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Taylor Swift Faces New Taunts from Trump Supporters on TikTok

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President Donald Trump’s social media crew threw some shade at Taylor Swift after her track “august” was reportedly pulled from his campaign’s TikTok profile.

In response, they uploaded another clip featuring Swift’s 2012 hit “Red,” taken from her album that shares the same name.

Accompanying the video was a playful reimagining of the album cover. Instead of Swift’s well-known image donning her iconic red lipstick, viewers saw Trump sporting his trademark red MAGA hat with a spoof titled ‘Red (Donald Trump’s Version)’ playlist.

A cheeky caption teased, ‘Did you know Taylor Swift wrote a whole album about the color of the Republican Party?’

However, by midday Saturday, the song “Red” had also vanished from Trump’s TikTok account, potentially removed by Swift, 36, or her team, leaving behind a notice stating, ‘This sound isn’t available.’

The Daily Mail has reached out to a representative for Swift and the White House for comment but has not yet received a response. 

The latest musical tug-of-war comes after Swift, whose new husband was slammed for his ‘dad bod,’ allegedly disabled a Team Trump video on TikTok featuring her song august.

President Donald Trump's social media staff took a jab at Taylor Swift - pictured on June 9 - after she supposedly had her song august removed from his campaign's TikTok account

President Donald Trump’s social media staff took a jab at Taylor Swift – pictured on June 9 – after she supposedly had her song august removed from his campaign’s TikTok account 

The trolling post included a mock-up of Swift's Red album cover but instead of a close-up portrait of the singer wearing her signature red lipstick was a picture of Trump wearing his signature red MAGA cap and a faux 'Red (Donald Trump's Version)' playlist

The trolling post included a mock-up of Swift’s Red album cover but instead of a close-up portrait of the singer wearing her signature red lipstick was a picture of Trump wearing his signature red MAGA cap and a faux ‘Red (Donald Trump’s Version)’ playlist

The trolling White House clip that was posted four days ago showed the backs of Trump, 80, who said he ‘hates’ Swift, and First Lady Melania Trump, 56, as they watched fireworks light up the night sky.

The text appearing on the image read: ‘Mood because it’s August and Donald Trump is your president.’

Swift’s song august initially played on the soundtrack, and at the bottom of the post was a message from Team Trump saying: ‘I’m sure @Taylor Swift is going to be super excited we used her song!’ along with the hashtags #taylorswift #maga #august.

By Friday night, the audio was gone and replaced with a message that said: ‘The copyright owner hasn’t made this sound available in your country,’ and which just shouted Swift, whose ‘fairytale’ wedding left some guests ‘weirded out.’

The song august is from the singer–songwriter’s 2020 Folklore album. It’s a bittersweet track about a delicate and fleeting summer romance told from the perspective of a fictional teenage girl named Augustine. 

Swift’s fans rejoiced in the comments with one writing: ‘TAYLOR REMOVING THE AUDIO QUEEEEEEN.’ Another echoed: ‘TAYLOR QUEEN SWIFT.’

A third applauded the singer’s actions by saying: ‘TAYLOR REMOVED THE SOUND HAHAHA,’ and a fourth chimed in: ‘She removed it, clocked you guys.’

The latest musical tug-of-war comes after Swift allegedly removed her song august from a Team Trump TikTok video that showed the POTUS and First Lady Melania Trump watching fireworks

The latest musical tug-of-war comes after Swift allegedly removed her song august from a Team Trump TikTok video that showed the POTUS and First Lady Melania Trump watching fireworks

Swift, 36, now owns the copyright of all her songs and recordings including august and Red

Swift, 36, now owns the copyright of all her songs and recordings including august and Red

Team Trump TikTok followers were quick to comment about the president's 'obsession' with Swift after the latest stunt; the singer is pictured in 2024

Team Trump TikTok followers were quick to comment about the president’s ‘obsession’ with Swift after the latest stunt; the singer is pictured in 2024

And yet another Swiftie couldn’t resist teasing: ‘Hahahahaha you messed with the wrong successful woman,’ followed by the taunting words of another fan: ‘I hope taylor swift sues you and wins.’

Swift now owns the copyright of all her songs and recordings, including august and Red. 

She officially regained ownership of her original master recordings in May 2025 after a six-year battle.

This isn’t the first time Team Trump has borrowed a Swift track for its TikTok account. In November of last year, a video included the singer’s song Father Figure, which was also removed.

But another clip added in November plugging the president still includes Swift’s The Fate of Ophelia on its audio track. 

Friction between Trump and Swift began in October 2018 when the pop star endorsed Democratic candidates in Tennessee, prompting Trump to remark he liked her music ’25 percent less.’

But their hostile feud really erupted in September 2024 after Swift publicly endorsed Kamala Harris for president. 

‘I’m voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them,’ she wrote on Instagram.

Trump said, 'I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!' after she publicly endorsed Kamala Harris for president in 2024; the president is pictured on Friday

Trump said, ‘I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!’ after she publicly endorsed Kamala Harris for president in 2024; the president is pictured on Friday

The POTUS took a softer stance when responding to news of Swift's engagement to Travis Kelce, stating that he wished them 'a lot of luck' and calling Kelce a 'great player' and Swift a 'terrific person,' despite their ongoing political discord; Swift and Kelce are pictured in 2024

The POTUS took a softer stance when responding to news of Swift’s engagement to Travis Kelce, stating that he wished them ‘a lot of luck’ and calling Kelce a ‘great player’ and Swift a ‘terrific person,’ despite their ongoing political discord; Swift and Kelce are pictured in 2024

Trump swiftly retaliated on his Truth Social account, posting: ‘I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!’

The POTUS took a softer stance when responding to news of Swift’s engagement to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce in August 2025. 

He stated that he wished them ‘a lot of luck,’ calling Kelce a ‘great player’ and Swift a ‘terrific person,’ despite their ongoing political discord.

But last month, minutes after Madison Square Garden’s billboard lit up with ‘JUST&T MARRIED,’ announcing Swift and Kelce had tied the knot, the official White House social media accounts on X and Instagram shared an AI-generated image with ‘TRUMP IS YOUR PRESIDENT’ alongside the caption: ‘IT’S HAPPENED!!!’

