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Amid Rising Tensions: Ukraine and Russia Commit to Intensifying Conflict Following Deadly Kyiv Strikes

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In a grim turn in the ongoing conflict, both Ukraine and Russia committed to intensified operations on Friday, as Moscow unleashed a massive assault on Kyiv. This devastating attack claimed at least 25 lives, damaged apartment buildings, and forced tens of thousands of residents to seek refuge in shelters.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, surveying the aftermath at a partially destroyed apartment block, assured that his forces would “definitely” retaliate for the overnight pummelling.

Meanwhile, the European Union’s top diplomat put forward a proposal for new sanctions against Moscow. At the same time, President Zelenskyy sought to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities by urging the United States to grant licences for the production of Patriot air-defence missiles.

Condemnation of the Russian offensive came swiftly from the United Nations, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres renewing the call for a ceasefire.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN chief, strongly criticized the attacks, declaring, “Attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure wherever they occur are a clear violation of international humanitarian law and must stop immediately.”

But Russia vowed to further ramp up “pressure” on Ukraine, sticking to its no-compromise rhetoric.

‘Most massive attack’

Russia has routinely launched waves of missiles and drones during its invasion, Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War Two.

Journalists from the Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency in central and eastern Kyiv heard more than a dozen explosions and saw residents rushing to shelter in metro stations.

In the morning, locals stood on the rubble of destroyed apartment blocks ripped apart by the barrage, as smoke poured over the Kyiv skyline.

Blasts started echoing out late on Wednesday local time, lasting into the early hours of Thursday as Russian missiles and drones rained down on residential areas in the city centre.

Mayor Vitali Klitschko described it as the “enemy’s most massive attack on the capital”.

The state emergency services said at least 25 people had been killed and others were missing.

The Ukrainian branch of the Red Cross said its key warehouse had been destroyed and around US$2m (AU$2.8m) worth of humanitarian aid lost.

Debris also damaged a building “hosting a number of diplomats”, EU spokeswoman Anitta Hipper told AFP, adding that the EU diplomats were safe.

Kyiv urged its allies to send more air defence.

“We also very much count on a decision by the United States regarding licences for Patriots,” Zelenskyy said in a post on Facebook.

Later, after talks with Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, he added: “Defending against ballistic missiles is impossible without a sufficient number of missiles for Patriot systems.”

Ukraine wants to manufacture munitions for the US-made missile interceptor system, but defence experts say it would take time to set up production domestically.

A US official told AFP President Donald Trump wanted a peace deal to end the “senseless killing” in Ukraine.

Struggling to sleep

Russia fired 496 drones and 74 missiles, including hard-to-intercept ballistic projectiles, Ukraine’s air force said.

It said it shot down 48 of the missiles and 476 drones.

AFP reporters met several Kyiv residents outside an apartment building largely destroyed in the attack.

“Half the building has been destroyed. The roof is gone,” said 32-year-old factory worker Sabina Mambetova, standing outside the rubble of her home in the eastern Darnytskyi district.

“I’ve been left without an apartment, alone with my child. I don’t know what to do now.”

Some 52,000 people, including 4,500 children, packed into underground stations to shelter from the barrage — the highest number in recent years, according to the Kyiv metro.

Others hunkered down in basements or corridors through the night as blasts shook buildings across the city.

“It’s hard,” 32-year-old doctor Kateryna Kucheryava told AFP from the metro as the attack was unfolding. “My child is used to sleeping in complete silence and darkness.

“I picked her up and carried her down. She woke up, and now she’s not sleeping anymore.”

Along station platforms, locals set up tents and lay on air mattresses and camping chairs, while mothers tried to sleep clutching babies to their chests.

Zelenskyy cuts short visit

The EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said she would propose new sanctions on Moscow over the attack.

The attack came hours after Zelenskyy cut short a visit to Dublin on Wednesday, citing intelligence reports of an impending Russian strike.

Zelenskyy said Russian President Vladimir Putin “has been preparing this massive strike against Ukraine for some time now”.

Ukraine has stepped up long-range drone attacks inside Russia in recent weeks, targeting energy infrastructure and military targets.

Russian officials have reported repeated strikes in border regions, while Moscow has said its air defences have intercepted hundreds of drones from Ukraine in recent days.


Florida Deputy Rushes to Save Woman Mauled in Gator Attack with Quick-thinking Tourniquet Use

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Recently released body camera footage unveils a Florida deputy’s frantic efforts to rescue a 31-year-old woman who tragically lost her life in a brutal alligator attack last weekend.

The chilling video depicts the officer navigating through thick brush on Sunday before arriving at the sandy shore of the Econlockhatchee River, the very spot where Brittany Clark was cruelly mauled by a 12-foot gator while enjoying a swim with her boyfriend.

Underneath a tarp by the water’s edge, Clark appears alongside another person, likely her boyfriend Chance Allison.

Brittany Clark

Hiker Brittany Clark was fatally mauled by an alligator. Facebook/Brittany Clark

Alligator attack bodycam footage

Bodycam footage shows a Florida deputy taking out a tourniquet to apply to Clark’s devastating wounds. Seminole county sheriff’s office

In the chaotic scene, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office deputy hastily reaches for a tourniquet, and the video cuts off soon after.

The 911 caller who alerted authorities provided a grim account of Clark’s condition, noting that “both her arms are dislocated” and “one arm is completely off.”

This is a breaking story. Please check back for updates.

Revolutionize Your Lower Back Strength with These 5 Wall Exercises for Seniors

Feeling a decline in your lower back strength after reaching the age of 60? Strengthening those crucial support muscles might just be the solution you need. Here are five wall exercises designed specifically to build strength where it counts the most.

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Your lower-back strength doesn’t begin and end with the lower back alone. Muscles such as your glutes, hamstrings, hips, and core play a pivotal role in spinal support during everyday activities like bending, standing, walking, and even while doing something as simple as carrying groceries. Working these muscles together forms a more robust support system, far more effective than relying solely on squats.

