A commencement speaker accused the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) of being part of wiping "Palestine from the face of the Earth" Thursday, leading multiple students to walk out.Megha M. Vemuri, MIT's class of 2025 president, praised her classmates for protesting against Israelin the wake of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks and the ensuing Gaza War."Last spring, MIT's undergraduate body and graduate student union voted overwhelmingly to cut ties with the genocidal Israeli military. You called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. And you stood in solidarity with the pro-Palestinian activists on campus. You faced threats, intimidation and suppression coming from all directions, especially your own university officials," Vemuri said.Her comments drew a mix of boos and cheers, according to video obtained by Fox News Digital. One of the attendants, waving what appeared to be a Palestinian flag, scuffled with security. Some students walked out as Vemuri spoke. Others in the crowd shouted, "Shame."COLUMBIA GRADS SHRED DIPLOMAS OVER MAHMOUD KHALIL ARREST: 'WE ARE ENRAGED'"But you prevailed because the MIT community that I know would never tolerate a genocide. Right now, while we prepare to graduate and move forward with our lives, there are no universities left in Gaza,"Vemuri continued.She went on to say, "We are watching Israel try to wipe Palestine off the face of the earth. And it is a shame that MIT is a part of it."Jewish and Israeli students walked out and some in the crowd protested as Vemuri accused the university of being "directly complicit in the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people.""The Israeli occupation forces are the only foreign military that MIT has research ties with. This means that Israel's assault on the Palestinian people is not only aided and abetted by our country, but our school. As scientists, engineers, academics, and leaders, we have a commitment to support life. Support aid efforts and call for an arms embargo and keep demanding now as alumni that MIT cuts the ties," she said.One graduating Israeli student, who wished to remain anonymous, told Fox News Digital, "All of our families came from far to see the ceremony and were extremely disappointed. All the Jewish families, not only the Israelis, stepped out and left the ceremony. MIT administration approved and supported that."ISRAELI COLUMBIA PROFESSOR WANTS TRUMP TO BLOCK CERTAIN INSTITUTIONS FROM RECEIVING FEDERAL FUNDINGAfter Vemuri gave her speech at Thursday's commencement event, she was told she would not be allowed at Friday's undergraduate ceremony."With regard to MITs Commencement 2025 activities, the speech delivered by a graduating senior at Thursdays OneMIT Commencement Ceremony was not the one that was provided by the speaker in advance. While that individual had a scheduled role at todays Undergraduate Degree Ceremony, she was notified that she would not be permitted at todays events," an MIT spokesperson told Fox News Digital in a statement."MIT supports free expression but stands by its decision, which was in response to the individual deliberately and repeatedly misleading Commencement organizers and leading a protest from the stage, disrupting an important Institute ceremony."HARVARD, NORTHWESTERN FAILED JEWISH STUDENTS DURING COLLEGE CAMPUS PROTESTS: HOUSE REPORTCollege campuses across the U.S. have been rocked with protests amid the Gaza war. MIT was among a plethora of campuses where antisemitic agitators delivered incendiary speeches and faced off with police.Not too far from MIT, Harvard is facing serious pressure from the Trump administration over allegedly harboring "pro-terrorist" conduct on campus, losing millions in federal funding.

