We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
A devastating turn of events has left a Marine Corps veteran and retired Illinois firefighter grappling with life-changing health challenges. Joe Belgio, 44, has spent over a year hospitalized due to severe brain injuries, which reportedly stem from consuming raw oysters.
The incident took place at Gibsons Steakhouse & Bar in Oak Brook, located roughly 15 miles from Chicago’s bustling downtown. According to a lawsuit acquired by ABC 7 Chicago, Belgio encountered tragic consequences after dining on contaminated oysters on June 30, 2025. As a result, he suffered a cardiac arrest, plunged into a prolonged coma, and now endures permanent brain damage.
Melanie Stayer, Belgio’s fiancée, shared that they were celebrating with family on what seemed a joyous occasion, completely unaware of the impending tragedy.
Reflecting on that fateful day, Stayer described it as a simple celebration at a beloved restaurant with a man who cherished life’s moments with family. The couple had recently welcomed their daughter, Carmela, who was only five months old during the incident. “Life can change so quickly,” she expressed, recounting the abrupt shift to distress from joy.
Tragedy deepened when, three days post-consumption of the tainted oysters, Belgio suffered cardiac arrest. His attorney, Scott O’Sullivan, revealed that Belgio lost consciousness and was deprived of oxygen for a critical duration of at least eight minutes.
O’Sullivan said Belgio was revived by the Cicero Fire Department, the same department in which he had previously served, before being rushed to the hospital.
His attorney said doctors screened Belgio for bacteria and found several pathogens in his system.
The lawsuit alleges Belgio contracted two dangerous bacteria from the oysters — Enteropathogenic E. coli, known as EPEC, and Plesiomonas shigelloides, CBS News reported.
The 44-year-old spent months in a coma after falling ill and has since been confined to a hospital bed — requiring around-the-clock care.
“He is most likely bedridden for the rest of his life,” O’Sullivan said. “He is extremely brain damaged, with very little cognitive capacity, and will need care for the rest of his life.”
Gibsons released a statement to ABC 7 Chicago saying “there have been no other reported cases of illness.”
“Based on the facts and our internal investigation, there is no evidence to suggest that our establishment caused his health condition. We are confident that a fair and thorough legal process will agree with this conclusion,” a spokesperson for the steakhouse said.
Two other seafood suppliers, Supreme Lobster and Seafood Company, have also been named in the lawsuit, according to ABC 7 Chicago.
A GoFundMe set up to help Belgio and his family pay for care describes him as a loving father, Little League coach and “a man dedicated to service.”
“An ex-Marine and firefighter who has devoted his life to protecting others and serving his country,” the page reads.
“He completed a courageous tour of duty in Iraq, demonstrating unwavering loyalty and heart every step of the way. Joe has always been the first to lend a hand when help is needed.”
Since launching on July 8, 2025, the page has raised over $85,000.
Belgio has already racked up more than $1 million in medical bills, CBS News reported.
Anne Hathaway proudly displayed her growing baby bump as she prepared for her guest appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, taking the spotlight at the Hollywood studio.
The 43-year-old Odyssey actress captivated in a chic, all-black ensemble, featuring a flowing sleeveless top secured with a single button to accentuate her pregnancy.
She completed her look with low-cut, boho-inspired wide-leg trousers and a pair of peep-toe, heeled mules, exuding effortless style.
Anne made a striking entrance at the El Capitan Entertainment Centre in Los Angeles, her fashionable ensemble turning heads as she arrived.
Expecting her third child with husband Adam Shulman, the actress flaunted beach waves in her long, chocolate brown hair, accentuated with chunky gold jewelry and trendy oval sunglasses to finish her look.
Her sighting comes just shortly after Hathaway reacted to trolls claiming her baby bump is ‘fake’ and speculated she is pretending to be pregnant.
Anne Hathaway wore a bump-baring crop top ahead of her television appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live after addressing rumors that she is ‘faking’ her pregnancy
She arrived at the studio in glamorous attire and proudly showed off her baby bump in an all-black outfit
Earlier on the same day, Hathaway took to Instagram to subtly address the rumors after she was roasted over a ‘ridiculous’ maternity outfit over the weekend.
‘Fake hair, real bump,’ she wrote in the caption in one of her Instagram Reels amid her ongoing press tour.
Over the weekend, Hathaway had attended the Los Angeles premiere of her latest film The End of Oak Street.
