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Unlock Full-Body Strength in Just 10 Minutes a Day: The Ultimate Routine for 55+ Fitness Enthusiasts

Dedicate just 10 minutes of your day to this easy Pilates routine.

For many, mornings are synonymous with savoring a good cup of coffee and engaging in a refreshing workout. As the years go by, staying active becomes even more crucial due to shifts in metabolism, muscle mass reduction, hormonal changes, and more. It’s vital to choose the right exercise regimen to preserve lean muscle, enabling you to enjoy an independent and fulfilling life. The great news? You don’t need to spend hours working out. We’re introducing a quick 10-minute daily routine that can effectively boost your full-body strength, especially beneficial for those over 55.

Pilates is a fantastic way to rebuild useful, everyday strength.

“Traditional Pilates, without relying on machines, strengthens from the core outward, enhancing posture, balance, and flexibility. It also fortifies muscles, increases endurance, and boosts stability and joint mobility,” shares Jill Drummond, VP of Fitness at BODYBAR Pilates. Prior to her role at BODYBAR, Drummond served as the Global Education and Program Manager at Freemotion Fitness between 2019 and 2023.

“Without using machines, traditional Pilates builds strength from the core outward, improves posture, balance, and flexibility. It strengthens muscles, enhances endurance, boosts stability and balance, increases flexibility, and improves joint mobility,” explains Jill Drummond, VP of Fitness at BODYBAR Pilates. Before joining the BODYBAR team, Drummond was the Global Education and Program Manager at Freemotion Fitness from 2019 through 2023.

Below, Drummond shares her go-to exercises to help rebuild total-body strength. Spend 10 minutes doing them each day. Keep in mind that it’s first important to ace the foundational movement patterns—pushing, pulling, lunging, and twisting—from a solid core.

“These are the most important to prioritize—especially for full-body strength as we age,” Drummond shares.

Saw

  1. Assume a forearm plank, keeping your body straight from head to heels.
  2. Shift your body forward, moving your shoulders just past your elbows.
  3. Rock your body back, pushing through your toes so your shoulders move just past your elbows.
  4. Continue this smooth “sawing” motion from the forearm plank position.

Hip Dips

  1. Lie flat on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the mat, hip-distance apart.
  2. Rest your arms at your sides, palms facing down.
  3. Engage your glutes and core as you lift your hips into a bridge position.
  4. From the bridge, gradually dip your hips to the right without touching the mat.
  5. Return to the center.
  6. Repeat on the other side.

Side-Lying Leg Circles

  1. Begin lying on your side on a mat with legs extended and stacked.
  2. Use your bottom arm or a pillow to support your head.
  3. Lift your top leg to hip level.
  4. Start to make small circles with your top foot. Avoid rocking your body forward or back.
  5. Reverse the direction after completing the prescribed reps.
  6. Repeat on the other side.

Revolutionary Smart Tattoo Detects Skin Cancer Early: A Breakthrough in Preventive Healthcare

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Temporary tattoos may soon have a significant role beyond children’s party favors.

Researchers in Canada have crafted a temporary “smart tattoo” designed to identify melanomas before they become visible and potentially dangerous.

Their findings, detailed in the recent issue of Nature Sensors, highlight the effectiveness of SMEAR-ULM, a technology that detects early-stage skin cancer by assessing temperature changes on the skin’s surface.

“We aim to offer a minimally invasive method for identifying very small yet aggressive melanomas,” explained Jinyang Liang, the study’s senior author.

Melanoma, often referred to as a “black tumor,” can manifest as a new or evolving mole, or a spot with an unusual shape, border, or color. These spots can present in shades of brown, black, or sometimes pink, red, or white.

Melanoma is considered the most dangerous type of skin cancer because it has a high potential to metastasize to other parts of the body if not identified and treated early.

The current protocol for diagnosing melanoma hinges on visual examinations and biopsies, the latter of which is invasive and, in some cases, unnecessary.

Researchers are hopeful that, when applied to suspicious lesions, this new technology could reduce the need for biopsies and improve diagnostic accuracy.

“Because of their small size, the melanomas are usually excluded from clinical visual inspection, which leaves the threat unwatched. We want to detect them so that intervention can be made as soon as possible,” said Liang.

The temporary patch contains pain-free microneedles that deposit nanoparticles beneath the skin that function as microscopic thermometers.

When exposed to near-infrared light, the nanoparticles emit visible light that depends on local temperature.

Researchers note that cancer cells consume more oxygen and emit more heat than healthy cells, a temperature difference that the patch can detect and visually signal.

Researchers shared that the patch establishes skin temperature as a precise diagnostic biomarker for early-stage melanoma.

“We capture all the necessary information for an instantaneous temperature map in a single shot, which makes the method fast and robust to continuously monitor abnormal thermal responses in small melanomas,” said first author Yingming Lai.