Indianapolis Star columnist Gregg Doyel has made headlines again this week for another awkward interaction with a basketball player, this time after theIndiana Pacers suffered a crucial loss to the New York Knicks in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals.The Pacers missed a chance to secure their spot in the NBA Finals afterthe Knicks staved off elimination with an 111-94 victory at home on Thursday night. Speaking to reporters after the loss, Pacers forward Pascal Siakam gave credit to the Knicks for outplaying Indiana."They played better than us, and I just think we've been an amazing team all year at bouncing back," he said. "Our strength has been being together, fighting hard together, staying together no matter what. Nobody had us being here right now we're up 3-2 in the conference finals."CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMBut Siakam was pressed by Indianapolis Star columnist Gregg Doyel over how it was "possible" that the Knicks outplayed the Pacers, leading to an awkward exchange between the two."What are you talking about? They played harder than us," Siakam said. "We played hard but they played harder. Whats your point, I dont get it."Doyel continued to press Siakam, but theNBA star interrupted, "that happens in a game, though. Thats basketball."Visibly annoyed by the line of questioning, Siakam questioned Doyel, "You good, bro?"BIZARRE CAITLIN CLARK INTERACTIONS LEAD TO DISCIPLINE FOR VETERAN COLUMNISTSiakam added that he knew Doyel was "looking for something.""I told you, what else do you want me to tell you?"The interaction continued, prompting Siakam to ask a nearby member of the Pacers media team "Who is this guy?"Thursday night was not the first time Doyel created a stir with his comments in a press room. In May 2024, the veteran columnist was suspended for two-weeks by his outlet and was removed from covering the Indiana Fever beat after he made controversial comments towards starCaitlin Clark.Before he asked her a question at her welcoming press conference, Doyel formed a heart symbol with his hands for Clark. The then-rookie asked Doyel whether he liked that, and he responded, "I like that youre here."Clark said she makes the gesture with her hands to her family "after every game," to which Dotel responded, "Start doing it to me, and well get along." While talking to former head coach Christie Sides, he also referred to Clarkas "that" and "it."Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X, and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Already off to a rough start in the young WNBA season, the Dallas Wings are going to be without arguably their best player.The team on Friday announced that Paige Bueckers, the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft out of UConn, was put in concussion protocol.The move came after the Wings' 97-92 loss to Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky on Thursday night it was the Sky's first victory of the season.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMThe development will force her to miss at least two games.The team didn't provide any specific details on what led to the move, and it's unclear what prompted Bueckers to go into protocol. She had 15 points, eight assists and five rebounds in Thursday's game.Bueckers won't play in Dallas' home game on Saturday against the Sky or in Seattle against the Storm on Tuesday night. She will be re-evaluated after that.Dallas has lost five of their first six games to begin the season. Bueckers has averaged 14.7 points, a team-high 6.7 assists and 2.0 steals a game in her professional debut while playing 33.9 minutes per game, also the most on the team.She ranks second in points and third in rebounds, as well.INDIANA FEVER SUFFER WORST LOSS OF THE SEASON IN CAITLIN CLARK'S FIRST MISSED GAME OF CAREERBueckers had been slated to be the top pick of this year's draft for some time amid a record-setting career at UConn, even as a torn ACL cost her the 2022-23 season.She averaged 19.8 points per game for the Huskies, the most in school history. Bueckers also had the third-most career points in women's March Madness history. She ended her run at UConn with a title back in April, having made the Final Four in each season.It had actually been nine years since UConn's previous title, their longest such stretch since winning their first in 1995.The Associated Press contributed to this report.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X,and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Despite going to prison for a sex scandal involving minors, disgraced former congressman and former New York mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner said on Friday he can still do a better job than his Democratic colleagues did in the 2024 election.During an appearance on ABC's "The View," Weiner explained that he is attempting to get back into politics by running for New York City Council because he believes, despite his baggage, that hes a better politician than current Democratic figures.He also mocked former Vice President Kamala Harris, accusing her of ruining her 2024 presidential campaign while appearing on the same show."By the way, was this where Kamala Harris was sitting when she blew up her campaign?" he asked as soon as he took his seat between the four co-hosts.ANTHONY WEINER SAYS VOTERS DON'T WANT WHAT 'DEMOCRATS ARE