In an exclusive statement to Fox News Digital, U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) senior advisor Kari Lake confirmed that Voice of Americas (VOA) Persian news service is ramping up coverage as tensions between Iran and Israel intensify."History is being made, and VOA Persian news service is rising to the occasion to cover it," Lake said Friday."Farsi language is a statutorily required for USAGM. We are ramping up as weve always planned to do to meet this historic moment," she continued. "Everyone who is being called back has been on paid administrative leave, so they are simply being called back into the office to cover this historic moment in Iran."APPEALS COURT BACKS VOA OVERHAUL KARI LAKE SAYS WILL 'MODERNIZE' AGENCY: HUGE VICTORY FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP"VOA Persian news service is, very appropriately, covering one of the most consequential moments in Irans history," she concluded.Lakes remarks follow the recall of approximately 75 Farsi-speaking staffers, including dozens of journalists, from administrative leave, according to The Washington Post. Most are returning to cover the escalating conflict, which began with Israels precision strike on Iranian nuclear sites and was followed by Irans missile barrage on Israeli cities.The move comes after months of cost-cutting at the government-funded VOA and USAGM.In May, the Trump administration laid off more than 500 personal service contractors and placed another 800 employees on leave starting in March. The goal: eliminate waste and refocus on the agencys statutory mission.VOICE OF AMERICA EMPLOYEES FILE LAWSUIT AGAINST THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AFTER PRESIDENT DISMANTLED AGENCYNow, with Iran on the brink and the world watching, VOAs Persian division is back on the frontlines. Journalists say they are preparing to resume full satellite TV broadcasts in Iran, not just online updates.Some at VOA have raised concerns. "Are they going to bring back a language every time there is a crisis the administration has interest in?" one source told The Washington Post.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPVOA's Persian news site was most recently published on Friday.

Blake Lively is seeking a protective order against Justin Baldoni's team in response to its alleged "demands" to access Lively and Taylor Swift's private communications.According to documents obtained by People, Baldoni's team has "pursued [these communications] at the same time they have refused to produce to Ms. Lively the documents they publicly claimed to have received as part of a deal to withdraw their subpoenas to Ms. Swift and her counsel."The document, filed by Lively's lawyer, Esra Hudson, said, "Good cause exists for this request because it has been a tactic" of Baldoni's "to make Ms. Swift and her fan base central to their media strategy against Ms. Lively."A rep for Baldoni did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.TAYLOR SWIFT NO LONGER REQUIRED TO TESTIFY IN JUSTIN BALDONI'S LEGAL DISPUTE WITH BLAKE LIVELYA spokesperson for Lively told Fox News Digital, "Justin Baldoni and the Wayfarer parties are still demanding access to Taylor Swifts private communications despite having already subpoenaed and then withdrawn that subpoena after they got all they needed."As reflected in todays filing, their intent to drag Taylor Swift into this was evident as far back as August 2024, when the crisis PR firm led by Melissa Nathan included her in their Scenario Planning document and flagged the TS fanbase as something to take extremely seriously," the statement continued."The ongoing attempts to once again try and use the worlds biggest star as a PR tactic in this matter reflects a public unraveling of epic proportions and serves only to distract from the fact that Justin Baldonis lawsuits against Ms. Lively, Ryan Reynolds, their publicist and the New York Times have been entirely dismissed."Swift was subpoenaed as a witness in the Lively-Baldoni dispute, but Baldoni's team has withdrawn the request, Fox News Digital confirmed in May.A source with direct knowledge of the case told Fox News Digita at the time, "When information is voluntarily received, there is no need for subpoenas."Representatives for Lively expressed approval of the reversal at the time, saying they will continue to "stand up for any third party who is unjustly harassed or threatened in the process.""We are pleased that Justin Baldoni and the Wayfarer Parties have withdrawn their harassing subpoenas to Taylor Swift and her law firm," Lively's team said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "We supported the efforts of Taylors team to quash these inappropriate subpoenas directed to her counsel, and we will continue to stand up for any third party who is unjustly harassed or threatened in the process."The Baldoni and Wayfarer team have tried to put Taylor Swift, a woman who has been an inspiration for tens of millions across the globe, at the center of this case since day one."Exploiting Taylor Swifts celebrity was the original plan in Melissa Nathans scenario planning document, and it continues to this day," the statement added. "Faced with having to justify themselves in federal court, they folded. At some point, they will run out of distractions from the actual claims of sexual harassment and retaliation they are facing."LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSAfter Swift was subpoenaed May 10, a spokesperson for the pop star denied her involvement in the 2024 film "It Ends With Us" aside from the licensing of her song "My Tears Ricochet," which was featured in the movie's trailer and used in one scene."Taylor Swift never set foot on the set of this movie. She was not involved in any casting or creative decisions. She did not score the film. She never saw an edit or made any notes on the film. She did not even see It Ends With Us until weeks after its public release and was traveling around the globe during 2023 and 2024 headlining the biggest tour in history," Swift's representative told Fox News Digital at the time.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER"The connection Taylor had to this film was permitting the use of one song, My Tears Ricochet,'" the spokesperson added. "Given that her involvement was licensing a song for the film, which 19 other artists also did, this document subpoena is designed to use Taylor Swifts name to draw public interest by creating tabloid clickbait instead of focusing on the facts of the case."Baldoni and Lively's legal fight is scheduled to go to trial before a New York court in March 2026.On Thursday, Swift was spotted with her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, at the 2025 Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers in Sunrise, Florida.Fox News Digital's Christina Dugan Ramirez contributed to this report.

