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Trump Iran threat sparks calls for his ouster, but one Dem says effort ‘not realistic’

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:27:00 -0400

Dozens of congressional Democrats are demanding that Republicans remove President Donald Trump for his latest threat against Iran, but one lawmaker says the idea isn’t "realistic."

Several congressional Democrats want to invoke the 25th Amendment, a decades-old addition to the Constitution that empowers a president’s Cabinet to remove him from office if he is unable to do the job.

Some Democrats are arguing that Trump’s latest threat against Iran on Truth Social — where he declared that a "whole civilization will die tonight" unless his demands to reopen the Strait of Hormuz are met — is proof that he has lost the ability to carry out his role as commander in chief.

But Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., doesn’t believe now is the moment to pull the trigger on the 25th Amendment.

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"I’m getting a lot of traffic about the 25th Amendment after Trump’s mad rants," Whitehouse said on X. "The president is facing serious mental decline; I’m with you on that."

"But unfortunately, invoking the 25th is not realistic right now, given his oddball Cabinet of sycophants and eccentrics, and Republican ‘spines of foam,’" he continued. "We’re going to have to buckle down and win this the old-fashioned way."

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Doing so would require Vice President JD Vance and a majority of Trump’s Cabinet to agree to remove him. They would then send a declaration to Congress, which Trump would likely dispute, requiring a two-thirds vote in both chambers to officially remove him from office.

It’s a much higher bar than impeachment and conviction — and a move that has never been used to remove a sitting president.

While the measure has been used a handful of times since its ratification in the 1960s — either for brief transfers of power during medical procedures requiring anesthesia or to fill vacancies in the vice presidency — it has never been used to involuntarily remove a president.

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Congressional Republicans similarly called for invoking the 25th Amendment against former President Joe Biden toward the end of his presidency, particularly after his debate performance against Trump in the summer of 2024.

Still, Democrats are seeking recourse over Trump’s Easter comments and his latest post Tuesday.

"If I were in Trump’s Cabinet, I would spend Easter calling constitutional lawyers about the 25th Amendment," Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said on X. "This is completely, utterly unhinged. He’s already killed thousands. He’s going to kill thousands more."

Others are accusing Trump of being on the cusp of committing war crimes by targeting civilian infrastructure.

When asked if she believed that the administration would be carrying out a war crime by targeting power supply and bridges, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said, "No."

"It's an ongoing operation, and if he needs leverage, he's using that leverage," Ernst said.

Many Republicans have remained silent on Trump's post.

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment and has not yet received a reply.

Gilgo Beach victim’s son claims suspected serial killer’s family turned horror into profits ahead of plea

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:20:29 -0400

The son of a victim of the accused Gilgo Beach serial killer has filed a lawsuit against Rex Heuermann and members of his family over the alleged torture and dismemberment of his mother – just days before he is expected to plead guilty to the brutal killings of seven women.

On Monday, attorney John Ray filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of Benjamin Torres, the only child of Valerie Mack, according to court documents obtained by Fox News.

The civil filing alleges that Mack’s death deprived Torres of his "mother’s care, guidance, protection, nurture, society and economic support."

ACCUSED GILGO BEACH SERIAL KILLER REX HEUERMANN EXPECTED TO PLEAD GUILTY IN MURDER CASE: REPORTS

Mack, a 24-year-old from Philadelphia, vanished when her son was just 6 years old in 2000. Her partial remains were discovered in Manorville, New York, after a group of hikers stumbled upon a suspicious black bag that November.

According to the lawsuit, Mack was "tortured ferociously" before allegedly being killed and dismembered by Heuermann.

REX HEUERMANN'S FAMILY KEPT GRUESOME PIECE OF EVIDENCE, SOURCE SAYS

As a result, Torres is seeking unspecified "recovery for the wrongful torture and murder of Valerie Mack, for the terror, restraint, pain, mutilation, and dismemberment inflicted upon her before and after death, for the concealment and mutilation of her remains, and for the profound and prolonged harm thereby inflicted," the lawsuit said.

EX-WIFE OF ALLEGED GILGO BEACH KILLER STILL DEFENDS HIM, BUT DAUGHTER SAYS HE ‘MOST LIKELY’ DID IT

The suit also aims to seek compensation from Heuermann’s ex-wife, Asa Ellerup, and daughter Victoria Heuermann stemming from profits made from the Peacock documentary, "Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets."

The family received over $1 million from the documentary, according to Newsday.

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"Asa Ellerup and Victoria Heuermann at some point in time knew of, concealed, deliberately ignored, or consciously avoided learning of material facts concerning the assault, murder, dismemberment, concealment, and disposal of Valerie Mack," the lawsuit added.

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The lawsuit also addresses New York’s two-year deadline for wrongful death lawsuits to be filed, arguing the limit should be waived for Torres due to his age at the time of his mother’s murder and authorities’ delay in identifying her remains.

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Heuermann was charged with Mack’s death in late 2024, marking the seventh and final victim prosecutors say he killed between 1993 and 2010.

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He is expected to plead guilty to all seven counts of murder as part of a plea deal offered by Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. He is due back in court on Wednesday.

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Heuermann is accused of killing Mack, Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Jessica Taylor, Sandra Costilla and Amber Lynn Costello.

Tierney, and the attorneys for Heuermann, Ellerup and Torres did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Ellerup's attorney is expected to address the lawsuit at a 4 p.m. news conference.

Fox News' Jennifer Johnson and Michael Ruiz contributed to this report.

Chiefs heiress Gracie Hunt announces engagement to son of team's former quarterback: 'It was always you'

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:19:38 -0400

Gracie Hunt, the daughter of Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, announced her engagement earlier this week.

Hunt posted a photo collage of her engagement to Derek Green, the son of former Chiefs quarterback Trent Green.

"It was always you," the couple wrote in a collaboration Instagram post with emojis of a ring, red heart, and infinity sign. "'And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.' Romans 8:28."

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The couple posted 14 photos, including one with Green on a knee in front of a crying Hunt, a close-up of the ring, a photo of Green and Clark Hunt shaking hands, and both mothers taking photos of the occasion.

Hunt also posted a video that her mother took of her just before she got engaged, captioning it "POV: walking towards your forever."

Hunt took a golf cart to a boardwalk that she walked down to meet Green, who was decked out in a white suit himself.

The couple also posted on Easter Sunday.

"Thank You, Jesus — for salvation, for love, and for this beautiful chapter You’ve written for us. You painted the purest picture of love the world has ever seen, and today we celebrate that gift," they wrote. "As we step into this new season of life together, our prayer is simple — to love each other the way You loved the church. Selflessly. Faithfully. Completely. Happy Easter from our hearts to yours."

TRAVIS KELCE'S SISTER-IN-LAW BEGS PEOPLE TO 'STOP F---ING ASKING' HER ABOUT HIS AND TAYLOR SWIFT'S WEDDING

While Green did not find the same success as his father, he still played four seasons at SMU and one more at Long Island University.

Hunt was previously in a relationship with Cody Keith, an ex-quarterback for East Carolina University who got a shot in multiple NFL training camps before seeing some interest in the Canadian Football League who had once befriended Patrick Mahomes.

Rumors of their breakup swirled earlier last year, and then Hunt confirmed she was in another relationship this time last year.

Hunt is a staple at Chiefs games every season, usually being spotted on the sidelines before games and commenting on what went down on the gridiron after the final whistle via social media.

Fox News' Scott Thompson contributed to this report.

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Astronaut tells CNN 'entire' Trump administration deserves credit for Artemis mission success

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:19:15 -0400

Former astronaut Clayton Anderson credited President Donald Trump’s entire administration when asked by a CNN host whether the president "deserves any credit."

The Artemis II astronauts completed their lunar mission late Monday, traveling deeper into space than any humans in history and revealing views of the far side of the Moon never seen before. Trump congratulated the crew as they continued their spaceflight, telling them, "Your mission paves the way for America's return to the lunar surface very soon."

Anderson, who spent 167 days living and working in space on the International Space Station, spoke to Abby Phillip about how he felt about this latest accomplishment.

"I think it's great for them," he said. "I'm very envious. I would love to be with them in that tiny little capsule, being so close to the moon," he said. "But it's very important, and I agree with what Miles [O’Brien] said, that we got to be the best. We’ve got to be the leaders in space exploration. And so I love the fact that we finally have committed after 54 years to begin this journey again."

NASA'S ARTEMIS II CREW COMMITS TO MOON TRAJECTORY AFTER CRITICAL BURN SENDS ORION INTO DEEP SPACE

Phillip then pressed him for his thoughts on a recent statement from the president, asking the astronaut, "In your view, Clayton, does President Trump deserve credit for — he said today that he was given a choice to shut NASA down or keep it going. Do you think he deserves any credit for keeping it going?"

Anderson suggested the entire administration deserved credit, arguing that politicizing this accomplishment is missing the point.

"Well, I think the entire administration deserves credit, all the people that are involved picking [NASA Administrator] Mr. Isaacman," he said. "The politics of it to me is — is kind of fluff. I think that the key thing is, is that we're doing it and that takes the efforts of a lot of different people."

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He continued, noting, "It takes appropriate budget money, as we all know. We hope that the budget money will continue to be there because it will be required for us to get to Artemis III and then Artemis IV. So, you know, everybody's taking credit."