SELLING,' TALKS ABOUT COMEBACK AS FIERY CENTRIST"Is this the spot?" Weiner asked, gesturing to his chair. "I hope I dont have the same fate."Harris told "The View" last year that there "is not a thing that comes to mind" when asked what she would have done differently than then-President Biden. The moment was widely seen as a turning point that led to the downfall of her campaign.Later in the interview, Weiner hit Harris again. He responded to co-host Joy Behars suggestion that even though men like Weiner and President Donald Trump have problematic pasts, a woman like the former vice president still cant make it to the highest office.Though the aspiring city council member admitted female politicians are often judged harshly, he maintained that Harris made an obvious blunder in response to "The Views" "softball" question last year."The problem is, its a little bit too easy an answer, though, because also there were things that Kamala Harris I made a joking reference to the answer she gave on this show: Is there anything you would do different? That is the softest of softball that every politician dreams to have that question," Weiner replied. "You still have to be a good candidate."Harris did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.TAPPER ADMITS FEELING 'HUMILITY' ABOUT PAST BIDEN COVERAGE AS LIBERALS DISPARAGE NEW BOOKWeiner left Congress in 2011 following a photo of the married then-congressman leaking on one of his social media accounts. Additional sex scandals mounted in the following years, culminating in an FBI investigation that led to Weiner serving 21 months in prison and registering as a sex offender after sending sexually explicit images to a minor.After his dig toward Harris at the top of the segment, Behar pressed Weiner on why he believes he can get back into politics considering his scandal-plagued background. The aspiring city councilman said its because he believes hes a better politician than many current Democratic lawmakers."I think what I said at the time was I couldnt imagine there would ever be a chance that either people would want me back or that I would want to get back into that again," he replied. "But when I woke up in November of 24 and saw the election results, but more than who won, I looked around New York City and saw how many fewer Democrats even turned out to vote. And I started to say to myself, Something is seriously wrong here."Weiner said too many Democratic candidates were running "frictionless" campaigns and playing it too safe. He told the co-hosts that he felt compelled to jump back into politics because his contemporaries were not answering the publics "cry that they wanted things to change."He added that his past was not a "good enough reason not to get off the couch and try."CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURECo-host Ana Navarro pressed him on his specific scandals, asking, "Why should New Yorkers give you a chance at a political comeback?"He replied, "Im doing the opposite of what a lot of politicians do in my position ignore that problem, pretend it didnt happen, blame someone else. I am saying, yes, I did these things. I got into recovery. I tried to make my life better. And now, if I can be of service and Im a damn good politician. I come up with answers, I talk to people directly, I dont try to butter over things, I try to be direct."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP"Look, all I can ever be is who I am right now and that brought me to this space," Weiner added.

EXCLUSIVE: Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., is firing back at accusations she directed staffers to create so-called "burner" accounts to boost her image online, telling Fox News Digital the claims are from "bitter exes" and lack any real proof."When a story relies on anonymous former staffers, its journalist-speak for We didnt have anything real, so we called the bitter exes," Mace said, responding to a recent article published by Wired magazine.The article cited former aides and consultants, including a deposition from political consultant Wesley Donehue, to allege Mace used burner accounts and even automated bots to amplify her political messaging.EXCLUSIVE: NANCY MACE UNLOADS AFTER ARREST OF TRANS ACTIVIST WHO ALLEGEDLY THREATENED TO 'ASSASSINATE' HERBut Mace, who chairs the House Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation, isnt buying it."Unlike some folks, I dont need a burner phone to tell the truth," she said. "I say what I mean, I mean what I say, and I post it from my real account, with my name on it. Accountability starts there."At a time when anonymous sources dominate headlines, Mace is leaning into her reputation for saying the quiet part out loud."Ill keep telling the uncomfortable truth," she added. "And if it makes you squirm, good. That means youre finally paying attention."NANCY MACE TORCHES CLEMSON UNIVERSITY OVER 15-GENDER MENU: 'NOT ON MY WATCH'Mace has built her brand on fighting for survivors of sexual assault, including her own, and advocating for policies that protect women and parental rights. She has taken public stands on legislation to preserve Title IX protections for biological women and expand access to resources for survivors of violence.Earlier this month, she called out a transgender activist accused of threatening to "assassinate" her, saying, "You dont have to agree with me, but threatening