Lawyers on both sides of the Sean "Diddy" Combs trial hammered down instructions Wednesday for the jury to begin deliberations once closing arguments wrap up in the former record executive's federal trial for alleged sex crimes.Prior to a charge conference, prosecutors indicated in court they are not pursuing a number of allegations against the "Victory" rapper that pertain to a racketeering charge.The updated request from the government more than seven weeks after the trial began gave pause for concern about the status of the case. Criminal defense attorney Eric Faddis, founding partner of Colorado-based Varner Faddis, explained that eleventh-hour changes in the charges might mislead the jury.DIDDY PROSECUTORS ABANDON MULTIPLE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST RAPPER DAYS BEFORE TRIAL'S END"In order to find Diddy guilty of RICO, the jury has to find him guilty of at least two underlying crimes in connection with the alleged criminal enterprise, Bad Boy Entertainment," Faddis told Fox News Digital. "This move by the prosecution significantly limits the underlying crimes the jury can consider in deciding if Diddy is guilty of RICO, thereby reducing the scope of the RICO charge and the case more generally. All things considered, I think it makes it less likely that Diddy will be found guilty of RICO."In a letter submitted to Judge Arun Subramanian Tuesday and obtained by Fox News Digital, the government indicated it will not be pursuing theories of attempted kidnapping, attempted arson and aiding and abetting sex trafficking.DIDDY'S FREEDOM RISES AND FALLS ON CASSIE VENTURA TESTIMONY AS LAWYERS PREP FOR CLOSING ARGUMENTS: EXPERT"The Government understands the Courts desire for streamlined instructions. With that in mind, the Government has suggested ways to streamline those instructions," the document states."Specifically, the Government has removed instructions from the charge relating to (i) attempted kidnapping under both California and New York law, (ii) attempted arson under California law, and (iii) aiding and abetting sex trafficking. The Government is no longer planning to proceed on these theories of liability so instructions are no longer necessary."The simplified charges could help "streamline the deliberations and cause the jury to focus" on only the RICO crimes, Faddis said."On the other hand, it could damage the governments credibility, as they promised this jury at the beginning of trial that they could prove crimes they now are dismissing," Faddis noted. "The jury might feel misled, see this is a partial surrender and view the remaining allegations with even more skepticism."LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSFormer federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani clarified that "there are no charges being dropped in the Diddy case.""The prosecution's letter to the court says they are no longer pursuing the attempted kidnapping and attempted arson as predicate acts for racketeering," Rahmani told Fox News Digital. "But they can still argue that the completed kidnapping of Cassie Ventura and Capricorn Clark and the completed arson of Kid Cudi's vehicle are RICO acts."The same applies to the sex trafficking counts. The government is arguing that Diddy sex trafficked the victims, not that he aided and embedded others to do so. The prosecution is just simplifying the charges for the jury to avoid confusion. This doesn't really change anything, and the legal arguments they're going to make during closing will remain the same."Criminal defense and civil rights attorney Adant Pointer of Oakland-based Lawyers for the People LLC believes the prosecution is acknowledging that evidence presented didn't pass muster."Prosecutors are conceding that they do not believe they have met their burden of proof as it relates to proving he attempted to commit arson or attempted to kidnap someone as predicate acts for the racketeering and aiding and abetting sex trafficking charges," Pointer said."Nevertheless, the statement they provided the court says they abandoned these predicate acts because they want to streamline the case for the jury."If you believe that, then one can also be led to believe prosecutors think they have a better chance at proving up the other predicate acts they presented to the jury during the trial, such as that Diddy engaged in forced labor, narcotics offenses, bribery and the obstruction of justice to further the goals of his criminal enterprise to coerce and/or force the women into participating in the freak-offs and king nights.'CLICK HERE TO GET THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER"The jury will have less evidence to mull over and less theories of liability to consider for determining whether Diddy and his co-conspirators' conduct meet the requisite evidentiary threshold for a criminal enterprise," Pointer added. "Keep in mind, using a RICO charge to prosecute a celebrity business mogul for alleged sexual misconduct is very uncommon."Diddy was charged with racketeering conspiracy (RICO); sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and transportation to engage in prostitution in a federal indictment unsealed Sept. 17.A federal RICO violation can result in a 20-year sentence per charge, the U.S. Code 2421 transportation charge can carry a sentence of up to 10 years and U.S. Code 2422 Coercion and enticement may carry a 20-year sentence. Each of the violations may also include monetary fines.The government presented 34 witnesses in an attempt to prove its case, with jurors hearing explosive testimony from Diddy's ex-girlfriends, rapper Kid Cudi, former assistants and escorts who allegedly participated in "freak offs" arranged by the disgraced music mogul.While the amended acts were initially surprising, Texas criminal defense attorney Sam Bassett told Fox News Digital there's still "no major change" in the case.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP"The elimination of some of the predicate acts does not eliminate the RICO conspiracy count," Bassett said. "This change simplifies the case somewhat for the jury, as they are no longer going to consider attempted kidnapping and arson as one of the ways the conspiracy was manifested. The judge and presumably the jury will be dealing with lengthy instructions, so this simplifies their job, albeit not in a major way."