The team tested the technology on mice and successfully detected micro‑melanomas as young as 4 days old, a stage at which melanomas are too small to be detected via conventional imaging techniques. 

A breakthrough like this could not come soon enough.

The Skin Cancer Foundation predicts that 234,680 cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the US in 2026, a staggering 10.6% increase from 2025.

Of these projected cases, 122,680 will be noninvasive, or confined to the top layer of skin, while 112,000 cases will be invasive, penetrating the epidermis into the skin’s second layer.

In noninvasive cases where melanoma hasn’t spread beyond the skin, 99 out of 100 patients will survive for five years after diagnosis, according to the American Cancer Society. 

That number drops significantly, to just 35 out of 100 patients, when the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, like the lungs or liver.

Unfortunately, these latest figures align with a troubling trend. In the past decade, the number of new invasive melanoma cases diagnosed annually increased by 46.6%.

Things to look for are the “ABCDEs” of melanoma — asymmetry, border irregularity, color variability, diameter greater than 6 millimeters, roughly the size of a pencil eraser.

The risk of melanoma also increases with age. The average age of Americans diagnosed is 66, but it’s one of the most common cancers in people under 30 — especially young women.

Other risk factors include being male, having several moles, a personal or family history of the disease and a history of blistering sunburns, particularly in childhood. People who spend a lot of time outdoors may also face a higher risk due to increased sun exposure.

Trump’s Ex-Press Aide Leaves White House for Exciting New Business Endeavor

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One of the White House’s prominent figures is stepping down from her role to embark on a new professional journey. Sonny Joy Nelson, known for her role as special assistant to President Donald Trump and as the White House director of media affairs, is leaving to establish her own communications firm, Cornerstone Strategies, according to the Daily Mail.

Nelson shared with Axios that the inspiration behind her firm’s name stems from her faith, describing Jesus as the “cornerstone” of her life and the foundation for her new venture.

“The aim is to produce media that is not only visually appealing but also conveys a message that is meaningful and enduring,” Nelson expressed regarding her aspirations for the new company.

Nelson was among the first to be appointed to the communications team during Trump’s second term, marking her as a key player in the administration’s media strategy.

Nelson was one of Trump’s first communications hires of his second term.

She quickly went viral when a White House observer posted to X days after the 2025 inauguration: ‘We are finally entering our Blonde Supremacy era.’ 

The post featured a picture of Nelson, a blonde, walking White House press secretary Karolina Leavitt, a blonde, to one of her media hits alongside press aide Kieghan Nangle, another blonde. 

Like Leavitt, Nelson is a young mother, and is expecting her second child, another boy, in the fall. 

Sonny Joy Nelson (left), who serves as special assistant to the president and White House director of media affairs, is departing the administration to start her own communications firm. She and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt (right) show off their baby bumps

Sonny Joy Nelson (left), who serves as special assistant to the president and White House director of media affairs, is departing the administration to start her own communications firm. She and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt (right) show off their baby bumps 

Sonny Joy Nelson (center) went viral days into her role at the White House when Daily Caller columnist Mary Rooke posted: 'We are finally entering our Blonde Supremacy era.' Nelson was photographed alongside Kieghan Nangle (left) and press secretary Karoline Leavitt (right)

Sonny Joy Nelson (center) went viral days into her role at the White House when Daily Caller columnist Mary Rooke posted: ‘We are finally entering our Blonde Supremacy era.’ Nelson was photographed alongside Kieghan Nangle (left) and press secretary Karoline Leavitt (right) 

She gave birth to her son Isaiah in August 2023, after marrying Samuel Klingsporn, a college lacrosse player who entered the US Army, over the Fourth of July holiday the year before.    

Nelson is the daughter of prominent North Carolina anti-abortion advocate Tonya Baker Nelson, the founder of the Pregnancy Resource Centers in North Carolina. 

Baker Nelson was pressured to have an abortion when she was pregnant in her mid-20s, she shared in a 2023 profile with Raleigh’s News & Observer. 

She chose to keep her baby and Sonny Joy was born in 1996. Since 2005, Baker Nelson has opened three pregnancy centers. 

While studying at North Carolina’s Campbell University, where she was a cheerleader, Nelson worked in the family business as a marketing specialist. 

She graduated in 2018 and started working on Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign in April 2019, moving her way up to the position of associate director of strategic communications.  

Trump 2020 Communications Director Tim Murtaugh plucked Nelson’s resume out of the pile – noticing her unique name – after he had just worked for Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. 

‘She earned the job by interviewing very well and she impressed me,’ Murtaugh told the Daily Mail. ‘But the only reason why I picked her resume out of that pile was because her name was Sonny.’  

