life-saving resettlement to other refugee populations who are in desperate need of resettlement," Rick Santos, CWS president and CEO, said in a statement.Santos urged Congress and the Trump administration to "restore a robust refugee resettlement program that prioritizes refugee families who remain in grave danger."

The man suspected of killing two and injuring six others after opening fire on the Florida State University campus April 17 was denied bond during a court appearance Tuesday.Phoenix Ikner, 20, appeared in a Leon County, Florida, court, where he was found to be indigent by Circuit Court Judge Monique Richardson.He was appointed a public defender, Randall Harper. Fox News Digital reached out to Harper.FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY ALLEGED MASS SHOOTER APPEARS IN MUGSHOT WITH DISFIGURED FACE AFTER HOSPITAL RELEASEIkner has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and seven counts of attempted first-degree murder with a gun.Along with requesting Ikner be held without bond, the state also asked the court to order him not to have contact with the victims' families or any potential witnesses to the alleged crime.MORE DETAILS EMERGE ABOUT FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY SHOOTING SUSPECT PHOENIX IKNER AS MOTIVE REMAINS A MYSTERYRichardson granted both of the state's requests after Harper waived an argument against those requests for the time being.On Monday, Ikner's mugshot was released for the first time since the shooting.He spent several weeks in the hospital recovering from multiple surgeries to treat a jaw injury after being shot in the face by responding officers the day of the mass shooting.After he was booked, Ikner was transferred to the Wakulla County Detention Facility, which Tallahassee Chief of Police Lawrence Revell said was standard policy, given that Ikner's stepmother is a sheriff's deputy with the Leon County Sheriff's Department.FSU SHOOTING SUSPECT'S CHILDHOOD INCLUDED ALLEGED FAMILY KIDNAPPING ABROAD, CUSTODY FIGHT: DOCS"In any case, especially one of this magnitude, the Tallahassee Police Department has the highest commitment to justice, transparency and the safety of our community," Revell said in a news release. "We are grateful for the work of our detectives, officers, medical personnel and partner agencies who helped bring us to this point."Ikner's checkered past has been a subject of interest since the shooting.He was allegedly kidnapped by his biological mother in violation of a custody agreement in 2015, when he was 11, and taken to Norway, according to court records.Fox News Digital's Stepheny Price and Greg Norman contributed to this report.

North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick made clear on Tuesday that Jordon Hudson "doesnt have anything to do" with the football program.It was Belichicks first remarks since the CBS interview debacle, which featured Hudson interrupting a question about their relationship and dueling statements about how the interview went down.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMHe appeared on ESPNs "SportsCenter" as the ACCs Spring Meetings got underway and was asked by Christine Williamson how the off-field drama has impacted his ability to coach the team."Thats really off to the side. Thats a personal relationship and she doesnt have anything to do with UNC football," Belichick said."Im excited to be back in the coaches meetings and getting ready for June and August when we get to training camp. June will be a big recruiting month for us and then August we start getting ready for the season."Hudson may not have an official role within the program, but email correspondence within the athletics department appeared to show she was a part of his media team in some capacity.Hudson emailed school officials showing concern about "salacious" commentary on social media, The Athletic reported last month."Is there anyone monitoring the UNC Football page for slanderous commentary and subsequently deleting it / blocking users that are harassing BB in the comments?" Hudson reportedly asked on Feb. 13.PRESSURE RAMPS UP ON KEY BILL BELICHICK DATE AMID SCRUTINY ON RELATIONSHIPBelichick reportedly followed up the next day, "I cannot believe that UNC would support my being called a predator."Robbi Pickeral Evans, UNC senior associate athletic director for external affairs and strategic communications, replied that the social media team hides or erases comments about personal life."UNC would NEVER support," Evans reportedly said in her reply.Hudson also reportedly expressed concerns about fans calling out "nepotism," given that Belichick's son, Steve, is the team's defensive coordinator.Belichick reportedly asked UNC staff to include Hudson on emails moving forward.North Carolina was forced to refute a report last week after journalist Pablo Torre said Hudson had been barred from the facility and the field at the school."While Jordon Hudson is not an employee at the University or Carolina Athletics, she is welcome to the Carolina Football facilities. Jordon will continue to manage all activities related to Coach Belichicks personal brand outside of his responsibilities for Carolina Football and the University," the universitys athletic program said in a statement.Fox News Ryan Morik contributed to this report.