Just a week after Spencer Pratt’s official exit from the Los Angeles mayoral race, his wife, Heidi Montag, has spoken out to express her deep admiration for her “hero.”

Initially, Pratt, aged 42, held a promising second place in the primary election, nearly securing a spot in the impending run-off. However, this changed when progressive contender Nithya Raman surged ahead, ultimately knocking him out of the competition.

Pratt, who first gained fame as a reality TV star, decided to enter the political arena following the loss of his family’s Palisades home in last year’s devastating wildfires. His campaign was fueled by dissatisfaction with the current local government.

Until recently, Montag had remained silent about her husband’s electoral defeat. But on Sunday, she broke her silence on X, sharing her heartfelt sentiments.

“I couldn’t love my husband more and be more proud of him. What an inspiration, what a hero,” Montag tweeted, showcasing her unwavering support.

Pratt had remained in second place in the election until last Sunday, when Raman pulled ahead as California officials continued to count mail-in ballots.

Heidi Montag broke her silence on her husband Spencer Pratt’s mayoral loss with a message gushing about her ‘hero’

The following night, the Associated Press announced that Raman will advance to a runoff election against incumbent Democrat Mayor Karen Bass – officially making Pratt the loser.

In California, the top two vote-getters advance to a November runoff election regardless of party.

Pratt, who once appeared on the reality television show The Hills, shook up the race, turning it into a vengeance campaign against Bass after losing his $3 million home in last year’s Palisades fire.

He got a boost from user-created AI videos and his own team’s creative ads, in which the reality veteran pledged to be a change agent to tackle the city’s massive homeless problem.

Over the course of his campaign, Pratt drummed up plenty of celebrity support.

Frasier’s Kelsey Grammer was among the Hollywood supporters, telling Fox News Digital: ‘He’s the only guy that’s a real option’.

Dennis Quaid echoed his sentiments, as when asked why he was supporting Spencer, he told Fox: ‘Why? What are you talking about? Why? Just look around, man.’

Katharine McPhee and David Foster helped Spencer raise funds for his race, throwing him a fundraiser earlier this year.

Montag expressed her adoration for her husband a week after he officially lost the race to become LA’s next mayor

Montag and her husband have had a bone to pick since losing their home in the LA wildfires last year

Pratt received celebrity support from the likes of Katharine McPhee, David Foster, Selma Blair, and Paris Hilton

The couple rose to reality infamy on MTV’s The Hills 

Meanwhile, Selma Blair assured Spencer he had her vote, commenting ‘voted’ under his post, while Paris Hilton penned a supportive ‘LFG’ and Diplo wrote ‘please.’

By the time Election Night rolled around on June 2, Pratt voiced his confidence that he would make the runoff race.

‘She knows it’s on,’ Pratt said of Bass when addressing reporters outside of Don Antonio’s, a Mexican restaurant, where he and wife Montag were holding a private watch party with family members and supporters.

‘I hope she’s ready. I literally could not be more excited,’ Pratt added.

Spencer announced his plan to run for mayor on the one-year anniversary of the fires. 

Mayor Karen Bass will be fighting to retain her position in the election 

Councilwoman Nithya Raman overtook Pratt in the polls last week, crushing his chances of becoming the next mayor of Los Angeles

‘The system in Los Angeles isn’t struggling, it’s fundamentally broken,’ Spencer said when announcing his campaign in January. 

‘It is a machine designed to protect the people at the top and the friends they exchange favors with while the rest of us drown in toxic smoke and ash.

‘Business as usual is a death sentence for Los Angeles, and I’m done waiting for someone to take real action.

‘That’s why I am running for mayor. And let me be clear, this just isn’t a campaign, this is a mission, and we’re gonna expose the system.

‘They intentionally let us burn before, during and after. There was no accountability. It was gross negligence. They let this happen.

‘It wasn’t a natural disaster or something that was unavoidable. It was their fault, and we need the accountability we deserve.’

WASHINGTON — A social media stir erupted when screenshots emerged from Daniel Cormier’s account, suggesting Eric Trump, son of President Donald Trump, was inquiring about potentially fixed UFC fights on the White House lawn. Eric Trump quickly dismissed the images as AI-generated fabrications, asserting he never contacted Cormier.