She went viral for her red carpet look at the event, with many Internet users accusing her of wearing a prosthetic bump.
At the premiere, she wore a custom baby blue high-low Prabal Gurung halter top, featuring a silk, floor-grazing train, paired with low-rise jeans.
Earlier this summer, she announced that she was expecting baby number three at age 43.
Hathaway shares sons Jonathan, 10, and Jack, six, with Shulman, whom she wed in 2012.
While appearing on Late Night with Seth Meyers in July, she got candid about her pregnancy.
She wore a flowing, sleeveless top with just one button fastened to highlight her cleavage and her baby bump
She paired the low-cut, boho-chic top with low-rise, wide-leg trousers and peep-toe, heeled mules
She styled her long, chocolate brown hair in beach waves and showed off her natural beauty with radiant, glamorous makeup
She completed her look with chunky, gold jewelry and a pair of oval-shaped sunglasses
The actress is expecting her third child with her husband Adam Shulman and announced her pregnancy news earlier this summer; pictured in March
Earlier on the same day, Hathaway took to Instagram to subtly address the rumors after she was roasted over a ‘ridiculous’ maternity outfit over the weekend
She shut down rumors that her baby bump was ‘fake’ with an Instagram post after she was trolled for her look at the Los Angeles premiere over the weekend
Join the discussion
Why do you think celebrities face so much scrutiny over their pregnancies and appearance?
‘I mean, we knew what we were doing, but we were so shocked it worked!’ she said about finding out she was with child.
‘We were so shocked it went this way,’ the actress echoed about her and her husband’s surprise at their baby news.
She described the pregnancy as a ‘buzzer beater.’
And remarking on becoming pregnant in her 40s, she recently told Access Hollywood: ‘There’s always hope until there’s not, but when you get to a certain age, that hope looks like 1 percent to 2 percent.
‘So we just decided to see where life took us, with a very, very healthy, realistic expectation, which was very low.’
Hathaway added: ‘We’re overjoyed because we just know from personal experience that not everybody gets this, and certainly not when you want it – sometimes not ever.’
In a recent press conference in Seattle, DiJonai Carrington addressed the controversy surrounding her flagrant foul on Sophie Cunningham, emphasizing that the move wasn’t meant to be malicious. She also chose to remain reticent regarding her social media post mentioning “WHITE PRIVILEGE” over the weekend.
Carrington described the incident, which took place during the Sky’s losing effort against the Fever, as “unfortunate,” stating that her play style has always been aggressive. The contact occurred as she tried to prevent Cunningham from scoring a layup.
“It was unfortunate that I made contact with her in the way that I did, but it was never intentional,” Carrington remarked as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times. “And, look, it might happen again. That’s just how I play. I’m gonna always go all out. I’m not gonna just let an open layup happen. But like I said, I’m never intending to hurt anybody, regardless of the outside noise or whatever the situation may be.”
Sophie Cunningham #8 of the Indiana Fever is fouled by DiJonai Carrington #7 of the Chicago Sky during the first half at United Center on Saturday, August 8, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois. Getty Images
The play resulted in Carrington receiving a flagrant 2 foul after she aggressively attempted to defend Cunningham, who herself has been at the center of numerous controversies. The call led to Carrington’s game ejection and sparked significant controversy and discussion.
Following the ejection, Carrington’s enigmatic post on Threads stirred the pot further. However, when reporters pressed her for an explanation on Monday, she opted not to reveal its meaning.
“I already spoke with people who potentially will have the agency to create the change that I’m hoping comes about from not just this incident, but ones in the past and that are obviously going to be coming up in the near future, probably,” she said.
Carrington has spoken to the WNBA, although from the sounds of it she was not encouraged by the talks and expressed a desire for consistency “across the board” when it comes to the way things are called.
“Whether it’s the foul that I committed, whether it’s the reaction, the retaliation, I would just love it to be consistent across the board regardless of the name on your jersey or your skin color or the score of the game, the stakes, whatever,” she said. “I would love there to just be consistency when it comes to all of that. I don’t think we’re there yet. That’s something that I’ve talked to the league about as well. I think that will eliminate a lot of the frustrations that we all have.”
DiJonai Carrington of the Chicago Sky dribbles the ball during a game against the Seattle Storm on Monday, August 10, 2026, at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. NBAE via Getty Images
Despite her negative outlook on the situation, Carrington said that she would continue to fight for what she believed in.
