NYC voters explain why they're voting for RFK Jr. over Biden: 'Going to unify the nation'

New York City voters explained why they are supporting Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., over President Biden.

Fox News Digital caught up with voters attending Kennedy's Brooklyn town hall on Wednesday where the Democratic presidential candidate spoke on several issues.

One voter, Rayyan Ahmed, said he is supporting Kennedy because he believes the Democratic challenger is "going to unify the nation."

"I really feel that, right now, what our nation lacks is unity," Ahmed said. "I feel like Kennedy, what he's going to do is he's going to unify the nation."

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"Some of his ideas are of traditional fiscal conservative people, and some are Democratic ideas, but it's the good of both," he continued. "The good of the Republican Party and the good of the Democrat Party."

"And that's what we need," Ahmed said, adding that he believes Kennedy "carries on the last name" of his family.

Another voter, Wallie Wolfgruber, said she is "very excited" about Kennedy's candidacy, and hopes that he will "bring more unity and peace" to America and the world.

"After all this separation, just to be able to be tolerant again, tolerant of each other's different opinions," Wolfgruber, who said she was originally from Germany but is a U.S. citizen, told Fox News Digital. "The right to have an opinion and to express it is so basic in a democracy, and I feel it kind of going away."

"I'm also very disturbed about the war still going on in Europe, and in this day and age why can't we talk? Why can't we believe in the possibility we can solve problems by talking with each other?" Wolfgruber continued, adding that "very few people benefit" from making a "profit" off military action. 

"War is never, never a good thing. People die. Our children die," she said, adding, "I think it could have been over already if we had different leadership, like Kennedy."

Kennedy addressed a crowd of about 800 people gathered in a Brooklyn warehouse Wednesday, speaking on a number of topics, including immigration, inflation, the housing market and ending the war in Ukraine. 

"I'm running against two presidents who both served one term and essentially are gaslighting the American people by telling them that they produced a wave of prosperity for this country. They are running on that record," Kennedy said, garnering applause. 

"These traumas – my uncle’s death, my father’s death, Malcom X, Martin Luther King, Vietnam War itself, 9/11 and ultimately the COVID crisis, these series of traumas, all of them played this role in pushing us farther and farther down the road Eisenhower warned us against – the military industrial complex," Kennedy told a cheering audience. "And now over the past 20 years, we’ve spent $8 trillion on useless wars, and we’re now in another one in Ukraine that could have easier been avoided. It could have easily been settled."

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"Big Anthony," a Marine and New York City voter, told Fox News Digital that at "this stage" of his life, he wants "to make the country a better place for all Americans."

"Not just certain people who get certain rights," Big Anthony said. "We have no rights anymore. Our freedom of speech has been taken away — the First, Second, and Fourth Amendment has been trampled upon."

"The way they've treated us like we're a bunch of morons," he continued. "The man running the country and the people behind him are evil."

"We could ask a hundred questions: what happened to the pipeline? Why are we making all our senior citizens not live right? Why are we destroying the schools?" he said. "Look, I have nothing against people's sexual preferences, but why are we telling 3- and 4-year-old kids, ‘Are you a boy or are you a girl?’"

"It's insanity!" he added. "Have we lost our minds?"

In addition to seeing Kennedy, Big Anthony told Fox News Digital he came out to support U.S. Senate candidate Diane Sare, an independent hoping to challenge incumbent Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., in 2024. 

Fox News Digital spoke to Sare about why she is aligning herself with Kennedy.

"I think we really need maverick voices, I suspect the Democratic Party will really try to crush and destroy him, as they did with Bernie Sanders, and as they did with Tulsi [Gabbard]," Sare told Fox News Digital of Kennedy. "I don’t know what’s gonna happen. I would hope he ends up running as an independent ultimately."

"I think the nation is weary of war, which is probably why Kennedy is the leading Democratic candidate and Trump is the Republican candidate." she said. "I think the number one issue is avoiding thermonuclear war. I think we’re much closer than people realize. I don’t think the Biden administration has a clue what they’re doing. They’re unbelievably arrogant and ignorant."

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Pennsylvania considering earlier 2024 primary date

Pennsylvania is considering changing the state's 2024 presidential primary to an earlier day, although the proposed move may do little to give the state’s voters more say in deciding presidential nominees.

State lawmakers plan to vote on legislation Wednesday that would change Pennsylvania’s primary from late April to late March.

The state is a premier battleground in presidential elections, but it hasn’t hosted a competitive presidential primary since 2008, when Hillary Clinton pulled off a win to stay alive against Barack Obama, the leader in delegates and eventual winner of that year’s Democratic nomination.

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For now, President Joe Biden faces a couple of Democratic challengers, but is expected to secure his party’s nomination, while former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have dominated the early Republican race in a field that is about a dozen deep.

Under current law, Pennsylvania’s primary date is the fourth Tuesday in April, which lands on April 23.

Many states want to hold presidential primaries earlier, to give residents more influence in the trajectory of presidential campaigns. But Pennsylvania lawmakers have resisted a change because it would push the beginning of the state's customary 13-week primary season into the winter holidays.

On Wednesday, a state Senate committee could advance a proposal to change the primary election to March 19 or March 26.

The Senate bill’s sponsor has long pushed to hold Pennsylvania's primary earlier, before presidential candidates have all but locked down the delegates they need to win the nomination.

In an interview, Sen. David Argall, R-Schuylkill, acknowledged that moving it to either of those dates still leaves many states with large numbers of delegates before Pennsylvania, including Super Tuesday primary states on March 5.

By March 19, a candidate could lock up the delegates necessary to win the nomination, or at least put the contest out of reach.

This year, more lawmakers are motivated to support a change because April 23 is the first day of Passover, a Jewish holiday when observant Jews typically avoid the same activities they avoid on the Sabbath, such as driving, working or using electricity.

Gov. Josh Shapiro, who is Jewish, has said he supports changing the date, as well.

WATCH THE FULL REPUBLICAN PRIMARY DEBATE

Argall's bill would move the primary date to March 19, the same date as Ohio, Florida, Illinois, Kansas and Arizona. Still, that date comes after primaries in other major states, including California, Texas, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Virginia, Massachusetts and Tennessee.

Many state lawmakers oppose moving Pennsylvania's primary date to March 19, because that would force them and other candidates to start gathering signatures on their re-election petitions the week before Christmas, Argall said.

