FIRST ON FOX: Several Columbia University professors, faculty and staff members sent a letter to the college's acting president and board of trustees urging university leaders to consider reforms to combatantisemitism on campus as the White House nears a deal to restore funding to the school.The faculty members who signed the letter requested to remain anonymous.The letter, obtained by Fox News Digital, outlines several action items the Ivy League school can implement in a deal with the Trump administration to combat the rise in antisemitic activity the campus has dealt with since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. In March, President Donald Trump rescindedmore than $400 million in federal grants to the university due to potential violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act."We are invested members of Columbias community seeking to restore the universitys moral clarity and institutional resilience," the letter reads. "We are calling for leadership not just in academic endeavors, but in equity, safety, and accountability."REPORT SUGGESTS TRUMP, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY CLOSE TO NEW FUNDING DEAL"[Columbia] can lead the nation in showing that academic excellence and moral integrity go hand in hand," the group wrote.The key components of what the dozens of signees are seeking include accountability for professors who are pushing antisemitic narratives on students, reinstating and restoring the reputation of faculty members who received reprimands for being outspoken supporters of Israel, reprimanding and issuingconsequences for students involved in destructive rioting and protesting, and eliminating curriculum that promotes antisemitism."The Trump administration must address antisemitic classroom indoctrination and lack of viewpoint diversity, impose real accountability for student and faculty antisemitic conduct violators, reform admissions and hiring, and make necessary leadership changes," Ari Shrage, co-founder of the Columbia Jewish Alumni Association, told Fox News Digital.ISRAELI COLUMBIA PROFESSOR LEAVES SCHOOL OVER FAILURE TO ADDRESS ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTS"The Trump administration has the opportunity to enact real change which will fulfill their promise of eradicating antisemitism," Shrage said.As recently as May, more than80 protesters were arrested at Columbia's Butler Library, adding to the previous hundreds who have been arrested during intense riots, protests and demonstrations on campus.TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FORMALLY SUBPOENAS HARVARD UNIVERSITY OVER FOREIGN STUDENT INFORMATIONFox News Digital spoke to a senior White House official directly involved in negotiations with Columbia University, who said that requests similar to what the professors and faculty called for in the letter could be included in a deal.Such items include updated policies surrounding face masks worn by protesters on campus, reviewing theMiddle Eastern Studies curriculum at the school, and ensuring that students are treated equally in an environment that instills American values.The White House also told Fox that there would be examination of racial hierarchy and an oppressor mentality toward specific religious or racial groups. A deal may include changes to hiring and admissions practices that target these groups unfairly, increased transparency for foreign gifts and related disclosure requirements.The Trump administration is optimistic that a deal will be reached in the near future.HOUSE COMMITTEE ALLEGES BIDEN ADMIN USED FUNDS TO BACK ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS IN ISRAELAs for the Ivy League institution, a spokesperson from Columbia told Fox "the University remains engaged in productive discussions with the federal government to meaningfully address their concerns and move forward towards a resolution."Columbia has already taken several actions to address antisemitism on campus since negotiations have been underway,including an announcement from acting President Claire Shipman outlining initiatives to combat antisemitism just last week."In my view, any government agreement we reach is only a starting point for change," Shipman explained in the community letter. "Committing to reform on our own is a more powerful path. It will better enable us to recognize our shortcomings and create lasting change."While an exact timeline for when an agreement will be reached remains unclear, both the university and the White House confirmed to Fox News Digital that negotiations are productive and progress is being made.