Spain’s Migrant Increase Sparks Debate on European Terror Risks

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In an unprecedented event, approximately 72,000 Moroccan migrants surged into the Spanish city of Ceuta over a span of just 24 hours. This massive influx draws attention to Europe’s significant challenges with both illegal and legal migration, as well as the looming menace of rising Islamic extremism.

Experts and commentators from the Middle East and Europe, who closely analyze Islamic extremism’s impact across the continent, emphasize the urgent need for European politicians to address the root causes of radical Islamism to effectively combat terrorism.

A Europol report from July highlights that Spain documented the highest number of arrests for “jihadist terrorism-related offenses” within the European Union in 2025, totaling 117 arrests.

Morocco Spain illegal migrants

On July 31, 2026, Moroccan security personnel faced off against migrants trying to enter Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta near Fnideq at the Morocco-Spain border. (Photo by Abdel Majid Bziouat / AFP via Getty Images)

Spanish news sources reported that the Spanish Civil Guard and police have identified “about a dozen” individuals among the recent Ceuta arrivals who had previously been deported from Spain over suspicions of terror-related activities. Nonetheless, Euro News indicated that Spain’s interior ministry has yet to confirm these reports.

Quoting the ministry, it stated that “The Spanish public and the people of Ceuta can be confident that the arrivals on 30 July do not pose a threat to public security.” The report also cited the interior ministry as saying that so far this year 82 people had been arrested for offenses related to jihadist terrorism.

Lorenzo Vidino, Director of the Program on Extremism at The George Washington University, and expert on Islamism in Europe and North America, told News Media, “This is Europe. This is the way it has been for the last 15 years, with some ebbs and flows.” He said about the new Europol report that “It is more in line with the last 10 years. Europe has sadly learned to live with this reality.”

British political commentator and Mideast expert, Tom Gross, told News Media: “Europe’s ruling classes need to be honest. It is not racist to point out the obvious: that most terrorism in Western Europe today is being fueled by radical Islamic mosques and teachers.”

Police officers stand near a vehicle crashed into a tree in Berlin.

Police officers stand near a vehicle crashed into a tree after driving into a crowd near Berlin’s annual Pride event, in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, July 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

He added, “Leaders in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Egypt acknowledge this. Why can’t Western leaders?”

Gross said, “Politicians such as new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez, need to stop fueling the propaganda of radical Muslims by implying that there has been some kind of genocide against Muslims in Gaza, when there has been nothing of the sort.”

He continued, “If they really want to help push back radical Islam, European leaders should be assisting, not criticizing, those in Washington and elsewhere calling for the downfall of Iran’s Islamic dictatorship.”

In April, the U.K. raised its national terror threat level to “severe” following an antisemitic attack in London when a Somali immigrant stabbed two men. A “Severe” warning, according to authorities means another terrorist attack is considered “highly likely” in the next six months.

A spokesperson for London’s Mayor Khan told News Media that “The Mayor has invested £16 million (approxmiately $21.5 million) – more than any other Mayor – to support grassroots community groups to stand up to hate and intolerance. This includes £6 million (approximately $8 million) through his Shared Endeavour Fund to give Londoners the tools and skills to tackle extremism.”

Paris police at a stabbing attack

Law enforcement patrol immediately following a stabbing attack in Paris on July 27, 2026. (Kenzo Tribouillard/Getty Images)

Late last month, the alleged Islamist State terrorist, the 21-year-old German-Lebanese man, Abdul Ballout, drove a van into the Berlin Pride Parade event, murdering one woman and injuring nearly 30 people. The German authorities had released Ballout despite his recent conviction related to supporting the Islamic State.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt told public broadcaster ZDF during an interview that in light of the 21-year-old suspect’s conviction and record of backing the Islamic State, it did not make sense that the man was roaming free.

“You can assume that it certainly would have made sense to put this person in custody,” he noted.

Khan’s spokesperson also cited an X Post from the Mayor following the Berlin Pride attack: “My thoughts are with everyone affected by the horrific attack in Berlin and their families. This appalling act of violence has no place in our society. London stands in solidarity with Berlin’s LGBTQ+ community. This is why Pride matters. Those who seek to spread hatred and division will never win.”

Firefighter puts out blaze in north London

Firefighters are seen tackling a blaze at Highfield Road in the Golders Green neighborhood of London, following an arson attack on four charity ambulances belonging to the Jewish Community volunteer Ambulance Service. (PA/PA Images via Getty Images)

A new report by Germany’s federal intelligence that documents threats to the constitutional order estimates that there are roughly about 28,000 members of Germany’s Islamist scene. Approximately 9,110 are currently assessed to have an “orientation to violence. “The type of violence is defined as jihadi violence.”

Germany’s federal interior ministry, which publishes the annual domestic intelligence threat report, notes that crimes attributed to “religious ideology” have climbed from 134 in 2022 to 998 last year. Radical Islamist crimes are reportedly understood to make up the main portion of the “religious ideology” category.

Germany’s neighbor, France, experienced another stabbing just days after the attack in Germany. A suspect reportedly stabbed three women in Paris and declared as people captured him after the attack, “it is Allah who commanded me.”

Vidino said, “The incident in Paris it seems one of the cases” regarding the how an attack is classified: “Is it terrorism? Is it a crazy guy? Often times, Europeans play down the ideological motive and cite mental health. Some countries tend to do it more than others. Most Europeans go for downplaying of the ideological component.”

Austria’s intelligence agency announced in May on its website that it arrested a group of suspected Islamist terrorists, which included five males aged between 14 and 45 and one 16-year-old female. “The individuals concerned are suspected of having committed offenses related to Islamist extremism and terrorism in Austria, for example through membership of a terrorist organization, incitement to terrorist offenses, dissemination of IS [Islamic State] propaganda, and approval of terrorist offenses,” wrote the Austrian agency.

In June, Swedish authorities arrested a teenage boy who pledged allegiance to the Islamist State and idolized suicide bombers, according to Swedish media. He issued death threats to students at school and showed pictures of beheaded people.

Nervana Mahmoud, a British-Egyptian medical doctor who has written extensively about Islamist terrorism and indoctrination, told News Media that “The current challenge facing Europe is, in many ways, a battle over Islamist extremism and its place within Western societies. To address the threat at its source, European governments need to focus on preventing radicalization and disrupting foreign funding and ideological networks that fuel extremist movements. Without tackling these root causes, the risk of future terrorist attacks will remain.”