a mother and congresswoman with violence isnt protest, its criminal."In the interview, Mace pointed to her real-world experience in tech, a rarity in Congress, as a major asset in crafting meaningful policy."Well, for starters, I actually understand the intricacies of technology, which already puts me ahead of most of Washington," Mace said, referring to her background as a self-taught computer coder. "Were writing policy focused on protecting your data, cracking down on cyber threats, and pushing back against Big Tech censorship."Her hands-on experience, she said, helps her spot both software flaws and political spin."It turns out writing code teaches you to spot bugs in software and in political BS," Mace said.When asked how she keeps her offices online work grounded in conservative principles like accountability and leadership, Mace didn't miss a beat."I lead with facts, I speak for the people who sent me here and I dont hide behind consultants or filtered statements," she said. "Being accountable means saying the hard stuff, standing your ground and not running from a fight, even if it makes the media clutch their pearls."As for the viral video online showing what appeared to be a stack of burner phones, Mace had a laugh at the spectacle."About as many burner phones as Wired has credible sources for burner-gate," she quipped.She even poked fun at claims on social media with a tongue-in-cheek AI-generated image of herself holding two Bernese Mountain dogs outside the Capitol, captioned it, "Its true. I have multiple berners!"CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPMace made it clear she sees this controversy as more smoke than fire, one she believes wont distract her from the work of legislating and representing her district.Mace is the first woman to graduate from South Carolina's Citadel and the first woman elected to represent Charleston in Congress.

The California track and field state championship prelim round in Clovis on Friday was a scene of conflicting beliefs and even police intervention amid an ongoing controversy involving a trans athlete competing in the girls' category.At least one person was arrested, the Clovis Police Department confirmed Fox News Digital. The person arrested was a protester who is accused of shattering a car window with a flag pole. The department confirmed the person arrested was an LGBTQ activist.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM"This afternoon at 3:55PM, a disturbance between two adults occurred at the intersection of Nees/Minnewawa. One adult on the sidewalk and one in a vehicle at the intersection became involved in a disturbance that turned physical. During the disturbance, one of them used pepper spray against the other. EMS was called and one of the adults was arrested," a statement read.The person has been arrested for assault with a weapon and obstructing a police, according to Sergeant Chris Hutchison."We don't have room for violence or property damage or anything like that," Hutchison.Meanwhile, a plane flying a banner that read "no boys in girls' sports" passed over the California track and field championship Friday in Clovis.Footage provided to Fox News Digital by California activist Beth Bourne showed the plan flying overhead at Buchanan High School's Veterans Memorial Stadium.The stunt was organized by two women's advocacy group, Women are Real and the Independent Council for Women's Sports."California is beginning to reap the consequences of defying federal law and brazenly harming girls," said Kim Jones, co-founder of ICONS in a press release announcing the aerial banner."How long will Governor Newsom and legislators in this state continue to prioritize granting a few boys the right to take opportunities and recognition away from girls? Not one single boy should ever be in girls sports. It's the easiest problem in the world to solveand the most brazen public 'screw you' to female athletes by Democrat leadership. Since when do we tell a single boy he is more important than every girl in the competition? That he has the right to ruin sports for all of them? Its time for California to pay and its time to right these wrongs."CALIFORNIA TOWN RALLIES BEHIND TRUMP AS IT HOSTS TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIP AMID TRANS ATHLETE CONTROVERSYWitnesses at the event told Fox News Digital that pro-transgender protesters attended the event in support of transgender athlete AB Hernandez.The meet and the California Interscholastic Federation's (CIF) entire track and field postseason has been under a national microscope in recent weeks. Trans athlete AB Hernandez of Jurupa Valley High School has dominated the girls' track and field postseason in 2025, prompting national backlash and even the attention of President Donald Trump.Trump sent a Truth Social post on Tuesday morning, warning the state and Gov. Gavin Newsom of potential funding cuts and orders to local authorities to prevent a trans athlete from competing in the girls' category.Then the Department of Justice announced it would launch an investigation into the CIF and California Attorney General Rob Bonta over the state's law that allows biologically male trans athletes to compete with girls and women on Wednesday.The CIF announced a pair of rule changes on Tuesday and Wednesday in response to the backlash, expanding the size of the competitor pool and even handing