At least 19 people were killed and 164 injured as a Bangladesh air force training jet crashed into a college and school campus in the capital Dhaka on Monday after experiencing a technical problem shortly after takeoff, a military spokesperson said.The F-7 BGI jet took off at 1:06 p.m. from the Bangladesh Air Force base in Kurmitola, Dhaka, as part of a routine training mission, but encountered a mechanical failure, said the spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sami Ud Dowla Chowdhury."The pilot ... made a valiant attempt to divert the aircraft away from densely populated areas. Despite his best efforts, the aircraft ... crashed into a two-story building belonging to Milestone School and College," he said.The pilot was among those killed in the incident, the military said, adding that a committee had been formed to investigate its cause.ONLY SURVIVOR OF DEADLY AIR INDIA PLANE CRASH SAYS SURVIVAL WAS A 'MIRACLE'The F-7BGI is the final and most advanced variant in China's Chengdu J-7/F-7 aircraft family, according to Janes Information Group. Bangladesh signed a contract for 16 aircraft in 2011 and deliveries were completed by 2013.The Chengdu F-7 is the license-built version of theSovietMiG-21.Videos of the aftermath of the crash showed a big fire near a lawn emitting a thick plume of smoke into the sky, as crowds watched from a distance.LONDON-BOUND PLANE CARRYING MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE CRASHES AFTER TAKEOFF IN INDIAFirefighters sprayed water on the mangled remains of the plane, which appeared to have rammed into the side of a building, damaging iron grills and creating a gaping hole in the structure, footage filmed by Reuters showed."A third-grade student was brought in dead, and three others, aged 12, 14 and 40, were admitted tothehospital," said Bidhan Sarker, head of the burn unit at the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, where some victims were taken.Images from the scene also showed people screaming and crying as others tried to comfort them.SMALL PLANE CRASHES IN SAN DIEGO SETTING HOMES AND VEHICLES ON FIRE"When I was picking (up) my kids and went to the gate, I realized something came from behind ... I heard an explosion. When I looked back, I only saw fire and smoke," said Masud Tarik, a teacher at the school.The incident comes a little over a month after an Air India plane crashed on top of a medical college hostel in neighboring India's Ahmedabad city, killing 241 of the 242 people on board and 19 on the ground, marking the world's worst aviation disaster in a decade.Reuters contributed to this report.

The diplomatic dispute triggered by a low-level clerk in Israels Interior Ministry over visa applications for Christian organizations was resolved on Monday through "fruitful cooperation," attorney Calev Myers told Fox News Digital."The Evangelical Christian organizations active in Israel, which represent the vast majority of Zionists in the world today, will receive all of the visas they need through a streamlined and efficient application process," he said.The issue burst into the news last week when U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee publicized a letter he wrote to Israeli Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, in which he expressed "great distress" over a halt to the "routine granting of visas for Christian organizations and workers, as has been practiced for decades."HUCKABEE CONDEMNS EFFORTS TO ERASE JEWISH HISTORY TO THE HOLY LAND AS ABSURDAccording to Huckabee, beginning in early 2025, the Interior Ministrys visa department stopped following the Ministry of Religious Affairs recommendations and began conducting its own investigations into each Christian organization to determine whether they should be recognized as "Religious Institutions" and remain eligible for visas.He cited as examples the Baptist Convention of Israel, Christian Missionary Alliance and Assemblies of God, noting that members of these groups have been denied renewals of their A3 clergy visas and are instead required to complete lengthy questionnaires about their religious beliefs. Huckabee said the status of their applications remains "under investigation."He also named the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem as another group whose visas were "being held up."He had threatened that unless changes were made, "I will have no choice than to instruct our Consular Section to review options for reciprocal treatment of Israeli citizens seeking visas to the United States."A source told Fox News Digital that the issue originated with a low-level clerk in Israels Interior Ministry who was "not particularly friendly" toward Christian visa applicants. As a result, the visa process for clergy and volunteers had become "increasingly problematic" and filled with "barriers for years."A second source told Fox News Digital that elements within the Israeli Interior Ministry "are not sympathetic, they dont appreciate the relationship" with the Christian world.Former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S.Michael Oren told Fox News Digital that he has been involved with helping to get visas for Christian organizations that do "extraordinary and important work" and theres no reason for them to be given a hard time.POPE DEMANDS CEASEFIRE AFTER GAZA'S CATHOLIC CHURCH IS HIT IN APPARENT ISRAELI STRIKE"When support for Israel around the world and in the U.S. is under pressure, backing from our Christian friends is extremely important," Oren said. "They are there through thick and thin including when bombs are falling on us and they contribute in so many ways. Whether its picking grapes, attending to people in hospitals, or cooking meals for soldiers. We