The drama from the play and the fallout has been the latest instance of a story in the WNBA taking on a life of its own, and it’s only fitting that Cunningham would be in the middle of it.
The Fever star has made headlines off the court after she addressed the topic of transgender athletes competing in women’s sports.
South Australia is taking the lead on Australia’s first extensive inquiry into artificial intelligence. The state government aims to influence how this swiftly evolving technology will be governed and utilized.
Premier Peter Malinauskas has highlighted both the vast potential and the possible threats of AI, especially concerning societal impact and future employment.
“We have the option to let this sector develop in our nation without oversight,” he noted.
“Alternatively, we can set priorities to ensure AI serves the public’s best interests.”
Scheduled to commence in October, the inquiry is set to present its findings by July 1, 2027. The focus will be on exploring the economic and societal benefits that AI could bring to the region.
With artificial intelligence already changing workplaces, education, healthcare and government, experts told SBS News that the royal commission will be forced to address a sweeping range of issues.
But why is South Australia launching its own state-based royal commission, what will it investigate, and what can it realistically achieve?
Why is South Australia holding an AI royal commission?
Malinauskas says Australia is at a “fork in the road” over how AI should be developed and governed.
The premier told the media on Monday that he wants South Australia to establish safeguards around the technology while positioning the state to benefit from its economic opportunities.
The announcement follows his recent trip to the United States, where he met with major technology companies including OpenAI, Anthropic and Apple.
During the trip, Malinauskas visited OpenAI’s headquarters in San Francisco and signed a memorandum of understanding with the company’s co-founder and president Greg Brockman.
Anton van den Hengel, chief scientist at the Australian Institute for Machine Learning, told SBS News that South Australia was well-placed to benefit from the technology because of its existing AI research and startup ecosystem.
The South Australian government has backed AI since 2018, he said, while the state had strong research, technical and research translation capabilities, as well as a “brilliant set of start-ups”.
“For a long time, Australia’s geography has been limitation rather than opportunity. One of the many benefits of AI is that that’s no longer the case. We’re very well placed to participate in the upside of AI.”
He said the royal commission would offer a chance “to make sure that we all benefit from the opportunities”.
Professor Toby Walsh, chief scientist at the University of New South Wales’ AI Institute, welcomed the idea of a thorough examination of Australia’s approach to AI.
But he questioned how much a state government can achieve when AI companies and technologies operate nationally and globally.
He said Australia had an opportunity to learn from its experience with social media, where governments were slower to respond to the technology’s effects.
“It is something that we should have done in advance for social media, something that we, perhaps, can do a bit more in advance for artificial intelligence.”
“It would be about considering: how does Australia get the benefits, not just avoid the downsides?” he said.
What could the inquiry examine?
The future of work is likely to be one of the major issues addressed by the royal commission.
The SA premier warned AI could result in a rapid reduction in demand for some jobs.
Walsh said while it was difficult to predict the scale of the disruption, he did not think comparisons with previous industrial revolutions were exaggerated.
The difference, he said, was the rapid speed at which the latest technological revolution was unfolding, describing it as “almost overnight”, while previous industrial revolutions took decades to develop, giving workers more time to adapt.
Walsh said it was possible more jobs could ultimately be created than destroyed, but workers would need new skills to adapt to changing industries.
The challenge for governments, he said, would be supporting people through that transition, emphasising that it could involve changes to education and training, as well as helping people already in the workforce develop new skills.
The royal commission is also expected to examine AI’s relationship with energy and water use as the infrastructure supporting the technology expands.
Walsh said the scale of the data centres being planned was not widely understood, and governments would need to consider how to build the infrastructure required for AI sustainably.
He pointed to one proposed data centre in NSW which he said could consume around five per cent of Australia’s electricity generation.
“We’re building data centres quicker than we’re building renewables,” he said.
AI infrastructure also has other environmental impacts, including water use, land requirements and noise pollution.
The federal government has promised future data centres will use new renewable energy, but Walsh said there was a significant challenge in putting that into practice.
The royal commission is also expected to examine the impact and opportunities of AI in health and education, two areas Walsh told SBS News have enormous potential.
“I think AI presents a great opportunity in helping us live healthier, longer lives and providing quality education to everyone,” he said.
But those opportunities also come with significant risks.
Walsh said AI needed to be introduced into those sectors “with great care”, even where the potential benefits were substantial.