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Tuesday it is taking a step toward "ending outdated practices" related to children's health and will begin removing ingestible fluoride prescription drug products for kids from the market.Health and Human Services and the FDA are "taking bold action to protect Americas children by initiating the removal of unapproved, ingestible fluoride prescription drug products from the market," Department of Health and Human Services spokesman Andrew Nixon told Fox News Digital Tuesday. "These fluoride prescription drug products, given to infants and toddlers, have never been approved by the FDA and pose real risks to developing children including harm to the gut microbiome, potential thyroid dysfunction, weight gain, and even reduced IQ. This is not just a public health issue its a moral issue.""This marks another step toward delivering on our Make America Healthy Again promise by ending outdated practices and putting Gold Standard Science at the center of childrens health," he added.The FDA announced earlier Tuesday it had begun the initial steps of removing "concentrated ingestible fluoride prescription drug products for children from the market."Fluoride is frequently used to protect teeth from decay and cavities.DESANTIS SIGNS BILL BANNING FLUORIDE ADDITIVES IN FLORIDA PUBLIC WATER: 'HYDRATE, NOT MEDICATE'Ingestible fluoride, such as tablets prescribed to kids at high-risk for cavities, was never approved by the FDA, according to its chief, Marty Makary, and have been "shown to alter the gut microbiome," as well as possible association "between fluoride and thyroid disorders, weight gain and possibly decreased IQ."Ingestible fluoride is swallowed, and differs from other fluoride products, such as toothpaste bolstered with fluoride.UTAH BANS FLUORIDE FROM PUBLIC DRINKING WATER, ALIGNING WITH MAHA MOVEMENTMakary said in a Tuesday press release that children can avoid heavy sugar intake to dodge cavities instead of "altering a childs microbiome." The gut microbiome is the ecosystem of microorganisms that live in a person's intestines."The best way to prevent cavities in children is by avoiding excessive sugar intake and good dental hygiene, not by altering a childs microbiome," Makary said in the press release. "For the same reason that fluoride may kill bacteria on teeth, it may also kill intestinal bacteria important for a childs health.""I am instructing our Center for Drug Evaluation and Research to evaluate the evidence regarding the risks of systemic fluoride exposure from FDA-regulated pediatric ingestible fluoride prescription drug products to better inform parents and the medical community on this emerging area. When it comes to children, we should err on the side of safety."FLUORIDE EXPOSURE LINKED TO DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS ON HEALTH OF PREGNANT WOMEN, INFANTSNixon told Fox News Digital that HHS and the FDA will launch a full safety review, including with public input, as health leaders work to finalize details of the plan by Oct. 31."The American people deserve transparency and accountability," Nixon said. "The Department will issue new guidelines promoting safe, effective dental hygiene without compromising gut health." HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. added in the press release that "ending the use of ingestible fluoride is long overdue."RFK JR. CALLS FOR REMOVAL OF FLUORIDE FROM DRINKING WATER, SPARKING DEBATE"Im grateful to Commissioner Makary for his leadership on this vital issue one that directly safeguards the health and development of our children," Kennedy said. "This decision brings us one step closer to delivering on President Trumps promise to Make America Healthy Again." Kennedy posted to X following President Donald Trump's election win in November 2024 that the Trump administration "will advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water" upon Inauguration Day.CHILDREN EXPOSED TO HIGHER FLUORIDE LEVELS FOUND TO HAVE LOWER IQS, STUDY REVEALS"Fluoride is an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders, and thyroid disease. President @realDonaldTrump and First Lady @MELANIATRUMP want to Make America Healthy Again," he continued.Trump told the media shortly after Kennedy's X post that such a plan to remove fluoride from water systems "sounds OK to me."FIRST STATE TO BAN FLUORIDE IN DRINKING WATER WILL HEED MAHA MOVEMENT'S CALL TO ACTIONUtah became the first state in the nation to ban fluoride from public water systems in May, while Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill May 6 banning fluoride additives to the states public water supply. That law will take effect July 1.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP"Jamming fluoride in the water supply is essentially a forced medication," DeSantis said during a news conference May 6 in Tallahassee, Florida. "At the end of the day, we should all agree that people deserve informed consent."Amid states moving to ban fluoride from water systems specifically, local dentists and critics of the move claim it will hurt residents who rely on the fluoride to bolster dental health.