Israeli archaeologists recently uncovered an ancient sarcophagus depicting a scene familiar to many today: a drinking game.The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced the discovery in a Facebook post on June 9.The Roman sarcophagus, or coffin, was found at an archaeological site within the ancient capital city of Caesarea. The discovery is the first of its kind in Israel.ANCIENT ROMAN COIN TREASURE FINALLY REVEALED TO PUBLIC AFTER BEING HIDDEN FOR CENTURIESThe marble sarcophagus illustrates a drinking scene between Dionysus, the god of wine, and Hercules.Pictures from the site show archaeologists beaming next to the discovery, which the IAA described as "spectacular.""In the center we see Dionysus, the god of wine, and around him a lively retinue of a host of mythological characters such as Maenads (female followers of Dionysus), satyrs, Hermes, Pan, lions and tigers," the IAA's statement read.Archaeologists were unsure of what the entire scene depicted until the sarcophagus was handed over to the IAA's conservation team who assembled the fragments.LONG-LOST SANCTUARY TO GREEK GOD DISCOVERED BY ARCHAEOLOGISTS: 'LARGER THAN LIFE'"Thanks to the restoration, the scenes have been fully revealed," the IAA said.IAA archaeologists likened the discovery to "a scene out of a movie.""We began removing the soft, light sand of the dune, when suddenly the tip of a marble object popped up," archaeologists Nohar Shahar and Shani Amit were quoted as saying.ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNCOVER 4,500-YEAR-OLD BABY RATTLES THAT REVEAL ANCIENT PARENTING TECHNIQUES"The entire excavation team stood around excitedly, and as we cleared more sand, we couldn't believe what we were seeing parts of a sarcophagus, upon which figures were carved: gods, animals, and trees."The pair added, "Each uncovered fragment was more impressive than the one before [including] an entire intact side of the sarcophagus, which was buried in the sand, was uncovered."For more Lifestyle articles, visit foxnews.com/lifestyleSo who won the drinking contest?Israeli officials revealed the answer which is fairly unsurprising."Hercules' condition, depicted on the sarcophagus as someone who is no longer able to stand, points to the obvious answer: Dionysus," Shahar said.Shahar also noted that this was the first time that a Dionysus-Hercules drinking scene was found on a burial coffin in Israel."While processions of the wine god Dionysus are a familiar motif in 2nd and 3rd centuries CE sarcophagi, this particular drinking contest scene is known to us here primarily in mosaics," the historian said.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER"In this case, it seems that the figures are not only celebrating they are in fact accompanying the dead on his last journey, when drinking and dancing are transformed into a symbol of liberation and transition to life in the next world."She added, "This sarcophagus offers an unusual perspective of the idea of death not as an end, but as the beginning of a new path."IAA director Eli Escusido also said the sarcophagus reflects ancient Roman perceptions of life and faith.It will be available for public viewing in the future."The sarcophagus is undergoing a meticulous conservation process, which upon completion will enable it to be presented to the general public as part of our commitment to making the country's past heritage accessible," the official said.

A half-dozen B-2 bombers dropped at least a dozen Massive Ordinance Penetrators on Irans nuclear weapons faculty at Fordow, but since the mountain didnt explode like the Death Star in Star Wars, the mission was deemed a disappointment by some in legacy media and many online keyboard warriors."Minimal damage causing a month or two delay": Thats a summary, composite "take" of TDS-afflicted journalists and their sources who appear to suffer from JCPOA separation anxiety disorder.The idea that Irans nuclear weapons program was set back for only a matter of monthsas opposed to the "several years" that Israeli intelligence has concludedis not a serious assessment but yet another "product" of a hyper-politicized "intelligence community." (Recall that 51 of the "IC"s best and brightest retired "leadership" told the legacy media and via them the entire country in 2020 that Hunter Bidens laptop bore "all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation.")Israeli journalist Amit Segal, armed with the first layer of Israeli IC assessments that concluded "that US and Israeli strikes set back Irans nuclear program by several years, but did not completely destroy it" added the next day: "Dont forget: It wasnt just scientists who Israel eliminated. Indeed, I can now reveal the scale of Israels opening strike against Iran: Israel eliminated 29 Iranian officers with the rank of brigadier general and higher."CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION"They don't have the scientists, and they don't have the centrifuges, and they don't have the infrastructure," Jonathan Conricus, a former IDF spokesman and current senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Adam Kredo of the Washington Free Beacon."Even if it hasn't been destroyed," Conricus added, "it is out of reach, most likely buried under hundreds of feet of rock and concrete. At the end of the day, the Iranian ability to develop nuclear weapons sustained quite extremely heavy blows."TRUMP SAYS US WOULD STRIKE AGAIN IF IRAN REBUILDS NUCLEAR PROGRAMI asked the last National Security Advisor to President Trump in Trumps first term, Ambassador Robert C. OBrien, now chairman of American Global Strategies, for his overall take."The air raid on Irans nuclear bomb factories was the essence of an America First foreign policy," OBrien emailed me. "The Ayatollahs have been kidnapping, maiming and killing Americans in Beirut, at Kobar Towers, in Iraq and Afghanistan for forty years," OBrien continued. "The regimes supporter chant death to America in their mosques each Friday. Letting these radicals get an atomic bomb and the ballistic missiles to deliver it to our homeland would be a monumental mistake and would have put the American people at risk.""Donald Trump said no." OBrien concluded. "And, he meant it. The Iranians thought they were dealing with Obama or Biden. They found out last night what happens when you string President Trump along."The widespread destruction of regime assets by the Israeli airforce before the American strikes occurred had already humbled the regime of Ayatollah Khamenei. When the mullahs sent up a fireworks display over Qatar is was their penultimate gesture of resignation to defeat and harmless. Their final attack did kill four Israeli civilians and underscored the regimes lawlessness as the missile was aimed at civilians to kill civilians.Still so deep does hatred for President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu run that their critics have already assumed the attitude of the Black Knight is the old "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" movie, shouting "its only a scratch."Im going to believe Israeli intelligence and the political leadership of both countries. Not only did the Israelis use some sort of version of the weapon Woody Harrleson wielded as Yondu Udonta in Guardians of the Galaxy a Yaka Arrow" it did so armed with Intel on where everyone was sleeping or gathering. The precision nature of every Israeli blow should lead anyone unburdened by deep, deep confirmation bias needs (say, everyone who