"I'm taking credit by being on your show and saying, ‘Hey, I was an astronaut for a while. You know, I lived on the space station. Give me some credit!’" Anderson said. "So, you know — so it's, it's kind of a — it's a humanitarian success."

The exchange was first noted by NewsBusters.

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Phillip agreed, saying that after having spent 167 days in space, Anderson indeed deserved to "get all the credit," and thanked him for his service.

Trump's threat to end Iranian 'civilization' sparks uproar on Capitol Hill

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:03:50 -0400

President Donald Trump's escalating threats against Iran sparked fierce bipartisan backlash on Capitol Hill, with some lawmakers calling for his removal from office.

Trump warned Tuesday that a "whole civilization will die tonight" unless Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway responsible for one-fifth of the world’s oil supply.

"I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. "However, now that we have Complete and Total Regime Change, where different, smarter, and less radicalized minds prevail, maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS?"

Some Democratic lawmakers in both chambers immediately called for the president’s impeachment, though it is likely to be a futile effort in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

WHY TRUMP’S WAR SPEECH FAILED: DECLARING VICTORY BUT STILL BOMBING IRAN BACK TO THE ‘STONE AGES’

"Trump’s unhinged threats of violence and genocide are inexcusable," Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., wrote on social media. "My Republican colleagues can't keep turning a blind eye. He must be stopped and impeached."

"Sickeningly evil. Donald Trump must be impeached," Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., said in response to Trump’s message.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., also called on the Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment, characterizing Trump as a "maniac" who must be removed from office.

Under the U.S. Constitution, the vice president and a majority of the cabinet can use the mechanism to remove a president, though the cohort must submit a written letter to Congress stating their rationale. Lawmakers in both chambers would then need to approve the president’s removal with a two-thirds majority — a much higher bar than impeachment and conviction.

Republicans similarly demanded that former President Joe Biden be removed toward the end of his administration.

The White House slammed Democrats' renewed impeachment push in a statement to Fox News Digital.

"This is pathetic. Democrats have been talking about impeaching President Trump since before he was even sworn into office," White House spokesman Davis Ingle said. "The Democrats in Congress are deranged, weak, and ineffective, which is why their approval ratings are at historic lows."

Other Democratic lawmakers stopped short of calling for Trump’s ouster but have advocated for an immediate end to the war and canceling recess to hold a vote to check the president’s war powers in Iran.

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"Each Republican who refuses to join us in voting against this wanton war of choice owns every consequence of whatever the hell this is," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Tuesday.

Democrats in both chambers are expected to force votes requiring Trump to seek congressional authorization before launching military force against Iran in the coming weeks. However, the House and Senate are not expected to resume session until the week of April 13.

Trump’s latest fiery statement comes after his Easter edict, in which the president reaffirmed his Tuesday deadline in an expletive-filled post and threatened that Iran will be "living in Hell."

Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., a close ally of Trump’s in the Senate, said he hoped the president was bluffing.

"I am hoping and praying that President Trump is — this really is bluster," Johnson told John Solomon Reports. "I do not want to see us start blowing up civilian infrastructure. I do not want to see that we are not at war with the Iranian people. We are trying to liberate them."

Republicans have so far given little pushback to Trump’s war in Iran, with many declining to use the term. And in the Senate, they have blocked several attempts from Democrats to rein in Trump’s war authorities in the region and call back America’s military forces from the conflict.

Some Republicans aren’t completely sold on providing more funding for the conflict, including Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, until there has been a formal declaration of war approved by Congress.

That moment has not yet come, however, but it may be fast approaching, given that the conflict has now stretched over 39 days. At 60 days, Congress would be able to weigh in.

Not all Republicans shared the same sentiment as Johnson. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, when asked about the post, said "He’s not wrong."

"Let’s put it like that," Ernst said. "I know the president is really frustrated, and we do want to see the strait opened. It’s not just good for the United States, but it’s good for Europe and so many other countries."

Michigan Democrat defends appearing with Hasan Piker, distances himself from podcaster's controversial remarks

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:00:50 -0400

Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed defended his decision to appear with controversial podcaster Hasan Piker at an upcoming rally while distancing himself from the host’s past remarks on 9/11 and the October 7 attacks during a "Fox & Friends" appearance on Tuesday.

"Of course I oppose rape. Of course I don't think 9/11 was justified," El-Sayed said, referring to past controversial comments made by Piker.

"[Just] because you appear with somebody, doesn't mean you agree with them on everything."

El-Sayed expanded on that argument by pointing to past controversial remarks made by President Donald Trump, saying that appearing alongside someone does not equate to endorsing all of their views.

MICHIGAN SENATE CANDIDATE RESPONDS TO BACKLASH OVER KHAMENEI COMMENTS, CALLS IRAN CONFLICT ‘WAR WE DON’T NEED’

"When did we start bending to cancel culture? When did we start saying that cancel culture was okay?" he asked, arguing that those seeking to earn votes and "build America" should be willing to "go and talk to anyone anywhere."

Piker has drawn criticism in the past for controversial comments about both the September 11 attacks and the Oct. 7, 2023 assault on Israel, including remarks that appeared to downplay or justify the violence.

More specifically, Piker minimized reports of mass sexual assault during the Oct. 7 attacks, having previously argued that actions taken by the Trump administration helped create enough anger to inspire the atrocity.

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In one of his more widely criticized moments, Piker also said during a stream in 2019 that "America deserved 9/11."

After immense backlash, Piker said in an interview with The Young Turks founder Cenk Uygur that he "obviously" did not mean that America deserved the attacks and accused critics of not disregarding "the actual truth of what I was talking about," explaining the viral quote as a critique of U.S. foreign policy.

El-Sayed has consistently distanced himself from such remarks, insisting that he is speaking to Piker's audience in an effort to reach voters he might not otherwise connect with.

El-Sayed also explained his own controversial remark that he wanted to avoid commenting on the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei because of people in Dearborn who were "sad" about the development.

"Fast forward five weeks on, I think all of us are sad today. Our gas prices are up over a dollar, we're fighting a war that is taking service members' lives and we're paying our tax dollars to do it to the tune of a billion to $2 billion a day, so I think, all of [us] right now ought to be sad," he said in part.

When pressed further, El-Sayed told co-host Lawrence Jones he is "no apologist for any regime, including our own," but argued that "the end doesn’t justify the means" when it comes to U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts.

Fox News' Rachel Wolf and Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.

DAVID MARCUS: In Trump's Department of War, it's soldiers — not experts — calling the shots

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:00:21 -0400

When President Donald Trump changed the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War last year, many saw it as merely a branding exercise, but as the fierceness of Operation Epic Fury in Iran has shown us, it was much, much more than that.

On Easter Sunday, our military pulled off a daring rescue of a downed airman behind enemy lines, and what it made clear, once again, is that Trump’s Department of War is run by soldiers, not by experts, and the results are phenomenal.

As Secretary of War and former frontline veteran Pete Hegseth has put it many times, his Pentagon will focus on "maximum lethality, not tepid legality."

Put another way, what is the point of having the biggest, deadliest, most powerful military in the world if every bad actor across the globe knows America is too feckless to use it?

TRUMP TOUTS AIRMAN RESCUE MISSION, BOASTS IRAN COULD BE 'TAKEN OUT IN 1 NIGHT'

Thus far, when you compare the stunning success of our military operations in Venezuela, as well as the shock and awe leveled across Iran, with Joe Biden’s staggeringly stupid and tragic Afghanistan withdrawal, the difference isn’t just night and day, and it’s not just winning and losing, but life and death.

Since the end of the Cold War, the United States has essentially assumed that it can easily win any knockdown, drag-out military confrontation, so the question has too often been about winning the peace, not winning the wars.

This has almost always meant being less aggressive and using less fighting force in the hopes of not creating more people across the globe who dislike America, but Pete Hegseth understands that is not his job.

TRUMP’S IRAN STRATEGY IS WORKING AND TEACHING OUR FOES WHAT DETERRENCE MEANS

Hegseth’s attitude is that when the bell rings, we pummel our enemies like a young Mike Tyson until the bell rings again; we don’t hold them up for a few rounds to put on a good show for NATO and the United Nations.

Another thing that Hegseth instinctively understands as a soldier’s soldier is that the best way to avoid endless wars is to win them quickly, decisively and, as President Trump has put it, unconditionally.

This willingness to use extreme measures is something that should give Iran’s leadership — those still breathing, anyway — great pause as we approach Tuesday’s 8 p.m. deadline for Iran to give in or face massive destruction.

DR MARC SIEGEL: BLEEDING, ALONE AND HUNTED -- A DOWNED COLONEL’S MIRACLE SURVIVAL

On Sunday, Trump posted to Truth Social, "Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F-----’ Strait, you crazy b-------, or you’ll be living in Hell — JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP."

Liberals all over the country shrieked in agony and called for Trump’s removal, claiming that attacking infrastructure is a war crime, even though attacking infrastructure — or, if you want to be fancy, "disrupting the enemy’s interior lines" — is as natural to warfare as chipping is to golf.