When guiding those over 60 through lower-back-focused workouts, paying close attention to the collaboration between the hips and trunk is essential. An effective repetition involves purposeful hip movement, consistent core engagement, and a lower back that maintains a strong, steady presence. The wall serves as a valuable tool throughout this process, providing immediate feedback to help fine-tune posture and balance.

These exercises leverage the wall to ensure proper positioning, while your muscles remain active in producing effort. Through these workouts, you’ll practice hinging, bracing, stabilizing on one leg, and developing strength across your hips and thighs. It’s important to execute these movements smoothly, within a comfortable range, and focus on the quality of each repetition as a benchmark for progression.

Hip Hinge to Wall

For a more visual guide, check out the demonstration provided:

The hip hinge to the wall trains your glutes, hamstrings, core, and lower back while teaching your hips to move with control. Reaching your hips toward the wall gives you a clear target, which helps you feel the difference between moving from the hips and folding through the lower back. This pattern carries over to lifting, bending, and standing up from a forward position. The wall keeps the setup simple while your posterior chain does the work.

Muscles Trained: Glutes, hamstrings, lower back, core.

How to Do It:

  1. Stand about a foot in front of a wall with your back facing it.
  2. Set your feet hip-width apart and soften your knees.
  3. Brace your core and push your hips back toward the wall.
  4. Tap the wall lightly with your glutes.
  5. Drive your hips forward to stand tall.
  6. Repeat with a smooth, controlled tempo.

Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 3 sets of 10 to 12 reps. Rest for 45 seconds between each set.

Best Variations: Bodyweight good mornings, tempo hip hinges, staggered-stance hip hinges.

Form Tip: Keep your chest long and let your hips travel back first.

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Wall Plank With Shoulder Taps

Wall plank shoulder taps train your abs, obliques, shoulders, glutes, and deep core. The incline angle keeps the movement approachable while your torso stays steady as one hand leaves the wall. Each tap gives your core a chance to resist rotation and hold posture. That bracing work supports the lower back during reaching, carrying, and daily movement.

Muscles Trained: Abs, obliques, shoulders, chest, glutes.

How to Do It:

  1. Stand facing a wall and place your hands at shoulder height.
  2. Walk your feet back until your body forms a straight line.
  3. Brace your core and squeeze your glutes.
  4. Lift one hand and tap the opposite shoulder.
  5. Return your hand to the wall with control.
  6. Alternate sides for the full set.

Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 3 sets of 8 to 12 taps per side. Rest for 30 to 45 seconds between each set.

Best Variations: Wall plank holds, lower-angle wall plank taps, incline shoulder taps on a counter.

Form Tip: Keep your hips square to the wall as your hand moves.

Wall-Supported Hip Extension

Wall-supported hip extensions train your glutes, hamstrings, hips, and core. The wall gives you enough balance support to focus on extending the hip without turning the movement into a lower-back arch. Stronger glutes help share the work during walking, climbing stairs, and standing from a chair. Keep the lift controlled and feel the glute squeeze at the top of every rep.

Muscles Trained: Glutes, hamstrings, hips, core.

How to Do It:

  1. Stand facing a wall with both hands lightly placed against it.
  2. Shift your weight onto one foot.
  3. Brace your core and keep your chest tall.
  4. Extend your opposite leg behind you.
  5. Squeeze your glute briefly at the top.
  6. Return your foot to the floor and repeat before switching sides.

Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 3 sets of 10 to 12 reps per side. Rest for 30 to 45 seconds between each side.

Best Variations: Banded hip extensions, paused hip extensions, and slower hip extensions.

Form Tip: Keep your ribs stacked over your hips as the leg moves back.

5 Chair Exercises Trainers Now Recommend to Restore Thigh Muscle After 60

Wall Sit March

Wall sit marches train your quads, glutes, hip flexors, calves, and core. The hold builds steady leg strength, while the marching pattern makes your hips and trunk work to stay level from side to side. This combination helps your lower body provide support to your lower back during walking and stair climbing. Start from a higher wall-sit position and lower gradually as your strength improves.

Muscles Trained: Quadriceps, glutes, hip flexors, calves, core.

How to Do It:

  1. Stand with your back against a wall.
  2. Walk your feet forward slightly and slide into a comfortable wall sit.
  3. Brace your core and press both feet into the floor.
  4. Lift one foot a few inches off the ground.
  5. Lower it with control.
  6. Alternate sides for the full set.

Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 3 sets of 8 to 12 marches per side. Rest for 45 to 60 seconds between each set.

Best Variations: Higher-wall-sit marches, wall-sit holds, wall-sit heel raises.

Form Tip: Keep your hips level as each foot lifts.

Wall-Supported Single-Leg RDL

Wall-supported single-leg RDLs train your hamstrings, glutes, hips, core, and lower back. Holding the wall lightly lets you focus on one leg at a time without making balance the main challenge. The movement strengthens the backside of your body while teaching your hips to stay level during a hinge. That makes it a useful progression for building lower-body control and lower-back support.

Muscles Trained: Glutes, hamstrings, hips, lower back, core.

How to Do It:

  1. Stand beside a wall with one hand lightly touching it for balance.
  2. Shift your weight onto the leg closest to the wall.
  3. Soften your standing knee and brace your core.
  4. Push your hips back as your opposite leg reaches behind you.
  5. Lower until you feel your hamstring working.
  6. Drive through your standing foot to return to a tall posture.

Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 3 sets of 8 to 10 reps per side. Rest for 45 to 60 seconds between each side.

Best Variations: Bodyweight single-leg hinges, staggered-stance RDLs, supported dumbbell RDLs.

Form Tip: Keep your hips facing the floor instead of opening them to the side.

The 7-Day Morning Stretch Challenge That Restores Mobility After 60

How to Build Lower-Back Strength With Wall Exercises After 60

Wall exercises work best when they help you find stronger positions without taking the challenge away from your muscles. Use the wall for feedback, keep the reps controlled, and give your hips, legs, and core time to build strength together.

  • Practice the hinge: Hip hinges and single-leg RDLs teach your glutes and hamstrings to contribute when you bend and stand.
  • Train your trunk to stay steady: Wall plank taps and wall sit marches build bracing strength while your arms or legs move.
  • Give the glutes direct work: Hip extensions help your hips create force without asking your lower back to take over.
  • Progress one variable at a time: Add a few reps, hold a position longer, use less wall support, or slow the lowering phase as the movements feel stronger.
  • Repeat the routine consistently: Perform these exercises two to four times per week to build a practical base of lower-body and core strength.