Sonny Joy Nelson strikes a pose at the White House complex. She was one of President Donald Trump's first comms shop hires of his second term, having worked for both the 2020 and 2024 presidential campaigns

Sonny Joy Nelson strikes a pose at the White House complex. She was one of President Donald Trump’s first comms shop hires of his second term, having worked for both the 2020 and 2024 presidential campaigns 

Sonny Joy Nelson (left) and her mother Tonya Baker Nelson (right) pose for a photo with President Donald Trump (center). Tonya Baker Nelson runs several crisis pregnancy centers in North Carolina and is an anti-abortion advocate

Sonny Joy Nelson (left) and her mother Tonya Baker Nelson (right) pose for a photo with President Donald Trump (center). Tonya Baker Nelson runs several crisis pregnancy centers in North Carolina and is an anti-abortion advocate 

Sonny Joy Nelson (left) walks alongside other members of the blondetourage - White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt (center) and Executive Assistant to the Press Secretary Kieghan Nangle (right)

Sonny Joy Nelson (left) walks alongside other members of the blondetourage – White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt (center) and Executive Assistant to the Press Secretary Kieghan Nangle (right) 

Sonny Joy Nelson sports an all-pink MAGA get-up. She worked for President Donald Trump's 2024 campaign and before that the pro-Trump social media platform GETTR and the right-wing network Real America's Voice before joining the White House in January

Sonny Joy Nelson sports an all-pink MAGA get-up. She worked for President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign and before that the pro-Trump social media platform GETTR and the right-wing network Real America’s Voice before joining the White House in January 

Sonny Joy Nelson was a cheerleader during her time at North Carolina's Campbell University. During her college years she also worked at one of her mother's centers, Hand in Hope Pregnancy Resource Center, as a marketing specialist, according to her LinkedIn

Sonny Joy Nelson was a cheerleader during her time at North Carolina’s Campbell University. During her college years she also worked at one of her mother’s centers, Hand in Hope Pregnancy Resource Center, as a marketing specialist, according to her LinkedIn 

‘And she has earned everything since then,’ he continued. ‘I guarantee you that you cannot find a single person who Sonny has encountered or worked with who doesn’t think she is just the most delightful, smart capable, upbeat person that they have encountered in politics.’ 

After Trump lost the White House to President Joe Biden, Nelson followed longtime Trump communications guru Jason Miller to the social media startup Gettr. 

She also worked as a booking producer for Real America’s Voice and as director of media affairs for the Republican National Committee, according to the White House. 

During the Trump 2024 campaign, Nelson was Director of Media Affairs and Surrogates and was given a similar title when the White House announced her employment on January 24, 2025. 

Murtaugh suggested Sonny’s fast ascent is because she’s, well, sunny.  

‘When you work in politics, whether it’s in Trumpworld or otherwise, it’s really hard to maintain a positive attitude even sometimes, let alone all the time,’ he said. ‘From what I can tell, and from my personal experience in being around Sonny a lot, is that she has never had a bad day.’ 

Her last day at the White House is Friday.  

State’s Most Wanted: Armed Murder Suspect Sparks Urgent Manhunt

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Authorities are on the hunt for a murder suspect who has been evading law enforcement since Wednesday.

Deputies report that 38-year-old Jesse Phillips is accused of fatally shooting a man in the chest in Pickett County, Tennessee, before fleeing the scene in his vehicle, which may have crossed state borders.

Law enforcement officials in Clinton County, Kentucky, located Phillips’ vehicle, a distinctive black pickup truck with a yellow hood, parked at a residence on Norman Cole Road in Albany.

mug shot for Jesse Phillips

The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the discovery of Phillips’ truck at the Albany location.

Phillips is described as a White male, standing 5 feet 10 inches tall, with brown hair, brown eyes, and weighing around 225 pounds.

Pickett has been added to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Most Wanted List; there is a reward available for anyone who can provide information that can help investigators track him down.

angle inside car and most wanted poster from TBI

Jesse Phillips was added to the TBI most wanted list in connection to the alleged murder. (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation)

In a statement sent to Fox News Digital, a TBI spokesperson said:

“At the request of 13th Judicial District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway, TBI agents are investigating the circumstances leading to a fatal shooting that occurred Wednesday in Pickett County. On Wednesday, the Pickett County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of a shooting in the 1000 block of Parker Road. Upon arrival, they found an individual suffering from a gunshot wound. The individual was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. His identity is currently being withheld pending notification of next of kin. At this time, the investigation remains active and ongoing.”

map location pin pointing where vehicle was discovered

Deputies discovered a pickup truck possibly driven by Jesse Phillips on Norman Cole Road in Albany, Kentucky. (Google Maps)

Authorities said if you see Pickett, do not approach as he is considered armed and dangerous. Instead, call 911.