Carl von Clausewitz was an early-19th-century Prussian officer whose book "On War" is considered the birth of modern military tactics. In it, he writes this in regard to what defeating your enemy means:

WHY TRUMP, IRAN SEEM LIGHT-YEARS APART ON ANY POSSIBLE DEAL TO END THE WAR

"What do we mean by the defeat of the enemy? Simply the destruction of his forces, whether by death, injury, or any other means — either completely or enough to make him stop fighting."

This is the Hegseth, soldier-first, expert-last style of war; it is not a forever slog in which houses of diplomatic cards are carefully constructed. It is not a style that would allow our naval forces to be captured and humiliated by Iran, as happened under Barack Obama.

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No, under Hegseth’s Department of War, our downed serviceman this week was not bartered for; he was rescued by a military that blew up anyone who tried to get in its way.

No wonder recruitment and morale are soaring. Young men and women joining the military under this Department of War know they are neither diplomatic pawns nor guinea pigs in woke social engineering experiments; they are warriors.

Whatever the ultimate outcome in Iran, one thing is already certain: no nation on Earth, no foe, can assume, as they did under the Department of Defense, that the U.S. military will simply block punches without landing any.

After decades of civilian experts and mild-mannered generals giving America a kinder and gentler military, warfighting is back, and whether the United States of America is loved around the world or not, it absolutely will be feared.

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DeSantis targets ‘jihad’ with hardline Florida terror crackdown

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:49:47 -0400

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Monday creating a state process to designate terrorist organizations and penalize universities that support them, part of what he described as a crackdown on Islamic extremism in Florida.

DeSantis, standing behind a sign denouncing Sharia law, said during the bill signing Monday that the legislation was designed to protect Floridians and their tax dollars.

"We’ll do millions for public safety, millions for education, but never one red cent for jihad," DeSantis said, noting that "the federal government does this all the time … but we need to be doing that here."

The bill, HB1471, reaffirmed that Florida courts cannot enforce any sort of foreign or religious law, including Sharia law. The bill also gave the Florida Department of Law Enforcement the ability to declare domestic terrorist organizations, which would subject the organizations to numerous prohibitions, including barring them from receiving any sort of public funding.

HOUSE HOMELAND SECURITY REPUBLICAN URGES US MUSLIM LEADERSHIP TO 'ISOLATE EXTREMISTS' AFTER STRING OF ATTACKS

"The legislation we’ll sign today is the strongest action Florida has ever taken to protect its people from this influence, and obviously it spans finance, it spans political, it spans culture, and then of course it can be overt acts like we’ve seen at Old Dominion," DeSantis said.

The bill also bars Florida universities from receiving public funds if they show support for any group designated a terrorist organization. It requires the schools to expel any students who promote the groups.

"If there is a school that is aligned with [the Council of American Islamic Relations], should you have any of your money going to things like that? I think not," DeSantis said.

Last month, a gunman opened fire in a classroom of Old Dominion University in Virginia, killing an instructor, who was an Army veteran, and injuring two others before being fatally stabbed by students. Authorities said the attacker shouted "Allahu Akbar" at the time of the shooting and that the incident was being investigated as a likely act of terrorism.

The shooting came in the wake of the U.S. and Israel launching joint strikes against Iran in February, sparking war and escalating concerns about retaliatory actions on the part of Iranian proxies in the United States.

Campuses, meanwhile, became a hotbed for anti-Israel protests and riots in the aftermath of the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack in Israel that was perpetrated by Hamas, an Islamic militant group.

OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY ROTC CADETS DISARM ISIS SUPPORTER SHOUTING 'ALLAHU AKBAR' DURING SHOOTING: OFFICIALS

Critics said the Florida bill went too far by encroaching on the First Amendment. The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida called it "dangerous."

"This legislation attempts to create a system where the government can unilaterally label individuals and organizations as ‘domestic terrorists’ and trigger sweeping consequences without meaningful standards, transparency, or constitutional guardrails," ACLU Florida's Bacardi Jackson said in a statement.

The bill came after DeSantis also recently designated CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations in an executive order. The order has been held up in court proceedings after a federal judge temporarily blocked it from taking effect.

American journalist kidnapped in Iraq is set free, must leave country 'immediately,’ her employer says

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:47:31 -0400

Shelly Kittleson, the American journalist who was kidnapped last week in Iraq, has been released, according to Al-Monitor, the Middle East publication where she works as a freelance contributor.

Viral surveillance footage appeared to show Kittleson being forced into a car by two men at a busy intersection in Baghdad last Tuesday. The State Department previously said an individual with ties to the Iranian-aligned militia group Kataib Hizballah was believed to be involved in Kittleson’s capture.

Kataib Hizballah issued a statement that Kittleson was set free in "appreciation of the patriotic positions" of Iraq’s prime minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who pushed for her release. The group said she would be set free "on the condition that she leaves the country immediately," according to Al-Monitor.

AMERICAN JOURNALIST KIDNAPPED IN IRAQ, EMPLOYER SAYS

"This initiative will not be repeated in the future… we are in a state of war waged by the Zionist-American enemy against Islam and in such situations many considerations are disregarded," Kataib Hizballah security commander Abu Mujahid Al-Asaf added, according to The New York Times.

A U.S. official confirmed her release to Fox News.

"There were U.S. efforts behind the scenes, I am told, to secure her release from Kataib Hezbollah," Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst reported.

Former Pentagon official Alex Plitsas, a friend of the journalist who has called himself her designated U.S. point of contact, posted on X that he isn't ready to celebrate.

"We are still awaiting Shelley to be transferred to US officials. We welcome the news of her pending release but will save celebratory statements until she is transferred…. we will have more to say when she is in US hands," Plitsas wrote.

The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Fox News Digital.

The 49-year-old freelance journalist, an American citizen and Wisconsin native based in Rome, reported from war zones for years, spending time in Afghanistan and Syria before Iraq. She "often worked without formal assignments from editors and on a shoestring budget, taking shared taxis to lawless corners of Iraq where militia rule outweighs government control," the Associated Press reported after speaking to her friends, family and colleagues.

REPORTER KIDNAPPED IN BAGHDAD KNOWN FOR PURSUING GUTSY, LOW-BUDGET ASSIGNMENTS WHILE LIVING ‘FRUGAL EXISTENCE’

Recent headlines published by Kittleson include, "On eve of Iran’s Pezeshkian visit, Iraq jostles for Shiite space amid rivalries," "Iraqis protest proposed 'anti-women' amendment to personal status law" and "Honor killings in Iraq rekindle efforts to criminalize domestic violence."

"Hope she can return to do her job and tell the story of many who are not heard in region," Al-Monitor top editor Joyce Karam posted when reporting her release.

The Associated Press, citing "an Iraqi official with direct knowledge of the situation," reported that she was freed in exchange for "several members" of Kataib Hezbollah that had previously been detained by Iraqi authorities.

US STRIKES AGAINST IRAN-BACKED MILITIAS IN IRAQ REPORTEDLY CONTINUE AS BAGHDAD WARNS OF 'RIGHT TO RESPOND'

Reporters Without Borders released the following statement: "We are overjoyed by reports that Shelly Kittleson has been released by her captors in Iraq. Shelly's abduction underscored the very serious risks facing even the best-trained and experienced journalists. RSF is deeply grateful to all the parties involved from the American and Iraqi governments who were able to secure this positive outcome. RSF, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and the Foley Foundation wrote to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on April 3, urging him to do everything in his power to bring Shelly home. We are now waiting for reassurance that she is all right and that she will be able to reunite with her loved ones soon."

Before she was abducted, Kittleson told friends that U.S. officials had told her a militia group intended to target her, but she didn’t believe the threat was credible.

This is a developing story, more to come…

The Associated Press and Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst contributed to this report.

8 electric and gas lawn mower deals — starting at $250

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:47:19 -0400

With winter behind us, it’s time to get your yard back in shape. These lawn mower deals include everything from discounted battery-powered push mowers to riding tractors and even a robot mower that handles the job for you. With savings up to 38% and hundreds off select models, now’s a smart time to upgrade your equipment.

Protective headphones: $71.99 (28% off)
Wild Badger 14-inch battery mower: $199.99 (17% off)
Kobalt mower and power expansion kit: $428 (16% off)
Greenworks cordless yard tool combo: $577.99 (15% off)
Fiskars manual push mower: $266.85 (14% off)
PowerSmart EasyGlide mower: $259.99 (13% off)
Full Boar cordless mower: $379 (10% off)
LawnMaster lawn mower and grass trimmer set: $209.99 (9% off)
Craftsman V20 battery lawn mower: $329 (8% off)

Original price: $499

Now $50 off, the EGO Power+ 600 series cordless mower cuts through thick grass without the noise of a gas engine. A full charge delivers up to 55 minutes of runtime, making it a good fit for small to mid-sized lawns. Choose between mulching, bagging or side discharge to manage clippings your way.

Original price: $499

Marked down 38%, Kobalt’s 80-volt electric mower is a more affordable way to upgrade your setup. A full charge provides 60 minutes of runtime, and options like rear bagging, mulching and side discharge let you choose how to handle yard trimmings. When you’re done, the handle folds down for compact, upright storage in your garage or shed.

Original price: $349.99

If you want a low-maintenance option, this Greenworks mower is a strong pick. Its cordless design means no gas or oil to deal with, and a 35-minute runtime is enough for most small yards. The lightweight frame makes it easy to maneuver, especially for those who prefer a manageable mower.