worked on the "JCPOA") to conclude the nuclear ambitions of Iran are in a smoldering heap, like their "doomsday clock for Israel" and the gates of Evin Prison. Trust the Israeli IC. They appear to have free run of everything the Iranian regime says and does.What Trump ordered done was a history-altering event as well as a war-ending blow. Again, Iran cannot be expected to concede its humiliation. But its leaders must now know they are no longer feared in the Middle East as a dominant power, and that if even token gestures are taken by it to hurt Americans or Israelis, or to resume forbidden nuclear weapons development, retribution will be swift. President Trump is sending the same message again and again: "Dont harm one American. Dont even think about restarting the nuke program." Every leader in the world got the same message as did the mullahs: Trump and the prudent use of American military force are back. Finally, Americans should have learned, again, that they cannot trust the "fake news" of much of legacy media. The underlying disorders of these former "newsrooms" are too deep to treat. They are as broken as Natanz nuclear weapons complex.Hugh Hewitt is a Fox News contributor, and host of "The Hugh Hewitt Show," heard weekdays from 3 pm to 6 pm ET on the Salem Radio Network, and simulcast on Salem News Channel. Hugh drives America home on the East Coast and to lunch on the West Coast on over 400 affiliates nationwide, and on all the streaming platforms where SNC can be seen. He is a frequent guest on the Fox News Channels news roundtable hosted by Bret Baier weekdays at 6pm ET. A son of Ohio and a graduate of Harvard College and the University of Michigan Law School, Hewitt has been a Professor of Law at Chapman Universitys Fowler School of Law since 1996 where he teaches Constitutional Law. Hewitt launched his eponymous radio show from Los Angeles in 1990. Hewitt has frequently appeared on every major national news television network, hosted television shows for PBS and MSNBC, written for every major American paper, has authored a dozen books and moderated a score of Republican candidate debates, most recently the November 2023 Republican presidential debate in Miami and four Republican presidential debates in the 2015-16 cycle. Hewitt focuses his radio show and his column on the Constitution, national security, American politics and the Cleveland Browns and Guardians. Hewitt has interviewed tens of thousands of guests from Democrats Hillary Clinton and John Kerry to Republican Presidents George W. Bush and Donald Trump over his 40 years in broadcast, and this column previews the lead story that will drive his radio/ TV show today.CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM HUGH HEWITT

Ear wax may provide an unexpected early warning of Parkinsons disease (PD), according to new research.In particular, its odor could help clinicians detect the progressive neurological movement disorder, researchers noted in the study, which was published in the journal Analytical Chemistry.Parkinsons is usually diagnosed after an individual demonstrates symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia (slowed movement) and gait changes, according to health experts.PARKINSON'S PATIENTS WHO TAKE 'MAGIC MUSHROOMS' SEE KEY BENEFITS, STUDY FINDSThe study suggested that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are released by sebum (oily secretions that help lubricate and protect skin) in the ear wax of individuals with Parkinsons have a certain distinctive smell.The odor is the result of systemic inflammation, neurodegeneration and oxidative stress related to disease progression, as noted in the report from the American Chemical Society."There is evidence that patients with Parkinsons disease produce excess sebum, and other research groups have demonstrated that there are particular chemical profiles of this sebum compared to patients without PD," Dr. Joohi Jimenez-Shahed, medical director of movement disorders, neuromodulation and brain circuit therapeutics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, told Fox News Digital.(Jimenez-Shahed was not affiliated with the study.)STEM-CELL THERAPY FOR PARKINSON'S SHOWS 'STRONG PROMISE' IN RELIEVING SYMPTOMIn this recent study, researchers in China analyzed wax swabbed from the ear canals of 209 participants, 108 of whom had been diagnosed with Parkinsons.Using specialized methods to analyze chemicals in the wax, the investigators found that four of the VOCs in people with the disease were significantly different from those who had not been diagnosed, the study detailed.They concluded that four VOCs ethylbenzene, 4-ethyltoluene, pentanal and 2-pentadecyl-1,3-dioxolane) may serve as potential biomarkers for PD.The researchers used the collected ear wax data to train an artificial intelligence olfactory (AIO) system, technology that uses sensors to simulate the human sense of smell to detect and analyze VOCs.NEW DRUG FOR PARKINSONS SHOWN TO BE EFFECTIVE IN CLINICAL TRIALS: 'VERY ENCOURAGED'According to the report, the AIO system showed 94% accuracy with ear wax samples from people with and without Parkinsons.The study authors suggested that the AIO system could eventually be used as a first-line screening tool for early Parkinsons detection, allowing for earlier treatment of the disease.Most current treatments only manage symptoms and help maintain quality of life, but dont stop or reverse the disease, which makes early diagnosis and treatment vital, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).The report also noted that current tests for Parkinsons such as imaging studies and clinical rating scales can be costly and subjective.This potential detection system could provide an easy and inexpensive way to test for the disease, although experts pointed out that more testing is needed.The study was performed on a small scale in a single clinic in China, according to Hao Dong, one of the study authors at the Research Center for Frontier Fundamental Studies in China."The next step is to conduct further research at different stages of the disease, in multiple research centers and among multiple ethnic groups, in order to determine whether this method has greater practical application value," Dong said in a news release.Jimenez-Shahed noted that ideally, this new method could serve as an early diagnostic test, potentially easier than using spinal fluid, skin biopsies or specialized scans.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTERThe above expert, who is also an associate professor of neurology and neurosurgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, cautioned that the particular profiles of ear wax VOCs reported in the recent study may differ from findings from other studies."There needs to be replication and/or expansion of sample size before determining the specific diagnostic potential of a test like this," he added.Those who are concerned about potential Parkinsons risk should consult with a neurologist or movement disorder specialist, Jimenez-Shahed advised.A specialist can carefully screen the individual for early warning signs and determine the need for further diagnostic testing or treatment.For more Health articles, visitwww.foxnews.com/healthThe study was funded by the National Natural Sciences Foundation of Science, Pioneer and Leading Goose R&D Program of Zhejiang Province, and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.Fox News Digital reached out to the study authors for further comment.