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Emilia Clarke Addresses Speculation Regarding Her ‘Game of Thrones’ Salary

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The truth about those “Game of Thrones” paychecks is finally out.

Emilia Clarke has addressed the swirling rumors regarding the hefty salaries she and her fellow cast members supposedly received for their work on the acclaimed HBO series.

Over a decade after reports suggested that each actor earned $300,000 per episode, Clarke has clarified to Variety that these figures were far from accurate, asserting, “We didn’t earn that much.”

During a conversation with the publication, Clarke humorously remarked, “Can you imagine? I’d have been driving a couple of Porsches!”

The actress, who brought the iconic character Daenerys Targaryen to life, chose not to delve deeper into just how exaggerated those initial reports were.

She also neglected to speak to Variety’s 2017 report that the numbers were as high as $500,000 each episode.

The series premiered in 2011 and ran for eight seasons before wrapping in 2019.

In addition to Clarke, the show starred Kit Harington, Lena Headey, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and more.

Prior to the finale, Clarke made it clear she was “always paid the same amount as” her male co-stars.

“It was my first job and I was not discriminated against because I was a woman, in my paycheck,” the Emmy nominee noted during a 2018 interview at a Cannes Film Festival screening.

That same year, court documents in Coster-Waldau’s legal battle with his former manager revealed he made $1.07 million per episode “for at least six episodes” of the final season.

Sophie Turner, meanwhile, was reported to be making $175,000 — which she addressed in a 2019 sitdown with Harper’s Bazaar.

“Kit got more money than me, but he had a bigger storyline,” the “Dark Phoenix” star, 30, said at the time. “And for the last series, he had something crazy like 70 night shoots, and I didn’t have that many. I was like, ‘You know what … you keep that money.’”

Elsewhere in Friday’s interview, Clarke shared her struggle “to understand” the cast’s “Game of Thrones” fame.

“You realize it’s just a formula: The less you’re on TV, the less famous you are,” she explained. “It comes and it goes.”

Clarke also opened up about “cheat[ing] death” by surviving multiple brain aneurysms, which she recently spoke about on the “How to Fail” podcast.

“It became this thing where I just couldn’t look anyone in the eye,” she said earlier this month. “It just cuts you off from the outside world because you’re walking around knowing that your body has failed you.”

The near-fatal health scares in 2011 and 2013, notably, took place while Clarke was filming “Game of Thrones.”

Louisiana Republicans Set to Approve New U.S. House Districts Amid Expanding Redistricting Battle

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BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — In a significant political maneuver, Louisiana’s Senate, dominated by Republicans, is set to approve a redistricting plan on Friday aimed at reinforcing GOP control of the U.S. House come November. This move positions Louisiana among the latest Southern states contemplating the removal of a majority-Black congressional district that traditionally elected a Democrat.

The anticipated Senate vote will address a redistricting proposal designed to potentially allow Republicans to secure an additional seat. This follows a U.S. Supreme Court decision in late April, which deemed Louisiana’s existing congressional district map as an unlawful racial gerrymander.

The revised map, which passed the House with significant support on Thursday, is now on the brink of final approval by the Legislature. Once this is achieved, Republican Governor Jeff Landry is expected to endorse it by signing it into law.

After the Supreme Court’s ruling, several Republican-led Southern states have taken advantage of the weakened federal Voting Rights Act to attempt their own redistricting. This marks another chapter in the intense nationwide redistricting conflict, intensifying ahead of the November elections with influences tied to former President Donald Trump.

Currently, Republicans appear to be leading in the redistricting efforts. However, this does not guarantee a victory in the closely contested U.S. House in November. The GOP estimates potential gains of up to 14 seats from their redistricting initiatives, while Democrats anticipate gaining six seats from redrawn districts in California and Utah.

In Louisiana, Republicans currently hold four of six congressional seats on a court-ordered map drawn in 2024 to comply with the Voting Rights Act by including a second district with a majority-Black population.

That map, however, was challenged in court, and the Supreme Court responded on April 30 by striking it down as an illegal racial gerrymander.

Landry postponed the state’s U.S. House primary, scheduled for May 16, until later this summer to allow time for Republican lawmakers to draw and pass a new map.

The proposed map redraws Democratic U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields’ district, clustering it around predominantly white communities in the Baton Rouge area and southern Louisiana. It also adds part of Baton Rouge to a heavily Democratic, majority-Black district based in New Orleans currently represented by Democratic U.S. Rep. Troy Carter.

More lawsuits were expected over the new map.

Democrats say the proposed map could still constitute a racial gerrymander because it packs Black voters into a single congressional district. Meanwhile, the plaintiffs in the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision criticized the Legislature’s map for leaving a majority-Black district in place.

Several other Southern states also have acted on redistricting since the Supreme Court’s decision.