Cormier, a respected UFC Hall of Famer and current television analyst, subsequently removed the post. He later commented, “Are people really this dumb?” after realizing his X account had likely been compromised by a crypto scam during the UFC Freedom 250 event.

In response to the situation, Cormier shared videos online while taking photos with fans in Washington, D.C., saying, “Not real, I can’t believe you guys believed that. Like, who believes that? I got hacked or something. Who believes something like that? That’s crazy. Why would I do that?”

Before deletion, Cormier’s tweet expressed his refusal to remain silent about corruption, declaring he would “not tolerate this type of insider behavior” and criticized anyone attempting to undermine the integrity of the event.

In the alleged conversation, Eric Trump supposedly asked, “Are any of the fighters injured that you know of?” which fueled further speculation before being debunked.

“I’m not quite sure why you’re asking me this, but I think they’re all in good shape,” Cormier replied.

“I’ll just cut to the chase. Are any of the fights tomorrow rigged?” Trump is alleged to have asked. “I’ve been eyeing the [Diego] Lopes fight, and I think an upset wouldn’t be too unrealistic. $$”

“No none of our fights rigged and honestly I am appalled that you would even ask me something like that,” Cormier replied, per the screengrabs.

This post was up for just a few minutes before being deleted, but was quickly screen-recorded by other users and spread like wildfire online.

“This is completely fake!” Eric Trump, 42, wrote. “I have never reached out to Daniel. In fact, this is scary.”

Hours later, Cormier’s account began posting nonsense online about a cryptocurrency scam they were hoping to pump and dump, confirming what many had already suspected.

The UFC did not comment on the matter as it hosted seven cage fights in a make-shift stadium on the South Lawn of the White House.

Things went mostly according to plan, though there was a small delay due to potential weather problems that ended up missing the area.

A recent survey conducted by AP-NORC and AAPI Data reveals that many Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) adults have personally encountered or observed disruptions due to the Trump administration’s stringent immigration measures. The poll also indicates that a majority perceive the United States as no longer the beacon of opportunity it once was for immigrants.

These insights emerge after more than a year marked by intensified immigration enforcement. The administration’s assertive stance has sparked numerous confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement, even resulting in the tragic deaths of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis earlier this year. Such events may be altering perceptions within immigrant-rich communities about the United States.

AAPI individuals represent one of the nation’s rapidly expanding demographics, with a significant portion born outside the U.S. The survey highlights that approximately 60% of AAPI adults feel the U.S. was once a welcoming nation for immigrants but no longer holds that status. Conversely, only about 30% believe it remains an excellent place for immigrants, whereas a minority, around 5%, suggest it never was.

Additionally, AAPI adults are more inclined than the general American population to view the fusion of diverse cultures and values as integral to the nation’s identity.

Karthick Ramakrishnan, founder and executive director of AAPI Data, commented, “The success of America has heavily relied on the contributions of Asian Americans, as well as immigrants more broadly. When long-standing residents begin to question if this country remains the best place, it signals a potential issue.”

‘Better safe than sorry’ approach

Even some immigrants with legal status have been affected by the Trump administration’s policies. One policy that would have hiked fees for certain types of visas was shot down in federal court this month. Another judge struck down a policy that “categorically barred” immigrants from 39 Asian, African, Latin American and Middle Eastern countries from receiving final decisions on asylum, work permit, green card and citizenship applications.

Khoa Tran, 27, of San Antonio, Texas, came to the U.S. from Vietnam in 2015 at age 15. He gained citizenship four years later. In 2023, he sponsored his wife from Vietnam.

Last year, Tran became concerned when his social media feed kept bringing up posts about how essential it was that even legal immigrants carry documentation. It had not occurred to the couple that his wife should have her green card with her at all times.

“It seemed like we needed to do it. It’s literally become like a second form of identification in addition to the driver’s license,” Tran said.

He has also seen how international students in his community have put off trips to visit family in Asia due to concerns about student visas.

“They’re just scared. They don’t know the law around that,” Tran said. “Better safe than sorry.”