The British royal family is expected to put on a united front as they continue to "keep their distance" from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.King Charles III will once again ride in a carriage at Saturdays Trooping the Colour, an annual event also known as the "Kings Birthday Parade" in London, People magazine reported.The monarch, who is still in treatment for cancer, will be at the festivities alongside Prince William, Kate Middleton and their three children, as well as Princess Anne, Prince Edward, Queen Camilla and other key figures.KING CHARLES, PRINCE HARRYS PAINFUL FEUD DAMAGING MONARCHS REIGN AS GUTTED SON REMAINS FURIOUS: EXPERT"Continuity will prevail all while shining a brilliant spotlight on stability," British royals expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital. "There will be a united front from the working senior royals with a rather deliberate distance from the Sussexes, who werent even invited for the third consecutive year, thereby avoiding unpleasant distractions."For the festivities, Prince William is expected to ride horseback again this year alongside his aunt Princess Anne and uncle Prince Edward, People magazine reported. His wife, Kate Middleton, and their three children will ride in a carriage and appear with the king and Queen Camilla on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.The king, 76, who was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in 2024, rode horseback on his first Trooping as sovereign in 2023. Charles became king in 2022 upon the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Englands longest-reigning monarch was 96."King Charles wont ride on horseback, which has been a centuries-old custom for British monarchs, but will instead travel in a carriage alongside Queen Camilla," Fordwich explained. "His much-beloved mother set a precedent as she switched to carriage travel after 1986 due to her own advancing age."Despite the kings ongoing health challenges, Fordwich said the event will emphasize "royal resilience and the importance of tradition." The celebration also signifies hope and perseverance for the family."King Charless cancer treatment is progressing well, and his schedule remains busy, which signals optimism about his health and reign," said Fordwich. "Courtiers are also preparing for his 80th birthday celebrations in just a few years from now."CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERIts understood that only senior working royals are invited to Trooping the Colour. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, stepped back as senior royals in 2020, citing the unbearable intrusions of the British press and a lack of support from the palace. That year, they moved to California.WATCH: KING CHARLES CAN'T GET INVOLVED IN PRINCE HARRY'S SECURITY WOES: AUTHORFollowing their royal exit, the couple aired their grievances in interviews and documentaries. Harrys tell-all 2023 memoir, "Spare," filled with private details and embarrassing revelations about the House of Windsor, made things worse.Sources close to the 40-year-old previously told People magazine that the king won't respond to his letters or phone calls.In May, Harry told the BBC that hes ready to reconcile with his family, but the patriarch wont speak with him.On Saturday the same day as Trooping the Colour Meghan was set to be honored at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles Countys Night of Wonder gala. However, People magazine reported that the event has been postponed amid immigration protests in the city."The fact that Meghan was due to attend an event in Los Angeles at the Natural History Museum on the same day as Trooping the Colour is largely irrelevant," royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital. "It has now been postponed due to the tensions in the area.""Interest in what the Sussexes get up to is likely to be minimal, and they will not be missed from the event by the royal family, who know they cannot be trusted," he claimed.Fox News Digital reached out to Archewell, which handles the offices of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, for comment.In 2024, People magazine confirmed that the couple weren't invited to the annual celebration. According to the outlet, they were also not invited to the event in 2023. They attended Trooping the Colour together in 2018 one month after their wedding and then again in 2019, weeks after welcoming their first child, Prince Archie.LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSIn 2020 and 2021, Trooping the Colour was significantly scaled down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.In 2022, Meghan and Harry attended a special Trooping the Colour that coincided with the queens Platinum Jubilee celebrations, marking her 70 years on