A stronger lower back benefits from a stronger team around it. Use the wall to sharpen your movement, build better hip control, and create steady strength that carries into the rest of your day.

References

  • Wang P, Lu X, Wen M, Li X, Gao Q, Qin R. Association between muscle strength and low back pain among middle-aged and older adults: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health. 2025 May 21;25(1):1869. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-23050-2. PMID: 40399847; PMCID: PMC12093700.
  • Imagama S, Matsuyama Y, Hasegawa Y, Sakai Y, Ito Z, Ishiguro N, Hamajima N. Back muscle strength and spinal mobility are predictors of quality of life in middle-aged and elderly males. Eur Spine J. 2011 Jun;20(6):954-61. doi: 10.1007/s00586-010-1606-4. Epub 2010 Oct 31. PMID: 21072545; PMCID: PMC3099149.

Missing WWII Pilot from Top-Secret Mission Identified 80 Years On

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The whereabouts of a pilot who went missing during a World War II espionage mission have finally been revealed, according to an announcement from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) on Wednesday.

Authorities confirmed that 1st Lt. Franklin H. McKinney of the U.S. Army Air Forces, who was 21 and hailed from Rhode Island, was identified on May 15, 2026. McKinney was a member of the 35th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron (PRS) under the 14th Air Force.

Reports indicate that McKinney never made it back after launching from Yunnanyi, China, on a reconnaissance flight aimed at capturing images of targets in Thailand and Burma.

The U.S. Air Force highlighted that the squadron was tasked with conducting aerial surveillance operations, often venturing into enemy-controlled zones across China, Burma, and Thailand to collect essential intelligence.

Portait of young serviceman

An image of U.S. Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Franklin H. McKinney, who vanished during a surveillance mission in 1944 and whose remains were finally accounted for in 2026. (DPAA)

On Nov. 5, 1944, McKinney reportedly departed Yunnanyi, China, while piloting an F-5 Lightning.

The U.S. Air Force said his squadron, known as the “Redhawks,” played a crucial role in helping “turn the tide of the war in China” by providing vital aerial mapping and intelligence on Japanese troop movements.

However, the airbase lost contact with McKinney shortly after his departure.

Despite searches along his flight path to the China-Thailand border by personnel with the American Graves Registration Service, no evidence of a crash was found.

His remains were not accounted for after the war.

old WWII plane in black and white photo

A Lockheed F-5A Lightning reconnaissance aircraft, part of the F-5 Lightning family, is photographed in 1943. (Corbis via Getty Images)

Around the same time, local officials in Thailand discovered what appeared to be the wreckage of an aircraft that had been struck by lightning in a wooded area, according to DPAA.

Citing a wartime report from the Royal Thai Air Force Museum, the agency said the aircraft exploded before crashing near Ban Mae Kua in the Sop Prap district of Lampang province.

In 2018, third-party researchers located a crash site in a rice paddy of Lampang province and linked it to McKinney’s aircraft.

DPAA investigators then examined the site in 2019 and again in 2021 before a recovery team excavated the area in 2022, recovering possible human remains.

The remains were sent to a DPAA laboratory, where scientists used modern forensic techniques to identify McKinney.

Rice paddy field worker

A WWII F-5 Lightning aircraft was discovered in a rice paddy field in Thailand.  (Chaiwat Subprasom/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Officials said McKinney’s family will be briefed on the findings.

His name will also be memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.

Government Aware of Trump Shooter’s Rooftop Location Prior to Butler Incident

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In Butler, Pennsylvania, Secret Service agents discovered Thomas Crooks wielding a rifle on a rooftop with a direct vantage point on Donald Trump. However, they failed to communicate this potential threat to the president’s protective team.

This unsettling oversight is detailed in a new report released on Thursday by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General.

The investigation highlighted that prior opportunities to detect and thwart Thomas Crooks’s assassination attempt against Trump during a campaign event on July 13, 2024, were overlooked by the Secret Service.

According to the OIG report, deficiencies in policy, a lack of intelligence-sharing, and inadequate communication with both Trump’s staff and local law enforcement created an environment where crucial preventative actions were not taken.

The report’s conclusions were drawn from 92 interviews, the examination of over 70,000 documents, and a 3D reconstruction that meticulously mapped out the positions of all involved before, during, and after the incident.

It found that the Secret Service failed to detect Crooks’s drone flight used to view the campaign event stage – citing both an under-trained operator, who had received just 20 minutes of informal training – as well as a broken ethernet cable that was fixed roughly one half-hour after Crooks had already flown his drone over the site, undetected. 

The report also revealed that Trump’s own campaign staff refused to let agents park trucks blocking the shooter’s sightline because they’d be ‘too close to [President Trump’s] press shot.’

That was one of many damning revelations made in the report, which also faulted the lack of formal communications established with local law enforcement, thereby depriving them of additional communications regarding Crooks, as well as a lack of communications and intelligence sharing with leadership in the Pittsburgh Field Office. 

Secret Service agents knew Thomas Crooks had a rifle and had made his way onto a rooftop in Butler, Pennsylvania with a clear shot at Donald Trump — and never issued a word to the president's own protective detail.

Those details were revealed in a damning and newly unredacted report released Thursday the DHS's Office of Inspector General

Secret Service agents knew Thomas Crooks (left and right) had a rifle and had made his way onto a rooftop in Butler, Pennsylvania with a clear shot at Donald Trump — and never issued a word to the president’s own protective detail 

Donald Trump is seen with blood on his face surrounded by Secret Service agents as he is taken off the stage at a campaign event at Butler Farm Show Inc. in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024

Donald Trump is seen with blood on his face surrounded by Secret Service agents as he is taken off the stage at a campaign event at Butler Farm Show Inc. in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024 

Crooks, 20, was shot dead after attempting to kill the now-President at a rally in 2024

Crooks, 20, was shot dead after attempting to kill the now-President at a rally in 2024

Trump's ear was shot in the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024

Trump’s ear was shot in the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024

The lack of coordinated communications with state and local law enforcement would also prove deeply damaging.