Map showing Spain, Morocco, and Spain's Cueta

Map depicting Spain, Morocco, and Spain’s Cueta, which borders Morocco. (2026 EarthStar Geographics, OpenMapTiles, OpenStreetMap contributors)

Mahmoud said, “The United States should learn from Europe’s experience rather than simply criticize it. It has an opportunity to strengthen prevention efforts early by fostering a shared American identity within immigrant communities, disrupting foreign funding that may promote extremist influence through universities and think tanks, and working with Muslim Americans who reject Islamism and uphold democratic values. Long-term success will require not only strong security measures but also sustained efforts to prevent radicalization before it takes hold.”

The United Kingdom’s judicial system recorded a series of convictions of Islamist terrorists in July. Abdullah Bin Yasir was imprisoned for two and a half years after admitting he had bomb-making guides linked to an Islamic State-aligned entity. The construction of bomb material was designed to carry out a terrorist attack.

Late last month, in Wigston, Britain, the authorities arrested a 27-year-old man for supporting the Islamic State.

According to the Crown Prosecution Service, the 31-year-old Mohammad Bashir “pleaded guilty to preparing an act of terrorism” against a British defense target.

A spokesperson for the British Home Office told News Media, “The United Kingdom has one of the most robust counter-terrorism systems in the world. We remain committed to ensuring our Police and Security Services have the tools and powers they need to prevent the spread of violent ideologies and keep the country safe.”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer visits the Hatzola Northwest independent ambulance base

Prime Minister Keir Starmer visits the Hatzola Northwest independent ambulance base after yesterday’s terrorist incident, on April 30, 2026 in Golders Green, England. A 45-year-old British-Somali man was arrested yesterday, after stabbing two Jewish men, Shloime Rand and Moshe Shine, in a terrorist attack in Golders Green. Both victims are in stable condition, and the suspect was caught by police after being tasered. The government has since pledged £25 million to improve security for the Jewish community following the incident. (James Smith/Sam Snap/Getty Images)

The spokesperson added, “This includes a wide range of terrorist offenses and specialized powers designed to risk, support prosecution, and strengthen management of terrorist offenders. Islamist terrorism remains the primary domestic threat to the United Kingdom, accounting for roughly three quarters of the Security Service’s casework.”

Northern continental Europe is also facing a serious Jihadi terrorist threat. According to a late May Danish Security and Intelligence Service statement, the “CTA [Center for Terror Analysis in Denmark] assesses that the terrorist threat from militant Islamists remains at the level of significant.”

Vidino said there has been a silver lining since the outbreak of the Islamic State terrorist attacks in Europe. “I would say I do think most European law enforcement agencies and security forces have gotten better over the years. When the big ISIS radicalization took place, small countries were completely unprepared to deal with it.” He cited Switzerland, Austria and the Scandinavian countries.

“They did not have legal capabilities and mindset. That has changed and it is not perfect.”

News Media sent multiple press queries to the Spanish government.

Los Angeles Lags in Outdoor Social Spots, While Nearby Long Beach Tops U.S. Rankings

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If you’re in Los Angeles and seeking a delightful spot to enjoy some sunshine with a drink in hand, consider heading south to Long Beach.

This Southern California gem has topped the charts as one of America’s best cities for outdoor socializing, thanks to its vibrant beer gardens, breweries, and relaxing patios.

Long Beach claimed the number one spot on a new list by Maxwell Social, a private club and event venue, while Los Angeles ended up at the bottom of the list.

Maxwell Social examined 45 major U.S. cities, evaluating their patios, rooftop bars, beer gardens, and breweries per capita. They also considered the level of public interest in these outdoor venues.

Oakland earned the second spot, closely matching Long Beach in several categories. Meanwhile, Atlanta secured third place due to its popular rooftop bars and the high interest of its residents in socializing outdoors.

Phoenix and Houston landed at the bottom of the ranking along with the City of Angels.

To identify the best cities for outdoor socializing, Maxwell Social analyzed the 45 most populous U.S. cities, using population figures from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 estimates.

For each city, the company also measured five metrics, all expressed per 100,000 residents: patios (via Google Maps), rooftop bars (via Google Maps), beer gardens (via Yelp), breweries (via Yelp), and search volume for the following outdoor-venue terms from 2025–2026 (via Google): “patios near me,” “outdoor bars,” “rooftop bars,” “beer gardens,” and “outdoor restaurants.”

Together, these metrics highlighted which cities offered popular venues for socializing. 

Virginia Beach, Va., Mesa, Ariz., and Colorado Springs did well when it came to patios, while Mesa and Detroit led for rooftop bars, with 21.6 and 17.2 per 100,000 residents, respectively.

The site also surveyed 1,000 Americans in the cities it reviewed about how, where and why they gather outside.

The survey found Americans are looking for more places to gather, socialize, and spend time outdoors, but many say their cities aren’t meeting that need.

Nearly 1 in 5 Americans (18%) have wanted to hang out outside with friends but couldn’t find a place that was good, legal or comfortable, while 19% say they’ve been asked to leave or quiet down while socializing outdoors in the past year.

Another 15% believe their city simply doesn’t have enough outdoor gathering spaces.

New York City leads the nation as the perceived outdoor social capital, with 16% naming it the best city for casual outdoor gatherings, ahead of LA, Miami, and San Diego at 11% each.

The demand to socialize is especially strong among younger Americans, with 41% of Gen Z saying they would go out more often if their city offered better outdoor social spaces.

The survey also found that when people don’t find what they want at home, they travel elsewhere. More than 1 in 4 Americans (28%) have traveled somewhere just because outdoor social drinking felt easier than it was at home, and New Orleans and Las Vegas topped the list of destinations.

LeBron James’ Wife Triumphs as Hermès Saleswoman Who Snubbed Her is Fired

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Savannah James, the wife of basketball legend LeBron James, has shared a surprising experience where she was denied entry at a Hermès store in Italy, despite having a scheduled appointment.

The 39-year-old businesswoman, who tied the knot with the NBA superstar in 2013, encountered this situation with her friend and business partner, April McDaniel. They recounted that the incident reportedly led to the firing of a saleswoman from the luxury fashion retailer.

Their account of the event came to light during an appearance on Danielle Robay’s Question Everything podcast earlier this week. McDaniel, while sharing stories of their shopping adventures across various destinations, highlighted this particular blunder at Hermès.