A forthcoming amendment to the bill would change the primary date to March 26. Under that scenario, Pennsylvania leaps over just Delaware, Rhode Island and Wisconsin, whose primaries are scheduled for April 2.

Separately, a House bill expected to get consideration would move Pennsylvania's primary date to April 2, the first Tuesday after Easter. That would allow lawmakers and other candidates to start gathering signatures on their re-election petitions the day after New Year's Day, the bill's sponsor, Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Philadelphia, said.

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FBI probes Uzbek asylum seekers who crossed border with help from trafficker linked to foreign terror group

Federal authorities are investigating a cohort of Uzbek nationals, who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border and claimed asylum in the United States, after new intelligence found they relied on assistance from a human trafficker linked to a "foreign terrorist organization," Fox News confirmed Tuesday.

"Intelligence reporting alerted us to a human smuggling network working to facilitate the travel of Uzbek nationals to the United States," White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement to Fox News. "As with all identified human smuggling networks – which seek to prey on the vulnerable and evade nations’ legal systems – the U.S. government immediately took steps to successfully disrupt it." 

"Reporting by the U.S. Intelligence Community revealed that one overseas member of the smuggling network had a connection to a foreign terrorist organization," Watson continued, without specifying which terror organization. "However, there was no indication – and remains no indication – that any of the individuals facilitated by this network have a connection to a foreign terrorist organization or are engaged in plotting a terrorist attack in the United States." 

The U.S. government has taken steps to identify all those whose entry to the United States was facilitated by this smuggling network and "has utilized the full suite of law enforcement tools to assess such individuals to ensure that they do not pose ongoing public safety and national security concerns," Watson said. 

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Since this information became available, Watson said those encountered at the border "who fit the profile associated with individuals who were facilitated by this network are being placed into expedited removal, being thoroughly vetted against national security and public safety systems, and generally detained pending removal."

"The U.S. government worked with a partner government overseas; that government detained key members of the network abroad, including the one linked to a foreign terrorist organization, and helped to successfully disrupt its smuggling activities," Watson said. 

"We are working closely with foreign partners to shut down the travel routes being used by individuals associated with this network. The United States continues to share appropriate information with foreign counterparts with the aim of preventing individuals associated with this network from traveling to this hemisphere in the first place."

Watson concluded, stating the National Security Council believes "that human smuggling is a global scourge, and we are committed to staying ahead of this evolving threat." 

CNN first reported that migrants from Uzbekistan crossed the U.S.-Mexico border earlier this year and were screened by the Department of Homeland Security, but nothing in the intelligence community's databases raised red flags. CNN reported that later on, the FBI learned about a smuggling network – that included at least one person with ties to ISIS – that was helping migrants from Uzbekistan go to the U.S. 

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"While the FBI has not identified a specific terrorism plot associated with foreign nationals who recently entered the United States at the southern border, we always work with our field offices across the country, as well as our domestic and international partners, to identify any potential illegal activity or terrorism threats," an FBI spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "As always, we ask anyone with information about federal crimes or threats to public safety to report it to the FBI."

"Whenever we have indicators that criminal actors – such as those involved in human smuggling – have connections to terrorism, we work diligently with our partners to investigate and understand how foreign terrorist organizations may attempt to exploit their capabilities so that we can best mitigate any risk to the American public," the FBI spokesperson added. 

The newfound intelligence ignited a series of urgent meetings among top national security and administration officials, and staffers on key congressional committees have been notified, sources told CNN. Sources also told CNN that the alleged human smuggler has been detained by Turkish authorities at the behest of the United States. 

"DHS and our intelligence, counterterrorism, and law enforcement partners screen and vet individuals prior to their entry to the United States to prevent anyone known to pose a threat from entering the country," a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said in an email to Fox News Digital. "DHS continually monitors all available sources of intelligence and information related to potential threats and if any new information emerges, we work closely with the FBI and other partners to take appropriate action." 

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Spain urges Mauritania to allow 168 rescued migrants to disembark Spanish vessel

About 170 migrants who were rescued in the Atlantic Ocean have been stuck aboard a Spanish Civil Guard boat for days near the northwest African nation of Mauritania after authorities there refused to let them disembark, according to Spanish media reports.

Spain’s Interior Ministry on Monday declined to provide details of the incident but said in an email that it was "confident that the situation would be resolved in the following hours." It said 168 people were rescued.

A spokesperson for Mauritania’s interior ministry could not immediately be reached for comment.

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Leading Spanish newspaper El País said the Civil Guard rescued the migrants Thursday about 80 nautical miles (150 kilometers) off the coast of Mauritania. It said the migrants are believed to be Senegalese.

The Civil Guard is one of two national police forces in Spain. For years, it has worked with local authorities in Mauritania and Senegal to try to prevent migrants from attempting to reach Spain’s Canary Islands, an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of Africa.

In recent months there has been a surge of migrants departing from Senegal who must navigate north past Mauritania to reach the Canaries.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Senegalese Abroad, who handles migration affairs, refused to comment on the latest case.

International maritime law mandates that any person found in distress at sea must be rescued and brought to the nearest place of safety.

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Man linked to dozens of deaths after undercover reporter plays a trick on him: officials

This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 800-273-TALK (8255).

British police have tied 88 deaths to an alleged "poison seller" in Canada who has been accused of participating in assisted suicide. 

"Our deepest sympathies are with the loved ones of those who have died. They are being supported by specially trained officers from police forces," the U.K.’s National Crime Agency (NCA) deputy director Craig Turner told reporters. 

"In consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, the NCA has taken the decision to conduct an investigation into potential criminal offenses committed in the U.K. This operation is underway," he added. 

Peel Regional Police in Ontario, Canada, arrested and charged 57-year-old Kenneth Law, a Mississauga resident, in May on charges related to an investigation involving the sale of a poisonous substance.

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A police report says the police believe that Law "distributed and marketed the substance online to target individuals at risk of self-harm." His victims allegedly include people in the U.K., Canada and the U.S.

The police charged him with two counts of counseling or aiding suicide, but British police believe he has connections to far more deaths. 

The Times U.K. first reported on Law’s connection to the deaths in April, just a few weeks before his arrest in Canada. At that time, the Times had connected him to as many as seven deaths, four of which were in Britain. 

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Law had told an undercover reporter posing as a "suicidal buyer" that his customers told him he was doing "God’s work" and that he had claimed to have sold his product to "hundreds" of Brits. 