Original price: $329.99

The Skil PWR Core 40 is a durable, weather-resistant, battery-powered mower designed to handle tougher terrain. It offers seven cutting height settings, along with bagging and mulching options for flexibility. A push-button start keeps operation simple, while the low-maintenance design reduces upkeep.

Original price: $999

DeWalt’s electric mower delivers the same durable build as the brand’s other tools. The battery runs for up to 85 minutes on a full charge — longer than most options on this list. Integrated LED lights improve visibility in low light, while the dashboard displays runtime, mowing load and blade life.

Original price: $999

The Segway robot lawn mower lets you maintain your lawn without lifting a finger. AI-assisted mapping keeps it within virtual boundaries set in the app, while obstacle detection helps it navigate around furniture and garden beds for a clean, even cut. With $320 off, it’s a high-tech upgrade at a notable discount.

Original price: $4,499

The Toro TimeCutter handles lawns up to 2 acres and helps reduce mowing time. Its heavy-duty frame moves smoothly over uneven terrain, while a shock-absorbing system ensures a more comfortable ride. Adjustable speed controls let you set the pace, and with $400 off, it’s a strong value for larger yards.

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Original price: $4,399

Save $400 on the EGO Power+ riding mower, which includes six batteries that deliver up to 20,000 watts of power — enough to cover about 1.5 acres. Three blade settings and adjustable drive speeds give you more control, while cruise control helps maintain a steady pace on flat landscapes.

If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can get some of these items sent to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today.

World Cup travelers to New Jersey for finals could pay more under Democrat-backed tax hike

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:40:05 -0400

World Cup fans traveling to New Jersey for the big games may have to pay more if certain state lawmakers have their way.

Soccer followers are getting ready to pack 11 stadiums across the U.S. this summer for FIFA World Cup matches while local communities weigh how to handle any added costs associated with hosting the games, as Fox News Digital has reported. MetLife Stadium in the New York and New Jersey area is set to host eight games — including the World Cup final.

Now, New Jersey lawmakers have proposed a bill that would impose "surcharges on certain transactions to support preparations for [the] hosting of special events," according to the N.J. Legislature. The bill's primary sponsor is state Sen. Paul Sarlo, a Democrat.

BARS COULD STAY OPEN UNTIL NEAR DAWN IN KEY STATE FOR AMERICA 250 AS 'NOISE' WARNINGS SURFACE

If passed, a 3% sales tax would be added to retail goods, food and drinks, and event tickets in the Meadowlands District during the dates of the World Cup, according to the bill’s text.

A hotel surcharge will also be imposed — tacking 2.5% onto bills at hotels booked during the period June 12 through July 21.

"Prearranged rides" such as Uber and Lyft rides will face a $0.50 charge for trips to and from the Meadowlands District.

Assemblymen Christopher DePhillips and Al Barlas, both Republicans, are slamming the tax hike, calling it a "cash grab."

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In a joint press release, the members said, "Both large and small businesses [are] already trying to survive under bad policy."

"New Jersey taxpayers have already spent more than $300 million to host these games," they said in the release. "The way to make that money back is by encouraging people to come here, spend here and come back again — not by taxing them the moment they arrive."

"If we truly want to make New Jersey a destination, we should be lowering taxes, not raising them during one of the biggest international events we’ve ever hosted," the statement added.

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Fox News Digital reached out to the bill’s co-sponsor for comment.

In California, six games will be played at Levi's Stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The Santa Clara City Council and Santa Clara Stadium Authority approved a financial agreement for the World Cup relying on federal funding and local partners at no burden to the taxpayer.

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Zaileen Janmohamed, president and CEO of the Bay Area Host Committee, said in a press release that citizens should "fully reap" all the economic benefits.

"This agreement reaffirms what we have said from the start — this is a no-risk, all-reward opportunity for the City of Santa Clara," said Janmohamed.

Projected top pick Fernando Mendoza makes big NFL Draft decision: report

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:37:56 -0400

Fernando Mendoza has reportedly made a big decision about the NFL Draft: he will not be attending it.

Mendoza, 22, would rather share his draft experience with his family in Miami than attend the draft in Pittsburgh, according to ESPN. The last time the top projected quarterback did not attend the NFL Draft was in 2021 when Trevor Lawrence was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Mendoza’s mother, Elsa, has lived with multiple sclerosis for over 15 years and is currently using a wheelchair, which could be a reason for his reported decision to stay home.

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The Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback met on Tuesday with the Las Vegas Raiders, who own the top pick in the NFL Draft. Mendoza has been projected to be the No. 1 selection this year after starring in an undefeated Indiana team that went on to win the national championship.

In 16 games last season, Mendoza completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards with 41 touchdowns and six interceptions. Mendoza’s 41 touchdowns led all Division I quarterbacks.

While the Raiders are widely expected to take Mendoza, there is no guarantee he will start in Week 1.

RAIDERS AGREE TO DEAL WITH PRO BOWLER, WHILE TEAM IS EXPECTED TO DRAFT QB WITH TOP PICK

However, Raiders minority owner Tom Brady and general manager John Spytek have said numerous times that they believe in not playing a young quarterback right away, making it no sure thing that Mendoza would start Week 1.

The Raiders officially signed Kirk Cousins on Monday, providing them with a veteran quarterback who can start while Mendoza develops.

Cousins also has familiarity with new Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak. During Cousins’ time with the Minnesota Vikings, Kubiak was his quarterbacks coach for two seasons and his offensive coordinator for another.

If the Raiders do indeed select Mendoza, they hope he can be the face of their franchise, regardless of when they eventually start him.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Trump's 'whole civilization will die tonight' Iran threat polarizes social media

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:30:44 -0400

Social media exploded on Tuesday morning when President Donald Trump warned in a Truth Social post that an entire "civilization will die tonight," while threatening a devastating U.S. attack against Iran that prompted outrage from critics.

"A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will," Trump declared in the post.

"However, now that we have Complete and Total Regime Change, where different, smarter, and less radicalized minds prevail, maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS? We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World," Trump continued. "47 years of extortion, corruption, and death, will finally end. God Bless the Great People of Iran!"

TRUMP WARNS 'WHOLE CIVILIZATION WILL DIE TONIGHT,' AS IRANIAN OFFICIAL URGES HUMAN CHAINS AROUND POWER PLANTS

In a prior Truth Social post issued on Easter Sunday, the president had threatened a Tuesday attack on the Middle Eastern country's power plants and bridges. During remarks on Monday, Trump indicated the U.S. has "a plan … where every bridge in Iran will be decimated by 12 o'clock tomorrow night, where every power plant in Iran will be out of business, burning, exploding, and never to be used again. I mean complete demolition by 12 o'clock."

Trump gave the Iranian regime until 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday to agree to a ceasefire that includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz. He has said he doesn’t want the attack to happen, but the threat against an entire civilization polarized social media.

Some accused the president of threatening genocide, while others suggested the tough talk is just a negotiation tactic.

Newsweek’s Josh Hammer recalled a 2016 Salena Zito quote to "take Trump seriously but not literally," and said a decade later that message is still accurate.

"And it's frankly amazing that it still needs to be said," Hammer wrote.

TRUMP DEADLINE FOR IRAN TICKS CLOSER AS ISLAMIC REPUBLIC REJECTS TEMPORARY CEASEFIRE

New York Times columnist David French quickly condemned the message.

"This is completely deranged rhetoric. If you heard this kind of ranting from a family member who possessed no power at all, you'd be worried about them. From the president, it's horrifying. This is obvious 25th Amendment territory, but people are so desensitized that they can't see it," French responded.

Anti-Trump pundit Charlie Sykes declared he had "three quick thoughts" that weren’t particularly flattering, asking, "(1) Has any president of this country — or for that matter, any leader of a liberal democracy — ever threatened the destruction of a ‘whole civilization’ before?"

"(2) The line between the so-called ‘madman theory’ and an actual madman is quite thin, isn’t it? (3) It really was a bad idea to entrust this man with the nuclear button, wasn’t it?" Sykes continued.

Billionaire Tom Steyer, the outspoken liberal megadonor and Califonria gubertorial candidate, declared that Trump should "be out" of office.

"If this isn’t a reason to invoke the 25th Amendment, then nothing is," Steyer wrote. "He’s out of his mind."

While many have condemned Trump’s threat, others have shown support or downplayed the rhetoric.

"The truth is, no pundit, influencer, or anonymous furry has a clue as to what Trump is going to do tonight. That is perhaps Trump’s ultimate superpower, keeping everyone on their toes after all these years. I, for one, have faith in him and the people around him," libertarian podcaster Dave Rubin wrote.

"Donald Trump has been a national politician for a decade. Anyone still reacting to the guy’s negotiating tactics and hyperbole with this sort of hysteria ten years in should be disqualified from political commentary. If he nukes Tehran at 8pm, I’ll admit I’m the crazy one," Daily Wire co-founder Jeremy Boreing wrote.

Outkick’s Clay Travis wrote, "Donald Trump has made hyperbolic comments as part of negotiation tactics for a full decade, especially on social media, and yet people still run around like insane people reacting to his posts on here. I truly don’t get it."