“We be hustling,” McDaniel recounted, describing how they were met with disrespect during their visit to the Italian boutique, where staff allegedly treated them poorly.

Following their complaints to the company’s upper management, McDaniel revealed, “They closed down that whole motherf*****g store,” underscoring the gravity of their grievance and the resulting action taken by Hermès.

‘They did,’ Savannah corroborated before McDaniel added that the fashion house ‘fired the lady,’ after she told the woman, ‘We’ll be back for you. I’ll be right back.’

LeBron James' wife Savannah James has revealed she was turned away at a Hermès store in Italy, despite having an appointment

LeBron James’ wife Savannah James has revealed she was turned away at a Hermès store in Italy, despite having an appointment

The 39-year-old entrepreneur has been married to the NBA star since 2013; pictured in May 2025

The 39-year-old entrepreneur has been married to the NBA star since 2013; pictured in May 2025

‘We had an appointment,’ Savannah cut in, adding, ‘And they tried to act like it was…’

A visibly worked up McDaniel then interjected, ‘I said, baby, you caught the wrong one today.’

She noted that her friend was ‘very nice,’ but she was not as patient with the staff regarding the slight, and her frustration led to a full-on shopping spree.

‘We’ll be back here. The whole store is closing down. We’re bringing out [crocodile leather] and everything,’ she said she demanded.

She joked, ‘You want some smoke? You done caught one. I am crazy like that.’

Later, McDaniel shared, ‘We [were] in the private room with champagne and macarons.’

‘They brought out everything,’ Savannah confirmed about the wild occurrence. 

‘I said I’ll take bathing suits, I’m buying silverware,’ McDaniel trailed on. ‘I was living my best life.’

The 39-year-old entrepreneur was with her friend and business partner April McDaniel during the alleged incident, which they said resulted in a saleswoman being fired; An Hermes store in Amsterdam in March 2023

The 39-year-old entrepreneur was with her friend and business partner April McDaniel during the alleged incident, which they said resulted in a saleswoman being fired; An Hermes store in Amsterdam in March 2023

L-R LeBron, Bryce James, Savannah, Zhuri James, Gloria Marie James, and Bronny James pictured in 2023

L-R LeBron, Bryce James, Savannah, Zhuri James, Gloria Marie James, and Bronny James pictured in 2023

Savannah’s podcast appearance comes weeks after her husband announced he has signed an $8 million, two-year contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The sports icon, 41, previously played for the Los Angeles Lakers for eight seasons.

In a lengthy statement on X, he said he strongly considered retiring but believes he still has ‘more to give.’

Savannah and LeBron share sons Bronny, 21, Bryce, 19, and daughter Zhuri, 11.

Asked by Robay what advice the mom of three would give other wives and girlfriends of athletes, she answered: ‘Pay attention to yourself as much as you’re paying attention to your partner.’

She added, ‘Don’t lose yourself in the babies, if they come. Don’t lose yourself in the facade of what all of this looks like. Try to stay grounded, try to stay authentic to who you are, and what this connection was from the very beginning.’

US Senate Passes Crucial Funding Bill, Averting Government Shutdown Ahead of 2026 Midterms

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WASHINGTON — In an unexpected move late Saturday, the Senate passed a temporary funding measure to keep federal operations running through early December. This decisive action, occurring in the midst of the campaign season, averts what could have been a disruptive government shutdown.

Taking action well in advance of the September 30 fiscal deadline sets this move apart from the usual last-minute rush to pass stopgap measures. Typically, congressional lawmakers deliberate until the final moments to settle on short-term funding. This time, however, senators acted nearly two months ahead of schedule, marking a significant departure from tradition.

With a 90-6 vote, the Senate demonstrated its eagerness to steer clear of another shutdown debacle. Recent history shows two challenging shutdowns over the past year, and lawmakers are keen to sidestep such disruptions just as voters prepare to cast their ballots.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune emphasized the importance of addressing funding before lawmakers head home for a five-week break to campaign and attend to other priorities. Despite the bill getting tangled with other pressing issues, it ultimately secured strong bipartisan backing. The spotlight now shifts to the House, which must approve the bill after its August recess, allowing it to reach President Donald Trump for his signature.

While the legislation primarily extends existing federal funding through December 11, it also incorporates several negotiated exceptions between senators and the White House. These adjustments ensure government continuity while accommodating specific needs agreed upon during discussions.

Democrats secured language to ensure no money could be transferred to the Border Patrol. They also rejected the White House’s request of $1 billion for early work on a new “Trump-class” battleship that the administration announced on Dec. 22.

“The only person who wants these golden ships is Donald Trump so he can slap his name on them,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said.

Hemp provision became a point of contention

The bill also includes language delaying a national ban on most intoxicating hemp products. That one-month delay prompted outrage from some Senate Republicans who say that too many such products are falling into the hands of often unsuspecting children. The packaging of the products often relies on bright colors and intentionally mimics popular snack brands to attract consumers.

Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., said that since 2017 there has been nearly a 10-fold increase in cannabis-related emergency room visits by minors in his home state.

“This is a public health crisis that deserves this Senate’s immediate attention,” Budd said. “Our children should never be the testing ground for an industry willing to exploit a loophole in federal law for profit.”

But the hemp industry said the delay buys time for Congress to craft legislation that protects hemp farmers and businesses while also putting in place safeguards to protect children.

Trump himself has called Budd to discuss the issue, though the president did not specifically ask the senator to drop his effort, Budd’s spokesman said.

“Senator Budd had a friendly phone call with President Trump discussing the legislative efforts regarding THC,” said spokesman Christian McMullen. He said the senator outlined his concerns about “any delay to closing the hemp loophole.”

Budd tried to strip the hemp delay from the bill, but the Senate turned aside his effort.

The bill delays a Trump administration rule on grants

Democratic lawmakers, along with Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, also got language in the bill that would block, for the duration of the funding patch, new regulations on federal grants. The regulations would require a senior political appointee to review grants before they are awarded to ensure, among other things, that they advance the president’s policy priorities. Democrats worry it’s an effort to kill grants destined for Democratic-leaning states.