About half of South Asian adults — compared to about 4 in 10 AAPI adults overall — know someone who started carrying proof of legal status or citizenship over the last year. South Asian adults are much more likely than East Asian or Southeast Asian American adults to have been born outside the U.S., according to the survey. Many of those immigrants may have green cards or be naturalized citizens, Ramakrishnan said, yet feel “like their presence and their status in this country is under question.”

Cultural identity matters as much as American identity

AAPI adults are likelier to say their family’s ancestry or country of origin is “extremely” or “very” important to their personal identity, compared to being an American.

Just over half of AAPI adults say their family’s ancestry or country of origin is important to who they are, while 44% say this about their American identity. That extends to AAPI adults who were born in the U.S. About 6 in 10, 59%, U.S.-born AAPI adults say their family’s heritage is important to their personal identity, while 47% say this about being an American.

A separate AP-NORC survey conducted in April found that 55% of U.S. adults say being an American is important to who they are, while only 37% said that about their family’s ancestry.

Abigail Jeyaraj, 22, of South Hadley, Massachusetts, was born in Texas. Her Indian parents’ decision to build a new life in the U.S. is something she never takes for granted. When she describes her nationality, she identifies herself as not just “American” but South Asian American.

“Especially as a South Asian woman, I’m very sensitive to the fact that I have opportunities that my mother and my grandmother, all the women before that didn’t,” Jeyaraj said. “I really try to honor that culture. I try to maintain really strong connections to my family in India.”

Soonho Kwon, 30, of La Mirada, California, was born in Korea. His family settled in New Jersey when he was 8 years old.

“I think I still feel more Korean. I came right around the age where I had very solid memories from growing up in Korea. My immediate family’s back there now,” Kwon said. “I’m a naturalized citizen. I’m committed to living here, but identity is a different question.”

Ambivalence around America’s 250th anniversary

The vast majority, 73%, of AAPI adults say the mixing of cultures and values from around the world is “extremely” or “very” important to the U.S.’s identity as a nation, compared to only 55% of U.S. adults in the April AP-NORC poll.

Jeyaraj grew up around Dallas and Houston — cities where she was “able to interact with people of so many different races and different cultures that weren’t my own.” She credits that experience with making her more empathetic.

Restrictions on immigration and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives leave her feeling conflicted about celebrating the country’s 250th anniversary this year.

“I’m proud we made it this far as a country,” Jeyaraj said. “You have recent actors who are trying to undo that progress. They maybe view it as restoring an ideal, but it’s removing so much work that powerful and influential people made to bring us toward an ideal of equality and justice.”

The anniversary feels arbitrary to Tran, a math teacher.

“I don’t think this country is ‘founded’ at some point in time. It just changes from one form to another,” Tran said. “Even the Native Americans (were) a long time here. I’m pretty sure that was more than 250 years.”

___

The poll of 1,075 U.S. adults who are Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders was conducted April 20-28, using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based Amplify AAPI Panel, designed to be representative of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4.4 percentage points. This poll is part of an ongoing project exploring the views of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, which are usually not highlighted in other surveys because of small sample sizes and lack of linguistic representation.

A Brazilian bungee jumping team has admitted collective responsibility in the safety oversight that led to a young woman’s tragic death during a jump. Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, just 21 years old, met her untimely end after being launched off the Skeleton Bridge in Limeira, São Paulo, without being properly secured.

In a harrowing video spreading across social media, Maria can be seen plummeting from the bridge, a scene that unfolded on a Saturday. The young woman, who had aspirations of becoming a physical education teacher, requested a dramatic 130-foot jump from the bridge in an “aeroplane style” pose. Local reports detail how two instructors lifted her onto their shoulders, allowing her to extend her arms wide before the fatal plunge.

Maria was equipped with a safety helmet and body harness at the time, which should have included locking carabiners to attach to a climbing rope. However, this crucial step was overlooked, leading to the catastrophic accident.

Following the incident, Brazil’s military police noted that two individuals fled the scene as the group realized the gravity of the situation. Subsequently, the São Paulo Public Security Secretariat confirmed that six people were brought in for questioning related to the tragic event.

Brazil’s military police told local media that two men fled from the scene shortly after the realisation of what had happened dawned on the group. The São Paulo Public Security Secretariat then confirmed that six people were taken in for questioning. 