IRAN WAR NEARS ‘COMPLETION’ AS TRUMP EYES DEADLINE — WHAT THE ENDGAME COULD LOOK LIKE

Conservative radio host Erick Erickson said, "The Left ascribes rational purpose to everyone other than Trump. Probably not a coincidence that he has beaten them twice."

Meanwhile, Bill Kristol declared, "To conservatives who object when some of us have suggested Trump is a fascist, and who complain when we point out much of real existing American conservatism has devolved into fascism, if you’re silent about Trump’s threat of genocide you’re proving the point you’ve objected to."

MS NOW political analyst Richard Stengel wrote, "An American president threatening the death of an ancient civilization is in some ways the end of the 250-year moral experiment of a constitutional republic that the framers saw as a model for all mankind."

Former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent, who quit last month over his opposition to the Iran war, also warned on Tuesday that the president's proposed course of action would threaten America's status as the world's top superpower.

"Trump believes he is threatening Iran with destruction, but it is America that now stands in danger. If he attempts to eradicate Iranian civilization, the United States will no longer be viewed as a stabilizing force in the world, but as an agent of chaos —effectively ending our status as the world’s greatest superpower," Kent wrote in a post on X. "This would upend our economy and shatter the global order. The process is already underway, yet we still have time to avert catastrophe if Trump finds the courage to pursue serious negotiations rather than reckless rage and destruction."

Many others took to social media with thoughts on Trump's threat:

The White House said Iran still has time to make a deal.

"The Iranian regime has until 8PM Eastern Time to meet the moment and make a deal with the United States. Only the President knows where things stand and what he will do," press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News Digital when asked about criticism of the threat.

Fox News Digital’s Alex Nitzberg and Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.

Iran's UN ambassador takes swipe at Trump in final hours before Strait of Hormuz deadline

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:28:19 -0400

Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations took a swipe at President Donald Trump on Tuesday hours before Trump’s deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, calling one of the president’s posts on Truth Social "deeply irresponsible" and "profoundly alarming."

Trump has given the Iranian regime until 8 p.m. ET to reopen the Strait of Hormuz — a key waterway — or face strikes against its power plants and bridges.

In a post Tuesday morning, Trump said, "A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again," and, "I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will."

"Today the President of the United States again resorted to language that is not only deeply irresponsible but profoundly alarming, declaring that, quote, 'the whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back,' unquote," Amir-Saeid Iravani said at U.N. headquarters in New York on Tuesday afternoon.

RUSSIA, CHINA VETO UN RESOLUTION AIMED AT REOPENING STRAIT OF HORMUZ, HOURS BEFORE TRUMP DEADLINE

"It is regrettable and alarming that while in full view of the international community, the President of the United States shamelessly and brazenly issues threats to destroy all civilian infrastructure in Iran, including bridges, power plants and energy facilities, by setting a deadline and openly reveals this intent to commit vile crimes and crimes against humanity," Iravani added.

The White House, when asked by Fox News Digital for reaction, said, "The Iranian regime has committed egregious human rights abuses against its own citizens for 47 years, just murdered tens of thousands of protestors in January, and has indiscriminately targeted civilians across the region in order to cause as much death as possible throughout this conflict."

CHINA AIDING IRAN MISSILE PROGRAM AMID US-ISRAELI STRIKES, REPORTS SAY

"As President Trump said today, Iran can never have a nuclear weapon, and the Iranian people welcome the sound of bombs because it means their oppressors are losing. The President will always stand with innocent civilians while annihilating the terrorists responsible for threatening our country and the entire world with a nuclear weapon," White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly added. "Greater destruction can be avoided if the regime understands the seriousness of this moment and makes a deal with the United States."

Trump also said Tuesday, "now that we have Complete and Total Regime Change, where different, smarter, and less radicalized minds prevail, maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS?"

"We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World," the president added. "47 years of extortion, corruption, and death, will finally end. God Bless the Great People of Iran!"

Spencer Pratt accuses LA Times journalist of 'phone-stalking' his family as mayoral campaign gains steam

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:22:42 -0400

Spencer Pratt lashed out at the Los Angeles Times and a rival mayoral candidate, accusing a reporter of harassing his family and trying to expose where his children live as his campaign gains traction in the polls.

Pratt alleged the reporting crossed a line, accusing a Los Angeles Times journalist of reaching out to his wife, sister, mother and even a restaurant he frequents to track down details about his family. He claimed this all happened after he passed Los Angeles Council member Nithya Raman in a recent poll.

"Creepy LA Times 'journalist' has been phone-stalking & harassing my sister, my wife, my MOM, and even my favorite burrito restaurant trying to dox where my kids sleep and go to school, all because I pulled ahead of Nithya Raman in the polls, and she sent her lapdog to do her dirty work," Pratt wrote on X.

"That’s what they call 'journalism' at the LA Times, folks!" he added. "They’re scared of our campaign. We’re gonna take back our city, and they know they can’t stop us."

SPENCER PRATT ANNOUNCES LA MAYOR RUN ON ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF PALISADES FIRE THAT DESTROYED HIS HOME

Pratt, who gained fame with Heidi Montag on "The Hills," shared a lengthy video claiming he has the "winning message" and that Raman is "panicking." The reality TV star also took aim at the Los Angeles Times for writing a story titled, "Spencer Pratt’s move to Santa Barbara County after his Palisades house burned raises eligibility questions in L.A. mayor’s race."

"They want to try to write a hit piece about me, about my residency, because I've had my family sheltered up in my dad's rental home in [Santa Barbara] and they want to attack me for not living in the Palisades while running for mayor?" he said. "Hey, brain surgeon! My house burned down. You guys let my entire neighborhood burn down, remember? The burned out lot I own in the Palisades is still my legal residence where we are trying to rebuild in the face of Karen Basura (Bass) and Nithya Raman and our broken city leadership putting up every hurdle imaginable to make it harder and harder for us to rebuild."

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"Don't forget. I made the choice to run for mayor three months ago," he added. "You see schemers like Raman and Basura (Bass) and their media sickos can't fathom that I didn't have some grand scheme to run for mayor like these slimy career politicians. I didn't plan any of this. I wasn't thinking, 'I really need to make sure I stay in the zip code in case I run for mayor.' I was just trying to find the safest place to go where I could try and give my kids the most normal life that I could after these clowns nearly destroyed our life as we knew it."

A Los Angeles Times spokesperson told Fox News Digital: "The Times learned that Mr. Pratt was living in Carpinteria, and contacted him and those around him for comment. We stand by our story and the reporting of our journalists."

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Pratt, who lost his home in the deadly 2025 Palisades wildfire, announced he was running for mayor on Jan. 7.

Pratt told the crowd at a fire anniversary event that "this just isn’t a campaign, this is a mission. And we are going to expose the system." The event, called "They Let Us Burn!," was a rally critical of state and local government’s handling of the Jan. 7 wildfire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes.

In the aftermath of the fire, Pratt emerged as an outspoken critic of Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, both Democrats, and said they failed to prevent the blaze. He has since sued the city of Los Angeles. The complaint blames Los Angeles and its municipal water department for the water issues that hampered firefighting efforts and says it ultimately led to the damage to their properties.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Violent mob of juveniles swarms streets, attacks officers in wild ‘teen takeover’ caught on video

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:18:46 -0400

Washington, D.C. authorities arrested nearly a dozen juveniles over the weekend in connection with a series of "teen takeovers," in which swarms of youngsters were taken into custody for allegedly brawling in the streets and assaulting police officers.

The incidents began around 8:30 p.m. Saturday, when police responded to multiple disturbances within the southwest area of the city, FOX 5 reported.

Investigators said various large groups of teens gathered between the Navy Yard curfew zone and the Wharf, located just blocks away from the designated curfew zones established by authorities for the weekend.

WILD BODYCAM VIDEO SHOWS COPS STORM CHAOTIC TEEN ‘TAKEOVER’ AS BUSINESSES TRASHED: 'THEY COME TO FIGHT'

"They’re coming from Maryland, they’re coming from Virginia, they’re coming from all over just to be disrespectful here in Ward Six, we’re like some ‘Meeting Zone,’" one local resident told FOX 5.

The first fight broke out in the 1300 block of Canal Street, where officers took a 17-year-old boy, a 15-year-old girl and a 12-year-old girl into custody, the outlet reported.

Just minutes later, a second fight started near First Street and N Street SW, resulting in a 15-year-old boy being arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer.

TEEN MOBS SWARM DOWNTOWN IN CHAOTIC TAKEOVER—FIGHTS ERUPT, CARS TARGETED BEFORE CURFEW CRACKDOWN HITS

Another large altercation broke out in the same area around 9 p.m., in which multiple juveniles began attacking officers, the outlet reported.

The fight resulted in the arrests of two girls, aged 15 and 16, for allegedly fighting in public.

VIRAL 'TAKEOVER' CHAOS ERUPTS AS TEEN BRAWL BREAKS OUT, MULTIPLE ARRESTS AFTER MALL MELEE CAUGHT ON VIDEO

Additionally, two 14-year-olds, one boy and one girl, were taken into custody on charges of assaulting a police officer, fighting and resisting arrest, FOX 5 reported.

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Video taken by a bystander in the area shows a mob of juveniles throwing punches on the street, with one group surrounding an officer before scattering in different directions.

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Ultimately, authorities arrested eight teens in connection to the fights over the weekend, according to the outlet.