Can South Australia actually regulate AI?
One of the biggest questions surrounding the inquiry is how much a state government can achieve when AI companies and technologies operate nationally and globally.
Walsh expects the federal government will ultimately need to take responsibility for regulating AI, but he believes South Australia’s inquiry could help advance the national debate, and suggested the move could reflect frustration with the pace of the federal response.
He pointed to the state’s previous role in the debate around social media regulation, saying a South Australian inquiry could similarly help “kick start” action at the federal level.
But van den Hengel warned governments need to be careful not to regulate themselves out of participating in the technology.
While he agreed that the pace of change was concerning, he argued countries that simply focused on regulation risked losing their ability to shape how AI develops.
“The dangerous thing for Australia is that by regulating that, we’ll let ourselves be bystanders in the AI race,” he said.
“The more you make it difficult for AI companies to prosper in your economy, the less control you get, because you wind up just importing other people’s AI.”
What’s the scope of South Australia’s inquiry?
AI’s potential impact stretches across almost every part of society.
Walsh said that breadth presented a challenge for a royal commission working to a relatively tight time frame.
“I think it’s going to be critically important the terms of reference are well thought out,” he said.
“If the commission is going to get back quickly with some focused recommendations, it’s going to have to have some very carefully crafted terms of reference.”
The terms of reference set out the key areas of investigation of a royal commission. They’re expected to be announced in the next four to six weeks.
Three royal commissioners will also be appointed in the coming weeks.
For Walsh, the fundamental challenge for Australia is finding a way to embrace the opportunities presented by AI while preparing for the risks that come with it.
Chris Brown is expertly balancing fatherhood with the dynamic world of touring.
Recently, the acclaimed singer took a break from his tour with Usher to spend cherished moments with his daughter Royalty and his newborn son Arrow.
Chris Brown’s Instagram Stories gave fans an inside look at his family life on tour. Royalty was seen enjoying time backstage with him during a stop at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Brown and Usher delivered two consecutive sold-out performances on August 7 and 8.
In another heartwarming image shared online, the spotlight was on a more serene scene—Baby Arrow peacefully napping on Brown’s chest, offering a glimpse into the quieter moments of a hectic tour life.
Arrow, the newest addition to the Brown family, is his first child with girlfriend Jada Wallace, further expanding his joyful family circle.
Wallace announced their son’s arrival on April 26 and shared photos from her pregnancy along with a first glimpse of their newborn.
“Purest love,” she captioned the announcement.
Brown responded in the comments, “Taurus gang.”
The couple later revealed their baby boy’s name as Arrow. Since his arrival, Brown and Wallace have shared several photos of their son, including family moments with Royalty stepping into her role as a big sister.
Arrow makes Brown a father of four. In addition to Royalty, whom he shares with Nia Guzman, the singer is dad to son Aeko with Ammika Harris and daughter Lovely with Diamond Brown.
Chris Brown has previously talked about what he enjoys most about raising his children.
“It’s fun, it’s funny to see them grow, see different things they learn… they teach you. I’m loving it, I’m having a blast,” he said during an interview with Big Boy’s Neighborhood.
He explained that despite his celebrity status, his children simply know him as their dad.
“I think majority of the time when I am with my kids they only see Chris,” Brown said. “It’s a challenge, but it’s a good journey though. I try to get into their good graces by showing them my Sesame Street episode.”
When he is not busy spending quality time with his kids, Brown can be seen on tour with Usher. The duo are currently co-headlining The R&B Tour, which kicked off June 26 in Denver.
The stadium trek was initially announced with 33 dates across North America, taking the two stars through major markets in the United States and Canada.
This September, the legendary Dolly Parton is set to be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the prestigious Americana Music Association. Celebrating her profound influence on the genre over a career that spans decades, this accolade recognizes Parton’s enduring legacy. Unfortunately, due to health issues, Parton will not be able to attend the ceremony in person. Instead, she will graciously accept the award via a virtual appearance.
Dolly Parton will receive an AMA lifetime achievement award
Mark your calendars for September 16, as it is the day when the Americana Music Association will pay tribute to Parton by bestowing upon her this year’s coveted Lifetime Achievement Award.