New Yorkers awakened Wednesday to a grim reality: Zohran Mamdani, who just won the Democrat primary, could become mayor of our nations greatest city in November. Why is that grim? Because the upstart 33-year-old from Uganda is an avowed socialist who is promising free childcare, free bus transportation, rent freezes, city-run grocery stores and other unworkable policies of the sort that drove Venezuela, Argentina and other one-time great nations into financial ruin. He is also a proud backer of the Intifada, and unrepentant antisemite.But, college-educated young people, especially, think Mamdanis program is wonderful; just dont ask them who will pay for it.Even my staunchly anti-Trump Democrat friends are outraged. My Jewish friends even more so. They cannot imagine how their party has lurched so hard left. But they did nothing to stop it. Most do not engage in local politics; most have no idea who represents them on the city council, or in the state legislature, or even when the local elections take place. Ask them; youll be shocked.CITY-RUN GROCERY STORES, DEFUNDING POLICE, SAFE INJECTION SITES: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT NYC'S NEXT POTENTIAL MAYORRepublicans, meanwhile, are inert and defeatist. They are running Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels and an all-round Good Guy as their candidate; they know he has as much chance of winning as I do. In 2021, when he went up against Eric Adams, who was not an especially strong candidate, he won less than 28% of the vote. Republican energy and leadership have disappeared in New York; the party does not even field candidates in many races. It is a disgrace. But the shocking win by Zohran and defeat of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a scandal-plagued candidate who ran a miserable campaign, has many authors. Jews failed to organize their community to rally around candidate Cuomo, whose early lead proved deceptive and evaporated just weeks before the primary. Jews were not paying attention to the young anti-Zionist Muslim who advocates for "globalizing the Intifada," does not recognize Israels right to exist and has threatened to arrest Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he sets foot in the Big Apple.DEM SOCIALIST'S NYC PRIMARY UPSET SIGNALS 'GENERATIONAL' SHIFT IN DEMOCRATIC PARTY, STRATEGISTS SAYMostly, though, Mamdanis upset victory can be traced to the subversion of our education system, which has infused generation after generation of gullible young people indoctrinated with Leftist claptrap, teaching them that capitalism is evil and exploitative and that socialism is the better path.The liberal elites who lead and fund our academic institutions have, for decades, cheered on the progressive professors who convinced Americas youth that our country is systemically racist and that "social justice" demands the toppling of our economy.REPUBLICANS USE MAMDANI BOMBSHELL VICTORY OVER CUOMO AS AMMUNITION TO BLAST DEMOCRATS AS EXTREMISTSThey have allowed achievement and meritocracy to be maligned as watchwords for white supremacy rather than Americas core values that allow everyone to get ahead. Where were their voices as Martin Luther Kings "equality" dream was junked from curriculums (as in California) in favor of some fanciful notion of "equity" where everyone, regardless of talent or effort, ends up at the same place?As the leaders of our banks, real estate businesses and media companies virtue signaled by adopting unpopular and unproductive DEI programs, did anyone raise their hand to say: this is wrong? As they endorsed leftist candidates to assuage their white liberal guilt, did not anyone see the end game?CHICAGO TRIBUNE WARNS NEW YORK TO AVOID SOCIALIST MAYORAL CANDIDATE AFTER 'MISTAKE' BRANDON JOHNSONProud Ivy League alums sent checks to their alma maters year after year, hoping to vault their offspring into those hallowed halls, ignoring what their kids were learning. When The Crimson reported that 82% of Harvards faculty self-identified as liberal or "very liberal," and less than 2% conservative, were they concerned that their kids might hear only one side of the story?Did they know that Karl Marxs "Communist Manifesto" was one of the most frequently assigned texts in our colleges?Americans have ignored for decades the leftward drift of our schools and the decline in scholastic standards. Both are contributing to the creation of a generation truly ignorant of how the economy works, the history of failed socialist regimes and the founding, enduring principles of the United States.Here is what must happen now: New Yorkers of all sorts must coalesce around one candidate. Either Andrew Cuomo or Eric Adams both of whom are likely to run as independents -- should be convinced to bow out of the race, as well as Curtis Sliwa. As Cuomo said after the primary: "There are about 5 million voters in New York City, there are about 8 million people in New York City, and about 1 million people vote in the Democratic primary. So, it's not, necessarily, representative of the city at large." Hes right. Mamdani could lose in November.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONThe right-leaning Chicago Tribune recently ran an editorial titled, "New Yorkers, take it from Chicago weve seen this movie before, and the ending isnt pretty." The paper wrote: "Most of Mamdanis ideas are shared (at least in principle) by Mayor Brandon Johnson, and many of them are popular in blue cities. But experience has taught us here thatfar-left candidates do not make for effective or popular municipal executives in todays stressful economy."Fox Business Larry Kudlow believes that winning the primary will be the high-water mark for Mamdani; he thinks that as voters learn more about him and his dangerous policies, they will reject him. It is notable that Google searches in New York for "socialism" soared after the vote. People, and especially young people, do not even seem to know what the term means.I hope Kudlow is right, but for that to happen, New Yorkers must become engaged. Historically, we have not been good at that. Perhaps the threat posed by Mamdani will change that.CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM LIZ PEEK