Florida’s Legislature passed new congressional districts just hours after the ruling, completing a redrawing that was in the works in anticipation of the decision. It could yield Republicans as many as four additional seats in the midterm elections.

Tennessee adopted new U.S. House districts a week after the ruling, carving up a majority-Black district based in Memphis in a Republican attempt to win an additional seat.

In Alabama, Republicans are attempting to pick up another seat by redrawing two districts where Black residents compose a majority or close to it. Democrats hold both seats, and the proposal is mired in a court battle.

South Carolina’s Senate, meanwhile, decided against redistricting, despite pressure from Trump.

Trump Heads to Situation Room Amid Iran’s Nuclear Developments

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Donald Trump has revealed he is currently in the Situation Room to make a crucial decision regarding the signing of a nuclear agreement with Iran.

The former president is insisting that Iran commit to never pursuing nuclear weapons, turn over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, and agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as part of the conditions for any potential agreement.

In a public statement, Trump announced that his “amazing and unprecedented Naval Blockade” of the oil passageway would be lifted, allowing stranded crews to start their journeys back home to reunite with their families.

“Say HELLO to your wives, husbands, parents, and families from me, your favorite President!” Trump expressed in his message.

Furthermore, Trump stated that “underwater mine sweepers” had already cleared several water mines in the region and urged Iran to either remove or neutralize any remaining threats.

Trump also asserted that enriched material he called ‘Nuclear Dust,’ buried beneath mountains would be unearthed and destroyed by the US military in coordination with regime and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

He insisted that ‘no money will be exchanged, until further notice,’ before heading into the Situation Room to make his final decision. 

Trump’s latest comments are the clearest sign yet that the US and Iran may be close to a deal. Within minutes of the President’s Truth Social post, crude oil futures fell to $86 a barrel.

In the post, Trump said his 'amazing and unprecedented Naval Blockade' of the oil passageway would now be lifted, telling stranded crews they could start 'heading home' to their families

In the post, Trump said his ‘amazing and unprecedented Naval Blockade’ of the oil passageway would now be lifted, telling stranded crews they could start ‘heading home’ to their families

Trump is demanding that Iran vow never to pursue a nuclear weapon, hand over its entire stockpile of highly enriched uranium, and agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as conditions for signing a deal

Trump is demanding that Iran vow never to pursue a nuclear weapon, hand over its entire stockpile of highly enriched uranium, and agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as conditions for signing a deal

The Strait of Hormuz remains a crucial sticking point between US and Iranian diplomats

The Strait of Hormuz remains a crucial sticking point between US and Iranian diplomats 

Trump is with his top political and military advisers in the Situation Room to determine if he will move forward with an agreement to end the war with Iran

Trump is with his top political and military advisers in the Situation Room to determine if he will move forward with an agreement to end the war with Iran 

Over the past few weeks, US and Iranian diplomats have been engaged in intense back-and-forth negotiations over the signing of a memorandum of understanding. 

The goal of the memorandum is to expand the current ceasefire for another two months, but immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway responsible for moving one-fifth of all global oil. 

A final agreement addressing Trump’s nuclear demands would likely come at a later date. 

The current working memorandum reportedly states that Iran will agree to negotiate on its nuclear program. 

Control over the strait is one of the key factors limiting diplomatic progress toward ending the war. 

Tehran is demanding that the US withdraw its forces from the region and allow the regime to jointly control the strait alongside Oman. Earlier this week, Trump threaten to bomb Oman, a key US Middle Eastern ally, if they work with Iran to control the strait. 

Iran is also seeking to impose transit fees on US-backed oil tankers in exchange for safe passage through the waterway. 

Despite claims by Trump and the Pentagon that Iran’s navy has been eliminated, Tehran has effectively shut down movement through the strait by seizing oil tankers with speedboats and deploying explosive ocean mines. 

A fireball and smoke erupt from a building following an Israeli strike in Tyre, southern Lebanon, on May 28

A fireball and smoke erupt from a building following an Israeli strike in Tyre, southern Lebanon, on May 28

Trump, however, has continued to use the naval blockade of Iran’s ports to cut the regime off from its lucrative oil trade with China and other Asian countries.

Vice President JD Vance said it was ‘hard to say when or if’ Trump will sign off on the latest peace proposal with Iran. 

‘It’s hard to say exactly when or if the president’s going to sign,’ Vance told reporters on Thursday evening. 

He added: ‘We’re going back and forth on a couple of language points.’

The latest flare-up in fighting happened less than a day earlier, when Kuwait intercepted missiles fired from Iran, according to US Central Command.