He explained that he had started his business after his mother suffered "greatly" from a stroke because his father was "religious" and "didn’t believe very much in euthanasia at all." He claimed to have also sold the substance to people in "other parts of the world." 

The NCA has now opened an investigation into Law’s possible connection to 88 deaths, with police making welfare visits to hundreds of possible buyers, the BBC reported. 

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Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief Marc Andrews said the force is "aware of 1,200 packages that have been shipped" to "over 40 countries" and urged people who received those packages to contact suicide hotlines and police, the Globe and Mail reported. The Canadian outlet also reported that Law denied the accusations when contacted for comment in May. 

Assisted suicide remains illegal in the U.K. and Canada, with a punishment of up to 14 years in prison in both countries, according to the Times, which alerted Canadian authorities to Law’s operation after confirming his operation through a website designed to "fool" them and disguise his operation. 

Law insisted that he is "not assisting anything" but just "selling a product" when reporters confronted him. 

The father of one victim told BBC’s Radio 4 that his son discussed taking his own life with people he met online in communities set up to discuss the subject, and he lamented that "we have to accept that in the modern age, people can find like-minded people to discuss even the most difficult problems." 

"We need to be more sensitive around the risks that people like Tom have in society through their ability to find information online that is unchallenged," the father said. 

Law remains in custody at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton and is scheduled to appear in court later this month. 

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Halloween is heaven for 'horror-loving' Ohio woman who's spent $2,000 on spooky items for her house

A woman from Antwerp, Ohio, has spent roughly $2,000 decking out her house with spooky décor – but said her husband doesn't "share the same love of Halloween" as she does.

Elise Neace, 32, has always been into Halloween, she told news service SWNS. 

She said she's been watching horror movies since she was 3 years old and celebrates Halloween year 'round.

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After buying a place six years ago, she said she wanted to put her own spin on it. 

Today, she's decorated three rooms in her home with spooky décor. 

Her husband, Zach, 32, works at a factory, she said – and told her he "didn’t care" what she did.

"I have always been into Halloween," she told SWNS. "I love horror movies."

So Neace decorated her living room, dining room and bedroom with spooky items such as signs, skull cushions and cobweb placemats.

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She's spent between $1,000 to $2,000 over six years, she estimated, and said she's slowly but steadily adding to her ghostly decorations. 

Ultimately she said she wants to make every room in the house fit into her Halloween theme – noting her home "always has Halloween décor up."

The certified medical administrative assistant told SWNS, "I’d like to do the entire house."

She said she jumped at the chance to transform her new home into a haunted house – and has spent the last six years sourcing and buying spooky signs, Halloween themed kitchen towels and mugs and cushions.

She said, "The walls were pink when we moved [in]. The living room and dining room are now painted a moody blue."

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She said her favorite part of the home is her wall in her dining room – which she's covered in signs that say, among other things, "Home sweet haunted home" and "Witches' market."

She said most visitors to her home enjoy the spooky décor.

"Most people love it," she said. "They know who I am and that it makes me happy."

She said she's just started on getting the bedroom into the Halloween spirit as well – and hopes to paint it a dark maroon or green, SWNS reported.

Said Neace, "I got some cute skull pillows. I changed the bedding and got some ghost blankets and an orange bed spread."

In the kitchen, she has Halloween-themed mugs and tea towels, she said.

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She also has an entire wardrobe of black and dark clothes – and loves to put on fun Halloween make-up each year, SWNS noted.

Said Neace, "The first movie I remember watching was ‘Pet Sematary.’ I watched it so many times my grandparents gave [me] the VHS tape when I was 3."

She added, "I like the whole aspect of dressing up and having fun."

Some other families, however, may not be quite as fond of Halloween celebrations as she is, as Fox News Digital recently reported – at least not well ahead of the actual holiday.

As Halloween merchandise appears to creep onto store shelves earlier and earlier every year, social media users have been making their feelings known over the past few months. 

"It’s…. It’s not even July!" a TikTok user commented on a June 23 video showing Halloween decor at a craft store.

"Wow! Already?!?!" another user wrote June 27.

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Some customers may feel "rushed" when they see fall or Halloween items released early – and that feeling can seem "overwhelming" to them, one person commented.

Nicole Pelletiere and Cortney Moore of Fox News Digital contributed reporting. 

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Former Louisiana judge granted bond 3 years after conviction for sex crimes against teenagers

A former Louisiana judge who was sentenced to 14 years in prison after being convicted of four sex crimes against teenage friends of his daughters in 2020, has been granted bond as he seeks to appeal his conviction, according to reports.

FOX 8 in New Orleans reported that Judge Franz Ziblich granted the request for bond from former St. John the Baptist Parish Judge Elzey "Jeff" Perilloux, although the Attorney General Jeff Landry's office objected to the request.

Ziblich granted bond for Perilloux in the amount of $300,000. Once posted, the former judge must comply with a protective order, take mandatory sex offender classes and check in with law enforcement bi-weekly.

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The AG’s office requested a halt on the ruling to allow the Louisiana 5th Circuit Court of Appeal time to review it.

A spokesperson for the AG’s office said Thursday that the Louisiana 5th Circuit Court of Appeal granted an emergency request to stay the district court’s ruling that allowed for Perilloux’s appeal bond.

The stay was granted, pending resolution of a review of the district court’s decision by a higher court.

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Until that review is completed, Perilloux will remain in custody.

During Perilloux’s five-day trial in September 2020, prosecutors said he groomed three girls who were ages 14, 15, and 17, when the crimes took place.

"Sex offenses against children are the most serious of crimes which cause permanent psychological harm," Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said at the time.

Throughout the trial, Perilloux maintained his innocence and said the girls were like daughters to him.

For two of the crimes, Perilloux was convicted of inappropriately touching a 15-year-old girl during two separate back massages in 2017. In another incident that year, a 14-year-old girl said Perilloux rubbed sunscreen on her against her wishes.

A jury found him guilty of three felony counts of indecent behavior with juveniles, while a judge found Perilloux guilty of one misdemeanor sexual battery charge.

Regulatory review of 30 Swiss banks uncovers inadequate money laundering risk analysis

Switzerland's financial markets authority said Thursday that an in-depth review of more than 30 banks conducted this spring found that "a large number" failed to meet basic requirements for analyzing the risk of money laundering.

The authority, known as FINMA, said the review was prompted by repeated signs of shortcomings in money-laundering risk analysis during its regular visits to financial institutions.