California drivers are about to get hit again at the pump. On July 1, gas prices are set to rise thanks to Gov. Gavin Newsoms relentless climate crusade when higher gas tax and stricter fuel regulations take effect, punishing working families under the guise of environmental virtue.Despite our state's plentiful oil reserves, Californians are forced by Democrat 'climate' policies to pay the nations highest gas prices (now around $5.00 per gallon), surpassing even Hawaii, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Extortionate gas prices are not just an inconvenience; they are a crushing burden for working families, who typically face far longer commutes than the leftist work-from home elites who impose these policies. And they're a disaster for small businesses operating on tight margins and are already struggling under the weight of the nation's highest taxes and most burdensome regulations.For those who may think it can't get any worse, pay attention. A recent University of Southern California study predicts that gas prices in California could reach $6 by the end of this year and $8.40 next year, purely through a reduction in California's refining capacity thanks to the onslaught of 'climate' regulation. Add to that a planned 65-cent increase imposed by CARB (the out-of-control California Air Resources Board), and it's not fanciful to imagine the Democrats' extremist 'climate agenda' driving California toward an unthinkable $9 per gallon by 2026. This is ideological zealotry as economic sabotage.35 DEMOCRATS VOTE WITH GOP TO BLOCK BIDEN RULE ALLOWING NEWSOM'S GAS CAR BANCalifornias sky-high gas prices are the direct result of 15 years of one-party Democratic rule. Gavin Newsom, former Vice President Kamala Harris and every other leading Democrat in the state have been cheerleaders for this "war on fossil fuels," endlessly bragging about "leading the world" on climate change. But their sanctimonious and narcissistic virtue-signaling comes at the price of real pain for the very people Democrats once claimed to represent: the working class. No wonder working class voters, in particular Latinos, are deserting the party in droves.The more you look at the crisis of affordability in California -- the highest costs in America not just for gas but for housing, electricity and every other necessity - the more you realize that the entire regulatory edifice of the Democrat 'climate agenda' is to blame. It is a bureaucratic monstrosity of tax and red tape, built up over the past 20 years since the passage of the 'Global Warming Solutions Act' in 2006, in the name of driving towards an absurd, fantastical target of "net zero" carbon emissions by 2045. It is an incoherent and unachievable pipe dream, the pursuit of which hurts the poorest and most vulnerable, bankrupting our state and driving jobs away faster than you can say "Democrat luxury beliefs."$8.40 GAS? NEW STUDY REVEALS IT MAY COME TO A BLUE STATE NEXT YEAR, TRIGGERING BIPARTISAN CONCERNThe immediate gas price shock has been prompted by a Democrat-created refinery crisis. California has no oil pipeline connection to the rest of the country, and on top of that it requires a special 'blend' of fuel. This and other regulations are prompting refiners to leave the state, starting with Phillips 66 in L.A. and followed in swift succession by Valeros Benicia plant (recently crippled by fire), and the threatened closure of PBFs Torrance facility. Over 25% of our refining capacity could vanish in a year, leaving us at the mercy of foreign oil and skyrocketing prices. Add to that the California Air Resources Boards (CARB) insane rules, which could slap an extra 65 cents per gallon on fuel costs, and youve got a recipe for $9 gas.On top of this, complex micro-managing regulationslike the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) and cap-and-trade feespile on costs that hit you at the pump. None of it is justified, even on environmental grounds. Refinery regulations and special fuel blends which may have once made sense in the era of smog and gas-guzzlers are utterly pointless in a world of increasingly fuel-efficient, modern cars.MEDIA PERSONALITY STEVE HILTON ENTERS CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL RACEIt doesn't have to be like this. We can protect our environment without crushing working families and small businesses. As governor, I would take immediate action to lower gas prices, with a simple, achievable target of $3 gas -- in line with what we see in the rest of the country.Heres how we do it:First, we eliminate the ridiculous "environmental program" costs that add about 54 cents per gallon. These cap-and-trade fees are nothing but a tax on working people to fund Democrats' 'climate' schemes that have not even succeeded in reducing California's overall dependence on fossil fuels.CALIFORNIA'S 'AMBITIOUS' POLICIES TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GASES DRIVE SURGE IN ELECTRICITY COSTS: REPORTSecond, we suspend the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, reformulation requirements, and other burdensome refinery regulations. These add roughly 40 cents per gallon in compliance costs, forcing refineries to jack up prices or shut down entirely.Third, we reduce the states obscene 60-cents-per-gallon excise tax. Why are Californians paying more to drive than anyone else in the country? Because Democrats are addicted to raising taxes. The trouble is, we get the nation's worst outcomes in return.Finally, we should take immediate steps to boost Californias oil production and suspend enforcement of Newsoms pet legislative projects, SBX1-2 and ABX2-1, which choke our energy industry by slapping penalties on refineries for making "too much" profit and making rules like requiring extra fuel stockpiles to guard against the negative effect of the Democrats' own policies. These reforms could shave off another 25 cents per gallon.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONThree-dollar gas is within reach. That would make a huge difference to so many working-class Californians and small businesses. Its not complicated. Its just positive, pragmatic policymaking. It's what happens when you stop letting ideologues and 'climate' zealots run the show.Newsom, Harris and the rest of the California Democrats want you to believe their green crusade is noble, but its a cruel hoax. Theyre chasing refineries out of California, shutting down our cleaner in-state oil production, and piling on regulations that make life unaffordable. Meanwhile, they jet around in private planes and travel in motorcadeshypocrisy at its finest.Their policies dont just hurt your wallet; theyre killing jobs, strangling small businesses, and making it impossible for families to make ends meet. And for what? So they can pat themselves on the back at climate conferences while youre choosing between gas and groceries.Im running for governor to end this madness. California has plentiful oil reservesmore than enough to keep prices low and our economy humming. But Newsom and Harris would rather bow to their woke base than admit fossil fuels are still essential. Their vision for California is one where only the elite can afford to live, while the rest of us are stuck paying $9 a gallon to get to work. Its pathetic, its unfair, and its got to stop.With my plan, well restore common sense, bring back affordability, and put Californians back in the drivers seatliterally and figuratively. Three-dollar gas is possible, but only if we kick out the career politicians whove been fleecing us for years.Republican Steve Hilton is a candidate for governor of California. He previously served as senior policy and strategy advisor to former U.K. prime minister David Cameron. He is a former host of "The Next Revolution" on Fox News.