Israeli Envoy Criticizes French Far-Left Leader Amid Rising Antisemitism Concerns

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PARIS, France — Israel’s ambassador to France has sharply criticized the rhetoric of far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon, equating it to the dangerous language of Adolf Hitler. This, he warns, is part of a worrying trend where foreign influences are stoking a rise in antisemitism, leading some French Jews to conceal their identities as they navigate daily life.

In 2025, France witnessed a staggering 1,320 antisemitic acts, a significant increase from 436 incidents reported in 2022. Despite this alarming rise, a prominent Jewish community leader expressed to Fox News Digital their determination not to retreat, even as the frequency of attacks and incidents continues to grow.

Israeli Ambassador to France, Joshua Zarka, points out that France, home to Europe’s largest Muslim population, is experiencing a high number of antisemitic incidents on a daily basis. Additionally, France also boasts the largest Jewish community in Europe.

GLOBAL RISE IN ANTISEMITISM LEAVES JEWISH COMMUNITY ISOLATED; RABBI SAYS WORLD AT ‘A TIPPING POINT’

Jean-Luc Mélenchon

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who leads the French left-wing party La France Insoumise (LFI), was recently seen addressing supporters during a campaign event in Marseille, southern France, on March 7, 2026. (Miguel Medina/AFP via Getty Images)

“The number of events is extremely high — not because the French government does not fight it, but because there is this base in which antisemitism is growing,” due to foreign influence, which he claimed comes from Iran, Russia, Turkey and Qatar, he said. 

While he says those state actors are fueling the fire of Jew-hatred from the outside, certain French political actors exploit antisemitism for the purpose of getting more votes. According to Zarka, foremost among them is the far-left party La France Insoumise (LFI).

“The way [LFI leader] Jean-Luc Mélenchon speaks in front of a crowd reminds me of Hitler. The way he uses the idea of uniting against one enemy by speaking of Israel is similar to the way Hitler used to speak about the Jews,” Zarka said.

In February, the Human Rights League criticized Mélenchon after he mocked the pronunciation of Jewish names, including that of MEP Raphaël Glucksmann.

Antisemitic salutes in Paris.

Palestinian protestors wave flags with some seemingly making Nazi-like salutes during a soccer game between Israel and Paraguay during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Parc des Princes in Paris July 27, 2024.  (Geoffroy van der Hasselt/AFP via Getty Images)

Mélenchon previously wrote on his blog that “antisemitism remains residual in France,” remarks critics said downplayed a surge in Jew-hatred after Hamas’ Oct. 7 massacre in Israel.

Fox News Digital repeatedly contacted Mélenchon’s media advisor for comment but did not receive a response.

Zarka added that, over the past three years, there has been a shift in the Jewish community’s perception of what was once considered the extreme right, with many no longer viewing the National Rally, formerly led by Marine Le Pen, as such.

CALLS FOR US TO DO MORE AS ANTISEMITIC ACTS SKYROCKET IN EUROPE: ‘ENORMOUSLY PAINFUL’

Protesters march after a young Jewish girl was gang raped in an antisemitic attack

Protesters hold signs that say “raped at 12 because Jewish” during a demonstration called by associations, including SOS Racisme and the Women’s Foundation to denounce antisemitism, in Paris on June 20, 2024, after the alleged antisemetic gang rape of a 12-year-old girl in Paris’ suburb of Courbevoie. (Zakaria Abdelkafi/AFP via Getty Images)

“Let’s not forget that [National Rally President] Jordan Bardella went to Israel and, at Yad Vashem, made a formal commitment to fight antisemitism, be it from the right or the left, and that is significant. … That is sinking into the mind of the Jewish community,” Zarka said.

Recent incidents include the partial cutting down on Jan. 12 in Lyon of a tree planted in memory of Ilan Halimi, who was abducted and murdered in a 2006 antisemitic attack. 

On Feb. 9, a young boy wearing a kippah was assaulted by a group of five individuals, one of whom allegedly held a knife to his throat. Ten days later, acid was sprayed in two dining rooms of a kosher restaurant in Paris’s 17th arrondissement. 

On April 15, racist and antisemitic graffiti targeted three high schools in the Montpellier metropolitan area.

El Al offices vandalized with graffiti in Paris

El Al’s offices in Paris were vandalized, showing graffiti on the building’s exterior. (Noemie Olive/Reuters)

In March, two brothers were arrested for with what authorities described as a “deadly and antisemitic” plot after police discovered a semi-automatic weapon, a bottle of hydrochloric acid and an Islamic State flag in their vehicle.

Rabbi Elie Lemmel was targeted in two antisemitic attacks, including last June in Deauville, where he was punched in the stomach. Days later, he was attacked again in Neuilly-sur-Seine while sitting at a café terrace, when a Palestinian from Gaza struck him with a chair.