“They are not interested in making our tax dollars work better – they just want them to work for Donald Trump,” said Sen. Patty Murray, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The White House Office of Management and Budget says its effort is about improving accountability to ensure taxpayer dollars aren’t wasted or misused. The issue is sure to be a topic of future negotiations on a full-year spending measure.

But Collins said the vast majority of the nearly 500,000 people and groups weighing in on the rule are opposed to it.

“I don’t think in my time that I’ve been privileged to serve in the Senate that I have ever seen a proposed rule generate that many negative comments,” Collins said.

Copyright © 2026 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Boost Your Brain and Balance: Easy Ball Drill to Prevent Falls After 60

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Feeling unsteady after turning 60? This simple ball drill might be the solution.

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If you’re aiming to enhance your balance post-60, I suggest trying an exercise ball rather than hitting the pavement more often. It may seem counterintuitive, but there’s a good reason for it.

Enhancing balance involves more than just building muscle mass. It’s a matter of fine-tuning your nervous system.

You might associate balance with natural ability or merely stronger legs. While strength is important, it’s your brain instructing your muscles that truly matters. The nervous system conducts a symphony, absorbing data from your eyes, inner ear, feet, joints, muscles, and fascia every moment you’re upright. Within mere fractions of a second, it orchestrates the necessary adjustments—activating and relaxing muscles with precise force—to keep you balanced. It’s all about the system’s communication, not just muscular strength.

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Why Walking Isn’t Enough

Walking is one of the healthiest things you can do, and I encourage almost everyone to walk. But walking is also predictable. Your body moves forward one step after another, and after a while you go on autopilot.

An exercise ball is completely different. Every second you’re on it, your body is making hundreds of tiny adjustments. The ball never gives your nervous system the exact same challenge twice, and that constant problem-solving is what keeps the nervous system sharp.

Train the Nervous System First

One thing I learned years ago through the Czech Institute is that exercise should challenge the nervous system before it challenges the muscles. The most neurologically demanding exercises should usually come first, while the brain is still fresh, because balance, coordination, timing, and movement quality all begin in the nervous system. If the nervous system gets fatigued, those skills decline long before your muscles are actually tired. Training on an exercise ball isn’t just exercise, it’s teaching your nervous system to become more efficient.

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When Muscles Forget How to Fire

Another fascinating concept is sensory motor amnesia. It sounds complicated, but the idea is simple: after pain, surgery, or long periods of inactivity, the brain can essentially forget how to properly recruit certain muscles or muscle groups. The muscles aren’t necessarily weak, they’re just not communicating well with the brain anymore. Think of it like calling someone when the phone signal keeps cutting out. The message never gets through clearly.

The constantly changing environment of an exercise ball encourages your brain to reconnect with smaller stabilizing muscles that may have gone underused for years.

Two Kinds of Balance You Use Every Day

The ball also challenges two types of balance you use every day. Righting reflexes are automatic reactions that keep you upright when you’re in motion and the ground beneath you is stable, like stepping off a curb and catching yourself, tripping over your own feet, or getting bumped from behind.

Tilting, or equilibrium, reflexes keep you balanced when the surface beneath you becomes unstable or your center of gravity shifts, like stepping on ice or standing on a moving bus or airplane.

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Get Ready to Move

Instead of teaching your body one fixed pattern, a Swiss ball introduces constant variability. It teaches adaptability, so your nervous system learns to respond instead of simply repeating old habits. That’s valuable whether you’re recovering from pain or just trying to move better as you age.

Before I start many of my balance sessions, I like to wake up the body’s sensory system first. I’ll often use a simple self-massage technique to stimulate the feet and improve awareness before we even touch the ball. It’s a small addition, but it dramatically improves the quality of the balance training that follows.

Walking is one of the healthiest activities you can do, so please keep walking. But if your goal is to improve balance, don’t stop there. Your nervous system needs variety, unpredictability, and opportunities to solve new movement problems, and that’s exactly what an exercise ball provides. Below are four of my favorite exercise ball drills that challenge every aspect of your nervous system and help you build balance you actually use in everyday life. The goal isn’t to get better at sitting on an exercise ball. The goal is to build a nervous system that automatically keeps you upright when life throws something unexpected your way.

Seated March

Our first exercise in the series is the seated march. Before you start marching, there’s one principle to nail down: your gravity line. That’s your ear, shoulder, and hip stacked in one line. As you start moving, the ball is going to shift and you’re probably going to lose it. The goal is to keep coming back to that gravity line.

How to Do It:

  • Start with an isometric hold. Lift one leg and hold it anywhere from 10 to 30 seconds.
  • Bring that leg down with control, keeping your gravity line, then lift the other leg and hold for 10 to 30 seconds.
  • Work back and forth between legs for a total of 90 seconds to 3 minutes.
  • Once you’ve mastered the isometric holds, move into the march: lift and lower your legs continuously, then start integrating your arms into the motion.
  • Stabilize the ball with your core the whole time, and work back and forth between the isometric version and the dynamic version.

Avoid These Mistakes:

  • Don’t chase the ball’s movement. When you lose your gravity line, reset your ear, shoulder, and hip stack instead of fighting the wobble.

Sets and Reps: 90 seconds to 3 minutes, 1 to 3 rounds.

Form Tip: Keep your ear, shoulder, and hip stacked in one line throughout, and reset that line whenever the ball throws you off it.

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Two-Point Prone Balance

This one is just like it sounds. You go prone on the ball, on your belly, and you’ll work down from four points of contact to two by lifting your opposite arm and opposite leg. One side is going to feel more stable than the other, and that’s the point. The goal is to build balance between the right and left hemispheres of your brain and the right and left sides of your body.

How to Do It:

  • Start prone on the ball with four points of contact: both hands and both feet down.
  • Lift the opposite arm and opposite leg, just a little off the ground to start.
  • As you get more comfortable, bring your lifted arm and leg all the way up.
  • Tuck your pelvis into the ball slightly so you’re not crunching or compressing your lower back.
  • Keep your lifted arm lengthened with your fingers spread, and spread the toes on your back foot.
  • Hold anywhere from 30 to 90 seconds, then bring it down with control and switch sides.

Avoid These Mistakes:

  • Don’t crunch or compress your lower back. Tuck your pelvis into the ball instead.
  • Don’t skip your weaker side. Notice which side is less stable and give it equal work, since that imbalance is exactly what this drill is meant to fix.

Sets and Reps: 3 to 5 minutes per side, broken into 30, 60, or 90 second holds.