out medals to any "biological female" athlete displaced by a transgender athlete at the meet.Follow Fox News Digitals sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Purdue University announced Friday it is "sunsetting" DEI activities and initiatives, effective immediately."An increasing number of actions and policy measures at both the federal and state level have made it clear that doing so is a necessary part of our future as a public university and a state educational institution," the university said in a statement.The move comes after similar announcements from other Big 10 schools, including the University of Michigan and Ohio State.UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN ANNOUNCES IT'S SHUTTERING ITS DEI OFFICES DUE TO TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDERSThe Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging will close as will related activities in colleges and departments, according to school officials.Staff colleagues working in DEI departments will have the opportunity to interview for vacancies in other departments.THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY 'SUNSETS' OFFICES AMID ONGOING REVIEW OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION WORKThe university will also update leading programs in its colleges into the Boilermaker Opportunity Program Plus in the Office of the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management to "serve all academic programs and to best support all current and future students," according to the statement.Cultural centers will continue to serve as open resources for the Purdue community, providing support for all students as part of the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Life.DEI OFFICE CLOSURES AT UNIVERSITIES PILE UP AFTER ANOTHER STATE ORDERS END TO WOKE VIRUS"As we refocus our efforts on the success of all students in keeping with our land-grant mission and values, our team will be with you every step of the way through these updates," Purdue University Provost & Miller Family professor Patrick J. Wolfe wrote in the statement.Purdue University did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

SIMI VALLEY, CALIFORNIA Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said that the Biden administration "strangled" the state of Alaska with restrictions and red tape that was beyond levels imposed on North Korea, Iran and Venezuela combined."Alaska, a state that has had more sanctions, more restrictions on production of oil and gas in Alaska than everything we did to Iran and Venezuela and North Korea if they produced any combined. You know, the last administration just strangled Alaska. This awesome state of immense natural resources," Wright said from the Reagan National Economic Forum in Simi Valley, California.Wright joined the inaugural Reagan National Economic Forum on Friday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library to celebrate President Donald Trump's executive orders "unleashing American energy" and how the administration is tackling regulations that have prevented the growth of coal and nuclear energy in recent history. Fox News' Maria Bartiromo moderated the energy-focused panel.He pointed to the Gulf of America and Alaska as two key areas for American energy growth, most notably in the Last Frontier State.US FEDERAL AGENCIES TO 'UNLEASH' COAL ENERGY AFTER BIDEN 'STIFLED' IT: 'MINE, BABY, MINE'"Alaska has been this great resource. It boomed and then it's been strangled. The idea is we export oil from the north slope of Alaska, comes by pipeline to southern Alaska, and then exported," he said. "We want to build a pipeline from the north slope of Alaska that brings natural gas, not just oil. And then an oil, a natural gas export terminal on the southern coast of Alaska that in six days can sail to Tokyo or Taiwan or Korea. And then down to our allies in East Asia. So they're getting energy from us. But it would be awesome and great from a geopolitical stance to have a very short supply chain between a huge industrial American facility and our allies in East Asia."CHRIS WRIGHT CONFIRMED TO SERVE AS TRUMP'S SECRETARY OF ENERGYWright added that the Gulf of America is a key area of the country to build massive export terminals, where American energy can be exported to foreign nations."The export terminals today are almost entirely on the Gulf of America, on the Texas and Louisiana coast. And they're there because you can build things there. The natural gas comes from Pennsylvania, Ohio or North Dakota or Texas or Oklahoma. The gas comes from all over. But that's where you can build these giant facilities to export it," he said.TRUMP LAUNCHES 'DECISIVE COUNTERSTRIKE' ON DEM STATES THAT 'WEAPONIZED' COURTS AGAINST COAL: EXPERTSWright added that America was recently the largest importer of oil in the world, but has since become the largest exporter."We were, not long ago, the largest importer of oil in the world and the largest importer of natural gas in the world. Today, we're the largest exporter of natural gas and a net exporter of oil," he continued."Who's the biggest importer of oil in the world and the biggest importer of natural gas in the world? Both China. We have an incredible energy system advantage over China. But we should use it not just to the benefit of our country, but to bring security and tight alliances with our allies as well."