The poor assessment of the banks — which were not identified by name — is significant because Switzerland ranks No. 1 worldwide in wealth management. Consulting firm Boston Consulting Group, in its Global Wealth Report 2023 released in late June, projected that Hong Kong is poised to eclipse Switzerland as a booking center for wealth by 2025.

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Switzerland has long had a reputation for banking secrecy, though some money-laundering experts say it has at least partially cleaned up its act in recent years — such as by exchanging more information to help combat tax evasion by depositors.

"FINMA reviewed risk analyses of over 30 banks in spring 2023," the report said. "In doing so, it was found that a large number of the risk analyses examined did not meet the basic requirements for such an analysis."

The authority cited "some cases" in which banks failed to provide an adequate definition of risk tolerance for money laundering, which would involve setting limits to lower risks.

In essence, the authority suggested many of the banks should do more to fight money laundering, and it provided guidelines — even with a suggested table of categories — for banks to follow.

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For example, it said the reviewed banks often did not set necessary exclusions for some countries, client segments, and services or products, such as for "politically exposed persons" — individuals with a prominent function or role — in some countries. Nor did most of the banks establish proper ways of allowing for exceptions, the authority said.

The review "regularly" found that banks had not broken down risks "individually or comprehensively" or that some types of risks relevant to the banks went uncovered. Some banks did not compile key figures on risk exposure to money laundering among their clients.

Authorities in Switzerland and beyond have unearthed a string of money laundering cases involving Swiss financial institutions in recent years.

In June last year, a Swiss court fined Credit Suisse over $2 million for failing to prevent money laundering linked to a Bulgarian criminal organization more than a decade ago. An array of troubles at Credit Suisse, long Switzerland's No. 2 bank, threatened to shake global financial markets earlier this year and led to its takeover by rival UBS two months ago.

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Pi network

 Pi Network’s social media forum discourages negative behaviour, encourages positive posts: Nicolas Kokkalis

Dr Nicolas Kokkalis

Dr. Nicolas Kokkalis, founder, Pi Network, the cryptocurrency adopted by more than 47 million people across 230 countries and regions worldwide, says that the organisation has KYCed (the process of verifying a user’s identity) over five million users, also called ‘Pi’oneers, so far. This exercise is a prerequisite to a Pi Network user’s migration of their in-app Pi mining balance to the Pi Mainnet blockchain. At the moment, the network is in an enclosed Mainnet stage, allowing KYC-ed Pioneers to move their mined coins to their respective wallets (ready to trade amongst KYC-ed Pioneers) and to allow as many non-KYC-ed Pioneers to migrate to the blockchain. Mainnet is a crucial milestone for any blockchain project, signifying that it is ready for public use and real-world transactions. The enclosed Mainnet period is also the time to test the resilience of the network and to fine-tune it before open Mainnet. Pi Network, launched on March 14, 2019, by Stanford graduates Kokkalis and Chengdiao Fan, was conceived by its founders for mining only on smartphones to enable its vision to be the most widely distributed and inclusive crypto. Open had earlier done a story on Pi Network and how it works (Life of Pi)

In this interview with Open, Kokkalis also talks about Fireside Forum, the Network’s new, Web3 social media platform that uses blockchain technology, and how it will incentivise positive posts as opposed to outrage-generating platforms that social-media organisations on Web2 have become. Web2, the current Internet, is dominated by social networking, user-generated content while Web3 is blockchain-based Internet that uses decentralised technology to operate.

At a time when social-media networks are busy fighting off virtual violence, fake news and misinformation, on Fireside Forum, a user needs to pay for a post and the cost can be recovered from tips from a decentralised audience who rewards the author for the utility of the content. For this, it uses tokenomics—short for token economics—which, according to Coinbase, is the analysis of a cryptocurrency’s fundamental characteristics that can help you compare tokens with each other and make better-informed decisions. In short, this social-media platform explores how to incentivise positive contributions and disincentivise negative behaviour. This platform can be accessed by Pioneers who are KYC-ed and have migrated their mined balance to enclosed Pi Mainnet. Excerpts from an interview with Kokkalis:

 What is the main purpose of the launch of Fireside Forum, Pi Network’s new Web3 social media product?

The purpose of Fireside Forum is two-fold: One is to try to solve a real human problem. There are challenges that hinder online social experiences in Web2 that must be addressed. The digital world becomes increasingly integral to billions of lives around the world, as it transforms the way we communicate, share ideas and build relationships. Blockchain technology and cryptocurrency tokenomics, which Pi integrates with Fireside Forum, is an innovative potential solution to improve all of our digital lives, individually and collectively as to how social interactions, relationships, and movements are organised online.

Two is to deliver a new, human-driven utility for Pi’s users —“Pioneers” as they identify with. Fireside Forum complements the Pi ecosystem by providing another social application within Pi Network where Pioneers can connect, engage in discussions and interact with one another in a new way while facilitating the network to use the cryptocurrency for true utility. By adding Fireside Forum into the Pi ecosystem, Pi Network can make another step forward in exploring and building new types of utility and social experience.

Since we’re undertaking one of the largest blockchain migrations in history, completing these processes for over 47 million engaged Pioneers can’t happen in one day.’

Let’s now talk about the so-called challenges to online social experiences. Web2 social-media algorithms are often designed to maximise engagement, capturing attention through means such as encouraging strong reactions—and often conflicts—that can be harmful. What are the major flaws of current popular Web2 social networks that Fireside Forum aims to address with blockchain-powered technology?

Undoubtedly, social media has tremendous potential for good. It has already broadened access to a wealth of information, fostering dialogues across all realms, from science to culture, and bringing markets to every corner of the globe. However, Web2 social media’s mass usage inherently brings with it challenges such as misinformation and disinformation, trolling, internet violence, information overload, low signal-to-noise ratio, and more. These issues can not only harm individuals but also, as we’ve painfully experienced in the last few years, whole societies.

Now, it is not to say that Web2 social media app companies haven’t taken notice or aren’t acting on tackling these issues. Centralised human and algorithmic content moderation is a tool that is often employed to counter these issues, but it is inherently limited and only goes so far.