A newly-minted law allowing Arizona law enforcement officers to shoot down drug-carrying drones along the U.S.-Mexico border has taken effect after sailing through the states legislature with bipartisan support.HB 2733 was signed into law on April 18 and grants officers the ability to target drones suspected of carrying out illegal activity within 15 miles of the states international border."Cartels are increasingly using drones to survey the border to locate [U.S. Customs and Border Protection] officers' locations and to transport illegal drugs from Mexico into our state," state Rep. David Marshall, the bills sponsor, said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Law enforcement tools at [our] disposal will be electronic jamming devices, as well as using shotguns with bird shotto bring down these drones."FLORIDA PROPERTY OWNERS PESTERED BY SPYING DRONES COULD SOON BE ALLOWED TO FIGHT BACK WITH 'FORCE'Between October 2024 and April 2025, approximately 113,000 pounds of illegal drugs have been seized along the U.S.-Mexico border, with methamphetamine accounting for the majority of findings,according to data from CBP.Prior to the bill being passed, officers were unable to intercept drones suspected of participating in illegal activities, including transporting drugs such as fentanyl, across the southern border.The law also protects officers from being held civilly liable for any damage caused by intercepting the drone.MEXICAN CARTELS TARGETING BORDER PATROL AGENTS WITH KAMIKAZE DRONES, EXPLOSIVES AMID TRUMP CRACKDOWN: REPORT"A public entity or public employee is not liable to an unmanned aircraft operator for any injury to personal property caused by a peace officer intercepting, capturing, disabling, shooting, destroying or otherwise rendering inoperative an unmanned aircraft within 15 miles of the states international border if the peace officer had a reasonable suspicion that the unmanned aircraft was being used to commit a violation of Title 13, Chapter 23, 34 or 34.1," the bill states."Giving law enforcement the tools that they need to protect Arizonans is and should be a bipartisan effort," Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said at a news conference. "It is a necessary step in the fight against international drug trafficking and critical to our effort to protect all Arizonians."Mayes' office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.BORDER STATE OFFICIALS PUT CARTELS ON NOTICE AS THEY AWAIT GREEN LIGHT TO TAKE MAJOR ACTIONHowever, the law is in direct conflict with the Federal Aviation Administration's regulations surrounding drones. Federal law prohibits interfering with a drone while it is in the air, with violators risking criminal and civil penalties."Federal law generally prohibits the damage, destruction or disabling of an aircraft,"the FAA said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "In addition, anyone shooting at any aircraft including unmanned aircraft creates a significant safety hazard. Discharging a weapon at an unmanned aircraft could cause damage to persons or property on the ground or could cause the aircraft to collide with other objects in the air."CBP did not immediately respond to Fox News Digitals request for comment."It goes without saying that these cartel actions directly threaten the livelihood of Arizonans," Marshall said. "In 2024 alone, Arizona saw1,479 opioid-related overdose deaths. That is 1,479 lives taken too soon and countless families changed forever because of these deadly drugs. But when we give law enforcement the tools they need, like House Bill 2733, they are able to capture these drugs before they cause irreparable harm to our communities."

Journalist Mark Halperin said Monday that questions about Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman's mental fitness are warranted following bombshell reports this month about his alleged alarming behavior behind the scenes."I will say on Fetterman, I really don't understand why Republicans are being so outspoken," Halperin said on Monday's "The Morning Meeting" on his 2WAY platform. Some Republicans have contended Fetterman is being smeared because he's moderated his politics."Is it genuine? Because they think he's a great guy getting a bad shake? Are they trying to recruit him to switch parties or are they just trying to make mischief with the Democrats?" Halperin asked."But I can tell you, behind the scenes, Fetterman's behavior warrants the commentary its gotten plus more. I can tell you that."KNIVES OUT FOR FETTERMAN: MAVERICK SENATOR JOINS LONG LINE OF DEMS PUNISHED FOR BREAKING FROM LEFTFetterman, who suffered a massive stroke in 2022 and has been open about his struggles with depression, was the target of a brutal New York Magazine report out this month, in which current and former staffers alleged the senator had engaged in erratic behavior and become "almost impossible to work for."Once a progressive darling, Fetterman has since found himself at odds with the far-left wing of the Democratic Party because of his outspoken support for Israel, border security and occasional willingness to work with the Trump White House.Speculation that Fetterman's mental health was in decline continued after an Associated Press (AP) report alleged he had an outburst during a meeting on May 1 with teachers' union representatives from his state, where he repeated himself and shouted, "Everybody is mad at me" and "Why does everyone hate me, what did I ever do?"The Philadelphia Inquirer also published a report this month that painted a picture of Fetterman as disengaged and troubled.NEW MEDIA SEAT AT WHITE HOUSE BRIEFINGS SHAKES UP ESTABLISHMENT WITH ALTERNATIVE TO ARCHAIC PRESSFetterman has repeatedly shut down questions about his fitness for office and dismissed the New York Magazine report as a "hit piece."In response to the AP report, Fettermans office previously sent Fox News Digital several comments from the senator in which he neither confirmed nor denied the outburst but said: "Heres what is true: We had a spirited conversation about our collective frustration with the Trump administrations cuts to our education system."Amid the scathing reports, several of Fetterman's colleagues on Capitol Hill have defended the senator and argued that there is a coordinated smear campaign against him.Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., conceded that he wasn't a medical expert, but it seemed to him that Democrats were turning on Fetterman because he had bucked his party on several key issues."A few short years ago, Fetterman was like this godsend in Pennsylvania. And he came here, and they realized that Fetterman's his own man. He's gonna speak his mind, and he's gonna say it the way that it is or the way he feels like it is anyways, and they can't control him," Mullin said."And the Democrats are all about controlling the party. And so, if you're speaking away from them, it's doomsday for you," he added.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPFetterman and Halperin did not respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment on Tuesday.