Taylor Swift is now the rightful owner of all of her music, and Patrick and Brittany Mahomes are loving it.The pop icon bought her catalog of recordings, originally released through Big Machine Records, from their most recent owner, the private equity firm Shamrock Capital, regaining control of her entire body of work.Swift posted a letter to her website about the news and implored her 281 million Instagram followers to read it in a post captioned, "You belong with me," a reference to one of her hit songs. The post was a photo of Swift with each of her first six albums.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMBrittany Mahomes, wife of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, shared the post on her Instagram story."Just so amazing," Mahomes wrote with teary eye and heart emojis.Patrick reposted the news on X.Brittany and Swift have formed a friendship in recent years since Swift began dating Patrick's teammate, Travis Kelce, in 2023.Throughout that season, the Chiefs' WAGs were spotted in suites together at several Chiefs games, and it was not uncommon to see them hanging out outside of games with their significant others."I cant thank you enough for helping to reunite me with this art that I have dedicated my life to, but have never owned until now," Swift addressed fans in the post. "The best things that have ever been mine finally actually are."Swift had been rerecording and rereleasing her albums under the moniker "Taylor's Version" in an attempt to regain control of her music.She has also released new music, including last years "The Tortured Poets Department."The Associated Press contributed to this report.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X,and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Hunter Biden was seen out and about with his family in Cape Town, South Africa, Friday amid Republicans' investigation into an alleged "conspiracy" related to his father's cognitive decline as president.The embattled son of the former president toured Cape Town with his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, and son, Beau Biden Jr., driving a rented Toyota sedan, a big change from the black Chevy Suburbans he was used to traveling in before President Donald Trump yanked his Secret Service detail.In March, Trump terminated Hunter Biden's Secret Service detail after former President Joe Biden extended his son's detail indefinitely. Typically, children of former presidents only enjoy Secret Service protection if they are 16 or younger.Trump's move to remove Hunter Biden's detail came as the former president's son was once again vacationing in South Africa.FBI REOPENING INVESTIGATION INTO COCAINE FOUND AT BIDEN WHITE HOUSEHunter Biden and his family were seen on the Sea Point Main Road, a main thoroughfare in a wealthy part of Cape Town, paying for parking and stopping into the local butcher. Based on the images, it is apparent Hunter no longer has the luxury of a Secret Service detail.The new pictures also mark the first time Hunter Biden has been seen publicly since his father's public cancer announcement.JAKE TAPPER UNLOADS ON HUNTER BIDEN AS DEMONSTRABLY UNETHICAL, SLEAZY AND PRONE TO HORRIBLE DECISIONSRepublicans are launching a new investigation into the alleged "conspiracy" behind former President Joe Bidens cognitive decline.Senstors Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., and John Cornyn, R-Texas, announced plans to hold a Senate Judiciary hearing June 18 to look into the alleged cover-up of the 82-year-old former presidents mental decline while in office by the media and those closest to him.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPThe lawmakers are still gathering witnesses for the probe, which would be the first full congressional committee hearing on the subject.