Three men were arrested for homicide with eventual intent following the tragic death. 

However, they have claimed there was a ‘blackout’ during set-up, and they ‘can’t remember’ where or when the failure in attaching the rope occurred or who should have put them on. 

The trio remanded in custody after appearing before a judge have been named locally as Maicon Fernandes Cintra, 42, Luis Felipe Feliciano Egoroff, 32, and Vitor de Freitas Gonçalves, 27. 

Luis Felipe, who says he earned just £26.50 per jump, told police after his arrest that team members didn’t have set responsibilities during the jumps and equipment checks were carried out ‘jointly.’

Quizzed on who was responsible for the final safety checks for Maria Eduarda’s jump, he told police: ‘I can’t remember.’ Maicon Fernandes Cintra reportedly gave cops the same answer.

Video taken at the scene shows Maria Eduarda Rodrigues de Freitas, 21, being taken to the edge by the staff before being thrown into the ravine

In total, six people were arrested after the two who fled into a wooded area were located by helicopter. Three of those arrested at the scene were charged with homicide with implied malice

In an Instagram story, posted at around 7.30am, the woman showed the bridge and the grassland below, along with the caption: ‘Who was the crazy person who let me jump off a bridge?’

Another chilling post captured a road sign with a depiction of a skeleton that read: ‘Danger. Risk of death’

But before the fatal jump, Maria had posted a series of social media posts expressing her excitement and nervousness ahead of the jump.

In one of the Instagram stories, posted at around 7.30am, the woman showed the bridge and the grassland below, along with the caption: ‘Who was the crazy person who let me jump off a bridge?’

Another chilling post captured a road sign with a depiction of a skeleton that read: ‘Danger. Risk of death’.

In a third story, Maria showed off her paper wristbands, which branded messages: ‘Welcome aboard the ropes!’, ‘I’m going to fly’, and ‘take off authorised’.

The young woman was seen in the horrific footage of the incident, kitted out in a helmet and harness, but a long pile of rope could be seen unattached on the floor beside instructors from the company ‘Entre Cordas e Ih Voei’.

Three men in white helmets lifted her, one holding her legs and the other her torso, before they walked to the edge of a short platform and threw her over.

In a recording of the deadly incident, bystanders can be heard frantically yelling out, ‘the rope, people, the rope’, as she was released from the grip of the employees.

Three men ‘were arrested for homicide with eventual intent after the death of a 21-year-old woman during an activity on the Skeleton Bridge Trail, in Limeira on Saturday,’ according to a translation of the statement.

Their lawyer, Rafael Gomes dos Santos, claimed overnight: ‘They are in a state of shock. They cannot explain what happened because they have been doing this for years.

‘Nothing like this has ever happened.’

Maria was buried in Sao Paulo on Sunday, with her mother breaking her silence over her daughter’s tragic death in an overnight social media post.

In a third story, Maria showed off her paper wristbands, which branded messages: ‘Welcome aboard the ropes!’, ‘I’m going to fly’, and ‘take off authorised’

Maria was buried in Sao Paulo on Sunday, with her mother breaking her silence over her daughter’s tragic death in an overnight social media post 

Hours after her daughter’s funeral took place, the mother said: ‘That damned rope took you away from me forever. My beloved daughter, you are gone, and all that remains here is pain and longing. I will love you forever.’

Limeira Town Hall said it would be taking legal action against the Brazilian government for failing to monitor and regulate access to the old railway bridge.

In April 2024, a 39-year-old woman cyclist died after falling from it. Last August, two women were seriously injured in another accident there.

Limeira’s mayor, Murilo Felix, said: ‘In addition to the circumstances that led to the young woman’s death, it is necessary to establish who is responsible for the lack of access control to a federal area which, for years, has posed known risks and is still without the necessary safety measures.

‘We have been calling for action for months to ensure that the Federal Government assumes its responsibility.

‘Unfortunately, its failure to act has just resulted in yet another tragedy in Limeira.’

In Israel, reactions to the recent Memorandum of Understanding between President Donald Trump and Iran, announced on Sunday, have ranged from cautious anticipation to outright criticism.