Lemmel told Fox News Digital he had almost never faced aggression before but believes the post-Oct. 7 conflict has intensified tensions. He said he understands those who choose to be more discreet and would never judge them.

“You have to be vigilant,” he said. “Unfortunately, some people see a kippah, and it bothers them. Those who want to do harm will always find reasons.

“If we start hiding, it is the beginning of the end,” he added. “I have always worn a kippah, and that is why I continue to wear it.”

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER SUSPENDED AFTER ‘FREE PALESTINE’ BROADCAST TO ISRAELI PILOTS

Yonathan Arfi, president of the Conseil Représentatif des Institutions juives de France (CRIF), said some Jewish families now forgo displaying mezuzahs or use different names on mobile apps to avoid being identified.

“On the one hand, there is a rise in antisemitism that leads to precautionary behavior,” Arfi told Fox News Digital. “On the other hand, Jewish life remains more vibrant than ever, with synagogues full and more kosher restaurants than ever before.

“We must not offer antisemitic terrorists and those driven by hatred our fear and withdrawal as a trophy,” said Arfi. “Wherever possible, Jewish life must continue openly and proudly.”

French riot police using tear gas to disperse demonstrators at a pro-Palestinian rally in Paris

French riot police use tear gas to disperse demonstrators during a pro-Palestinian rally at Republique Square in Paris on Oct. 12, 2023. (Ibrahim Ezzat/Anadolu)

Immigration to Israel, he said, should nevertheless be seen as a warning sign that some Jews no longer see a future in France.

Historically, French immigration to Israel averaged between 1,500 and 2,000 people annually after the Six-Day War. The figure peaked at around 8,000 annually between 2012 and 2015, fell to about 1,000 in 2023, then rose again to more than 2,000 in 2024 and 3,500 in 2025. The Jewish Agency for Israel estimates roughly 4,000 immigrants from France in 2026.

The Israeli ambassador to Paris noted that French authorities take combating antisemitism seriously, and therefore the country remains “a relatively safe place,” while urging Israelis to exercise caution when traveling to other European countries such as Spain, Belgium and even the Netherlands, “where antisemitism flourishes.”

French President Emmanuel Macron speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York

French President Emmanuel Macron addresses the 80th United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York on Sept. 23, 2025. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)

In February, President Emmanuel Macron denounced the “antisemitic hydra” that had crept into “every crack” of French society during a ceremony commemorating Ilan Halimi, a Jewish man kidnapped and tortured to death by the Gang of Barbarians in 2006.

“In 20 years, and despite the resolute efforts of our police officers, gendarmes, judges, teachers and elected officials, the antisemitic hydra has kept advancing,” Macron said, according to Le Monde.

“Constantly assuming new faces, it has insinuated itself into the heart of our societies, into every crevice, too often accompanied by that same pact of cowardice: to keep silent, to refuse to see.”

Macron also condemned the “Islamist antisemitism” behind the Oct. 7 Hamas-led massacre and “far-left antisemitism,” which he said “rivals that of the far right.”

He added that antisemitism increasingly “uses the mask of anti-Zionism to advance quietly.”

Marine Le Pen standing with deputies Sebastien Chenu and Jordan Bardella during a march in Paris

Marine Le Pen and deputies Sébastien Chenu and Jordan Bardella participate in a march against antisemitism from the Esplanade des Invalides to the Senate in Paris on Nov. 12, 2023. (Antoine Gyori/Corbis via Getty Images)

Even so, bilateral ties with Israel are not without friction, with Zarka disclosing that the government of Macron refused to allow U.S. military overflights carrying weapons to Israel during the war against Iran.

“The French made the decision not to provide us with an aerial bridge for American weapon shipments to fly over during the war against Iran,” he said.

It was the second time France had denied such a request, the first occurring during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the envoy noted.

Rare Five-Year Storm to Hit Australian Coast: Tornado Risks Imminent

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The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) is warning WA residents of an extremely strong cold front and deep low-pressure system that are set to impact southern parts of the state this weekend.

A formidable storm, described as a “once-in-five-years” event, is poised to unleash powerful winds reaching 125 km/h, with expected rainfall accumulations around 50mm. Ocean swells could soar up to 8 meters, and there is even a potential for tornadoes.

The BoM has issued a severe weather warning stretching from Kalbarri down to Esperance, saying it’s likely to be the “strongest winter system we see this year”.
WA storm
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) is warning WA residents of an extremely strong cold front and deep low-pressure system that are set to impact southern parts of the state (9News)
The storm is set to lash Perth with areas of heavy rain arriving later today, which could cause flash flooding.

According to Senior Meteorologist Sarah Scully, intense thunderstorms could produce winds exceeding 125 km/h, create coastal threats, and pose a tornado risk. “This danger is anticipated to persist through Sunday morning, though any tornadoes that might develop will be fleeting and challenging to monitor,” Scully explained.