should do nothing but appreciate them and make them feel welcome."The Ministry of Interior, responsible for the Population and Immigration Authority, was led by the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, a member of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus governing coalition, until it bolted from the government last week over the issue of conscription into the Israeli army of ultra-Orthodox men.According to the first source, leadership turnover at the Population and Immigration Authority has exacerbated the issue. Amos Arbel, the former head of the authority and the uncle of outgoing Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, stepped down some five years ago. His replacements rotated through the position in quick succession, and the role is currently vacant."The absence of stable leadership has allowed a lower-ranking official the head of the visa section to make unilateral decisions," the source explained. "She routinely disregards recommendations, including those from the ministrys own religious affairs advisor.""Its a chronic problem, and its disheartening," the source said. "It shouldnt take the intervention of someone like Ambassador Huckabee to resolve what should be a routine bureaucratic matter."EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS, WHO HAVE LONG SUPPORTED ISRAEL, VISIT AS WARTIME VOLUNTEERSIn response, Moshe Arbel sent a letter to Huckabee, reaffirming his "commitment to reviewing such applications [for clergy visas] with the utmost efficiency." He wrote that "immediately following our meeting, I instructed all relevant professional bodies to act in accordance with the understandings we reached, and I assigned advisors from my office headed by the chief of staff to ensure a personal, continuous, and effective response to such requests."Arbels office said in a statement to Fox News Digital: "There is no fear of diplomatic repercussions. The issue is being handled in a good and friendly manner."When contacted by Fox News Digital, the Prime Ministers Office in Jerusalem declined to comment.As of the end of 2024, Israels Christian population was estimated at 180,300 roughly 1.8% of the total population reflecting a 0.6% increase from 2023, according to data from the Central Bureau of Statistics. Israel is the only country in the Middle East where the local Christian population is growing.David Parsons, vice president of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, told Fox News Digital that he is "very grateful that the U.S. ambassador has intervened on behalf of all the Christian organizations."Its a shame that it takes this sort of action when the government and the minister of interior should have reined in the head of the visa section and corrected her wrong decisions," he said.Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman told Fox News Digital that he had spoken to individuals on both sides of the issue and believed it "was a misunderstanding and the Christian groups will get what they need. This does not at all speak to the very important relationship that Israel has with the Christian community," he said.

Democratic strategistJames Carville ripped Democrats for their lack of unity and warned that the party is "steamrolling toward a civilized civil war" in a new essay."Constipated. Leaderless. Confused. A cracked-out clown car. Divided,"Carville wrote in aMonday guest essay published in The New York Times."These are the words I hear my fellow Democrats using to describe our party as of late. The truth is theyre not wrong: The Democratic Party is in shambles."Carville said thatNew York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdanis win in the citys primary"representsan undeniable fissure in our political soul."CARVILLE CALLS SOCIALIST'S VICTORY IN NYC MAYORAL PRIMARY A 'POTENTIALLY DAMAGING EVENT' FOR DEMOCRATIC PARTYHe pointed toMamdanis economic policies, which includegovernment-run grocery stores and plans totax the top 1% of New Yorkers, admitting that he is concerned that they will actually be able to be executed."We are divided along generational lines: Candidates like Mr. Mamdani are impatient for an economic future that folks my age are skeptical can actually be delivered,"Carville said."We are divided along ideological lines," he added. "A party that is historically allegiant to the state of Israelis at odds with a growing faction that will not look past the abuses in Palestine. From Medicare for All purists to Affordable Care Act reformists, the list goes on and on."He said that Democrats must "demand" a repeal of PresidentDonald Trumps cuts to Medicaid in the 47th presidents "big, beautiful bill."CARVILLE SHREDS DEM STATE CHAIR, TELLS PROGRESSIVES TO START THEIR OWN 'PRONOUN' PARTYThe legislationrequires able-bodied adults without children to work 80 hours a month, amounting to 20 hours each week, in order to receive Medicaid benefits.He also said that Democrats must "demand a repeal to end the endless wars, because the bill boosts military spending to$1 trillion for the very first time," as well as help students who are losing loan protections and may no longer be eligible for Pell Grants.Democrats must also "demand a repeal" of the cuts to theSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),Carville said."Weve never had a simpler, more unifying oppositional message,"Carville said. "Soon it will no longer be possible to avoid a brawl between the factions ignited back in the 2016 Democratic presidential primary. But for now, whether youre the progressive Mr. Mamdani, the centrist former Rep. Abigail Spanberger running for the Virginia governorship or even Elon Musk, we can all agree on one thing: We demand a repeal. Onward to the midterms."