Before Jeff Bezos and Lauren Snchez found love and became one of the world's most talked-about couples, the Amazon founder and his soon-to-be bride each navigated their respective relationships and their downfalls over the past three decades in various ways.From friendly exes who co-parent to highly publicized and expensive divorces, both Bezos and Snchez's lengthy relationship history proved to pave the way to what would become a fairytale romance for the ages.Though it's likely most of their exes won't be attending their lavish Italian wedding, Sanchez's ex-boyfriend and former Kansas City Chiefs player, Tony Gonzalez, is on deck to support the couple's nuptials.JEFF BEZOS AND LAUREN SNCHEZ ARRIVE IN VENICE AS WEDDING FESTIVITIES BEGINAccording to People, Gonzalez and his wife, October, will be attending the wedding festivities in Venice this week. Gonzalez and Snchez share one son, Nikko, together.Snchez and Gonzalez's wife October are "super close," the source said. October attended Snchez's bachelorette party in May.Here's a look at the couple's past romantic relationships that helped pave their way to each other.Scott and Bezos wed in 1993 and share four children together.In 2019, the duo announced their divorce after 25 years of marriage. They settled shortly after."Grateful to have finished the process of dissolving my marriage with Jeff with support from each other and everyone who reached out to us in kindness, and looking forward to next phase as co-parents and friends," MacKenzie wrote in her first tweet. "Happy to be giving him all of my interests in the Washington Post, Blue Origin, and 75 [percent] of our Amazon stock plus voting control of my shares to support his continued contributions with the teams of these incredible companies. Excited about my own plans. Grateful for the past as I look forward to what comes next."Bezos responded with a tweet of his own, thanking MacKenzie for her "support and kindness in this process.""Im so grateful to all my friends and family for reaching out with encouragement and love. It means more than you know. MacKenzie most of all. Im grateful for her support and for her kindness in this process and am very much looking forward to our new relationship as friends and co-parents.""In all our work together, MacKenzie's abilities have been on full display. She has been an extraordinary partner, ally, and mother. She is resourceful and brilliant and loving, and as our futures unroll, I know I'll always be learning from her," he concluded.Bezos didn't have a prenup with Scott, and theseparation left her with a 4% stake in the online shopping giant, or around $36 billion at the time."Bezos handled his first divorce as fast as an Amazon delivery," Christopher Melcher, an attorney and partner at Walzer Melcher & Yoda LLP, told Fox News Digital of Bezos' first marriage. "It was quick but not painless. Billions of dollars were at stake, which were earned during marriage and had to be split because there was no premarital agreement."Gonzalez and Snchez began dating in 2000. They welcomed a son, Nikko Gonzalez, in February 2001.The pair called it quits in 2002, but have remained on good terms in the years following.Gonazelez, who has been married to his wife October since 2007, and Snchez celebrated their son's graduation as a blended family in 2024.Snchez previously opened up about her relationship with Gonzalez in a 2023 interview with The Wall Street Journal."It wasn't always that way. There was friction [at the beginning]. But Tony and [his wife October] were at Thanksgiving with us [this year], and we're really good friends," she said."That took about five years, but we always communicated. I'm not saying that being best friends with your ex is the end-all be-all but you do need to be able to communicate."I'm so proud of it. My son looks at me, and he's like, 'I'm the luckiest boy in the world because I can have Thanksgiving with both my parents, and they don't have to be married.'"Snchez was briefly engaged to "NYPD Blue" star Henry Simmons in the early 2000s.Not much is known about their relationship, but it was reported that Snchez called off her engagement with Simmons shortly after meeting her ex-husband, Patrick Whitesell.Patrick Whitesell and Snchez tied the knot in 2005. They went on to have a son, Evan Whitesell, in 2006 and a daughter, Eleanor Whitesell, in 2008.After over a decade of marriage, the couple separated and filed for divorce.Snchez allegedly signed a prenuptial agreement with Whitesell. According to TMZ, the former couple's assets and properties were divided per the agreement.According to People, celebrity divorce lawyer Laura Wasser mediated the divorce agreement.Sanchez and Whitesell were married for 13 years before filing for divorce in April 2019. The divorce filing came just one day after Bezos finalized his separation from Scott.The Bezos-Snchez wedding festivities officially kicked off as the couple landed in Venice, Italy on Wednesday.The soon-to-be newlyweds were seen arriving in Venice, Italy, via helicopter.Both were all smiles as they walked away from the air carrier arm-in-arm.Later, the couple were photographed arriving at the Aman Hotel via water-taxi.As she stepped off, a glowing Sanchez turned to the crowd to give a quick wave.According to multiple reports, the couple decided to change one of their wedding venues in Venice because of security concerns and possible protests.The couple had planned to hold a wedding party at the historic Scuola Grande della Misericordia in the Cannaregiosection of the city, but are now said to be moving it to the harder-to-reach Arsenale, a former shipyard, which is completely surrounded by water and only reachable by boat when connecting bridges are raised, BBC News and Reuters reported.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERA number of celebrities are invited to the wedding festivities, which remain a secret but are expected to kick off on Thursday and end Saturday in the picturesque Italian city.Vanity Fair reported on Wednesday that the first event of the Bezoz-Snchez wedding will be a kick-off party in Cannaregio. The outlet noted that the wedding party has water cabs ready to escort guests to the Italian city. A city ordinance has already been sent out, blocking off traffic from 6 PM to midnight between Madonna dell'Orto and nearby streets, the outlet reported.The party is reportedly being held in the Sant'Alvise complex, which is a 14th century church, monastery, and Barco. Per Vanity Fair, Bezos will be escorted by 10 bodyguards during the kick-off party and the Italian government has recruited reinforcements to maintain the privacy and safety of all attendees amid recent protests.