Tehran’s Supreme National Security Council confirmed the agreement with Washington, which marks a significant step toward ending the longstanding conflict. According to a statement from the council, all military activities on various fronts, including Lebanon, are set to halt “immediately and permanently.”

While this framework sets the stage for peace, detailed negotiations toward a final agreement will only commence once both parties have fulfilled their initial commitments. These discussions are anticipated to extend over the next 60 days.

TRUMP SECURES PEACE ACCORD WITH IRAN, ANNOUNCES REOPENING OF STRAIT OF HORMUZ: ‘LET THE OIL FLOW!’

President Donald Trump was seen alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he addressed the Knesset in Jerusalem on October 13, 2025. (Photo by Saul Loeb/AFP)

While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to comment, on Monday, Defense Minister Israel Katz, held back from directly criticizing the deal but said that the IDF would not withdraw from southern Lebanon, warning that if Iran attacks Israel in response to the fighting against Hezbollah, “we will strike it with full force.”

He said, “The IDF will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza, without any time limit, to protect the border and Israeli communities against jihadist elements.”

Katz described the security zones as “among the IDF’s greatest achievements” in the multi-front war since the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023 massacre, adding that Israel therefore opposes an IDF withdrawal from Lebanon despite all the pressures that will still come.

Katz said he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had conveyed these positions to U.S. President Donald Trump and other senior American officials, including U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

“We will not compromise on Israel’s security interests and the protection of our citizens,” he concluded.

President Donald Trump monitors U.S. military operations in Iran following an Israeli strike in Tehran on Feb. 28, 2026. (@WhiteHouse/X)

Yossi Kuperwasser, head of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security and former chief of the research division in the Israel Defense Forces’ Military Intelligence Directorate, told News Media that the details of the agreement remain sketchy.

“There was a debate within the Iranian leadership over whether to accept the deal,” he said. “It appears that the information we are hearing is coming from those who opposed it. Maybe they are right, maybe they are wrong, but it raises major concerns in Israel. If this is the deal, it is a disaster. If one listens to President Trump, the deal is probably something different.”

Kuperwasser defined a “good deal” as one in which Iran gives up all components of its nuclear program, grants access to enriched uranium and establishes a robust monitoring system capable of reaching anywhere at any time, including military facilities likely being used for atomic purposes. He added that such an agreement should also prohibit production of missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

A fireball rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike targeting an area in Beirut’s southern suburbs overnight on March 10 to 11, 2026. (Fadel itani / AFP via Getty Images)

“Lebanon’s fate is a matter to be discussed between Washington, Jerusalem, and Beirut,” Kuperwasser said. “Iran is not a party to those talks and should not be according to the Lebanese government. If Lebanon is to be part of a deal with Iran, it means Tehran has a say in Lebanese matters.”

Kuperwasser noted that Israel has lived under the shadow of Iran’s nuclear program since 1998, while noting that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is uniquely positioned to assess the issue given his decades of involvement. He said it remains unclear whether Netanyahu is satisfied with the outcome or what his final assessment will be.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, now leader of the opposition, referred News Media to his comments on X.

“The emerging agreement achieves none of Israel’s war goals. The regime survives, the missile program exists, and Iran can rebuild its nuclear program. This is a complete failure by Netanyahu, and in the process, he is turning us into a client state that takes orders about its national security,” he wrote.

A motorist rides past a banner featuring images of Iran’s slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his son Mojtaba Khamenei along a street in Tehran on April 15, 2026. (AFP/Getty Images)

On March 19, Prime Minister Netanyahu outlined three war objectives for the U.S.-Israel joint operation against Iran: “One, removing the nuclear threat. Second, removing the ballistic missile threat and removing both of these threats before they’re buried deep underground and become immune from aerial attack. And third, this means creating the conditions for the Iranian people to grasp their freedom, to control their destiny,” the premier stated at the time.

Dr Meir Javedanfar, Iran lecturer at Reichman University, told News Media that Israel’s most immediate concern regarding the deal is the clause dealing with Lebanon.

“There is genuine concern that this could tie Israel’s hands,” he said. “An additional concern is that Hezbollah could use this clause to regroup and strengthen its armed forces and positions along the border with Israel.”