Due to the sheer volume of information out there, Web2 must rely significantly on algorithmic content moderation to tackle information overload (that is, too much information to be manageable) and low signal-to-noise ratio (that is, too much irrelevant information drowning out useful information) on these online platforms. However, an overreliance on these algorithms can often create information ‘bubbles’ or ‘echo chambers’ where people are presented with information or peers that iteratively validate and reinforce their pre-existing beliefs. While this, by design, fosters engagement on the platform, people in such spaces are then primed to close off or even actively resist alternative viewpoints, engage in conflicts or abusive practices, and in some cases, even get radicalised.

So, to answer your question, yes, we do see a lot of negativity in the Web2 online space. But we also see the massive potential of social media to correct these deficiencies with the help of blockchain and cryptocurrency.

 Does Fireside Forum plan to address these negative issues rampant in Web2 social media?

Yes. Fireside Forum aims to leverage blockchain-powered technology—which inherently opens new opportunities unique to Web3—to create a more authentic and trustworthy social network, where information can be crowd-curated by real people in a decentralised manner, not by huge centralised institutions. Fireside Forum is an effort to actively address the pitfalls of Web2 platforms by decentralising content curation and moderation, mitigating the pitfalls of relying solely on algorithmic moderation while still ensuring scalability to millions.

To address this—to promote positive behavior and positive societal impacts in a decentralised way—we’re integrating tokenomics into the social mechanism to better encourage accurate and reliable content through a novel cost mechanism: positive incentives reward users for good conduct and great content while negative incentives discourage inappropriate and inaccurate content.

Through these incentives, Fireside Forum gives users the tools to moderate content on the platform themselves, a crowd-powered way to counter some of the key challenges in the Web2 space.

Overall, it is intended to be a more authentic, collaborative, human-driven and sustainable approach to social media interaction, fostering a healthier online environment.

Can you explain how Fireside Forum integrates tokenomics into social interactions and how the cost mechanism works? 

In short, in-app tokens, which can be purchased using Pi cryptocurrency, are required to use “Fire” for engagement and actions within Fireside Forum such as posting and replying to content. These posts and comments will then be ordered and shown in the relevant Fireside channel based on how much Fire they receive, and Fire will decay over time so new content can be promoted. Users who post content that receives Fire from others in the form of comments or “likes” will then be rewarded in tokens for a portion of the Fire that was sent to their post.

By implementing this cost mechanism as a vehicle to enforce accountability and improve authenticity, Fireside Forum discourages the negative behaviours and algorithmically-driven social feeds associated with Web2, while encouraging more thoughtful and valuable contributions. And what enables this model (that’s perhaps counterintuitive in Web2) is Pi Network’s millions of crypto-enabled individuals who can mine Pi for free with just their smartphones. This helps Fireside Forum mitigate the inherent challenges of the cost mechanism, along with the model’s balance of costs and rewards, disincentives and incentives, and intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, to achieve its goals of improving online social interactions.

‘Ultimately, Pioneers themselves will decide what Fireside Forum becomes and how it works––and it’s exactly that “power to the people” approach we hope will differentiate it.’

In general, how does Web3 allow for these improvements to Web2 platforms?

Blockchain integration, an inherent component of Web3, provides the groundwork for improvements in three major areas: The first aspect is ownership: most Web3 networks focus on ownership and control over digital assets, enabling non-custodial access and storage on the blockchain and allowing more ownership and agency over online presence and digital assets.

The second aspect is distribution and decentralisation: some, but not all, Web3 networks offer a more fair, accessible distribution of network resources, so more people can participate. Pi’s unique mobile mining mechanism enables this: all you need to mine Pi is a smartphone, so the network is human-friendly and accessible to a widely distributed audience.

Finally, Fireside Forum is unique among Web3 platforms in the third aspect: improved social interactions and experience. There has been relatively limited innovation in integrating blockchain to address the flaws of mainstream social networks. The tokenomics model we just described is a unique endeavor by Pi Network to improve on Web2 by using Pi-integrated Web3 tools.

Where do you see Fireside Forum in five years—do you think Fireside Forum will have a similar impact and reach as Reddit, Twitter, or other popular platforms? How will Fireside Forum continue to evolve based on user feedback from its initial release?

Five years, what a scale to work with! As one early instantiation of Pi Network’s hypotheses about blockchain enabling the next generation of online social interactions, Fireside Forum or other variations of it are looking for longevity and continued use. As mentioned earlier, there are inherent benefits of Web3 over Web2, and the future of social media on Web3 will depend on its specific implementations and iterations to provide a compelling and unique value proposition to users, foster a vibrant and engaged community, and adapt to the evolving landscape of social media. The initial version of Fireside Forum will provide insight to inform iterations towards these goals. It’s too early now to give a five-year estimate. Ultimately, Pioneers themselves will decide what Fireside Forum becomes and how it works––and it’s exactly that “power to the people” approach we hope will differentiate it.

‘The purpose of Fireside Forum is two-fold: One is to try to solve a real human problem. There are challenges that hinder online social experiences in Web2 that must be addressed. The other is to deliver a new, human-driven utility for Pi’s users.’

How many people have you KYC-ed so far on Pi Network, which has a presence in more countries than the UN or FIFA? What has been most challenging about conducting KYC on such a massive scale?

We’ve KYCed over five million Pioneers thus far, which is a prerequisite to a Pioneer’s migration of their in-app Pi mining balance to the Pi Mainnet blockchain. Since we’re undertaking one of the largest blockchain migrations in history, completing these processes for over 47 million engaged Pioneers can’t happen in one day. Our choice of strategy is in large part based on Pi’s philosophy of inclusivity, ensuring that people everywhere can KYC and participate in Mainnet, and we are committed to making sure that every eligible Pioneer receives the support to pass KYC. Pi’s current enclosed network period supports this process while we continue building and promoting the development of utilities like Fireside Forum.

At the same time, it’s important to note the parallel philosophies of Pi’s KYC solution and Fireside Forum. Pi Network has always had a strict one-account-per-person policy that is the basis for Pi’s vision for a truly human peer-to-peer ecosystem and online experience. The Pi KYC solution scalably verifies a true human ecosystem free from bots and other malicious actors, actualising this vision. At the same time, Fireside Forum instantiates Pi’s vision to leverage blockchain to solve real human needs—not just improving the blockchain and crypto world but also advancing the overall online experience, everywhere for everyone.

US charges two in $1B money laundering case benefiting North Korea cybercrime group

FIRST ON FOX: A Russian national and a Washington man were charged Wednesday for conspiracy to commit money laundering and sanctions violations by promoting a cryptocurrency company that facilitated more than $1 billion in money laundering transactions for the sanctioned North Korean cybercrime organization Lazarus Group, Fox News Digital has learned.