1. Israel, Iran and US agree on Trump's Iran strikes2. Republican exposes AOC's suburban upbringing after heated exchange with Trump3. 'Work husband' of Jill Biden runs from questions about Biden's cognitive declinePOTENTIAL PITFALLS Diddy prosecutions move could damage credibility with jury. Continue reading TRUTH BURIED Jury foreman in Karen Read trial urges FBI to review John O'Keefe's death. Continue reading MURDER MYSTERY Breadcrumb trail leads authorities in moms slaying hundreds of miles away. Continue reading NEW BEGINNINGS Bezos, Sanchezs past relationships shape journey to high-profile Italian wedding. Continue reading RED FLAG Carville sounds alarm on far-left candidate who defeated Cuomo in NYC mayoral primary. Continue reading --RADICAL INTIMIDATION Republican lawmaker's office evacuated after pro-abortion activists send chilling threats. Continue reading EMOTIONAL MESSAGE Ukrainian reporter's emotional exchange with Trump sparks powerful moment. Continue reading LASTING IMPACT Legalized same-sex marriage turns 10 after landmark Supreme Court decision. Continue reading FAR-LEFT AGENDA Former NYC mayor dismisses fears over Bernie-backed socialist's primary victory. Continue reading Click here for more cartoonsBLEEDING HEART BRIGADE MSNBC host 'gutted' over Trump deporting alleged gang members. Continue reading ART OF THE DEAL Trump and Paramount presented with major settlement proposal to end lawsuit. Continue reading 'REAL CONVERSATIONS' Second Lady Usha Vance discusses raising children in an interfaith household. Continue reading FAKE NEWS EXPOSED Trump blasts 'disgusting' CNN and NYT for 'phony story' about Iran strikes. Continue reading HUGH HEWITT Morning Glory: Trump's Iran strike and Trump's Doctrine. Continue reading LIZ PEEK New York's socialist nightmare is just beginning but there's still a way out. Continue reading --HOT TOPIC The fiery secret to a longer life might be hiding in your spice rack. Continue reading CHEMISTRY CLUES Ear wax could offer clues of early Parkinson's disease. Continue reading AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ Test yourself on beachside bars and coaster creations. Take the quiz here FIRST OF ITS KIND Recently discovered ancient coffin reveals who won mythical drinking contest. Continue reading SPECIAL DELIVERY Beachgoers receive their favorite fast food by inflatable boat. See video GOV. RON DESANTIS Zohran Mamdani will dig a hole even deeper for New Yorkers. See video CHARLIE HURT CNN reporter is a moron for publicizing classified Iranian damage assessment. See video Tune in to the FOX NEWS RUNDOWN PODCAST for today's in-depth reporting on the news that impacts you. Check it out ...Whats it looking like in your neighborhood?Continue readingFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitterLinkedInFox News FirstFox News OpinionFox News LifestyleFox News Entertainment (FOX411)Fox News Sports HuddleFox BusinessFox WeatherFox SportsTubiFox News GoThank you for making us your first choice in the morning! Well see you in your inbox first thing Friday.

EXCLUSIVE Indiana Gov. Mike Braun said in a new interview that post-secondary education expenses have exceeded healthcare costs, leading to him requesting a freeze in college tuition increases in the state."I think that's all part of a system that's broken," the Republican governor told Fox News Digital.Braun has wanted to reform education and healthcare since he served in the U.S. Senate from 2019-2025. Now that he's the state's governor, he says he can leverage his power and resources to get it done.SENATE PANEL NAVIGATES DELICATE COMPROMISES ON MEDICAID, TAXES IN LATEST CHUNK OF TRUMP'S MEGABILL"You have to remember that things most important in our lives are not market-driven," Braun added. "[Healthcare] runs like an unregulated utility. Put that aside. But I cite it because, between it and education, they trade places in terms of what goes up the most each year. I think right now, post-secondary education has eclipsed healthcare. That's not good."The governor explained further, "And for parents and kids, especially when it's all kind of ensconced in a system that pushes you into something that 50% of the kids that pursue it don't end up with a degree. Many that get a degree don't have a market for it in their own hometown. That's a broken system."Per Braun's request, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education voted to maintain flat fees for in-state undergraduate students for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 academic years. This policy was the first time in Indianas history that the Commission unanimously voted in support of Brauns recommendation to hold tuition and mandatory fees flat.TRUMP'S 'BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL' CRACKS DOWN ON BIDEN'S STUDENT LOAN 'SCHEME,' TOP REPUBLICAN SAYSThe move indicated Brauns commitment to making education affordable amid skyrocketing college debt and universities providing dubious value.A press release obtained by Fox News Digital announced that its been over 10 years since more than two campuses simultaneously held tuition flat.College tuition has increased tremendously over the years and forced students into debt.During the fourth quarter of 2023, student loan balances stood at $1.6 trillion, according to data from the New York Federal Reserve."And the fact that it costs so much, that is always seen in a debt bubble, just like our federal government," Braun said. "Can't figure out how to spend less than it takes in."He went on to say higher education needed to act more like a business with an improved product."Education for Indiana, for instance, K through 12 is about half our budget and post-secondary is about 15%. Another 15% would be our share of Medicaid," Braun said. "These are all challenges that states are going to have to grapple with, but higher ed's got to do a better job of running itself like a business, giving us a product that's got a market, and right now I think enterprising governors and state legislatures will actually get it done."