In total, the report says, the Secret Service did not receive 102 radio transmissions sent by local law enforcement officers in a separate communications room in the run-up to the attempted assassination, and regarding what the report described as an ‘increasingly intense’ suspicious person search. 

Instead, the report says, Secret Service received only five phone calls and three text messages about a suspicious person, who was later identified to be Crooks, during that period, including that the suspicious person had a range finder. 

They also never received three transmissions from local law enforcement officers that the suspect in question had a long gun. 

Fireworks explode during UFC Freedom 250, on the South Lawn of the White House

Fireworks explode during UFC Freedom 250, on the South Lawn of the White House

President Donald Trump holds a meeting in the Situation Room of the White House. A newly unredacted report sheds light on the communications and security failures that left then-candidate Trump vulnerable to an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, in 2024

President Donald Trump holds a meeting in the Situation Room of the White House. A newly unredacted report sheds light on the communications and security failures that left then-candidate Trump vulnerable to an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, in 2024 

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is seen following recent renovations

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is seen following recent renovations 

‘The limited communication regarding the suspicious person … did not create a sense of urgency for Secret Service members to report this information to President Trump’s protective detail,’ the report concludes.

In total, the OIG report made seven recommendations for the Secret Service to improve its processes for securing events. 

The unredacted report comes just weeks after gunshots were fired at the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, DC, and after FBI Director Kash Patel announced a series of arrests made in connection with an alleged UFC attack plot at the White House.

Reports of the UFC investigation appeared to catch the Secret Service, which assisted the FBI in leading the investigation, off guard. 

It also comes as the nation’s capital, and commander-in-chief, prepare to host Americans from across the country for the nation’s 250th anniversary. 

Manchester United targets Swansea goalkeeper, Leeds raises Shea Charles offer to £23m with add-ons, Bournemouth seals £21m transfer for Elche striker, and Hayden Hackney promises versatility to Everton supporters: Transfer Update

The much-anticipated transfer window is officially open and will remain so until September 1, signaling a bustling period as clubs gear up for the upcoming season with strategic player acquisitions. Here are the most recent updates compiled by Simon Jones and the Daily Mail Sport team…

Hull’s Watford raid rebuffed

Hull City’s offer of £10 million for the talented forward Nestory Irankunda has been rejected by Watford. 

The 20-year-old Australia international is currently showcasing his skills at the World Cup, having netted the first goal in their group match against Turkey. 

Bayern Munich retains a significant interest in Irankunda with a 50% sell-on clause and a buyback option. 

Man United make a move for goalkeeper Margetson 

Manchester United are signing Swansea City goalkeeper Kit Margetson, son of former Manchester City keeper Martyn.

Swansea made an offer to keep the 19-year-old but he is out of contract and is now poised to join United once the Premier League compensation fee is determined.

Martyn Margetson left his role as Swansea’s head of goalkeeping at the end of last season and the younger Margetson, a Wales U21 international, joined Swansea at U15 level. He has not featured for the first team but he played regularly on loan at Connah’s Quay Nomads last season.

United remain in discussions over another senior goalkeeper with talks having taken place with Sam Johnstone and Karl Darlow.

However, they are also waiting on Besiktas or other potential suitors buying Altay Bayindir.

André Onana has signed his paperwork to complete a season loan to Trabzonspor. There is no option or obligation to buy.

Trabzonspor are covering the majority of his wages and a fee of £1.1m dependent on bonuses, such as them winning the league or qualifying for the Champions League.

Margetson, a Wales U21 star, joined Swansea at U15 level but has not played for the first team

Margetson, a Wales U21 star, joined Swansea at U15 level but has not played for the first team 

Sunderland forward a wanted man

Sunderland forward Eliezer Mayenda is wanted by Stade Rennais.

The 21-year-old had limited game time last season and is open to moving to play more regularly.

Porto had also shown interest but Stade Rennais are willing to offer around £21million for the Spain U21 international.

Eliezer Mayenda celebrates with Sunderland fans after the playoff semi-final win in 2025 but struggled for game time last season

Eliezer Mayenda celebrates with Sunderland fans after the playoff semi-final win in 2025 but struggled for game time last season

Ex-United defender McShane joins Lincoln as coach

Former Manchester United defender Paul McShane has joined Championship Lincoln City as first team coach.

The 40-year-old had been working as assistant coach at Huddersfield Town and with the Republic of Ireland U21s.

McShane, a no-nonsense centre-back, started out at United before a colourful playing career took him to Brighton, West Brom, Sunderland, Hull City, Crystal Palace and Reading. He won 33 caps for Ireland before returning to United as a player coach in 2021.

Liverpool’s Stephenson heads to Bolton 

Liverpool midfielder Luca Stephenson has signed for Bolton Wanderers in a deal worth £700,000.

Blackburn Rovers had also shown interest, but the 22-year-old travelled for a medical on Wednesday ahead of agreeing terms.

The deal will include a sell on of 20 percent for the versatile midfielder, who spent last two seasons on loan with Dundee United.

‘It’s brilliant being a Liverpool player and they’ve given me a lot and taught me a lot, but there’s nothing like playing men’s football,’ he told Bolton’s website. ‘You can’t replicate that at Liverpool playing for the 21s. I found that I wasn’t going to get the chance to play for the first team every week and that’s why I made the decision to come here.’

Luca Stephenson (left) in action during his loan spell at Dundee United in March

Luca Stephenson (left) in action during his loan spell at Dundee United in March

Anderson’s the most expensive British star 

Manchester City have confirmed Elliot Anderson’s record-breaking £116m transfer from Nottingham Forest.

The deal makes midfielder Anderson, 23, the most expensive British player ever, surpassing the £115m Real Madrid paid for Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund in 2023.

Only Liverpool’s £125m spend on Alexander Isak and £116.5m outlay on Florian Wirtz last summer were more expensive incoming transfers in Premier League history.