According to the indictment unsealed in the Southern District of New York Wednesday, Roman Storm of Auburn, Washington and Roman Semenov of Russia "created, operated, and promoted Tornado Cash, a cryptocurrency mixer" that made possible more than $1 billion in money laundering transactions and laundered hundreds of millions of dollars for the Lazarus Group.

According to the government, as of April 2022, North Korea’s Lazarus Group actors have "targeted various firms, entities, and exchanges in the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry using spearphishing campaigns and malware to steal cryptocurrency."

"These actors will likely continue exploiting vulnerabilities of cryptocurrency technology firms, gaming companies, and exchanges to generate and launder funds to support the North Korean regime," the agencies warned.

FBI, TREASURY, CISA ISSUE WARNING ABOUT NORTH KOREAN STATE-SPONSORED HACKERS

Storm and Semenov were two of the three founders of the Tornado Cash service, which allowed its customers to engage in untraceable transfers of cryptocurrency. The indictment says the company paid for critical infrastructure to operate the company and made millions of dollars in profits. The company claimed it was untraceable and allowed for anonymous financial transactions.

Storm and Semenov were charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit sanctions violations and conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business.

"Today’s announcement should remind criminal organizations everywhere in the world that they are neither untraceable nor anonymous," FBI Director Christopher Wray said Wednesday. "You can’t hide from us behind a keyboard—whether you’re a hacker or facilitator."

Wray said that those charged "engaged in a conspiracy to launder money for cybercriminals, including for a North Korean cybercrime organization seeking to evade sanctions."

CRYPTO MILLIONAIRE RECEIVED THREATENING MESSAGES IN THE WEEK BEFORE HIS GRISLY DEATH: REPORT

"As we have with this operation, the FBI is going to keep dismantling the infrastructure used by cyber criminals to commit and profit from their crimes, and holding anyone who assists those criminals accountable," Wray said.

The FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation Unit are investigating the case, along with assistance from the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.

The DOJ’s National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET) was established to combat the growing illicit use of cryptocurrencies and digital assets. It supports investigations into individuals and entities that enable the use of digital assets to commit and facilitate a variety of crimes—with a focus on virtual currency exchanges, mixing, and tumbling services.

The Justice Department says the NCET also leads the government’s efforts to collaborate with domestic and foreign government agencies, as well as the private sector, to "aggressively investigate and prosecute crimes involving cryptocurrency and digital assets."

The indictment comes after the FBI, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Treasury Department warned earlier this year of "malicious" cyber threats from North Korean state-sponsored actors seeking to exploit "vulnerabilities cryptocurrency technology firms, gaming companies, and exchanges" in the United States in an effort to "generate and launder funds" to support the North Korean regime.

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Virginia Gov. Youngkin doesn't rule out 2024 presidential run: 'We're focused on 2023'

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin dodged questions about whether he would rule out running for president in 2024 amid rumors that the Republican governor is being encouraged to enter the race for the GOP nomination.

While campaigning for Republicans in the statewide elections this November, Youngkin told Fox News Digital during an event in Manassas, Virginia, that he and his team were "focused on 2023" and that there has been "no confusion" about what the most important election is in 2023.

"The most important election in the nation, I believe, is Virginia this year. We are laser focused on holding our House, winning our Senate and getting [state Senate candidate] Bill Woolf and the other great Republican candidates elected," Youngkin said.

"We have demonstrated that you can take a state that was really so much headed in the wrong direction and redirect with commonsense, conservative principles and leadership and policies," he continued. "We can take a state that was near the bottom, and put it near the top. Folks, this is so important for us to do and that is why I have nothing else in my mind other than 2023."

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Asked about those who have been encouraging him to enter the crowded 2024 presidential primary field, Youngkin said he appreciated the recognition of Virginia's conservative accomplishments. But he did not respond to follow-up questions about whether he would rule out a late entry into the 2024 race.

"I meet lots of people and I'm always so humbled by the fact that people are encouraging us to do what we're doing in Virginia outside Virginia," Youngkin said. "But we're focused on Virginia, and what is so nice is that people appreciate what's happening here. And what we are doing is exactly what we said we're going to do. We have lowered the cost of living, we have backed the blue, we have re-established excellence in education. It works, it works," he added.

For months, speculation about whether Youngkin would enter the race for the GOP nomination for president in 2024 has swirled, though the popular conservative governor has downplayed and dismissed his consideration for higher office. 

When asked in May whether he would enter the presidential race "this year," Youngkin said "no" during a Wall Street Journal event. 

"I’m going to be working in Virginia this year," Youngkin told the Journal's editor-at-large Gerard Baker at a Milken Institute "Governing America" forum.

Prior to his comments in May, a signal Youngkin might not be launching a presidential campaign came when two of his top outside political consultants recently joined the super PAC supporting Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Youngkin energized Republicans nationwide in his 2021 election victory. That's when he edged out former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe to become the first GOP nominee in a dozen years to win a gubernatorial election in Virginia, a one-time swing state that had trended toward the Democrats over the past decade.

Last year, Youngkin was a politician in demand on the 2022 campaign trail, crisscrossing the country on behalf of fellow Republicans. 

"[O]n Nov. 2, Virginians made a different choice," Youngkin said in May while speaking during an event at the Reagan Library in California. "It was a choice to restore parents' rights because parents matter. It was a choice to lift the burdens on small businesses and to bring back more jobs. It was a choice for common sense." 

"It was a choice for common sense. It was an election, yes a choice to reject the notion that we are a generation that loses freedom. And instead, Virginians turned on that bright light. Conservative policies win because they are grounded in timeless truths and in common sense." 

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Japanese health ministry panel recommends approval of Alzheimer's treatment Leqembi

A Japanese health ministry panel on Monday recommended approval of the Alzheimer's disease treatment Leqembi, following standard approval for the drug granted by U.S. regulators last month.

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The expert panel's decision sets the stage for official approval of the drug, co-developed by Japan's Eisai and U.S.-based Biogen.

An Eisai executive said this month the company expects to begin marketing Leqembi in Japan within about 60 days of receiving insurance reimbursement approval from the country's national health system.

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White House hopeful optimistic Trump will make last-minute decision to join first GOP debate

Republican presidential candidate Mike Pence said he’s still hopeful that former President Donald Trump will appear at the GOP’s first 2024 presidential debate this week. 