If you've ever found yourself juggling clubs, bags and gear while trying to keep your focus on your golf game, the Robera Neo might just be the solution you didn't know you needed.ThisAI-powered smart caddie is designed to follow you around the course, carrying your clubs effortlessly and freeing you up to concentrate on your swing. It's not just another electric cart; it's a great blend of technology that learns your movements, navigates the course and even offers swing analysis if you opt for the premium model.Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, youll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.AI TENNIS ROBOT COACH BRINGS PROFESSIONAL TRAINING TO PLAYERSThe Robera Neo stands out because it doesn't require you to steer it or use a remote control. Thanks to its advanced time-of-flight camera and artificial intelligence, it recognizes you and follows you automatically. This means no more fumbling with controls or worrying about obstacles like trees or bunkers.The Neo uses GPS to map out the course, so it knows the best path to take, saving you time and energy as you move from hole to hole.WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?AI TENNIS ROBOT COACH OFFERS PRO-LEVEL TRAINING ANYTIME, ANYWHEREOne of the coolest things about the Neo is how naturally it responds to you. A simple wave of your hand tells it to start following or to stop, so you don't have to break your focus or reach for a remote. It's like having a caddie who just gets you.Plus, with multi-frequency GPS, the Neo can access thousands of course maps and navigate with ease. You can even tell it where to go by tapping on your phone or using voice commands, and it will get there ahead of you, ready with your clubs in tow.ROBOTS STEP INTO THE RING FOR THE FIRST-EVER BOXING MATCHThe Neo doesn't just blindly follow you. It's smart enough to spot obstacles and plan around them. Whether it's a tree, a bunker or a water hazard, the caddie charts a safe and efficient path. After you hit your ball, you mark its new location on the GPS map, and the Neo calculates the best way to get to you. This smart routing can save up to a third of the battery's power, so you can keep playing without worrying about running out of juice.HOW TO LOWER YOUR CAR INSURANCE COSTS IN 2025NEW MOBILE ROBOT HELPS SENIORS WALK SAFELY AND PREVENT FALLSEver lost sight of your cart? With the Robera Neo, you can summon it from up to 328 feet away. It will navigate tricky terrain and come find you with no problem. And if your course has hills, the Neo can handle slopes of up to 25 degrees, so it won't leave you hanging when the going gets steep.BEST EARLY AMAZON PRIME DAY 2025 DEALSThe Neo is built to be lightweight and durable, making it easy to carry and tough enough for any weather conditions. Weighing in at under 33 pounds, it folds up for simple transport and storage. Its waterproof rating ensures that rain wont slow you down, so you can keep playing no matter the weather.Battery life is impressive; the standard model will last for about 27 holes, while the premium Tablet model can handle 36 holes or up to eight hours on a single charge. When its time to recharge, fast charging gets you back on the course in about four and a half hours.BEST MISTING FANS TO STAY COOL IN THE HEATIf you just want a smart caddie that follows you and navigates the course, the Robera Neo Vision model has you covered, complete with a handy app for real-time updates and notifications. For those who want a little extra, the Neo Tablet model adds a bright touchscreen and a built-in camera that analyzes your swing, giving you instant feedback to help improve your game as you play.HOW TO KEEP YOUR DOG SAFE AND COOL IN HOT WEATHERGolf courses can benefit from the Neo Drive version, which offers precise full-course navigation and a web-based management system. This lets operators monitor carts in real time, dispatch them remotely and set virtual boundaries to keep things running smoothly. It's a smart way to manage fleets and enhance the overall player experience.Both the Vision and Tablet models are available at about 40% off through aKickstarter crowdfunding campaign, priced at $1,799 and $2,399, respectively. Each package includes the caddie, battery, charger and app access, and they come with a two-year manufacturer's warranty. If all goes as planned, shipping will start in July 2025.SUBSCRIBE TO KURTS YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR QUICK VIDEO TIPS ON HOW TO WORK ALL OF YOUR TECH DEVICESTheRobera Neo blends smart technology and practical design to create a golf caddie that truly makes your game easier and more enjoyable. Whether you're a casual player who wants to ditch the heavy lifting or a serious golfer looking for real-time swing feedback and intelligent navigation, the Neo offers features that fit a wide range of needs. While backing a crowdfunding project always involves some risk, the positive response so far suggests this could be a reliable addition to your golf gear. If you're ready to focus on your game and let your caddy do the heavy work, the Robera Neo is ready to follow you every step of the way.Are you ready to let cutting-edge AI take the weight off your shoulders, or do you prefer sticking with the traditional way of carrying your clubs? Let us know by writing us atCyberguy.com/ContactFor more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading toCyberguy.com/NewsletterAsk Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to coverFollow Kurt on his social channelsAnswers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.