the throne. They did not join the royal family on the Buckingham Palace balcony.According to the royal family's website, Trooping the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British sovereign for over 260 years. It features over 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians. It ends with an RAF fly-past, which is watched by the royal family."It is ironic that the two senior members of the royal family who have seen action, Harry and [his uncle Prince] Andrew, are no longer working royals and cannot wear uniform," said Fitzwilliams.Still, there is plenty to look forward to, he stressed."Last year, Catherine attended during the period she was undergoing treatment for cancer," he said. "She looked stunning in an outfit which paid tribute to Cecil Beatons creations in My Fair Lady. She is certain to attend this year. Interest in Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, who will undoubtedly appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony, will be enormous as ever."Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital that he hopes the king will continue to prioritize his health. Its noted that the palace has given infrequent updates about his diagnosis."The family will rally round as always, but, personally, I wish Charles would stop pushing himself so hard to carry on his ceremonial duties," said Turner. "The whole country would breathe a sigh of relief if he relaxed more. He has nothing to prove and the people of Britain are right behind him."No doubt Charles would ideally love to have Harry and Meghan back in the U.K. and Andrew without the dishonor he has brought to the royal family. But, he can only publicly play the cards he has been dealt with in life."Sources previously told People magazine that many believe Charles should make the first move in reconnecting with Harry. However, there is hesitation. William, heir to the British throne, reportedly has no desire to extend an olive branch, while Camilla keeps her distance.Royal experts claimed to Fox News Digital that William and Harry are not on speaking terms."The underlying issue is trust," royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith told the outlet. "The king and William dont trust Harry and Meghan with any kind of confidential conversation."

A new national poll indicates that Americans are divided over President Donald Trump's deployment of the National Guard and U.S. Marines to the nation's second most populous city.Aiming to extinguish escalating protests in Los Angeles sparked by immigration raids carried out by ICE at his administration's direction, Trump sent in National Guard troops and even mobilized Marines. The unrest and the moves by the president have dominated national headlines for a week.Forty-one percent of adults nationwide questioned in a Washington Post/George Mason University Schar School poll said they support the president's move, with 44% opposed and 15% unsure.The survey was conducted on Tuesday and questioned over 1,000 adults nationwide, including roughly 200 in blue-state California.FIRST ON FOX: IMMIGRANT VOTERS ABANDON DEMOCRATS ON IMMIGRATION ISSUESupport for the president's actions among the California respondents stood at 32%, with 58% opposed.The poll also highlighted an expected massive partisan divide.CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST FOX NEWS POLLINGEight-six percent of Republicans surveyed supported the president's deployment of the National Guard and Marines to the streets of LA, with more than three-quarters of Democrats giving a thumbs down on Trump's move.A third of independents approved of the sending of the troops, with nearly half opposed and nearly one in five unsure.Trump took control of California's National Guard without the permission of Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, the first time in 60 years that a president has federalized National Guard troops without a governor's request.Newsom, leading the resistance to Trump's moves, took legal action to try and reverse the order.TRUMP DEPLOYMENT OF TROOPS TO QUELL LA RIOTERS LATEST PAGE IN PRESIDENT'S POLITICAL PLAYBOOKA federal district court judge this week ruled that Trump's moves were illegal and ordered him to return control of the National Guard troops to Newsom. But a federal appeals court quickly temporarily blocked the lower court judge's ruling.The survey also indicates Americans are divided over whether they support (39%) or oppose (40%) the protests. Just over one in five (21%) were unsure of their support or opposition.Seventy percent of Democrats but just 39% of independents and only 6% of Republicans support the aims of the protesters.According to the poll, Americans are also divided over whether the protests have been mostly peaceful (35%) or mostly violent (37%).