"My hope is when we get to that debate stage, and I'm still kind of hoping maybe [Trump will] come, is that we could really have a debate about the challenges facing the American people," Trump's former vice president said Sunday morning.

Pence said a couple of times during his interview on ABC's "This Week" that he hopes the former president joins the debate stage, arguing that he and other candidates are ready to "square off, answer the tough questions."

CHRISTIE SPECULATES TRUMP COULD MAKE LAST-MINUTE PLEDGE TO PREVENT BAN FROM FIRST DEBATE

"I served alongside the president for a long time, and one thing I realized about him is: It's not over till it's over. I'm actually still hoping he shows up," Pence said again of hoping Trump makes an appearance on Wednesday. 

Fox News is set to air the first Republican primary debate Wednesday in Milwaukee, which will be hosted by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum. Trump has yet to confirm whether he will attend the GOP debate Wednesday.

Regardless of whether Trump joins his Republican primary challengers, the former vice president said he will stand out in the field by being himself. 

FIRST GOP PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE IS 'ENORMOUSLY IMPORTANT' AS CANDIDATES SEEK ‘BREAKOUT MOMENTS’

"I've had a little bit of experience with nationally televised debates, but it's different with a group on stage. And, look, I'm just going to be me," Pence said in response to the ABC News anchor when asked how he intends to "break through on that debate stage."

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"I feel like I've been preparing for this first Republican presidential debate my whole life. And frankly, as [former second lady Karen Pence] and I have traveled all across the country, one of the things we've come to realize is that I'm well known, but I'm not known well," Pence added.

The former vice president said many Americans know his name and identify him as the "loyal vice president who fought alongside President Trump until the day came that my oath to the Constitution required me to stand apart."

He said voters should also know his history as a "House conservative leader fighting big spenders in my own party" and a "conservative governor showing you can balance budgets and cut taxes and expand educational choice."

"One of my goals in that debate is for the American people, Republican primary voters, to get to know me in a little bit broader context and demonstrate the kind of leadership that we bring to this," Pence said.

The first debate is to kick off Aug. 23 at 9 p.m. ET and air across FOX News Media’s platforms. In addition to Trump and Pence, GOP candidates Ron DeSantis, Tim Scott, Nikki Haley, Chris Christie, Vivek Ramaswamy and Doug Burgum have all qualified to take part in the debate.

Tropical Storm Hilary makes landfall in Mexico, threatens flooding in California amid state of emergency

Tropical Storm Hilary made landfall over Mexico's Baja California peninsula late Sunday morning, prompting flash flood warnings in the areas surrounding Los Angeles.

Hilary had weakened from a Category 1 hurricane to tropical storm status Sunday. The National Weather Service has predicted the storm was still likely to bring "catastrophic and life-threatening" flooding to the region and cross into the southwestern U.S. as a tropical storm. 

The National Weather Service announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the Los Angeles, Long Beach and Glendale areas all under a flash flood warning until 7:45 p.m. local time.

Rainfall, considered the biggest hazard for the storm, was continuing to increase across portions of southern California, including Los Angeles basin and portions of the desert of southeastern California. The center of the storm is expected to move northward out of Baja California and into southern California over the next 18 to 24 hours, National Hurricane Center Director Dr. Michael Brennan said. 

MLB RESCHEDULES 3 GAMES IN CALIFORNIA IN ANTICIPATION OF HURRICANE HILARY IMPACT 

"We continue to be very concerned for the potential for life-threatening flash flooding, potentially catastrophic impacts," Brennan said during a NWS forecast, noting the especially high risk of flash flooding in the deserts between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, Nevada. 

"Gusty east to northeast winds are beginning to strengthen along and below the coastal slopes of the mountains with gusts exceeding 40 mph at Crestwood in the San Diego County mountains and Fremont Canyon in the Santa Ana Mountains," NWS San Diego wrote on X, formerly Twitter, earlier Sunday. 

HURRICANE HILARY: STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED IN CALIFORNIA AS MILLIONS BRACE FOR LIFE-THREATENING FLOODING

As of 8 a.m. Pacific time, Hilary was located about 220 miles south-southeast of San Diego, the National Hurricane Center reported. Hilary had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph and was moving northwest at 25 mph. 

The Mexican cities of Ensenada and Tijuana remained directly in the tropical storm's path, and meteorologists warned that despite weakening, the storm remained treacherous.

A previous advisory from the NWS based in Miami at 2 a.m. had said that Hilary was about 30 miles south of Punta Eugenia, Mexico, and 385 miles from San Diego, California. The maximum sustained wind speed remained unchanged at 85 mph while spreading "heavy rains" northward over the peninsula.

One person drowned Saturday in the Mexican town of Santa Rosalia, on the peninsula’s eastern coast, when a vehicle was swept away in an overflowing stream. Rescue workers managed to save four other people, said Edith Aguilar Villavicencio, the mayor of Mulege township.

It was not immediately clear whether officials considered the fatality related to the hurricane, but video posted by local officials showed torrents of water coursing through the town’s streets.

DESANTIS OFFERS TO ASSIST CALIFORNIA WITH HURRICANE HILARY 'IN ANY WAY WE CAN'

Forecasters said the storm was still expected to enter the history books as the first tropical storm to hit Southern California in 84 years, bringing flash floods, mudslides, isolated tornadoes, high winds and power outages. The forecast prompted authorities to issue an evacuation advisory for Santa Catalina Island, urging residents and beachgoers to leave the tourist destination 23 miles off the coast.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday signed an emergency declaration in preparation of the storms expected to come in force Sunday. 

He said 7,500 personnel were activated in southern California, with close to 4,000 California Highway Patrol members, 2,000 Caltran workers and mutual aid across the region. Newsom warned residents to take seriously any alerts of flash floods, lighting and possibility of tornadoes.

In Tijuana, fire department head Rafael Carrillo voiced the fear at the back of everyone’s mind in the border city of 1.9 million people, particularly residents who live in homes on steep hillsides.

"If you hear noises, or the ground cracking, it is important for you to check it and get out as fast as possible, because the ground can weaken and your home could collapse," Carrillo said.

Tijuana ordered all beaches closed Saturday, and set up a half dozen storm shelters at sports complexes and government offices.

Mexico’s navy evacuated 850 people from islands off the Baja coast, and deployed almost 3,000 troops for emergency operations. In La Paz, the picturesque capital of Baja California Sur state on the Sea of Cortez, police patrolled closed beaches to keep swimmers out of the whipped-up surf.