FIRST ON FOX: A Senate Republican wants to slash federal funding to "anarchist jurisdictions" that run afoul of President Donald Trump's immigration agenda in the wake of the anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles. Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., plans to introduce the Stop Anarchists from Endangering (SAFE) Cities Act, which would put cities that push back against the Trump administrations immigration plan in danger of losing federal funding.TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SUES LOS ANGELES OVER SANCTUARY POLICIES THAT 'IMPEDE' ICE OPERATIONSSheehys bill would direct Attorney General Pam Bondi to identify and publish a list of anarchist jurisdictions. If a city is on the list, their funding would be put in jeopardy.From there, Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought Office would issue guidance to the heads of various federal agencies to restrict anarchist jurisdictions' eligibility to receive federal grants, according to the bill text."Its not too much for Americans to ask that their local governments put the safety of their people first, but too often, far-left public officials allow violent criminals to wreak havoc on families, communities, and businesses with no consequence," Sheehy said in a statement to Fox News Digital."Ensuring taxpayer dollars go to communities who uphold the law and keep their citizens safe is America First common sense," he continued. 'ONE MORE': SENATE REPUBLICANS EYE TACKLING ANOTHER RECONCILIATION BILLThe push comes on the heels of anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles, where Gov. Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass pushed back against the Trump administrations deportation operations. In the aftermath of the riots the Trump administration earlier this month filed a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles, where it alleged that the citys policies interfere with federal immigration authorities from doing their jobs.And last month, a companion to the bill was introduced in the House by Rep. Tony Wied, R-Wis."Im grateful to Sen. Sheehy for standing with me and declaring that we will no longer allow radical elected officials to be rewarded for putting violent extremists over law-abiding citizens," Wied said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "They must either restore the rule of law in their communities or lose their federal funding. They cant have both."NEW GOP BILL WOULD CUT OFF HOUSING FUNDS TO SANCTUARY CITIES DEFYING TRUMP DHSThe bill seeks to codify a memo Trump authorized during his first term on the heels of unrest in major cities throughout the country following the death of George Floyd.At the time, Trump argued that his "administration will not allow federal tax dollars to fund cities that allow themselves to deteriorate into lawless zones."He ordered then-Attorney General William Barr in September 2020 to have the DOJ publish a list that identified state and local jurisdictions that have "permitted violence and the destruction of property to persist and have refused to undertake reasonable measures to counteract these criminal activities."Anarchist jurisdictions would make the list if they forbid law enforcement from intervening to restore order, withdraw law enforcement from an area where they were lawfully entitled to be, defund the police or refuse law enforcement aid from the federal government, and would be subject to losing federal grant funding.