Jed Hilly, the Executive Director of the Americana Music Association, expressed profound respect for Parton’s contributions. “The Americana Music Association has long held in high regard the remarkable talents of Ms. Parton as a singer, songwriter, and entertainer, in addition to her role as one of the music world’s finest ambassadors,” he stated. “Her outstanding achievements span from philanthropy and television to film and business. Our aim is to celebrate Dolly for the cornerstone of her legacy: an unparalleled songwriter and artist whose timeless songs have influenced generations.”
<p id="par-4_12" index-data-stream="6" data-extracted-layout="normalized">With a remarkable career spanning six decades, Dolly Parton has gifted the world with a multitude of chart-topping hits, solidifying her status as an iconic figure in the music industry.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dolly-parton-will-accept-the-ama-lifetime-achievement-award-virtually">Dolly Parton will accept the AMA lifetime achievement award virtually</h2>
<p id="par-5_36" index-data-stream="7" data-extracted-layout="normalized">Parton will not attend the ceremony in person. Instead, she will accept the award virtually. Parton previously took a step back from her career amid health issues. She said she has been dealing with kidney stones.</p>
<p id="par-6_30" index-data-stream="8" data-extracted-layout="normalized">“I have some good news and a little bad news,” she said. “But the good news is I’m responding really well to meds and treatments, and I’m improving every day.”</p>
She postponed a series of shows in Las Vegas while she recovers.
“Now, the bad news is, it’s gonna take me a little while before I’m up to stage-performance level, because some of the meds and treatments make me a little bit swimmy-headed, as my grandma used to say,” she said. “And of course, I can’t be dizzy carrying around banjos, guitars, and such on five-inch heels, and you know that I’m going to be wearing them. Not to mention all those heavy, rhinestone outfits, the big hair, my big personality.”
Parton has assured fans that she will make a return to her career in the future.
She has said she never wants to retire
Parton has been a performer for most of her life. She said she does not ever want to stop.
“As long as I feel good. I had a little problem last year (in 2015) … got stumped up with kidney stones, but it didn’t slow me down,” she said, per USA Today. “I was even working on the phone every day getting that TV movie together, even when I was in the hospital for a week or so. I’m amazed at this point of all the interest in my life.”
While she understands that her career might change as she ages, she doesn’t want to ever fully retire.
“I’m never going to retire,” she said. “I just want to do greater work. As mom would say, I’m letting the spirit lead me.”
Just last summer, Darnell Mooney was riding high, feeling unstoppable. With an impressive 2024 season under his belt, boasting 992 receiving yards, Mooney believed he was ready to dominate.
However, things took a dramatic turn at the Falcons training camp. On the very first play, Mooney experienced a setback by breaking his collarbone. His misfortune didn’t end there. After an arduous recovery, just as he returned to the field in Week 2, a hamstring injury struck in Week 4, sidelining him for two more games. This mishap was compounded by the Falcons’ own quarterback instability, and Mooney concluded the season with only 443 receiving yards and a single touchdown.
Now with the New York Giants, a rejuvenated and healthy Mooney, still in his prime at 28, is eyeing a fresh start. As part of an experienced group of wide receivers, he shows promising synergy with quarterback Jaxson Dart. Additionally, Mooney’s history with offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, familiar from their time together at the Bears, adds an advantage to his integration.
“I mean, I can just be here,” Mooney reflected when discussing the impact of last year’s health issues. “I can just be here in this moment and continue just to be in this situation.”
On a one-year contract, Mooney is vying for a spot against seasoned players like Calvin Austin III, Isaiah Hodgins, Braxton Berrios, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Odell Beckham Jr., and Jalin Hyatt. With his promise, highlighted by ranking eighth in the NFL for average depth of target last season at 14.4 yards according to Pro Football Focus, Mooney is poised to make a compelling case for himself.
Darnell Mooney speaks to the media after Giants practice on Aug. 10, 2025. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“There’s some of the things that I’ve played with, the plays, he’s done my first two years in the league,” Mooney said of playing in Nagy’s system. “He’s got some new plays, but everything’s kind of picking up speed from familiarity.”
The Giants facility renovations — set to include a locker room stretching more than 6,000 square feet and a weight room spanning more than 11,000 square feet — have forced them to use a temporary locker room in a tent-like structure in a parking lot. Renovations aren’t expected to be completed until 2028. And, as John Harbaugh said, “It’s not Taj Mahal over there.”
“I can’t sit here and lie to you and say it doesn’t [impact operations],” Harbaugh said. “It does. … We have to make it better. It’s as good as we could do right now, but you kind of learn real quick what you need. … So, we’re going to be in here for probably two seasons so they can build this over here. It’s going to be incredible.”