NBC announced that Michael Jordan will be a special contributor to their NBA coverage when it begins in the 2025-2026 season on Monday.Longtime sports broadcaster Kevin Harlan talked about what the public should expect from Jordan behind the desk."I think when you talk about perhaps the greatest player who has ever played our game, its always the inside stuff, which I think is most captivating," Harlan said during a recent appearance on OutKicks "Dont @ Me with Dan Dakich."CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM"You dont have to rattle off stats, you can talk about your personal experience, and if you talk about his battles with Reggie Miller and talk about how he prepared for a Game 7 or how he prepared for a new series or how he prepared for sections of the regular season. I think thats what people they want to see whats behind the curtain.""We all have access to the numbers, we read the stories, but I want Jordan to tell me stuff that I dont know."Harlan cited an interview he did with the late Kobe Bryant, and how insightful he was, and Harlan would want Jordan to provide similar insight."To hear Kobe talk in detail about footwork, positioning, reads, schemes, all of it, preparation, day of preparation, after-game routine, like thats the kind of stuff I want to hear Jordan talk about," Harlan said.MICHAEL JORDAN TO JOIN NBC AS 'SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR' FOR NBA COVERAGEHarlan said wants Jordan to take fans "behind the scenes.""We have a barrage of stories from hosts and their analysts, those are great, there is only one Michael Jordan, there is only one Kobe Bryant, and to hear them talk about various facets of the game," Harlan said."You dont have to be there dishing off 18 different things, pick one thing, pick two things, take people behind the scenes and back of the curtain and unveil what its like to be in that position for that coach for that team. Some personal experience, not Well in my day not that kind of stuff, but one way to prepare against a great defender is dot dot dot."NBC carried the rights to the NBA from 1990-2002, Jordans peak years. After 23 years without it, the NBA will return to the network when their 11-year contract begins in October."I am so excited to see the NBA back on NBC," Jordan said during a video message. "The NBA on NBC was a meaningful part of my career, and Im excited about being a special contributor to the project. Im looking forward to seeing you all when the NBA on NBC launches this October."Jordan had not been a part of any network since his retirement, but did have a documentary about his career, "The Last Dance," air on ESPN in 2020.The Associated Press contributed to this report.Follow Fox News Digitals sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Addressing hearing loss in the elderly could help alleviate the growing loneliness epidemic among senior citizens, according to a report from SWNS.A new study led by researchers at NYU Langone Health found that providing hearing aids and guidance on their use may help preserve vital social connections that often diminish with age, which could reduce feelings of isolation.MUSIC CONDUCTOR WITH PARKINSONS SEES SYMPTOMS IMPROVE WITH DEEP BRAIN STIMULATIONThe study, one of the largest of its kind, gathered data on older adults with untreated hearing loss from four states: Maryland, North Carolina, Minnesota and Mississippi.The researchers tracked two groups: one received hearing aids, counseling and personalized audiology support, while the other was provided with education on healthy aging, SWNS reported.To measure social isolation, the researchers evaluated the frequency of social interactions, the size and diversity of participants' networks, and the depth of their relationships.ALZHEIMER'S RATES HAVE REACHED STAGGERING NUMBER AS EXPERTS CALL FOR CHANGEBefore the intervention, both groups reported similar levels of loneliness. Three years later, participants who received hearing care saw their loneliness scores improve slightly, while those who did not receive treatment reported worsening feelings of isolation, per SWNS.Those treated for hearing loss retained one additional social connection on average over a three-year period compared with those who received no hearing therapies and were instead educated about healthy aging.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTERParticipants given hearing aids were also found to have more diverse relationships with many different types of connections, such as family members, friends and acquaintances, as SWNS reported.They also maintained deeper, higher-quality bonds than those who were not treated for hearing loss."Our findings add to evidence that helping aging patients hear better can also enrich their social lives and boost their mental and physical well-being," said Professor Nicholas Reed, the study's lead author from the NYU Grossman School of Medicines Optimal Aging Institute, as reported by SWNS.Loneliness and hearing loss have both been linked to serious health concerns, including depression, heart disease and premature death, the expert noted.A previous 2023 report showed that hearing interventions may also slow cognitive decline among those at highest risk for dementia.Co-principal investigator Professor Josef Coresh added, "Making sure people can continue engaging with their family and friends as they age is a critical part of maintaining their quality of life."For more Health articles, visitwww.foxnews.com/healthThe researchers plan to continue following the study participants for another three years, and will also aim to diversify the study group, they noted."These results support efforts to incorporate hearing aid coverage into Medicare as a means of addressing the nations social isolation epidemic, which is especially dangerous for the elderly," said Coresh, according to the report.