Russia attacked Ukraine overnight Monday and into the morning, killing two and injuring 15, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said."Russian strikes are always an assault on humanity in Kyiv, a kindergarten caught fire, along with residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure. Ordinary apartment buildings were damaged in Kharkiv, Ivano-Frankivsk and the region. 15 people have been injured, the youngest is a 12-year-old boy. Everyone is receiving assistance. Two people were killed in the attack," Zelenskyy noted in the post on Monday.TRUMP, RUTTE ANNOUNCE REALLY BIG NATO ARMS PACKAGE AMID NEW 50 DAY DEADLINE TO PUTIN"Throughout the night, Russia launched more than 420 drones and over 20 missiles, including ballistic ones. The waves of attacks lasted all night and continued into the morning. In the morning, shaheds once again targeted the Kharkiv region. During the shelling, mobile fire groups, army aviation, electronic warfare units, Air Force warriors, and interceptor drones were in action. Many targets were shot down but unfortunately, not all. That is why we must continue scaling up our interceptor capabilities. This is the kind of solution that can protect us from massive attacks," he noted in another part of the lengthy post.Last week while speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, President Donald Trump spoke about a plan involving other countries purchasing military equipment from the U.S. and supplying military equipment to Ukraine.Trump indicated that equipment will be swiftly delivered to the battlefield for Ukraine's use.NATO CHIEF PRAISES TRUMP'S WEAPONS SALES TO ALLIES AS SIGNIFICANT MOVE THAT COULD FORCE PUTIN TO NEGOTIATEA NATO press release indicated that Rutte was slated to participate in a virtual Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting on Monday."Last week, President Trump announced a new plan for large scale NATO weapons transfers and committed to getting these 'quickly distributed to the battlefield,'" UK Defense Secretary John Healey MP was expected to say, in part, when opening the meeting, according to a UK government press release. "The UK government backs this policy, and we will play our full part in its success to bolster Ukraines immediate fight and to support our own and wider European security."TRUMP SAYS US WILL SEND PATRIOT MISSILES TO UKRAINE, ADDS THAT PUTIN TALKS NICE AND THEN HE BOMBS EVERYBODYRussia's Defense Ministry indicated that its forces downed 74 Ukrainian drones overnight, The Associated Press reported.

Weeks after former President Joe Biden went head-to-head against now-President Donald Trump, Biden announced exactly a year ago, July 21, 2024, that he would bow out of the race an unprecedented decision that led to a series of 2024 election plot twists.Bidens announcement came amid increasing pressure from his own party to step aside following his debate performance against Trump June 27, 2024, in Atlanta, where Biden struggled to answer seemingly basic questions.Bidens last-minute decision to exit the race rendered costly consequences for his party and his legacy at least in the near future, according to experts.BIDEN ENDS BID FOR SECOND TERM IN WHITE HOUSE AS HE DROPS OUT OF HIS 2024 REMATCH WITH TRUMP"The way Biden handled his infirmity and his reluctant exit from the race will be devastating for his legacy," Tevi Troy, presidential historian and the former deputy secretary of Health and Human Services under George W. Bush, said in an email to Fox News Digital Thursday. "While Biden was once known as the person who slayed the dragon that Democrats see as Trump, he will now forevermore be known as the person who allowed the dragon to return."Even after his rough debate performance, Biden dug his heels in and refused to immediately hand over the baton to another candidate. Initially, Biden, along with his White House and his campaign, said that ending his run for reelection was off the table, and that he wanted to face Trump in November 2024.But after calls from Democrat leaders, including former Sen. Jon Tester of Montana and Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Biden finally issued a statement claiming that he believed "it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term."BIDEN'S STUNNING EXIT, ONE YEAR LATER: THE DROPOUT HEARD AROUND THE COUNTRYAs a result, Biden endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, to take his place in the race."I think its very difficult to separate the fact that he bowed out from the fact that he did so belatedly and only after his disastrous debate performance," Alex Keyssar, a history professor at Harvard Kennedy School of public policy, said in an email to Fox News Digital. "That is true now and will also be true for his legacy for quite a while."He is seen as someone who made an enormous mistake remaining as a candidate when he could have withdrawn six months earlier and a mistake that may well have cost his party the presidential election," Keyssar said.Few presidents have chosen not to run for reelection, and even fewer have