Read the full story HERE 

Bournemouth set to land Elche striker 

Bournemouth are finalising a £21million deal with Elche for striker Alvaro Rodríguez with a further potential £4m in add-ons.

Read the full story HERE 

Elche's Alvaro Rodriguez (right) is on his way to Bournemouth

Elche’s Alvaro Rodriguez (right) is on his way to Bournemouth 

Butland delighted to be back in the Premier League 

Hull City have confirmed the signing of Jack Butland from Rangers for £3m.

The 33-year-old goalkeeper has signed a two-year contract, with the Hull holding an option to extend by a further year.

Former England international Butland played every minute of Rangers’ Scottish Premiership campaign last season and said: ‘The challenge is obvious but an exciting one. The Premier League is the best league in the world and, personally, it’s a great opportunity to be on the biggest stage again. I believe it’s the level I’m capable of playing at, and I’ve done it before.

‘As a club, we’ve got a great challenge back in the Premier League, not just to stay in the league but to really enjoy it and do as well as we can.’

Rangers signed goalkeeper Ivor Pandur from Hull earlier this week in a £6m deal.

Brighton land Austria defender Svoboda

Brighton have signed defender Michael Svoboda from Venezia on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £4m.

Manager Fabian Hurzeler told the club’s official website: ‘Michael has enjoyed a fantastic season with Venezia, captaining them to the league title.

‘He has a number of attributes that we believe will see him adapt well to how we play, both in and out of possession.

‘He also adds competition to an area we are looking to strengthen and with a number of clubs pursuing him this summer, I am very happy that he’s decided to come to Brighton.’

The 27-year-old is on international duty with Austria at the World Cup. They face Spain today, at 8pm.

Brighton agreed to sign Luka Vuskovic from Tottenham yesterday for an initial £46m and added Benfica winger Rodrigo Rego.

Michael Svoboda is with Austria at the World Cup, coming on in their wins over Ghana and South Korea

Michael Svoboda is with Austria at the World Cup, coming on in their wins over Ghana and South Korea 

Leeds go up to £23m plus add-ons for Charles

Leeds United have made an improved offer for Southampton midfielder Shea Charles of £23million plus add-ons.

Southampton value the Northern Ireland, who they bought from Manchester City, at around £30million. City are understood to have a 15 percent sell-on clause on Charles.

Leeds hope the extra add-ons can help towards a compromise agreement.

Meanwhile, 17-year-old Leeds striker Harry Gray is expected to join Sheffield Wednesday on loan.

Leeds hope a compromise on add-ons will help secure a deal for Shea Charles (left)

Leeds hope a compromise on add-ons will help secure a deal for Shea Charles (left) 

Tottenham complete Fernandes signing 

Tottenham have announced the £85m signing of Matheus Fernandes from West Ham. 

Fernandes said: ‘I’m very excited for this next step. We look at football in the same way – going onto the pitch as a strong team, with fight and energy, to try and win every game. I can’t wait to get started, to meet the fans, to meet everyone, and give everything for the club.’

Sandro Tonali is set to follow from Newcastle on a six-year deal.

Brentford go back in for Anthony

Brentford have made an improved offer for Jaidon Anthony at Burnley.

The 26-year-old scored nine goals and contributed four assists in all competitions last season and the move would keep him in the Premier League after the Clarets’ relegation.

Anthony (second left) scores against Manchester United, one of his nine goals last season

Anthony (second left) scores against Manchester United, one of his nine goals last season

Hackney seals five-year deal at Everton

Everton have completed the signing of Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough on a five-year deal.

Earlier this week Daily Mail Sport reported that the Toffees had agreed to pay £16.5m, plus a further £5m on appearances and £3m linked to Champions League qualification and England call-ups.

The 24-year-old midfielder won Championship player of the year last season and he said David Moyes was key in his decision to move to Merseyside.

‘The manager’s track record of bringing players from the Championship to the Premier League was a massive part of my decision. Hopefully I can be the next one to do it successfully for Everton,’ said Hackney.

‘It feels like a good fit for me, for sure. I think it’s a given that you work hard, you run, you make tackles. I’ll be doing that.

‘I think fans can expect a bit of everything from me – attacking and defensively. I think I can carry the ball well, arrive late in the box, and hopefully score some goals. I think there’s plenty more to come from me. Obviously, I haven’t played in the Premier League yet, so once I get used to that I think I can kick on from there.’

Hayden Hackney has signed a deal to stay at Everton until 2031

Hayden Hackney has signed a deal to stay at Everton until 2031

Ukrainian Woman Suspected in Monaco Explosion That Injured Oligarch, Family

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A Ukrainian woman labeled as “armed and dangerous” is now the main suspect in a bomb attack in Monaco that left a fellow Ukrainian oligarch seriously injured, alongside his son and mistress.

The Prosecutor General of Monaco, Stéphane Thibault, confirmed this evening that the suspect is a Ukrainian woman in her 30s, with her current residence listed in Germany.

Thibault announced on Thursday night, “An arrest warrant has been issued for the suspect, and an Interpol Red Notice will be circulated starting this evening.”

An experienced investigator revealed that the woman allegedly disguised herself as a man during the incident, yet was recognized by a witness.

The investigator mentioned that she is likely evading capture with accomplices in Italy and could possibly have fled to the Balkans.

The prime suspect is said to have targeted billionaire Vadym Yermolaiev, 58, his mistress, Anna Nasobina, 46, and their young son on Monday night. 

The woman – who has not yet been named publicly – was filmed outside the ‘Sun’s Palace’ – a lavish apartment block owned by Mr Yermolaiev. 

It was in the foyer, just before 9pm, that a dumped rucksack exploded after the woman triggered it using a mobile phone. 

The entrance of the residential building in Monaco where an explosion happened on Monday

The entrance of the residential building in Monaco where an explosion happened on Monday

Anna Nasobina (above) is in a 'serious condition' fighting for her life, and her millionaire lover, Vadym Yermolaiev, and their son were also wounded after an explosion in Monaco on Monday

Anna Nasobina (above) is in a ‘serious condition’ fighting for her life, and her millionaire lover, Vadym Yermolaiev, and their son were also wounded after an explosion in Monaco on Monday 

Ukrainian oligarch Vadym Yermolaiev, 58, was reportedly with his London-based lover, not his wife, when he was wounded

Ukrainian oligarch Vadym Yermolaiev, 58, was reportedly with his London-based lover, not his wife, when he was wounded

Ms Nasobina had both her legs amputated following the blast, while both she and Mr Yermolaiev suffered severe shrapnel wounds and burns. 