"The parents need to get more involved, you know," one resident told FOX 5. "Kids are going to be kids, but the parents really, really need to focus on what their children are doing."

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The brawls came as the Department of Parks and Recreation hosted evening events geared toward teens Friday and Saturday, while also enacting five juvenile curfew zones throughout D.C. over the weekend.

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The order reportedly restricts anyone under the age of 18 from gathering in unsanctioned groups of nine or more in public spaces, with a separate citywide curfew being enacted nightly from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Currently, the Juvenile Curfew Second Temporary Amendment Act of 2025 permits authorities to establish curfew zones in high-volume areas to maintain public safety.

Earlier this week, members of the city’s council reportedly opted to revisit emergency legislation that would have extended officials’ authority to impose teen curfews when the law expires next month.

The Metropolitan Police Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Trump’s apocalyptic Iran warning raises stakes for sweeping US strike threat

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:16:20 -0400

President Donald Trump warned that "a whole civilization will die tonight" as a deadline looms for Iran to agree to U.S. demands, escalating his rhetoric even as last-minute negotiations continue through intermediaries to avert sweeping military strikes.

Trump has set a Tuesday night deadline for Iran to accept terms that include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil artery, as U.S. officials — including Vice President JD Vance — continue back-channel talks through intermediaries such as Pakistan.

But significant gaps remain, and the president's latest comments raise the risk the U.S. may move forward with strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure, including power and transportation systems and beyond.

TRUMP REVEALS IRAN MADE 'SIGNIFICANT PROPOSAL' AFTER ULTIMATUM, BUT 'NOT GOOD ENOUGH'

Trump’s latest remarks mark a sharp escalation from earlier warnings focused on infrastructure. He also suggested Iran had undergone "complete and total regime change, where different, smarter, and less radicalized minds prevail."

Mojtaba Khamenei was named Iran’s supreme leader after U.S. strikes killed his father, Ali Khamenei, though his current status and control remain unclear amid conflicting reports.

And Iran has threatened to take action if Trump follows through on his threats.

"Iran will not stand idle in the face of such egregious war crimes," said Amir-Saeid Iravani, Iran's permanent representative to the United Nations. "It will exercise without hesitation its inherent right of self-defense, and will take immediate and proportionate reciprocal measures."

Diplomatic efforts to avert a wider conflict are ongoing but increasingly strained, with mediators including Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey working to broker a ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz before broader talks can begin.

"We are absolutely in touch with" Iran, a senior U.S. official told Fox News. "Absolutely. (The talks) have been positive. If we get lucky, we will have something by the end of the day."

Iran repeatedly has rejected a temporary truce in favor of a permanent end to the war, while U.S. officials have dismissed Tehran’s proposals as insufficient, leaving key differences unresolved as the deadline approaches.

Trump underscored the threat in a profanity-laced Truth Social post Sunday, declaring that "Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day" in Iran and warning that the country’s infrastructure would be destroyed if it did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He told Iran to "open the F---in’ Strait… or you’ll be living in Hell."

As the deadline nears, the conflict already is intensifying on the ground. Airstrikes hit parts of Iran's capital city of Tehran Tuesday, while Iranian officials urged civilians to form human chains around power plants in an effort to deter potential U.S. attacks on critical infrastructure, Iranian state media reported.

Overnight, the U.S. struck dozens of military sites on Kharg Island — including bunkers, radar stations and ammunition storage facilities — a senior U.S. official told Fox News. The island is Iran’s primary oil export hub, making it one of the regime’s most critical economic assets.

By targeting military sites while avoiding energy infrastructure, the strikes suggest the U.S. is applying pressure while holding Iran’s oil lifeline at risk as a potential next step if the deadline passes without a deal.

Israel also has signaled a potential expansion of the target set to include Iran’s rail network, warning civilians to avoid trains ahead of possible strikes. Rail lines play a critical role in moving military forces and equipment, particularly in and out of Tehran, and disrupting them could significantly limit Iran’s ability to reposition assets and sustain operations.

While Trump has centered his deadline on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the negotiations have expanded into a broader dispute over ending the war, including Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, sanctions relief and security guarantees — issues that remain unresolved as both sides clash over what concessions must come first.

Trump’s "civilization" remarks have raised new questions about whether the potential U.S. target set could extend beyond bridges and power plants to include additional infrastructure or systems tied to the Iranian regime’s ability to maintain power.

IRAN'S TALLEST BRIDGE COLLAPSES AFTER REPORTED US AIRSTRIKES, IRAN THREATENS AMERICAN ALLIES IN RETALIATION

Trump has warned that "every bridge in Iran will be decimated" and that power plants could be left "burning, exploding and never to be used again" if Tehran fails to meet his demands, underscoring the scale of potential infrastructure strikes.

Trump also has repeatedly extended similar deadlines in recent weeks, delaying threatened strikes as negotiations continued before issuing new ultimatums. The pattern has raised questions about whether the latest deadline will hold — or serve as another pressure tactic in the final hours of talks.

Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz — through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil passes in peacetime — already has sent shock waves through global markets, raising pressure on the administration to reach a resolution while increasing the stakes of any potential military escalation.

Trump’s rhetoric has fueled questions about how far a potential U.S. strike campaign could extend beyond the infrastructure targets he has publicly identified.

Military analysts say options range from continued infrastructure strikes aimed at crippling Iran’s ability to function to a broader campaign targeting the regime’s core power centers.

The White House rapid response team shot down a post on X which quoted Vance and suggested it implied "Trump might use nuclear weapons."

"Literally nothing @VP said here ‘implies’ this, you absolute buffoons."

A U.S. operation could focus on disabling Iran’s electrical grid, transportation networks and energy facilities — a strategy designed to create nationwide disruption and pressure leadership. Such strikes could trigger cascading effects across communications, water systems and industrial production and would impact the civilian population.

Other options could involve further targeting of leadership, facilities tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including command-and-control nodes, weapons production sites, and economic assets that fund the regime’s operations.

Gregg Roman, executive director of the Middle East Forum, said the president’s language suggests a focus on dismantling the regime’s underlying power structures rather than targeting Iran as a nation.

"I really think that what he's talking about are the fundamental roots and the anchors of the Islamic Republic, not of the country of Iran," Roman said.

"Everything that the United States would target in a hypothetical attack on power plants, bridges, other key points of infrastructure would really have to focus on those that are connected to the ability of the generals who are currently in charge of this regime and their ability to maintain power," he added.

Roman said Trump’s reference to "civilization" likely reflects the 47-year rule of the Islamic Republic rather than Iranian society as a whole.

"I don't think he's speaking about Persian civilization. I think he's speaking about the 47 years that the Islamic Republic has ruled as a polity."

Iranian officials have called on civilians to help protect key infrastructure. Earlier, Iranian official Alireza Rahimi issued a video message calling on "all young people, athletes, artists, students and university students and their professors" to form human chains around power plants.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tuesday that Iranians are willing to give their lives in defense of Iran.

"More than 14 million brave Iranians have so far declared their readiness to sacrifice their lives to defend Iran. I have also sacrificed my life for Iran, I am, and I will continue to do so," he wrote on X.

Fox News' Bill Hemmer, Jennifer Griffin and Louis Casiano contributed to this report.

'Friends' actress slams modern sitcoms for being 'too afraid' to tell jokes that make people uncomfortable

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:14:23 -0400

"Friends" star Lisa Kudrow said in an interview in late March that sitcoms are "too afraid" of jokes that make people uncomfortable, and that she wasn't drawn to new sitcoms.

During an interview with actress Lily Tomlin for Interview Magazine, Kudrow was asked if sitcoms are evolving or dying.

"I wish they were evolving. ‘30 Rock’ and 'Seinfeld' and 'Friends' were really funny and really well written. But I’m not drawn to new sitcoms that are multi-camera in front of an audience because I’m not buying it. I don’t know if that’s just because I’ve seen too many single-camera sitcoms — I think we need to get back to being able to tell jokes. I feel like we’ve been too afraid to make jokes that might make people uncomfortable," she said in the interview published on March 30.

Kudrow said the "really good" jokes weren't tame ones, and said they needed to catch audiences off guard.

MARK NORMAND SAYS LATE NIGHT IS 'DYING' — HOW THE STAND-UP COMIC KEEPS UP IN A CHANGING COMEDY SCENE

"But the really good ones, they’re not tame jokes. They’re jokes that are kind of, ‘I can’t believe you just said that.’ Comedy is about surprise. You need things you didn’t see coming," she said.

Kudrow was also asked if she ever watches herself in shows or movies.

"I can watch 'The Comeback,' no problem. Now I’m comfortable watching 'Friends' without punishing myself. I’m trying to have that be my nighttime show, so I have a laugh or two before I go to sleep. There are still episodes I’ve never seen," she responded.

CONAN O'BRIEN SAYS 'F TRUMP' COMICS HAVE BEEN CO-OPTED BY ANGER, 'JUST SCREAMING'

Kudrow said in 2024 that she couldn't watch herself on "Friends" because she couldn't bear it, but that it changed after her former co-star, Matthew Perry, died.

"Well, I used to not be able to watch it at all. I mean, I'd see it on and be, like, mildly interested, and then I'd see me and say, 'That's enough of that, I can't bear it,'" she said during a 2024 interview. "Listen, after Matthew died I could start watching the show again because it wasn't about me, it had to do with him for some reason."