Javedanfar said it is too early to assess whether the deal would leave Israel in a significantly stronger position than the 2015 Obama-era nuclear agreement, citing the fate of Iran’s stockpile of 60% enriched uranium and its atomic infrastructure.

“Will Iran be allowed to continue enriching uranium on its soil? If yes, at what percentage? And how will the international community oversee Iran’s nuclear program? What kind of inspection program will they have? How intrusive will they be?” he added.

The Israel Defense Forces said its troops located and destroyed a Hezbollah underground command center with infrastructure about 8 meters below ground in South Lebanon. (IDF Spokesman’s Unit)

Israel’s controversial National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Monday insisted that the MOU does not bind the Jewish state. “Israel is not subject to the United States, and we are an independent and sovereign nation,” he tweeted, adding that Jerusalem’s duty is to its citizens, its soldiers and the Jewish people.”

He stated, “My position is clear: we are not partners to this agreement that does not ensure our security, and it does not bind us in any way,” he said, adding that while Israelis “love” the United States and “are grateful” to Trump, “the State of Israel is not a banana republic.”

On Friday, Netanyahu’s office stated that “Even though Israel is not a party to the memorandum of understanding, the Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for President Trump’s commitment that the final agreement at the conclusion of negotiations will include the removal of enriched material, the dismantling of enrichment infrastructure, limits on missile production, and the cessation of Iran’s support for its terrorist proxies in the region.” 

President Donald Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago on Dec. 29, 2025, to discuss Iran tensions and the Gaza peace plan. (Israel Government Press Office)

Quoting the prime minister, the statement added that “As long as I am the Prime Minister of Israel – Iran will not have nuclear weapons. President Trump and I are in full agreement on this issue. For over 30 years, I have been at the forefront of the international struggle against Iran’s nuclear program. Were it not for this struggle, Iran would have long ago possessed atomic bombs to destroy Israel. Iran is working to destroy the Jewish state, and I am dedicating my life to preventing them from doing so. As long as I am the Prime Minister of Israel, this will not happen.”

Netanyahu’s office did not immediately respond to a News Media request for comment.

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In a tragic turn of events, a well-known adventurer who went by the moniker “The Spider-Man of Yemen” has died following a daring climb that ended in disaster. Al-Qaqa Ibn Antar, a 30-year-old thrill-seeker, plunged into a volcanic crater while scaling its vertical rock faces without any safety gear, as reported by local authorities.

The accident unfolded on Friday in Yemen’s southern Dhale province at the Hardah Dam volcanic crater. As per the Civil Defense Authority, which shared a brief video capturing the incident, Antar was in the midst of his climb when he suddenly lost his grip and fell into the 120-meter (393-foot) deep crater.

The video, lasting only 10 seconds, shows Antar fearlessly navigating a steep, rocky cliff without the use of harnesses or ropes. Arabic names, painted in white, are visible across the rocky face he was climbing. In a heart-stopping moment, Antar is seen hanging on with his right hand while his left waves in the air, before tragically losing his hold and plummeting downwards.

Following the fall, a team of rescuers, including diving and water specialists, was dispatched to the scene. They managed to recover Antar’s body from a depth of approximately 30 meters (100 feet) below the water’s surface, where it had settled after the fall.

Rescue teams, including diving and water specialists, were sent to retrieve Antar’s body, which was found by divers at a depth of 30 meters (100 feet) below the water surface.

The four-hour search and rescue operation was described by the authority as “complex” due to the steep and rocky location, which made access difficult.

The Hardah Dam — known also as the Haradhat Damt — is a unique volcanic crater located near the city of Damt, in Yemen‘s southern Dahle province. A landmark of the region, the crater has steep rocky walls with a hot sulfurous lake at its base.

Antar had gained fame on social media platforms where he posted videos showing him performing high-risk ascents of some of Yemen’s most rugged terrain.

His videos often went viral. In one of them, he was seen hanging from the edge of a rocky cliff using his bare hands, his legs dangling toward a steep slope in a risky performance without safety equipment.

The Civil Defense Authority has urged those who climb and engage in adventure sports to observe safety procedures and issued a warning to use “appropriate protective gear to avert similar incidents.”