Form Tip: Keep your lifted arm lengthened with your fingers spread, and spread the toes on your grounded foot.

Swiss Ball Twister

This is one of the more challenging exercises in the series, but it’s very good for your equilibrium reflexes. Once you get comfortable going slow, it becomes a dynamic, reactive exercise where you have to respond to the speed of the ball as you move.

How to Do It:

  • Start on the ball with four points of contact: both hands and both feet down.
  • Step your left leg under your right leg, pick up your right arm, and twist and rotate onto your back.
  • Continue the rotation: step your right leg under your left leg and roll onto your belly. That’s one repetition.
  • Repeat in the opposite direction, stepping your right leg under first, then your left, controlling the roll each time.
  • Practice slow and controlled until you’re comfortable, then start picking up speed.

Avoid These Mistakes:

  • Don’t rush the speed before you’re ready. Go too fast before you’ve built control, and you can guess what happens.
  • Don’t skip the controlled reps. Stay slow and controlled until the movement feels comfortable, then add speed.

Sets and Reps: 90 seconds to 3 minutes, rolling back and forth continuously.

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Kneeling Balance

The final exercise in the series is kneeling on the Swiss ball. If you’re a beginner, have someone stand beside the ball to help stabilize it, or set the ball in a corner of the room so you can put your hands on the wall for support.

How to Do It:

  • Start with two points of contact: both hands on the ball.
  • Put one shin on the ball, then bring your other shin up with control.
  • Once you feel steady with both shins on the ball, slowly bring yourself up nice and tall.
  • If you need more of a challenge, add a dribbling basketball, juggling, or tossing a tennis ball while you balance.

Avoid These Mistakes:

  • Don’t skip the wall or a spotter as a beginner. Use one until you have real control on the ball.
  • Don’t rush standing up tall. Get steady on both shins first, then rise slowly.

Sets and Reps: 90 seconds to 3 minutes.

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Florida Beach Mothball Scandal: Impact on Endangered Birds

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In a perplexing twist on environmental preservation, two Florida business proprietors stand accused of deploying approximately 1,500 “toxic” mothballs across a popular beach. Their alleged aim? To dissuade an endangered avian species from making the shoreline their nesting ground.

If found guilty, the potential consequences for these individuals are serious, including a possible five-year prison sentence, fines reaching $5,000, and up to five years on probation.

This unusual scenario began to unfold in late April, when visitors to the scenic St. Pete Beach in St. Petersburg, Florida, stumbled upon mothballs strewn across the powdery, white sands.

Swift to respond, teams from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) joined forces with devoted Audubon Society volunteers. Together, they painstakingly collected around 1,000 of these small, white balls dotting the sands behind the Plaza Beach Hotel.

Split photo of Robert Czyszczon and Christopher Monroe.

The business owners, Robert Czyszczon and Christopher Monroe, now face serious charges related to this bizarre attempt to deter birds from the beach behind their enterprises in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Image: Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office)

Then 500 more appeared overnight.

The smelly balls containing pesticides dotted an area where endangered shorebirds known as black skimmers were “attempting to establish a nesting colony,” FWC officials said in a news conference. Their placement also meant other wildlife and children “could easily come in contact with them.”

It quickly became clear that someone might be targeting the birds, they said.

So FWC investigators flew into action.

Crying fowl

Meanwhile, the discovery of the mothballs ruffled feathers in the community.

There was “a lot of public outcry” expressing concern for the birds, while investigators tried to locate the source of the mothballs, FWC officials said.

Law enforcement served search warrants, combed through “terabytes” of data and eventually seized cellphones to try to locate the individuals behind the caper.

That work led them to Christopher Monroe, owner and manager of Chris’s Beachside Bar, and Robert Czyszczon, owner of the Plaza Beach Hotel, FWC officials said.

Out of fear of lost revenue, the two allegedly hatched a plan to use mothballs to deter birds from congregating on the beach behind their businesses, authorities said.

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Mothballs in a bag.

Officers with FWC worked with Audubon Society volunteers to remove mothballs from St. Pete Beach when they appeared in April. (FWC)

Through video surveillance and receipt records, investigators found that Czyszczon spent about $60 buying “a large quantity” of mothballs at a Walmart the day before they first appeared on the beach, FWC officials said.

Upon examining his phone, investigators found “incriminating” text messages between him and fellow business owner, Monroe, discussing their objections to the native fowl.

Text conversations revealed plans for placement of the mothballs on the beach, officials said. That’s what led investigators to Monroe as a suspect.

The men discussed how they “were going to do something” to prevent the birds from nesting on the beach, FWC officials said.

Black skimmers don’t nest in trees. They kick beach sand backwards to make depressions on the ground. Then they lay their eggs and raise their young near the surf.

“They’re the worst birds,” one of the men allegedly wrote in anticipation of nesting season.

“The bird people will put up fence around the area, and then the beach people will not be able to get to and from because they will fence around that space.”

Cellphone tower data showed Monroe’s phone was at the same location as Czyszczon’s phone on both nights when the mothballs appeared on the beach, FWC officials said.

The men feared that nests on the beach would lead to fewer customers and less money being spent there, authorities said.

“Why didn’t you tell me we lose $25,000 to $50,000?” one allegedly wrote in a text.

Monroe and Czyszczon were charged with illegal dumping, a third-degree felony, according to Pinellas County court records. They also were charged with the “attempted take of a state-listed imperiled species by harassment,” a misdemeanor, according to FWC officials.

Both are out of jail on bond.

Black skimmers laying eggs on the beach.

Black skimmers lay eggs in depressions they make in beach sand. (FWC)

About 6,800 black skimmers live in Florida. FWC officials estimate that several hundred live on the beaches of Pinellas County.

The pesticide in mothballs can harm people and wildlife that come into contact with their vapors, according to an educational publication by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS).

“With any pesticide, the label is the law,” Brett W. Bultemeier, director of the UF/IFAS Pesticide Information Office, wrote in a 2021 educational publication about mothballs. “The label language is not simply a set of directions. Rather, they are requirements that are legally enforceable.”

The birds probably weren’t hurt by the “harassment,” FWC officials said.

But it did delay their nesting, they said. That pushes the date that their young can fledge from the nest further back in the season. And that could put them in danger.