The affected region might widen over the weekend, as the situation remains dynamic and subject to change, the bureau notes.

“The peak winds are forecasted to occur with a low-pressure system advancing into the southwest by Sunday evening,” added Scully.

WA storm
The BoM has issued a severe weather warning stretching from Kalbarri down to Esperance, saying it’s likely to be the “strongest winter system we see this year”. (9News)
WA severe weather forecast
The impacted area may expand over the weekend as it’s an “evolving weather situation”, the bureau says. (YouTube/Bureau of Meteorology)

“The strongest winds are expected with [a] low-pressure system that will push up into the south-west during Sunday evening,” Scully said.

“Widespread destructive winds are expected to extend about the west coast and pushing into the south-west, where they will continue through until the early hours of Monday morning before that low-pressure system tracks into the bight, with the winds easing across the south-west and instead concentrating through the south coast.”

Residents are being advised by authorities to ensure loose objects are either moved inside or locked down to prevent them becoming airborne.

WA storm
The “once in five-year” storm is set to bring destructive winds of 125km/h, rainfall totals of about 50mm, up to 8-metre swells and even a chance of tornadoes. (9News)

Western Power have cancelled all of their planned outages over the weekend and put crews on standby for potential weather-related outages from downed power lines.

Hillarys Yacht Club has cancelled its junior sailing event as a precaution.

“Our boatswains have their skipper’s ticket, and they’ll be patrolling the marina and the surrounding clubhouse, just to make sure that everything’s secure and there’s no damage,” Rick Coate from Hillarys Yacht Club told 9News.

Destructive winds set to hit WA this weekend
Destructive winds set to hit WA this weekend (Weatherzone)

But one thing that may not be cancelled despite the wild weather is Sunday’s clash between West Coast and Essendon at Optus Stadium.

“Sometimes people can overplay the bits of rain, these guys are so skilled and talented, its only really heavy torrential rain where strategy changes,” Eagles coach Andrew McQualter said.

The warning for the west coast of Australia comes after the cancellation of a severe storm warning over on the east coast, where heavy rain and storms hammered parts of the country.

Heavy rain will ease in NSW and Queensland this afternoon. (Weatherzone)

The Queensland and NSW coasts, as well as regions further inland, copped a soaking this week, driven by a low-pressure system off the coast.

Falls of up to 80mm were recorded in south-eastern Queensland, and up to 70mm in NSW down to the Central Coast, with the storm warning covering the Mid North Coast, Hunter, North West Slopes and Plains, and Northern Tablelands districts.

Weatherzone’s lightning detector showed 460,000 strikes within 800km of Dalby in southern Queensland in the 24 hours to 9am yesterday. 

Nearly half a million lightning strikes were recorded within 800km of Dalby, Queensland, in 24 hours. (Weatherzone)

By the weekend, the forecasts for both Brisbane and Sydney show sunshine ahead, with temperatures peaking in the low 20s.

But on Saturday, another cold front will approach the south-east of the country.

As a result, showers will increase for South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and inland parts of New South Wales, with colder southerly winds coming up behind that system.

Trump Announces Lifting of US Naval Blockade on Iran Ahead of Critical Situation Room Discussions

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On Friday, President Trump announced that he is on the verge of making a definitive decision regarding a potential deal with Iran. This agreement could lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the lifting of the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports, and the initiation of discussions around nuclear issues.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump outlined the conditions of the proposed deal, stating, “Iran must commit to never developing a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb. The Strait of Hormuz should be opened immediately for unrestricted shipping in both directions, with no tolls.” He emphasized that water mines would be dismantled, adding, “We’ve already neutralized many mines thanks to our exceptional underwater mine sweepers.”

He continued by insisting that Iran must handle the prompt removal or detonation of any remaining mines, claiming that very few would be left.

Trump also mentioned that ships currently stuck in the Strait due to what he described as an “unprecedented Naval Blockade” could begin their journey home as the blockade is lifted.

He concluded his message with a personal touch, urging sailors to “say HELLO to your wives, husbands, parents, and families from me, your favorite President!”

The president further claimed that the US would dig out Iran’s enriched Uranium as part of the deal, alongside Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

“The enriched material, sometimes referred to as ‘Nuclear Dust,’ which is buried deep underground with virtually collapsed mountains, caused by our powerful B2 Bomber attack 11 months ago, sitting on top of it, will be unearthed by the United States (which, it is agreed, is the only Country, along with China, with the mechanical capability of doing so!), in close coordination and conjunction with the Islamic Republic of Iran, plus the International Atomic Energy Agency, and DESTROYED.

“No money will be exchanged, until further notice. Other items, of far less importance, have been agreed to. I will be meeting now, in the Situation Room, to make a final determination. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”