Center John Michael Schmitz Jr. missed practice again due to a concussion, and Harbaugh said that Bryan Hudson has “risen to the occasion so far” as Schmitz’s replacement. … Dart’s foot got stepped on during practice, but he was OK. … The Giants signed defensive back JT Woods and released defensive lineman Sam Roberts.
OLB Abdul Carter missed practice with a hand/finger injury, but he’s expected to “probably” return Tuesday, according to Harbaugh. … Smith-Schuster (knee) and OL Lucas Patrick (knee) didn’t practice. … DL Chauncey Golston was being evaluated after his head hit the turf and he left early. … CB Greg Newsome II, who left practice Saturday after a non-contact knee scare, is “gonna be fine,” Harbaugh said. … Hyatt appeared to get injured on the final play of practice and the team gathered around him, but Harbaugh expected him to be fine.
In a surprising strategy to evade potential Iranian assassination plots, President Donald Trump was discreetly slipped off Air Force One inside a catering cart last month.
Returning from a NATO summit in Turkey, the President was transferred from the primary jet to a separate military aircraft, a scheme detailed by The New York Times.
For his journey to Turkey, Trump was aboard a refurbished 747-8, a generous gift from Qatari officials, enhanced by the administration with significant security upgrades.
However, upon the summit’s conclusion, Trump unexpectedly declared his intention to fly on an older aircraft model, citing nostalgia as his reason.
While the cameras captured the scene at Ankara’s airport, Trump was observed boarding this older aircraft, which was headed to a U.S. military base in the United Kingdom.
However, officials familiar with the reported ruse told the Times that Trump covertly entered a food cart that had been fitted to the belly of the plane amid threats from Iranian officials.
He was then transported to a smaller Air Force C-32A plane via an airport catering truck that is typically used to load meals and other supplies to Air Force One, according to the Washington Post.
The plot reportedly fooled journalists and even some White House staffers who were aboard the decoy Air Force One flight.
President Donald Trump was reportedly smuggled off Air Force One in a catering cart in a ruse designed to foil threats from Iran
The catering truck was visibly parked on the opposite side of Air Force One after Trump boarded the plane on July 8
The reported subterfuge came as President Trump was leaving the NATO summit in Turkey last month
In video from the tarmac obtained by the Post, Trump could be seen waving to the cameras as he heads into the older-model plane, before a truck is seen maneuvering towards the steps of the C-32A.
The video shows a man in a suit entering the catering truck’s cab before a container is loaded into the bed of the vehicle, which then pulls away from Air Force One.
The container had notably been lifted to the level of the plane for several minutes.
When the container was lowered, a person in a suit stepped out of the truck’s cab, which remained at ground level and ascended the stairs leading up to the nearby C-32A.
Moments later, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was seen boarding the C-32A separately using external stairs as part of an apparent attempt to make the flight appear typical.
Journalists who boarded the old Air Force One plane they believed the president aboard were directed to close their window shades.
The plane carrying the journalists then took on the Air Traffic Control sign ‘Air Force One’ mid-flight, even though the designation is technically meant for any plane on which the president is onboard.
Meanwhile, the C-32A flight Trump and Hegseth were on used the call sign ‘Reach 18’ or ‘RCH18,’ according to the Washington Post. Such ‘Reach’ signs are typically used for personnel transport flights and those that haul military equipment.
Trump was seen boarding an older-model Air Force One plane that was set to transport him to a United States military base in the UK as cameras rolled at an airport in Ankara
Instead he was reportedly smuggled off the plane using a container connected to a catering truck
After the two planes then landed in the UK, Trump was apparently smuggled from the C-32A to the legacy Air Force One jet and was seen descending external stairs.
From there, Trump embarked on the Qatari-donated plane to travel back to Washington with the White House press pool.
Onboard that aircraft, the president spoke to journalists for about 15 minutes highlighting the threat that Iran poses.
When asked why reporters were ordered to lower their window shades on the plane in Turkey, Trump said it was ‘because you’re probably on a dangerous flight because of the sleaze bags that we have to deal with.’
He then added that he has a ‘threat all the time’ on his life and that he is ‘number one’ on Iran’s ‘list.’