Efforts to get Pete Rose into Cooperstown took a step forward Tuesday.Rose, MLB's all-time hit king who was ousted for gambling, was removed from Major League Baseball's permanently ineligible list after MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced players' ineligibility from the game ends upon their deaths."Obviously, a person no longer with us cannot represent a threat to the integrity of the game," Manfred wrote in a letter, obtained by ESPN, to attorney Jeffrey M. Lenkov."Moreover, it is hard to conceive of a penalty that has more deterrent effect than one that lasts a lifetime with no reprieve. Therefore, I have concluded that permanent ineligibility ends upon the passing of the disciplined individual, and Mr. Rose will be removed from the permanently ineligible list."CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMMLB made the announcement in a press release."This issue has never been formally addressed by Major League Baseball, but an application filed by the family of Pete Rose has made it incumbent upon the Office of the Commissioner to reach a policy decision on this unprecedented issue in the modern era as Mr. Rose is the first person banned after the tenure of Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis to die while still on the ineligible list. Commissioner Manfred has concluded that MLBs policy shall be that permanent ineligibility ends upon the passing of the disciplined individual," MLB said.Rose admitted to gambling in 2004 after years of claiming his innocence. He died in September and predicted 10 days before his death he would not make the Hall of Fame until after he died, if at all.It was found that Rose gambled on the Reds, only to win, while he was both a manager and a player.President Donald Trump announced in March he would pardon Rose, who served five months in prison in 1990. In 2017, Rose was accused of statutory rape from an encounter decades earlier.YANKEES' OSWALDO CABRERA LEAVES GAME IN AMBULANCE AFTER AWKWARD SLIDE AT HOME PLATE"Major League Baseball didnt have the courage or decency to put the late, great, Pete Rose, also known as Charlie Hustle, into the Baseball Hall of fame. Now he is dead, will never experience the thrill of being selected, even though he was a FAR BETTER PLAYER than most of those who made it, and can only be named posthumously. WHAT A SHAME!" Trump posted."Anyway, over the next few weeks I will be signing a complete PARDON of Pete Rose, who shouldnt have been gambling on baseball, but only bet on HIS TEAM WINNING. He never betted against himself, or the other team. He had the most hits, by far, in baseball history, and won more games than anyone in sports history. Baseball, which is dying all over the place, should get off its fat, lazy a--, and elect Pete Rose, even though far too late, into the Baseball Hall of Fame!"Trump and Manfred met last month.In 1991, two years after Rose was banned by A. Bartlett Giamatti, the National Baseball Hall of Fame voted to make those ineligible from baseball also ineligible for potential induction into Cooperstown. It is not yet clear when Rose will be up for a vote, but ESPN notes it will likely be up to the Classic Baseball Era Committee, which considers players whose careers ended more than 15 years ago. That committee does not meet until December 2027, and he would need 12 of the 16 votes to get in.Manfred's decision comes one day before the Reds host "Pete Rose Night." Rose had applied for reinstatement several times, but Manfred declined, at one time citing a "risk of future violation."The ruling also effectively increases "Shoeless" Joe Jackson's chances of getting into Cooperstown. He was accused of taking part in the 1919 Black Sox scandal. Seven others were then banned from the game for fixing the World Series that year.Overall, 17 players are now baseball eligible.This is a developing story. Please check back for more updates.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X,and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.