A brewing tropical disturbance in the Gulf of America has garnered more attention after meteorologists adjusted their forecasts on Monday, indicating a heightened probability of development.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has highlighted a potential new low-pressure area forming over South Texas. This system is expected to travel northeast across the state and then move back into the northwestern Gulf by midweek, with the likelihood of its development increasing from 10 to 30 percent.

Although this weather system isn’t anticipated to escalate into a major storm in the immediate future, current environmental conditions are now deemed conducive to its potential development.

This updated forecast comes as extensive flood watches are in place across substantial regions of Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, where millions are already bracing for several days of intense rainfall.

Experts caution that the risk of flooding is likely to materialize even before this tropical system has an opportunity to become more organized.

Some locations could see rainfall totals exceeding 10 inches through midweek, raising concerns about flash flooding and rapidly rising waterways. 

The developing situation marks the most significant tropical threat in the Gulf since the start of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season.

The NHC highlighted the area in its latest Tropical Weather Outlook, noting that low pressure may develop late Tuesday across South Texas before moving toward the Gulf. 

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said a new area of low pressure could form over South Texas before moving northeast across the state and re-emerging over the northwestern Gulf by midweek 

Forecasters said the system’s future depends on how quickly it can organize after emerging over water. 

While the confidence remains relatively low, the increase indicates growing concern that the disturbance could acquire tropical characteristics later this week.

The latest Tropical Weather Discussion from the hurricane center noted that a trough of low pressure stretching across northeastern Mexico and South Texas will remain in place through midweek.

‘New low pressure may develop late Tue across S Texas and move NE across coastal Texas through Wed,’ forecasters said.

‘This system could re-emerge over the northwestern Gulf Wed, where environmental conditions may support some development.’

Even if the disturbance never earns a name, officials warned it could still produce dangerous impacts.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued flood watches covering a vast area from South Texas through eastern Texas and into Louisiana and Mississippi as deep tropical moisture streams northward from the Gulf.

The Houston-Galveston office warned that repeated rounds of thunderstorms could produce between two and seven inches of rainfall through Wednesday, with isolated higher amounts possible.

The National Hurricane Center increased the odds of the disturbance developing into a storm

Rainfall rates may reach two to five inches per hour in the strongest storms.

Across southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas, forecasters warned that a stalled front interacting with an exceptionally moist air mass could generate three to six inches of rain, with isolated totals reaching 10 inches.

The New Orleans office issued flood watches through Wednesday morning, warning that widespread rainfall totals of two to four inches are expected, with locally higher amounts likely.

Meanwhile, portions of central and south-central Texas face an even more serious flood risk.

The NWS in Austin and San Antonio warned that very humid tropical air combined with a stalling front could create life-threatening flooding in some areas. 

Officials said isolated rainfall totals exceeding eight inches are possible, with rainfall rates surpassing two to three inches per hour.

Flood watches have also been posted across Deep South Texas, where forecasters expect widespread totals between three and six inches, with pockets receiving more than eight inches.

The increase in odds comes as flood watches stretch across large swaths of Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi , where millions of residents are already facing days of heavy rain

Meteorologists emphasize that the flooding threat is not necessarily tied to the formation of a tropical storm.

Instead, the same broad weather pattern that could eventually spawn a tropical cyclone is already funneling enormous amounts of moisture into the region. 

Slow-moving thunderstorms repeatedly tracking across the same locations could trigger flash flooding long before any organized center develops.

The NHC said active showers and thunderstorms are expected across the northwestern Gulf throughout the week as the disturbance evolves.

The broader Atlantic basin is also becoming increasingly active.

Four tropical waves are currently moving westward across the Atlantic and Caribbean, including one located in the eastern Atlantic near the coast of Africa. 

While none pose an immediate threat to the US, they serve as a reminder that the Atlantic hurricane season is ramping up as ocean temperatures remain favorable for development.

For now, forecasters are keeping their focus on the Gulf.

The 30 percent development probability remains relatively modest. Still, it represents a significant increase from last week’s outlook and reflects a growing signal that conditions could become more favorable in the days ahead.

Residents across Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi are being urged to closely monitor forecasts, particularly those living in flood-prone areas.