chosen to do so in the middle of a presidential campaign. The departure from the race marked the first time a presidential candidate had done so in nearly 60 years.Those whove called off their presidential bids in the middle of the campaign season include former presidents Harry S. Truman, who bowed out amid low polling, and Lyndon B. Johnson, who announced he wouldnt run again amid tensions stemming from the Vietnam War and fractures within his own party.Even so, they each withdrew from the race months ahead of Biden."Harry Truman and Lyndon Johnson both pulled out of reelection efforts in late March," Troy said. "Joe Biden did it in late July, throwing the Democratic Party into turmoil.""While incumbents generally have the advantage in running for reelection, the history of incumbent parties after the incumbent chooses to drop out late is not great: Trumans, Johnsons and Bidens party lost in each of the elections in question," Troy said.FLASHBACK: BIDEN ENDS BID FOR SECOND TERM IN WHITE HOUSE AS HE DROPS OUT OF HIS 2024 REMATCH WITH TRUMPSince Biden pulled out of the race, multiple books have been written detailing Bidens final days in office, his deteriorating mental faculties, and challenges within the Democratic Party as a result of his decision to withdraw from the election.Additionally, multiple investigations are ongoing on Capitol Hill concerning Bidens mental decline. For example, the House Oversight Committee is examining the cover-up of Bidens cognitive decline and potentially unauthorized executive actions taken during his presidency.Bidens presidential approval rating reached a high of 57% from January 2021 to April 2021 after he first took office, but dropped to a low of 36% in July 2024, according to Gallup.Even so, Keyssar predicted that time would soften public opinion toward Bidens presidency."As an historian, looking further into the future, I can imagine that his legacy will become more positive, as historians and other analysts focus more on his achievements in office and his basic decency as a person," Keyssar said.

This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988.Jeffrey Epstein's former lawyer has suggested that the sex-trafficking financier's only convicted accomplice should be granted immunity from further prosecution in exchange for coming clean in front of Congress.Ghislaine Maxwell, 63, is the only associate held criminally or civilly liable in connection with the allegations against Epstein. In 2016, she sat for a deposition in a civil lawsuit, in which she denied recollection of nearly two dozen flights on Epstein's private jet with an underage Virginia Giuffre, who would go on to become the trafficking duo's most outspoken accuser. Epstein's flight logs showed Giuffre and Maxwell on the plane at the same time 23 times before she turned 18, Fox News Digital reported previously.Giuffre died of suicide earlier this year."[Maxwell] knows everything," Alan Dershowitz, a former attorney for Epstein, told Fox News' Shannon Bream on "Fox News Sunday." "She is the Rosetta Stone."GHISLAINE MAXWELL'S FAMILY INSISTS SHE RECEIVED UNFAIR TRIAL IN JEFFREY EPSTEIN CASEAn unidentified friend of Maxwell's said in a recent interview with the Daily Mail that she would be open to testifying before Congress. Maxwell's attorney declined to confirm or deny the reporting."If she were just given use immunity, she could be compelled to testify," Dershowitz said. "I'm told that she actually would be willing to testify, and there'd be no reason for her to withhold any information. So I don't see any negative in giving her the kind of use immunity that would compel her to testify. So she ought to be summoned in front of a congressional committee."DOJ REJECTS GHISLAINE MAXWELLS APPEAL IN SCOTUS RESPONSEThe comments come days after federal authorities said they would ask a federal judge to unseal secret grand jury materials in an attempt to shed more light on Epstein's criminal enterprise. Dershowitz, however, warned that most of the material of interest to the public is not in the grand jury materials, but in sealed court documents, some of which he has already seen.He cautioned, however, that not all the allegations leveled at people in Epstein's orbit would be credible.GHISLAINE MAXWELL FOLLOWS PRISON FITNESS ROUTINE, VIDEO SHOWS, AS DOJ'S JEFFREY EPSTEIN MEMO DRAWS HEAT"As long as there's nothing redacted about the accuser's lack of credibility, then the public has the right to make its own decision," he said. "Just because somebody's name is mentioned doesn't really mean very much."Under federal law, use of immunity is a legal protection that prevents a witness' testimony or any evidence drawn from it from being used to prosecute them criminally, so long as they tell the truth.In 2021, more than two years after Epstein's death in custody while awaiting his own trial, Maxwell was convicted of helping him traffic teen girls. She received a 20-year sentence and has appealed her case to the U.S. Supreme Court."She arranged every single trip with everybody," Dershowitz said. "She knows everything."