‘The prime suspect was identified by a witness,’ said an investigating source. ‘She is a Ukrainian woman in her thirties.’ 

Footage from nearby surveillance cameras showed the woman wearing a black bucket hat fleeing on foot across the border to France, where there are no checkpoints. 

She headed into the French town of Beausoleil, and then made her way to Italy, investigators believe.

‘She is armed and dangerous, and thought to be in the company of accomplices,’ said the source. ‘She should be approached with extreme caution.’

Judicial authorities in both France and Monaco have opened a criminal enquiry for ‘attempted murder’, ‘the planting of an explosive device on a public road with criminal intent’ and ‘criminal conspiracy.’

Cameras first picked up the suspect in the area on Monday morning, before she returned to place the bomb, according to the same security sources.

She is thought to have been ‘around 12 meters away’ when she triggered the device, said one.

The suspect captured fleeing the scene on CCTV

The suspect captured fleeing the scene on CCTV

Pictured: Monaco's emergency services near the area of the explosion on Monday

Pictured: Monaco’s emergency services near the area of the explosion on Monday

The wounded boy has made a rapid recovery, and is currently providing evidence to police and prosecutors.

‘He is telling them exactly what he saw, although clearly his memory is very blurred,’ said a security source.

‘It appears that his mother took the full force of the blast, while he suffered relatively minor burns and shrapnel injuries.’

Ms Nasobina has been described in the past as Yermolaiev’s ‘common law wife’. 

She is a Ukrainian national who comes from Yermolaiev’s home city of Dnipro, while spending a lot of time in England. 

Nasobina describes herself as ‘London-based’ and is listed as a director of Wycombe Square Investments LLP in London since 2023, but frequently resides in Monaco, particularly during the summer. 

She is also the daughter of the former first deputy state prosecutor of Dnipropetrovsk region. 

Nasobina studied law at Dnipropetrovsk National University, followed by an International Institute of Management, before relocating to London.

Shards of glass on a damaged window of a residential building, following the explosion on Monday

Shards of glass on a damaged window of a residential building, following the explosion on Monday

Monaco police officers patrol near the site of the explosion

Monaco police officers patrol near the site of the explosion

She is a co-founder of Club Eclectique, a private members’ and literary-arts society registered in Oxford Street with a linked Monaco office. It was established in 2016.

The club’s events feature Russian entertainers with pro-Kremlin ties, and attendees include members of the Moscow diaspora in London.

One 2017 event she hosted, in honour of ballet legend Rudolf Nureyev, saw guests including Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Yasmin Mills, designer Julien Macdonald, party queen Jo Wood, singer Camilla Kerslake and actress Camilla Rutherford attend. 

In turn, Yermolaiev’s wife, Anna Yermolaiev, uses a high-security family villa in St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, the nearby French Riviera resort town which is the second most expensive residential location in the world, after Monaco.

It is likely that the suspect was using a so-called burner phone – one that can be bought relatively cheaply, without providing any kind of identification.

Such phones are frequently used by lawbreakers, and then disposed of once a crime has been committed.

Stéphane Thibault, the Monaco prosecutor who is leading the investigation in Monte Carlo, said: ‘We are attempting to arrest the suspect.’

Police and French Army helicopters with searchlights and numerous drones have all been seen in the search zone over the days and nights since the attack.

Nasobina describes herself as 'London-based' and has been the director of UK company Wycombe Square Investments LLP since 2023

Nasobina describes herself as ‘London-based’ and has been the director of UK company Wycombe Square Investments LLP since 2023

While there are theories that Ukraine’s SBU security service may have been behind the bombing, ‘a settling of scores’ by gangsters is currently the favoured line of investigation.

The blast signalled the first attack of its kind ever to take place on the so-called Rock tax haven, which is less than two-miles square and considered neutral territory.

Mr Yermolaiev had made multiple enemies over the years, and one of the reasons he moved to Monaco was because of the security it was meant to provide.

Seyar Kurshutov, a Ukrainian businessman from Crimea, who now spends a lot of time in Monaco said his friend was ‘obsessed with security’. 

Kurshutov told Le Monde: ‘Vadim was living on a razor’s edge.’ 

Some of Yermolaiev’s most powerful enemies were made through a racket involving fake call centres. 

Reports in France on Wednesday suggested that investigators are examining the possible involvement of the Security Service of Ukraine [SBU] in the suspected assassination bid, which left Yermolaiev, Nasobina and their son wounded. 

The blast may have been a ‘warning’ rather than a deliberate attempt at murder.  

Ukrainian police said previously that the oligarch may have been blown up over his alleged links to a €100million call centre fraud scheme. 

Police sources claimed that the violent attack is directly linked to a network of fraudulent call centres in Dnipro, Ukraine, allegedly used to carry out large-scale financial scams across Europe. 

The Yermolaiev family is alleged to have played a significant role in the scheme, with the oligarch’s name reportedly at the heart of a sprawling pan-European investigation into the clandestine call centres. 

In late 2025, Artur Yermolaiev — 35, and Vadym Yermolaiev’s eldest son—was arrested in Cyprus for his role in the estimated £100m scheme. 

Extradited to Estonia, where approximately 500 clients lost around £5million each, he was sentenced to five years in prison, with four months to be served behind bars. 

‘He now lives in Israel,’ said Seyar Kurshutov. 

Igor Komarov—a 28-year-old businessman involved in the call centres racket—was kidnapped, tortured, killed, and dismembered while on holiday in Bali, Indonesia, in March 2026. 

Another security source said: ‘The killers have never been found. This gives an idea of the kind of enemies Yermolaiev is up against.’  