Tehran has been vocal in its threats and last week a massive, custom-made banner featuring caricature of Trump centered under a large, blood-red painted ‘bullseye’ scope was seen dominating Tajrish Square in the capital, according to photos exclusively obtained by the Daily Mail.
Below the image of the targeted President, in large crimson English capital letters, is the chilling phrase: ‘There will be blood.’
Iranian media has also threatened to go after First Lady Melania Trump and Barron Trump, with a recent AI-generated video highlighting the locations the First Lady likes to shop and how would-be assassins could target her.
Trump flew to Turkey on a Qatari-donated Air Force one jet before switching back to his older model for the journey home
The report on Trump’s escape comes weeks after White House Communications Director Steven Cheung first suggested administration officials engaged in subterfuge as Trump was departing the summit.
‘As the president has said recently, there are many enemies of America who have their sights on him and we use every tool at our disposal – including distraction and misdirection – to address those threats,’ Cheung previously told The Times.
The statement suggests administration officials viewed the Iranian threat as credible, taking extreme precautions to ensure the president’s safety amid renewed military strikes on Iran.
But the threats were not directed at the Qatari-donated jet itself, Cheung noted as he denied that the plane posed a security risk.
‘The new Air Force One is a state-of-the-art aircraft that has been fitted with high-level security protocols that ensure the safety of the President and his staff,’ he said in a statement to the Washington Post.
The White House also released a statement insisting that the Qatari-donated aircraft is ‘secure and equipped with the most advanced technologies necessary to meet requirements of the presidential mission.’
‘Those requirements were carefully created to prioritize mission over aesthetics, leaving much of the previous head of state interior layout minimally changed,’ the Air Force said in the statement to the Washington Post.
‘No risk was taken in security, safety or mission communications, but the collective team made trads on some of the less-commonly used mission sets that Boeing must deliver to support the next 40 years,’ it added.
President Donald Trump is seen outside the plane donated to his administration by Qatari officials in July
However Trump has admitted that the plane needs security improvements, saying the plane has been temporarily taken out of commission to be ‘maxed out’ and that it could get enhanced defensive capabilities to fall in line with the other fleets used for travel.
The president said the upgrades should take roughly a month – but did not specify which upgrades would be taking place.
His remarks came after The Times reported that new jet is missing the vital defensive countermeasures equipped on older models, leaving it completely without antimissile capabilities.
The Trump administration seemingly retaliated a day after the story originally as FBI agents descended on the Times reporters, delivering them subpoenas to testify before a federal grand jury.
‘The appearance of federal law enforcement agents on the doorstep of news reporters should shock the conscience of any American who believes in the Constitution and the press freedom it protects,’ David McCraw, the Times’ top newsroom lawyer said in a statement at the time.
‘Our journalists report the facts and advance the American public’s right to know how their government is operating and their taxpayer dollars are being used,’ he continued.
‘This brazen act should be seen as nothing more than an attempt to prevent the public from knowing what is happening in their country by intimidating journalists from doing their jobs.’
The Department of Justice has since withdrawn the subpoenas after a federal judge grilled its lawyers on whether they had followed the laws in obtaining them.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House and the Department of Defense for comment.
A 16-year-old is in critical condition after reportedly shooting himself during a tense standoff near the Avenues Mall. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office indicates that officers attempted to communicate with him in hopes of a peaceful resolution.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — After an intense standoff on the Southside on Monday morning, a teenage boy is fighting for his life. Authorities say the teenager shot himself amid a prolonged response from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
The situation unfolded early at 6:24 a.m. when the boy’s mother alerted JSO. She reported discovering a note left by her son that expressed suicidal thoughts and mentioned he had a handgun, explained Chief Mike Shell from JSO’s Homeland Security Division.
This story continues below.
Initially, officers arrived at the boy’s residence but found it empty. The search led them by 7 a.m. to the 9500 block of Philips Highway near the Regal Avenues movie theatre, where they located the teenager.
As officers attempted interaction, the boy unexpectedly drew a handgun from his waistband, described Chief Shell.
Shell said one officer deployed a Taser while another officer fired a handgun multiple times. Neither officer hit the teen.
The teen then fled northbound into a nearby parking lot while still armed with a handgun, Shell said.
“At that point, he’s armed with a handgun, pointing it at his head, and he’s what we would consider an open barricade,” Shell said.
Shell explained that an open barricade is when someone is armed and in a position of advantage, making it unsafe for officers to approach, even though the person may not be barricaded inside a building.