A big storm at the end of hurricane season, which ends on Nov. 30, “can wipe out a colony if those young birds haven’t fledged yet,” an FWC official said.

An attorney for Czyszczon did not respond to a request for comment from News Media. Court records indicate that Monroe doesn’t have an attorney. He couldn’t be reached for comment.

Former Florida Democratic Candidate Andrew Gillum Arrested Again After Methamphetamine Violation

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Andrew Gillum, a former contender for the Florida governor’s seat and a member of the Democratic Party, finds himself behind bars once more. According to a recent TMZ report, Gillum was taken into custody after a test unveiled his methamphetamine use in Alabama.

The latest development follows Gillum’s arrest in July, which occurred under accusations involving the holding of illegal substances, paraphernalia related to drugs, and marijuana possession, according to various news outlets.

Additionally, TMZ disclosed more insights about the situation:

Baldwin County Assistant District Attorney John Oxford explained to TMZ that Gillum is participating in a “color code drug testing” program. Under this system, Gillum receives a specific color from the court and must call a designated hotline daily. If his assigned color is mentioned during the call, he is obligated to undergo a drug test on the same day.

Oxford mentioned that Gillum failed to appear for his drug test when his color was announced. Subsequently, during a Thursday court session, he was tested for drugs and the results returned positive.

Numerous reports of controversy involving Gillum, who is the former mayor of Tallahassee, have come out over the years.

In 2018, – News reported Gillum’s family was under investigation for possible voter fraud, and he was allegedly involved in a suspected crystal meth incident in March of 2020 at a Miami Beach hotel.

The Miami Beach Police Department said officers found Gillum inside a hotel room with two other men where first responders were providing medical attention to one of the individuals for a possible drug overdose.

The police report said Gillum was “unable to communicate with officers due to his inebriated state.” The – News article continued:

The report states that one of the individuals told authorities that he entered the room at 11 p.m. where he “discovered [the overdose victim] and Andrew Gillum inside the room under the influence of an unknown substance.” Gillum, the former mayor of Tallahassee, was discovered vomiting inside the bathroom.

“Inside of the hotel room, officers observed in plain sight three small clear plastic baggies containing suspected crystal meth on both the bed and floor,” according to the report.

Gillum also came out as bisexual in 2020 after the hotel incident involving the two men, one of whom was initially identified as an escort.

Top Hollywood Actors Dominating Screens Everywhere

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In a triumphant return to form, audiences have flocked back to cinemas this summer, erasing the uncertainty lingering over the film industry in recent years. With this resurgence, moviegoers might find themselves experiencing an unexpected yet familiar feeling.

No, it’s not shock over a $10 soda!

Instead, it’s the recognition of familiar faces gracing the silver screen time and again—an exclamation of, “You again?”

It seems film enthusiasts have rekindled their love affair with repeatedly seeing their favorite stars, thanks to an intriguing blend of circumstances. This year, the cinematic landscape has been dominated by a select group of actors who seem to be everywhere you look.

Boiling it down, we have what could be termed the ‘fantastic five’: Zendaya, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Anne Hathaway, and Pedro Pascal.

These guys are everywhere.

This quintet has practically turned Hollywood into a repertory company, a theater in which one group of performers appear in all the shows.

The shared cinematic DNA is dizzying. 

Hathaway, Holland, Pattinson and Zendaya all memorably acted in Christopher Nolan’s blazing July blockbuster “The Odyssey,” which has surpassed $1 billion at the worldwide box office.

The web expanded last weekend with just-married Holland and Zendaya in Sony and Marvel’s “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” ($1.3 billion already). 

Months ago in April, Zendaya and Pattinson dropped jaws with A24’s hot “The Drama” ($132 million) and in December they’ll slap on the sunscreen for “Dune: Part 3” with Timothée “One Flick Per Year” Chalamet — a sure-thing winner.

Separately they’re all just as dominant. 

One of Hathaway’s five movies in 2026 was the biggest comedy of the year, “The Devil Wears Prada 2” ($691 million).

Brilliant Pattinson — who could have been a cartoon voice actor had it not been for, well, his jawline — has been on the lips of Oscar pundits as a best actor contender since the trailer dropped this week for his new drama “Primetime,” in which he transforms into “To Catch A Predator” host Chris Hansen. He’s got an impressive four films this year.

And while Pascal doesn’t have 2026 IMDB overlap with the others, he carried Baby Yoda and the “Star Wars” franchise on his shoulders in “The Mandalorian and Grogu” (a flop, I know). And in December he’ll play Reed Richards in “Avengers: Doomsday.” If that one flops, I’ll quit and give my job to Cindy Adams!

Plus, Pascal’s “Tar”-y fall movie “Behemoth!” plans to open the New York Film Festival, and many suspect that could land him his first Oscar nomination.

Of course, you could chalk up this pileup to coincidence. It’s not as if all the above represented studios — Universal, Warner Bros., Disney, Sony and A24 — met in a secret lair and decided to anoint these actors as the future of cinema. Though some 4Chan board probably thinks they did.

But there’s more to their noticeably frequent casting than pure timing. It shows that Hollywood, which is finally on the rise again after strikes and stagnation, is opening its eyes and recognizing who and what young audiences demonstrably want to see instead of hopelessly praying that the aging stars of yore will enjoy a surprise resurgence. 

The moviegoing public has rapidly changed. Gen. Z, today’s leading ticket-buyers, loves Zendaya and Holland. The No. 2 attendees, Millennials, going back to “The Princess Diaries” and “Game of Thrones,” revere Hathaway and Pascal. Pattison shrewdly straddles both.

These folks, if you can believe it, mean far more to the paying masses than Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio do now. 

The relative newbies regularly choose adventurous projects, hopping from edgy arthouse to better-than-average action-adventure films. They work with cool directors: Christopher Nolan, Yorgos Lanthimos and Luca Guadagnino, among others. Their names above the title are a marker of quality.

Another thing — and this is important for new generations who have a stronger connection to Letterboxd than People magazine — is that their fanbases admire them more for their acting ability than their celebrity status.

Meanwhile, the dorm-room-poster megastars of yesteryear don’t pack ‘em in like they used to. 

A best picture win doesn’t change the fact that DiCaprio’s “One Battle After Another” lost money. I’m expecting the same fate for Cruise’s “Digger” and Pitt’s “The Adventures of Cliff Booth” in the fall. Cruise couldn’t even sell the very good “Mission: Impossible 8.”