Meanwhile, Ukrainian outlet Ukrainska Pravda reported that the attempted assassination stemmed from a failed agreement to divide territory and unpaid debts allegedly owed to organised crime bosses in Dnipro.  

Like many oligarchs who became rich following the fall of the Soviet Union, Yermolaiev has faced accusations of criminality, including money laundering, which he denies. 

Responding to reports linking him to ‘boiler room’ fraud, Theo Koshlyakov, the businessman’s legal assistant in Monaco, said: ‘To date, no legal proceedings have been initiated against Mr Yermolaiev in any jurisdiction’. 

Yermolaiev has been living in the principality since 2021, according to reports. 

In 2019, he renounced his Ukrainian citizenship and obtained a Cypriot passport, and in December 2023, he was subjected to personal sanctions by Kyiv. 

France is assisting in a search for the suspect. An aide to France’s Interior Minister, Laurent Nuñez, said yesterday that police were working ‘to find the perpetrator, who has fled’. 

There was a claim in the Nice-Matin news outlet that Yermolaiev planned to deliver a speech to the European Parliament alleging corruption in Ukraine. 

Star-Studded NYC Sighting: Adam Sandler Joins Taylor and Travis’s Friends Before Wedding

The excitement is building in New York City as both Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce‘s families and friends have been sighted around town, fueling the buzz about their upcoming wedding ceremony.

After announcing their engagement in 2025, Swift and Kelce are rumored to be planning a wedding at Madison Square Garden, possibly over the July 4th weekend. Us Weekly previously reported that guests have been advised to be in New York City on July 2 and 3, though further specifics have not been disclosed.

“Taylor and Travis requested their guests to head to NYC, without specifying any other location,” a source exclusively revealed to Us at the end of June.

According to an insider, the pop sensation and the celebrated Kansas City Chiefs player are planning an extended celebration of their union spanning two days. “They’re organizing a two-day event for their guests,” the source noted. “The couple is investing heavily, with expenses reportedly reaching into the millions.”

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelces Wedding Will Be Whimsical Affair

An insider reveals to Us Weekly that Swift and Kelce’s nuptials will be a “whimsical” affair, set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City. The couple is said to be orchestrating a fairy tale-inspired celebration, a nod to the enchanting themes present in much of Swift’s musical repertoire.

Swift and Kelce have not publicly disclosed any information about their wedding. During a recent episode of his and brother Jason Kelce’s “New Heights” podcast, Travis made headlines when he said that 4th of July celebrations can produce “great memories.”

“4th of July weekend is right around the corner,” Kelce later began an Expedia ad break. “We all have that one 4th of July trip we still talk about. … The one that turned a long weekend into a core memory.”

See which of the couple’s pals have been spotted in New York City — or the surrounding area — below:

Sabrina Carpenter

Eagle-eyed fans spotted Sabrina Carpenter dining in New York City, snapping an image of her smiling while inside a restaurant.

Suki Waterhouse

Suki Waterhouse has been spotted out and about in the city, while promoting her upcoming album, Loveland.

Aaron Dessner

Aaron Dessner was spotted with Ed Sheeran in upstate New York on June 30, dining at BuonaSera on the Lake in Malta, New York. Owner Danielle Hartwyk snapped a selfie with Sheeran via her Instagram.

“We had a surprise visit from Ed Sheeran and Aaron Dessner @aarondessner tonight at the restaurant!” she wrote. “Thank you for being so generous with your time and your kindness to our guests and our staff! It really was the highlight of our night! Plus an impromptu visit from a wild fan @leah88usa 🩷 #edsheeran #buonaseraonthelake #aarondessner #thenationalband.”

GettyImages-1409991529 Travis Kelces Stylist Danielle Salzedo Arrives in NYC Ahead of Reported Taylor Swift Wedding

Travis Kelce’s longtime stylist, Danielle Salzedo, has officially touched down in New York City ahead of his reported wedding to Taylor Swift. Salzedo posted a cryptic Instagram Story on Wednesday, July 1, sharing footage of her car driving into NYC, set to RÜFÜS DU SOL’s track “New York.” The stylist has worked with Kelce, 36, […]

Ed Sheeran

Sheeran was seen enjoying a meal with Dessner on June 30 in upstate New York, at a restaurant located about 60 miles away from Dessner’s Long Pond Studio. Fans of Swift and Sheeran know they have both recorded several of their songs at the recording studio.

Adam Sandler

Adam Sandler was spotted arriving at MSG on July 2 with his family, according to a video obtained by The Sun.

The comedian, who became friends with Kelce while filming Happy Gilmore 2, was seen in his unmistakable button-down shirt and basketball shorts combo exiting a vehicle as family members followed him out of the car.

CIA Under Scrutiny: Allegations of Non-Cooperation in COVID-19 Origins Investigation

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WASHINGTON — According to a federal watchdog, the Central Intelligence Agency is not fully cooperating with an inquiry into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly regarding the theory that it may have been sparked by a lab mishap.

In a letter obtained by The Post, Intelligence Community Inspector General Christopher Fox asserted that CIA Director John Ratcliffe has not provided essential documents. These records are crucial for investigating claims that the US government might have participated in what a recent agency official described as a “cover-up” related to the pandemic’s beginnings.

The watchdog’s investigation is focused on whether analysts, appointed by then-Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to analyze alleged intelligence mishaps during President Biden’s tenure, faced obstruction.

Fox has previously sought answers from Ratcliffe regarding allegations that analysts’ digital activities and interactions with whistleblowers were being monitored. To date, he reports he has not received satisfactory responses.

The Inspector General expressed concern over the CIA director’s insistence that there was no evidence of illegal surveillance of the analysts collaborating with Gabbard’s team, known as the Director’s Initiatives Group.

Fox also claimed the CIA was not complying with the federal law that compels the agency to “coordinate” with the IC Office of Inspector General for its oversight of such matters “as appropriate.”

The June 16 letter was sent to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley and laid out Fox’s issues with the CIA after the Iowa Republican drew attention to the “serious” allegations put forward by the agency officer who testified to a Senate committee the month before.

“Americans deserve a full accounting of COVID-19’s origins and the Intelligence Community’s (IC) response, especially whether whistleblowers were unlawfully monitored amid fallout from the virus,” Grassley told The Post.