Around 8 a.m., JSO called its SWAT team and Behavioral Crisis Response Unit to the scene.
Members of the Behavioral Crisis Response Unit began talking with the teen by phone while remaining in a safe position. Shell said the crisis responders were coached by a member of JSO’s crisis negotiation team during the interaction.
Around 9:15 a.m., SWAT brought armored vehicles into the parking lot to better contain the situation and protect people in nearby businesses, Shell said. The goal was to move the teen east toward the rear of the Regal Avenues parking lot, where SWAT members were positioned to take him into custody if he moved in that direction.
As the armored vehicles moved in, the teen began moving east. Shell said officers then used pepperball rounds in an area-saturation method. Instead of directly striking the teen, officers fired the rounds at the ground around him in an attempt to continue moving him toward the safer area.
Shell said the teen then pulled out the handgun and shot himself in the head. He was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The response led to road closures along Philips Highway between Shad Road and Interstate 95, which Shell described as a safety measure.
The closures also affected nearby businesses.
Ilham Richo, who works at Choban Express Grill on Philips Highway, said the restaurant was preparing to open when the road closures disrupted the morning.
“We were scared and confused too. You know, we don’t know what’s going on in the area,” Richo said.
A troubled history
Shell also shared information about the teen’s previous school history.
He said the teen was expelled from Mayport Middle School in 2023, but not arrested, after making threats to kill “everyone and everything,” including the school’s dean.
While speaking with mental health responders during Monday’s incident, the teen also told them he had been “Baker Acted” before, Shell said. Investigators were working to confirm that information at the time of the briefing.
The teen’s identity is not being released because he is a juvenile.
JSO is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the officers’ use of their weapons.
Responding to mental health crises
Shell said the incident was difficult for everyone involved.
“I don’t think anyone wants an ending like this,” Shell said. “There are people in distress, we want them to reach out, get them, get resources, and this isn’t the goal that anyone has.”
Shell said the situation was difficult for the teen’s family and the officers who responded.
“We try everything that we can in these situations to end them peacefully because we don’t want to see that happen to that young man or anyone,” Waters said.
First Coast News Crime and Safety Expert Ken Jefferson said calls involving a person experiencing a mental health crisis while armed with a gun are among the most difficult situations for law enforcement.
“When you’ve got a person who is going through a mental crisis and they have a weapon, that’s a double whammy for police officers,” Jefferson said.
JSO said its Behavioral Crisis Response Unit and Crisis Negotiation Unit coached officers in real time as they worked to de-escalate the situation.
Jefferson said trained professionals must handle these situations because of the danger involved.
“You can’t put anybody in harm’s way, so you have to put the trained professionals there,” Jefferson said.
He said the outcome was not what anyone wanted, but officers worked to resolve the situation peacefully.
In a brazen heist that could have been lifted from a Hollywood script, three armed and masked individuals stormed a Manhattan cocktail bar, tying up employees in the process. The robbers made away with a haul of nearly $30,000, including high-end booze, cash, and DJ gear, police reports confirm.
The dramatic robbery unfolded at the Obvio Cocktail Bar, located on East 28th Street, nestled between the busy Fifth and Madison Avenues in the Nomad district. The suspects infiltrated the chic establishment around 4 a.m. on July 13, according to the NYPD.
Clad in masks, one of the robbers brandished a black handgun equipped with an ominous extended magazine. With this show of force, they coerced two male employees, aged 38 and 43, into separate bathrooms of the posh venue, authorities reported.
The unfortunate staff members found themselves trapped, their hands secured with electrical cords and tape, leaving them helpless, as detailed by police.
Following this swift and well-coordinated operation, the culprits managed to seize a safe brimming with $7,000 in cash, as well as DJ equipment valued at $13,000. Not content with just that, they also took off with $7,000 worth of premium liquor bottles, authorities revealed.
Both workers sustained redness to their wrists but refused medical attention at the scene.
Images released by cops on Monday captured one of the suspects washing a gray 1993 Ford E-350 Econoline van used to carry out the brazen robbery. Investigators have since recovered the van.
The pricey modern lounge — which requires elegant attire — boasts live DJ sets, craft cocktails, and an exclusive, dimly lit social-club ambiance, according to its website.
Obvio, which has an upscale dinner and dessert menu, was also named to have the “martini of the year” by The New York Times in 2025.
Obvio did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
An investigation into the robbery remains ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or, for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