Many pieces have been written about the death of the traditional movie star and how that demise would portend a cataclysmic disaster for the industry. Eh, not really.

Everybody just misread the forecast. The sun’s out, and Anne Hathaway’s in five movies. 

Are Aliens the Real Gods of the Bible? Exploring a Controversial Theory

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In an intriguing twist on ancient theology, a former Bible translator posits that the original Hebrew Bible might be referencing alien entities rather than a singular deity. This bold theory has reportedly caught the attention of the Vatican.

Mauro Biglino, an Italian scholar known for translating biblical texts for Edizioni San Paolo—a prominent Catholic publisher affiliated with the Vatican—has extensively studied Hebrew scriptures. He argues that certain Hebrew words describe not just supernatural beings but potentially spacecraft, implying encounters in biblical times.

In a conversation with the Daily Mail, Biglino indicated that trustworthy sources have informed him that some individuals within the Vatican are not only aware of his controversial work but are also engaging in theological discussions about its potential ramifications.

Nevertheless, Biglino has yet to offer concrete evidence to substantiate claims that the Vatican is actively monitoring him or considering any measures against his research. “Given the impact of my publications, I suspect it’s only a matter of time before [the Vatican] reacts in some capacity,” he suggested.

Biglino is an advocate for the ‘ancient alien’ hypothesis. This theory proposes that technologically advanced extraterrestrial beings visited Earth in antiquity and were misidentified by early civilizations as deities, angels, or demons.

In particular, he argues that the Hebrew word ‘Elohim’ refers to multiple beings rather than one God and that passages in Ezekiel describe advanced technology, including flying vehicles.

Biglino further alleged that factions within the Vatican, including historians, archaeologists and scientists, are ‘fully aware’ that the Bible may contain a radically different story from the one taught by religious leaders.

‘Many of them are fully aware that the Hebrew Bible presents a much more complex picture than the simplified version generally offered in religious teaching,’ he said.

Pictured: One of the most complete Hebrew Bibles still in existence, seen in New York in 2023

Pictured: One of the most complete Hebrew Bibles still in existence, seen in New York in 2023

Pictured: Mauro Biglino (Left) discusses his ideas about the real meaning of the Hebrew Bible

Pictured: Mauro Biglino (Left) discusses his ideas about the real meaning of the Hebrew Bible

However, Biglino’s interpretation is rejected by mainstream biblical scholars, who explain that Elohim can be grammatically plural while referring to the singular God of Israel, depending on the surrounding language.

Scholars also generally interpret Ezekiel’s extraordinary vision as symbolic religious imagery – not a literal description of spacecraft or extraterrestrial visitors.

Biglino’s argument begins with the Hebrew word Elohim, which is plural in form, and biblical passages that describe ‘assemblies’ or ‘councils’ of divine beings.

He also pointed to figures including Yahweh, Elyon and Shaddai, names or titles traditionally understood as referring to the same God, as possible evidence of multiple powerful beings.

Biglino told the Daily Mail that mainstream theology tends to interpret such figures as ‘spiritual beings, angels, symbolic expressions or manifestations of the one transcendent God.’

‘My approach is different because I begin with the Hebrew words, their grammar and the concrete actions attributed to the biblical protagonists,’ he explained.

Biglino argued that the Elohim behave more like physical rulers than an all-knowing, eternal God, traveling between locations, holding councils, dividing territory, forging alliances, fighting wars and governing different populations. 

‘They eat, drink, rest and experience emotions such as anger, jealousy and fear. Above all, they are not described as immortal,’ he continued.

Biglino believes that the word 'Elohim' in the Bible refers to multiple beings - not one God - and that passages in Ezekiel seem to refer to advanced technology including flying vehicles

Biglino believes that the word ‘Elohim’ in the Bible refers to multiple beings – not one God – and that passages in Ezekiel seem to refer to advanced technology including flying vehicles

Biglino highlighted Psalm 82, which describes God presiding over an assembly of divine beings and warning that they will ‘die like mortals.’

He also cited Deuteronomy 32, which describes nations being divided among higher powers, as evidence of multiple powerful beings rather than one immortal God.

However, neither passage mentions aliens or extraterrestrial technology. Scholars generally interpret the other figures as spiritual beings subordinate to the God of Israel.

Although Elohim is plural in form, it is frequently paired with singular verbs when referring to Israel’s God, a grammatical detail supporting a singular meaning in those passages.

Nevertheless, Biglino argued that Vatican specialists must have considered whether the texts preserve accounts of contact with nonhuman intelligences.

He believes his theory poses a far greater challenge to Catholic teaching than the possibility that life exists elsewhere in the universe.

The Vatican Observatory has publicly discussed extraterrestrial life, but Biglino predicted that the Church would regard any aliens as creations of the same universal God.

Biglino (Left) claimed that the Vatican has been monitoring his work, which challenges the Catholic Church's interpretation of the Bible

Biglino (Left) claimed that the Vatican has been monitoring his work, which challenges the Catholic Church’s interpretation of the Bible

‘Asking whether microbial or intelligent life may exist on another planet is relatively unproblematic for theology. 

‘Asking whether non-human beings came to Earth in the past, interacted with our ancestors and were subsequently identified as “gods” is far more challenging,’ he said.

Biglino said his interpretation emerged while translating 17 books of the Old Testament for a Catholic publisher.

He pointed to the Hebrew word kavod, traditionally translated as the ‘glory’ of God, which he said is also associated with weight, heaviness and physical substance.

In Exodus and Ezekiel, Biglino claimed, the kavod arrives, departs, moves through space and produces noise, fire and light. It can also be dangerous to people nearby.

‘In these contexts, it behaves like something physically present,’ he said.

‘It appeared to contain the memories of different peoples who had relationships with powerful beings possessing superior knowledge, longer lifespans and technologies that the ancient writers could describe only through the vocabulary available to them.’

Biglino predicted that the Church would gradually adapt its teachings if governments eventually confirmed the existence of technologically advanced nonhuman beings.

‘It could simply say that these beings, like humanity, are creatures of the one universal God,’ he said.

However, while scholars acknowledge that ancient Hebrew words can carry several meanings, linguistic ambiguity alone does not establish that the Bible describes aliens or advanced machinery.