"And, so I have started watching ‘Friends.’ Not started like season one, you know, but there are marathons on, and I have spent at times, since he died, all day long watching the show," she added.

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"Friends" actress Jennifer Aniston said there was a whole generation of people who likely think the show is problematic during a 2023 interview.

She admitted that things have "evolved" since she began her career but lamented an added layer of "sensitivity" since her days on "Friends," which ran from 1994 until 2004.

Australia’s most decorated living soldier charged amid fierce debate over war crimes allegations

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:10:49 -0400

Australian authorities have arrested and charged the country's most decorated living soldier, Ben Roberts-Smith, 47, with five war crime murders allegedly committed during the war in Afghanistan.

Roberts-Smith, a former member of the Australian Defence Force, was arrested at Sydney Airport on Tuesday. His arrest has sparked outcry from a former Australian prime minister, who argued its unfair to judge the actions of "men in mortal combat by the standards of ordinary civilian life." X owner Elon Musk also weighed in on the arrest, calling it "insane."

The Australian Federal Police and the Office of the Special Investigator said Roberts-Smith is being charged in connection with the killings of five unarmed Afghans in three separate incidents between 2009 and 2012. AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett alleged that Roberts-Smith either killed the unarmed Afghans himself or instructed a subordinate to kill them. If convicted, Roberts-Smith faces life imprisonment on each charge.

"It will be alleged the victims were not taking part in hostilities at the time of their alleged murder in Afghanistan," Barrett said during a press conference. "It will be alleged the victims were detained, unarmed and were under the control of ADF members when they were killed."

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The investigation into Roberts-Smith began in 2021, according to Ross Barnett, director of investigations at the Office of the Special Investigator. Roberts-Smith received the Victoria Cross after storming two enemy machine guns during his fifth tour in Afghanistan.

Barnett said at the press conference that the investigation was "under challenging circumstances," given that some of the murders occurred well over a decade ago and investigators were unable to visit Afghanistan.

"We don’t have access to the crime scenes, we don’t have photographs, site plans, measurements, the recovery of projectiles, blood spatter analysis, all of those things we would normally get at a crime scene," Barnett said at the press conference.

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While Australia's current prime minister has yet to weigh in on the arrest, former Australian Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Party Tony Abbott expressed his support for Roberts-Smith on X in a lengthy post.

"If Ben Roberts-Smith transgressed, why wasn’t this picked up prior to his gallantry awards and why wasn’t any culture of brutality towards prisoners detected by his more senior officers, and dealt with quickly, rather than being allowed to fester, as has been alleged, for over a decade?" Abbott wrote.

Allegations that Roberts-Smith engaged in war crimes began circulating publicly in 2017 and 2018 in articles published by The Age, the Sydney Morning Herald and The Canberra Times.

Roberts-Smith filed a defamation suit against the papers, which became Australia's most expensive defamation trial, but in 2023, a Federal Court judge ruled that four of the six murder allegations brought by the papers against Roberts-Smith were legitimate.

In one of the allegations ruled to have merit by Justice Anthony Besanko, Roberts-Smith allegedly marched a handcuffed Afghan man named Ali Jan off the edge of a 10-meter cliff. He survived the fall, but Roberts-Smith and his fellow soldiers walked down a footpath to meet him. Roberts-Smith then ordered a subordinate, known as Person 11 in court, to shoot him.

The High Court dismissed Roberts-Smith's appeal of the ruling in September 2025.

The criminal charges against Roberts-Smith stem from a joint effort by OSI and AFP. The two Australian agencies have conducted 53 investigations into ADF members tied to war crime allegations in Afghanistan. Ten of the investigations remain ongoing.

Vacation hot spot cracks down on vaping with jail threats and hefty fines

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:10:27 -0400

Travelers to Thailand are being reminded that electronic cigarettes are strictly banned in the country — with violators facing steep fines or even prison time.

The warning comes as some tourists say they've been caught off guard by the country’s strict anti-vaping laws while on vacation.

Recently, a TikTok user, Sara Green, was with her partner visiting Thailand and was approached by authorities while vaping on a beach. She was told the habit was not only frowned upon but illegal, she related in a social media post.

TOURISTS MAY FACE STEEP FINES AND JAIL TIME FOR VAPES AT POPULAR VACATION HOT SPOT

Green said in her post the two were taken to a police station and questioned.

The pair were later released after paying a fine of 40,000 Thai baht, or roughly $1,200. Officials warned they could face up to five years in prison if caught again.

Thailand has enforced strict vaping rules since 2014, the Thai Embassy indicates.

"While electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes are used around the world as a way of helping people quit smoking, travelers coming to Thailand should be aware that these devices are in fact illegal in the kingdom," the embassy says.

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It also notes that "anyone found breaking this law by using an electronic cigarette — or vaping — in Thailand could be arrested and face jail time, or a fine several times the value of the illegal item[s]."

This applies to both tourists and residents.

"The ban was introduced for health reasons, and it was originally suggested because electronic cigarettes were luring young people into smoking," the embassy noted.

Thailand is among a growing number of countries that have implemented strict vaping restrictions.

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Fox News Digital previously reported that Mexico has also taken a hard stance on vaping, with strict enforcement that can impact tourists.

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Earlier this year, officials began enforcing a nationwide ban on electronic cigarettes, with penalties that can include confiscation, fines and even detention.

Travelers entering the country with vaping devices may face scrutiny at customs, and items brought ashore from cruise ships can be treated as imports under Mexican law.

Reports have warned that violations could result in fines of up to $12,500 — or, in more serious cases, potential prison time.

The crackdown is part of a broader effort by Mexican authorities to tighten restrictions on smoking and vaping in public spaces.

Tennessee Senate passes bill criminalizing migrants who defy deportation orders

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:02:18 -0400

Tennessee Republicans are moving to criminalize immigration violations at the state level with a bill that would make it a crime for migrants to remain in the Volunteer State after a final deportation order.

The measure, which passed the Republican-controlled Senate on a 26-6 vote, would require illegal immigrants with a removal order to leave Tennessee within 90 days or face a Class A misdemeanor. The House previously passed the measure 73-22.

Violators would face up to 11 months and 29 days in jail, a fine of up to $2,500, or both. The bill also creates a separate Class A misdemeanor offense for migrants who re-enter or attempt to enter the state after being deported.

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Tennessee House Majority Leader William Lamberth, the bill’s sponsor, framed the proposal as a direct challenge to long-standing limits on state immigration enforcement.

"When someone has exhausted all their options and they’ve been told to leave the country, it is illegal for them to stay, both under federal law, and if this bill passes, it would be a misdemeanor for them to enter in, or remain in, the state of Tennessee," Lamberth said during a state House Judiciary Committee hearing, according to Newsweek.

The measure is part of a broader push by Tennessee Republicans to take a stricter approach to illegal immigration, including restricting public benefits and expanding state involvement in enforcement.

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Supporters, including Republican lawmakers backing the bill, argued it would strengthen enforcement and deter violations.

Critics, including immigration advocates and some legal experts, warned it could conflict with federal law, which generally governs immigration enforcement, and could burden state courts, according to the Tennessee Lookout.

The proposal raises questions about whether states can impose additional penalties tied to federal deportation orders.

It is unclear whether Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, will sign the measure if it reaches his desk.

The bill could set up a Supreme Court challenge over federal authority and position Tennessee as a test case for a broader GOP effort to expand state-level immigration enforcement nationwide.

Graham eyes ‘down payment’ on Trump-backed SAVE Act without Democratic support

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:00:50 -0400

A top Senate Republican is eyeing a way to put a "down payment" on Trump-backed voter ID legislation through a party-line bill later in the year.

The Senate has been debating the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act for almost a month. But without Democratic votes to break the filibuster, the legislation has no chance of passing.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., wants to put portions of the voter ID and citizenship verification legislation into a budget reconciliation package, which requires only Republican votes to pass.

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"Reconciliation has limits, but we're going to make a down payment on the SAVE Act in reconciliation in the fall," Graham said Monday on a South Carolina radio show, "Straight Talk with Bill Frady."

Graham, who chairs the Senate Budget Committee, is in charge of designing the framework for the reconciliation process in the upper chamber. He plans to meet with the White House Friday to "get this thing moving."

Reconciliation does not allow for straight policy, meaning any provisions included in the package must have a budgetary or spending impact to survive Senate rules. If they don’t, they are stripped out.

Graham says he has a solution.

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"Voter integrity laws — I'm going to create grant programs, but they'll have conditions on them," Graham said. "To get a grant, you’ve got to make sure you purge your rolls of illegal immigrants. There are a lot of blue states out there that don't do that, and we'll try to get as much of a voter ID system as I can."

President Donald Trump and conservatives have demanded that the Senate launch a talking filibuster — or eliminate the filibuster entirely — to pass the SAVE America Act. But Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and other Republicans have made clear the option does not have enough support.

The current floor debate, which is paused while lawmakers are away from Washington, D.C., for the Easter break, is designed to force Senate Democrats to argue against voter ID — a policy that polls show is popular with voters across party lines.

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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., argued late last month that Democrats' objection to the SAVE America Act is "not to a photo ID when you show up to vote," despite blocking a standalone voter ID provision pushed by Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio.