“I appreciate the IC Inspector General’s ongoing work in this regard. However, it’s very concerning to me that entities within the Intelligence Community are obstructing the Inspector General’s honest efforts to perform a thorough investigation. Sunlight is the best disinfectant; the IC must come clean to the American people.”

Fox’s letter also clashed with Ratcliffe’s public statements regarding the origins of COVID-19. The CIA director has called for further transparency. As former DNI, he had been one of the only officials supporting the theory that the virus emerged from a lab accident in Wuhan, China, in late 2019.

But CIA special operations officer James Erdman III testified to Congress on May 13 that the US Intelligence Community exerted improper influence over assessments of COVID origins — and “illegally monitored” analysts tasked by Gabbard with looking into the matter.

That resulted in a 2023 CIA assessment that refused to take a side on the origins question — despite most of the analysts involved favoring the lab-leak hypothesis.

“Six of the seven technical experts say, ‘Yep, we still think it’s a lab leak,’” Erdman said of their deliberations. “And they were sticking to their guns. Management changed the analytic line.”

In the hearing, Erdman testified to the Senate Homeland Security Committee that Dr. Anthony Fauci and other IC leaders “influenced” the CIA and others involved in COVID intelligence analyses to suppress evidence that the virus most likely resulted from a lab leak in China.

“Dr. Fauci’s role in the cover-up was intentional,” he said, claiming the then-director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) put forward “a conflicted list of curated subject matter experts, public health officials and scientists” to prejudice intelligence assessment products in favor of a natural origin to SARS-CoV-2.

The CIA officer also testified that there “were Americans being spied upon illegally while executing duties directed by the president and under the authority of the Director of National Intelligence” as the DIG conducted a review of the assessments that Fauci and others swayed in 2020 and 2021.

At the time of Erdman’s testimony, a CIA spokesperson accused the Senate committee of having “acted in bad faith by subpoenaing an Agency officer … despite having already obtained closed-door testimony from the individual previously.”

The FBI, Energy Department and other federal officials determined that COVID-19 most likely originated in a lab leak years before the CIA changed its position from neutral.

That January 2025 CIA assessment, which was declassified by Ratcliffe but begun under former President Joe Biden’s spy chief William Burns, made it the third agency to back the lab leak theory.

“One of the things that I’ve talked about a lot is addressing the threat from China on a number of fronts, and that goes back to why a million Americans died and why the Central Intelligence Agency has been sitting on the sidelines for five years in not making an assessment about the origins of COVID,” Ratcliffe told Breitbart News at the time.

“I’ve been on record, as you know, in saying I think our intelligence, our science, and our common sense all really dictates that the origins of COVID was a leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology,” he said.

Four other agencies including the National Intelligence Council maintain a zoonotic theory of pandemic’s origins — that the highly contagious virus naturally mutated from bats to infect humans, likely via an intermediary like pangolins — is the most likely cause.

As early as May 2020, scientific papers were circulating inside the IC that backed the lab leak theory, but senior National Intelligence Council officers allowed Fauci to “inject himself” into the debate as a subject-matter expert, overruling intelligence analysts, Erdman noted.

A former IC intelligence analyst also told The Post Thursday that “the IC analysts were essentially in lockstep with the WHO’s position, which was the same as the Chinese’s” and that Fauci wasn’t the only “compromised” official who influenced their work.

Ralph Baric, who along with a Wuhan Institute of Virology scientist helped author a “blueprint” for engineering SARS-CoV-2, also consulted for the IC’s Biological Sciences Expert Group.

“It is highly plausible Fauci et al provided synthetic viral capability the Chinese government could use for military purposes,” the ex-intel analyst said, “Baric directly; Fauci indirectly via grants.”

“My concern is,” the ex-intel analyst said, “that I think there is a very pervasive Chinese influence at the IC at different levels,” adding that Fauci and others got “played like a Stradivarius [violin].”

“What needs to be uncovered is who’s driving this natural origin thing and suppressing all this other stuff with the lab leak and why?” the former analyst said.

An April 22 assessment from the IC OIG, which was also obtained by The Post, noted that Fox’s office had recently received new allegations of “conflicts of interest” marring past COVID intelligence products.

That assessment also “identified that external agencies have information IC OIG does not currently possess, and that such information is likely material to a comprehensive assessment of allegations relating to the origin of COVID-19.”

“This special review confirms the existence of serious allegations regarding the integrity of U.S. Government personnel and processes related to the assessment of the origin of COVID-19,” it concluded.

Reps for the CIA did not respond to a request for comment.

Florida Board Enforces Ban on College Enrollment for Undocumented Students

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — A significant roadblock may soon dash the hopes of many students dreaming of a college education in Florida. This week, the Florida Board of Education decided to prohibit students who lack legal immigration status from enrolling in the state’s 28 colleges and adult education programs.

Almost every member of the board voted in favor of this significant change, leaving Florida students and immigrant communities rallying in opposition.

“These young individuals are products of Florida’s communities. They’ve attended our K-12 schools, studied alongside their peers, volunteered their time, worked jobs, and challenged themselves with AP courses. We’ve encouraged them all along. Now, we’re saying they’ve reached a barrier they can’t cross,” expressed Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet from the Florida Immigration Coalition.

Supporters of immigrant rights warn that the repercussions extend beyond the students themselves, suggesting the state’s education system could face a $15 million shortfall from lost tuition and fees as a result of the new policy.

This controversial proposal follows closely on the heels of the Florida Board of Governors’ recent initial move to introduce a similar restriction at universities across the state.

Last year the legislature voted to remove in-state tuition for undocumented students, repealing a law that had been in place since 2014.

“Now that we’ve addressed the tuition issue and aren’t giving the tuition breaks to some here illegally, then this is the next step,” said Governor Ron DeSantis.

Supporters say college seats should be reserved for Florida residents and U.S. citizens.

“I would rather have that spot go to a Florida resident,” said DeSantis.

A legislative oversight committee is now stepping in, and has sent a letter to the Department of Education questioning whether education officials have the legal authority to make these changes without action from the legislature.