The Minnesota Vikings held a mandatory minicamp this week, and Brian Flores stood close by as Vikings defensive players participated in drills.Earlier this year, it wasn't clear Flores would be wearing a Vikings cap when the team's offseason program kicked off. The former Miami Dolphins head coach drew interest from multiple NFL teams that had head coaching openings during the latest hiring cycle.The Chicago Bears and the New York Jets were among teams that confirmed they met with Flores for an interview in January.Flores did not land another head coaching opportunity and returned for his third season as the Vikings' defensive coordinator.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMFlores had success in his first couple of seasons with the Vikings, and his innovative schemes were widely credited for the franchise's defensive turnaround. Although the regular season is still months away, Flores' creativity and aggressive style of play-calling was already on display at minicamp.During full team drills Thursday, an unexpected pre-snap alignment by the defense prompted new center Ryan Kelly to ask Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell about the call he should make for blocking that play."Your guess is as good as mine," O'Connell told Kelly, he later recounted to reporters. "I've got no idea what theyre doing over there."VIKINGS HAVE HISTORY ON THEIR 2025 SCHEDULE"It mustve been pretty close to the end of the offseason program because today he ran some stuff that I didnt even know was in there," OConnell added. "Thats Flo. I challenge him all the time to do those things."Although he won't enter the 2025 NFL season as a head coach, Flores expressed appreciation for the opportunity to go through the interview process. He added he was "happy" to be returning to Minnesota."Being able to sit in that interview setting and have a conversation for that role is obviously an honor, and those jobs went to guys who were certainly deserved," Flores said. "It was a great experience, and I enjoyed it. Im also very happy to be right where I am."The Dolphins parted ways with Flores after the 2021 season. He filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against the league shortly after losing his head coaching job. The lawsuit is still pending.The Vikings ranked fifth in the league in scoring defense last season after finishing 14th the year before. They were 28th in 2022 before Flores arrived.Spending in free agency helped enhance the depth chart, but Flores has also helped turn unheralded players such as safety Josh Metellus and linebacker Ivan Pace into key contributors.Last season, the Vikings tied for the league lead with 33 takeaways, leading to a steady stream of on-field celebrations."My joy comes from watching them have excitement," Flores said.The Associated Press contributed to this report.Follow Fox News Digitals sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Jennie Garth is bringing up ex-Peter Facinelli's dating past, specifically about his time on the exclusive celebrity dating app, Raya.During a podcast interview, Garth, 53, claimed that the actors age range was close to their eldest daughter, Luca, who is now 27."My ex-husband Peter, I was told, was on Raya, and his age, whatever range, that he was looking for was also the age range of his oldest daughter," Garth shared on the "I Do, Part 2" podcast with Jana Kramer and guest J.P. Rosenbaum. "So, she came across him on her thing."'90210' STAR JENNIE GARTH STUNS IN FIRST-EVER LINGERIE SHOOT AT 53The "90210, Beverly Hills" star did not elaborate further on the story.Reps for Garth did not immediately respond to Fox News Digitals request for comment.However, Facinellis, 51, rep shared the details behind his romantic life."Peter went on one date on Raya and it was with his current partner, Lily Anne Harrison, who hes been with for ten years.They share a 2 1/2-year-old and are very happy," Facinellis rep told Fox News Digital.Meanwhile, Facinelli and Garth met in Los Angeles in their early 20s.JENNIE GARTH IS CHOMPING AT THE BIT TO FLEE LAThe couple married in 2001 after five years together, and Facinelli filed for divorce in 2012.They share three daughters: Luca, 27, Lola, 22 and Fiona, 18.APP USERS CLICK HERE TO VIEW POSTLIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLast year, Garth and her ex-husband reunited over a decade after their divorce to speak about the nature of their co-parenting relationship.In July 2024, Garth told listeners of her iHeartRadio "I Choose Me" podcast that things had since changed with Facinelli, best known for his role as Dr. Carlisle Cullen in the "Twilight" franchise."I want to share with you guys something really quickly the good that has come from this pod[cast]. This is just one of the things. Actually there's been so many things. But specifically, the episode with my ex, Peter. Guys, we are officially friends now," she said joyously. "He even unblocked me from Instagram.""I've been blocked on his socials for so long that I stopped caring. Years ago. But I'm unblocked now, you guys. That's big news," she said at the time.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERThe ex-couple have since moved on Garth with her husband, Dave Abrams, and Facinelli with Harrison. Facinelli and Harrison welcomed a son, Jack, in September 2022."Get this. He invited me to his son Jack's christening," Garth revealed during her podcast at the time. "Get ready for it, we are all gonna be going on a boat together. With the whole family. Whether we push one another overboard, that's still [to be determined]. But this is the power of the pod, people."