The Portland Trail Blazers acquired the draft rights to 7-foot-1 center Yang Hansen out of China this summer in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies, and hes looking to make an immediate impact.Yang, 20, is relatively unknown to fair-weather basketball fans. Hes been playing basketball in China since he was in elementary school and eventually made his way to the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), playing for the Qingdao Eagles.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMHe was a CBA All-Star in 2024 and 2025 and named the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year before he was brought up in NBA circles. Hes set to become a key part of the Trail Blazers under head coach Chauncey Billups.Yang, whose father Yang Lin was a pro basketball player, opened up about why he decided to play basketball in an interview with The Washington Post. He told the paper that he was set to quit sports altogether at the age of 8 when he refused to practice outside in the heat. His father urged him to work hard at something that could help him get into college. According to the report, Yang tried several sprots before he returned to basketball."I wasnt that good at school, and I was a little bit of a fat boy," he told The Washington Post. "My father told me to try some sports, figure out what you want to do and lose some weight. My father told me: Dont become fat."LEBRON JAMES' FORMER TEAMMATE EXPLAINS WHY IT 'SUCKS' PLAYING WITH HIMYang is set to become the ninth Chinese NBA player when he eventually takes the floor for Portland. He will follow in the footsteps of the legendary Yao Ming and former star Yi Jianlian.Cui Yongxi is the only other active Chinese player. He played five games for the Brooklyn Nets last season, but his year was cut short when he tore his ACL in a G League game.Yang acknowledged the pressures that will come from being from China and playing in the NBA."Its a lot of pressure, for sure," he told the newspaper. "I just want to show the people in China Im doing good. Before I headed to the States, Yao called me and shared some of his experiences. He told me to enjoy your food, enjoy your drinks, enjoy your sleep and enjoy everything."Yao is the icon for Chinese basketball. Hes special. Im just a rookie. I can feel a lot of expectations and anticipation on me. Yao is number one in paradise. Compared to him, Im cold ash in a pot."Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

A scientist studying caves found himself in a dangerous situation on Sunday.While exploring the Abisso Paperino cave inItaly along with others, the explorer became trapped by falling rocks.The 62-year-old speleologist was found over 130 feet below the surface with ahead injury.LOST MOTHER'S HANDWRITTEN NOTES SAVE HER AND 9-YEAR-OLD SON STRANDED IN REMOTE CALIFORNIA WILDERNESSThat injury prevented him from escaping the cave, The Associated Press (AP) reported.In order to help retrieve the man from the cave, rescuers widened the cave using explosive charges at three key junctures carrying him to the surface.The Abisso Paperino cave extends nearly 600 feet underground, according to AP. It is also home to a fossil gallery and located near the of Ormea in Cuneo province.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTERThe cave is located in the Piedmont region in Northwest Italy, sitting at the foot of the Swiss Alps.Photos released by theItalian National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps show the successful rescue operation as the trapped man was finally released.Italy has about 34,000 natural caves, according to Aeroporti Di Roma.For more Lifestyle articles, visit foxnews.com/lifestyleThe U.S. National Park Services (NPS) advises visitors who explore caves to wear sturdyclosed-toed shoes, long sleeves and pants to protect themselves from scrapes.At least one flashlight or headlamp should be brought with extra light sources and batteries recommended by NPS."Tell someonewhereyou are going and when you expect to return," says the NPS site."Do not deviate from your planned itinerary, and be sure to check in with them when you return."The Associated Press contributed to this report.