"Our objection is it's a voter suppression bill, 20 million, maybe more people, when they show up to vote will be told you're off the rolls," Schumer said. "That's the problem with the bill."

While Graham’s provision could pass muster under Senate rules, it would likely come in a second reconciliation package in the fall, as midterm elections take center stage. Whether it would take effect by November is unclear. He's eying provisions that would tackle fraud in the package, too.

Before that, Graham and Republicans are eyeing front-loading funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in a reconciliation bill that Trump wants on his desk no later than June 1.

Senate Republicans are largely aligned behind the idea, arguing that Democrats have refused to fund immigration enforcement without stringent reforms — reforms Republicans say they have offered and Democrats have rejected.

Still, House Republicans are not entirely on board, and their resistance could further prolong the longest government shutdown in history.

They are frustrated with the current Senate Department of Homeland Security Senate Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill, which carves out ICE and portions of CBP funding. They are demanding the upper chamber make real progress on a reconciliation bill before voting for the compromise plan.

"What I'm going to do is draft a reconciliation bill and load up ICE and Border Patrol funding without a single Democratic vote — give them all they need for three to 10 years, whatever I can fit in," Graham said. "We’re going to fund the Border Patrol, and we’re going to fund ICE with Republican votes only."

China aiding Iran missile program amid US-Israeli strikes, reports say

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 13:54:27 -0400

Communist China is reportedly providing military assistance to the embattled Iranian regime, according to a leading U.S. military think tank and other reporting.

The Institute for the Study of War stated that China is providing military assistance to the Iranian regime’s missile program, basing its research on recent reporting.

According to the Institute, "China is helping Iran reconstitute the Iranian missile program amid US-Israeli efforts to degrade it."

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According to the Institute for the Study of War, "Western media reported that China has sent multiple shipments of missile fuel precursor to Iran since the start of the war."

The institute said that, "China’s efforts to help Iran reconstitute could undermine the combined force efforts to degrade or destroy the supporting elements of the ballistic missile program."

Gordon Chang, an expert on China, told Fox News Digital that "China is an enemy combatant and is endangering our troops."

The Daily Telegraph recently reported that, "Ships believed to be carrying Chinese chemicals for missile fuel have arrived in Iran, raising questions about Beijing’s support for the regime. Four sanctioned Iran-flagged vessels have docked at Iranian ports since the war broke out."

The report also claimed that, "Sanctioned vessels carrying enough chemicals to produce hundreds of projectiles travel from Chinese to Iranian ports."

Chang urged the U.S. to seize the Chinese vessels that are reportedly transporting sodium perchlorate, the chemical material required for Iran’s missile fuel systems. He added that "It is a question of America’s will to impose costs on China."

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Chang concluded by noting that the "President of the U.S. has many points of leverage. If you look at the overall relationship between China and the U.S., the U.S. has more cards to play." He cited the U.S.-China trade relationship because China is an export-driven country and depends on the vital American consumer market.

The Islamic Republic’s military forces have reportedly been feverishly working to rebuild their missile apparatus after punishing U.S. and Israeli airstrikes since the start of the war on Feb. 28.

According to the Institute for the Study of War, "Iran has been digging out underground missile bunkers and silos struck by the combined force, in some cases returning them to operation hours after strikes, according to recent U.S. intelligence assessments. Iran may be reestablishing access to their launchers hours after strikes, but these launchers are components of a larger system that has been degraded. Reported fear and lack of coordination across some Iranian forces mean that medium-range missile systems are still functioning sub-optimally."

Chinese companies have been sanctioned as part of busting U.S. restrictions on providing military aid to Iran’s regime. In 2023, the U.S. Treasury Department said it had "designated one individual and six entities in a sanctions' evasion network that has facilitated Iran’s procurement of electronic components for its destabilizing military programs, including those used in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Particularly, this action targets the head of U.S.-designated Iran’s Pardazan System Namad Arman (PASNA), and the entity’s Iran-, Malaysia-, Hong Kong, and PRC-based front companies[People’s Republic of China] and suppliers that have enabled PASNA’s procurement of goods and technology."

Just last month, a report by the Atlantic Council noted "China has supplied Iran with drones, anti-ship cruise missiles, surface-to-air missiles, and the components thereof, to aid in its aerial and maritime defense capabilities. In other instances, China directly supplies Iran with Western or Chinese technology components that are found in Iranian drones used against US military installations and economic interests in the Gulf, as well as on Russia’s battlefield in Ukraine."

Fox News Digital press queries to China’s Embassy in Washington, D.C., were not immediately returned.

Russia, China veto UN resolution aimed at reopening Strait of Hormuz, hours before Trump deadline

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 13:50:52 -0400

Russia and China vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution Tuesday aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, just hours before President Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran to cease threatening the key waterway.

Trump has given Iran until 8 p.m. ET to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes against its power plants and bridges on Tuesday. The resolution received 11 votes in favor and two against, with abstentions from Pakistan and Colombia.

"No one should tolerate that they are holding the global economy at gunpoint, but today, Russia and China did tolerate," U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz said Tuesday. "They sided with a regime that seeks to intimidate the Gulf into submission, even as it brutalizes its own people during a national internet blackout for daring to imagine dignity or freedom."

"Failing to adopt this resolution sends the wrong signal to the world, to the people of the world — the signal that the threat to international waterways can pass without any decisive action by the international organization responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security," Bahrain’s foreign minister, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, added following the vote.

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The vetoed resolution, which was introduced by Bahrain, "strongly encourages states interested in the use of commercial maritime routes in the Strait of Hormuz to coordinate efforts, defensive in nature, commensurate with the circumstances, to contribute to ensuring the safety and security of navigation across the Strait of Hormuz."

The resolution also demanded that Iran immediately halt attacks on merchant and commercial vessels and stop impeding their freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and attacking civilian infrastructure.

The language of the resolution was significantly weakened to try to get Russia and China to abstain rather than veto it, according to The Associated Press.

The initial Gulf proposal would have authorized countries to use "all necessary means" — U.N. wording that would include military action — to ensure transit through the Strait of Hormuz and deter attempts to close it.

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After Russia, China and France, all veto-wielding countries on the 15-member Security Council, expressed opposition to approving the use of force, the resolution was revised to eliminate all references to offensive action. It would have authorized only "all defensive means necessary." A vote had been expected on Saturday.

But instead, the resolution was further weakened to eliminate any reference to Security Council authorization — which is an order for action — and limit its provisions to the Strait of Hormuz. Previous drafts had included adjacent waters.

"Let me be clear — this text would only embolden the United States and the Israeli regime to continue in their unlawful actions and atrocious crime, while shielding from accountability," Iran's ambassador to the U.N., Amir Saeid Iravani, said following the vote.

"The Iranian regime has until 8 p.m. Eastern Time to meet the moment and make a deal with the United States," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News on Tuesday. "Only the president knows where things stand and what he will do."

Fox News’ Patrick Ward, Anders Hagstrom and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Man with Celine Dion's rare disease warns her comeback could be dangerous

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 13:47:31 -0400

A former marathon runner who was diagnosed with the same condition as Celine Dion worries that crowds could be a "trigger" during the singer’s recently announced comeback.

Jon Kelf, 56, was a five-time marathon runner before he was diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome (SPS) in 2019, SWNS reported. Dion revealed her own diagnosis in late 2022.

SPS causes progressive muscle stiffness and severe muscle spasms that can lead to chronic pain, falls and loss of mobility over time, according to UT Southwestern Medical Center.

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"In some cases, spasms are so severe that they can cause falls, broken bones and dislocated joints," the center notes on its website.

While this rare condition is not fatal, its symptoms can dramatically affect a person’s quality of life.

The disease is often triggered by emotional stress or noise, elements Kelf calls "particularly debilitating." He shared with SWNS that he never expected Dion to perform again.

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"I was a bit surprised. Especially when she talked about the dancing. I couldn’t dance before the diagnosis, let alone afterwards," said Kelf, who has no medical involvement or knowledge of Dion's case personally.

"Obviously, she has the resources to get the best treatment available, but even still, it’s quite remarkable."

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In 2019, the former engineer started feeling his legs tighten up and stiffen anytime he was nervous or tense, but dismissed the odd sensations until one day, he stood and couldn't move.

Kelf can now barely walk and has been forced to quit his job.

Dion has announced 10 shows in September and October at the 40,000-capacity Paris la Défense Arena, planned at three- to four-day intervals.

The intervals will be crucial for Dion to pace herself, rest and medicate between shows, according to Kelf.

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"Everyone’s different, but I’m still surprised," said Kelf, who added that the disease could "limit" the singer.

"It’s challenging to live with, to say the least. You have to rearrange your entire life. There are good and bad days."

While Kelf is hopeful that Dion will be able to make the show work, he warned against underestimating the seriousness of the disorder.

"I think it could undermine how seriously people take us, other sufferers," he told SWNS.

While he views the tour as positive and inspiring, Kelf said he hopes it will lead to more support for others who are suffering.

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"Otherwise, people may look at her and think, ‘Why aren’t I doing more?’ which could ultimately have a negative impact."

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"If I’m out in public, people don’t see the worst of it," he added. "It's the same with her, they only see the good side."

Fox News Digital reached out to Dion's representatives for comment.