Authorities in Los Angeles scrambled to get the homeless off the streets and into shelters, and officials ordered all state beaches in San Diego and Orange counties closed.

Across the region, municipalities ran out of free sandbags and grocery shelves emptied out as residents stockpiled supplies. The U.S. National Park Service closed California’s Joshua Tree National Park and Mojave National Preserve to keep visitors from becoming stranded amid flooding.

Major League Baseball rescheduled three Sunday games in Southern California, moving them to Saturday as part of split doubleheaders, and SpaceX delayed the launch of a satellite-carrying rocket from a base on California’s central coast until at least Monday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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President Arif Alvi’s Tweet

President Arif Alvi’s Tweet Left Pakistan In A Shock Over Denies Signing Official

Dr. Arif Alvi *

@ArifAlvi

As God is my witness, I did not sign Official Secrets Amendment Bill 2023 & Pakistan Army Amendment Bill 2023 as I disagreed with these laws. I asked my staff to return the bills unsigned within stipulated time to make them ineffective. I confirmed from them many times that whether they have been returned & was assured that they were. However I have found out today that my staff undermined my will and command. As Allah knows all, He will forgive IA. But I ask forgiveness from those who will be effected.

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Luke Bryan jokes he 'lost a tremendous amount of money' after canceling concerts

Luke Bryan may have an estimated net worth of well over $100 million, but he still may need a little help from his fans.

On Thursday, Bryan returned to touring after a lengthy illness that forced him to cancel four concerts. He spoke to his audience at the Riverbend Music Center in Cincinatti, Ohio, about the experience, and he even stated, apparently jokingly, that he'd "lost a tremendous amount of money" by missing those tour dates.

"Finally my voice is back," he said in a fan-recorded video during the show. "I'm not 100 percent, but y'all's a-- ain't 100 percent either."

LUKE BRYAN CREDITS SUCCESS TO DOING THINGS ‘THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY’: ‘I WORKED MY BUTT OFF’

"I know y'all got some weird sneaky s--- going on too, ‘cause I looked at all y’all's medical records," he joked before holding up a shot glass filled with an unknown substance and drinking it.

"Over the past couple of weeks, I've lost a tremendous amount of money, so I'm gonna need y'all to buy a couple of extra t-shirts tonight," Bryan said in the same light tone. "I had to sell all my deer corn. I had to sell 14 fishing rods."

"We're going to do a live auction to go hunting with me tonight, who's ready?"

Taking on an only slightly more serious tone, Bryan said, "Never in my career have I ever had to cancel … I've never canceled a show, much less four, but man, you really learn there's some a------- out there in the world. There's one guy on Twitter, I'm gonna whip his a-- when I see him."

The country star took a pause when the audience began cheering loudly, then thanked them sincerely for their support.

"Since y'all are so supportive I'm canceling the rest of the show tonight," he quipped afterward before going on to perform his song "But I Got a Beer in My Hand."

Ahead of Thursday's show, Bryan had canceled a concert in Brandon, Mississippi on Monday hours before it was scheduled to begin.

LUKE BRYAN'S WIFE DOESN'T ‘PUT HANDCUFFS’ ON HIS ‘HIP-SHAKING’ MOVES: ‘IT WOULD’VE BEEN A LITTLE PROBLEMATIC'

"Dear Brandon, MS I am regretfully going to have to cancel my show there tonight," he wrote on social media. "Under doctor advisement after taking 6 days off to heal I attempted to sing at both shows Thursday and Saturday and it was a struggle. Every show I sing I’m setting my voice back. I will continue to do everything I can to get better. Please know how much you mean to me and how heartbreaking this is to do. -Luke."

That cancelation came after Bryan had pulled out of a string of shows in Washington, Utah and Idaho as he battled a "head cold." In early August, Bryan was set to headline the Watershed Festival in George, Washington, but his spot was filled by Lainey Wilson.

"This is such a frustrating weekend. ‘Shedders, I am sorry to let you down but I am not back singing – can hardly even talk still," Bryan announced on Instagram at the time. 

"This festival is one of the most beautiful places we perform and one of the most fun crowds always. I know my friends on the show will bring a great time for you! Show them all what you got. Love ya – Luke."

The "American Idol" judge shared a similar sentiment with his other fans.

"Dear Boise fans – this is so hard for me to do but I am going to have to cancel my show on August 5th at Ford Center. Under the advisement of doctors I need another day to rest my voice and get better," Bryan explained of another cancelation.

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Although he had another show Friday night and has concerts scheduled for the rest of the month (and the rest of the year), some fans have claimed that he's not performing as well as he has in the past.

"Is @lukebryan drunk during the @ruoffmusicenter concert???" one person asked on X, formerly Twitter, before later writing, "Ok… I’m not crazy…@lukebryan is struggling tonight. Maybe medicated…. So sad …. Just butchered my fav song "strip it down" …. Forgot the words and let crowd sing most."

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Others are praising his most recent performances, with one fan telling him that last night's concert "Was a great show. You sounded awesome and so glad you are getting back to normal."

Fox News Digital's Lauryn Overhultz contributed to this report.

Jake Tapper admits ‘Trump was right,’ ‘Biden was wrong’ about Hunter Biden in 2020 presidential debate

CNN host and chief Washington correspondent Jake Tapper admitted that former President Donald Trump "was right" when he accused then-presidential candidate Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden of accepting large amounts of foreign money during the 2020 presidential debates.

On CNN's "The Lead" Thursday, Tapper also declared that Biden "was wrong" during the match-ups between the two candidates three years ago, when the then-Democratic nominee denied Trump’s allegations that his son made "a fortune in Ukraine, in China, in Moscow and various other places."

At the time Biden flatly rejected the claim, saying, "None of that is true." Tapper gave Biden the benefit of the doubt in his commentary, stating he didn’t know whether the then-candidate was "lying" at the time.

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Tapper played a compilation of the two debate exchanges and compared them with a recent report from Washington Post chief-fact checker Glenn Kessler showing Biden to be wrong.

The host stated, "Glenn Kessler from the Washington Post had a fact check about Joe Biden from earlier this month noting that Hunter Biden admitted in court in July that he was in fact paid substantial sums from Chinese companies."

Citing the piece, Tapper said, "Kessler wrote, ‘Hunter Biden reported nearly 2.4 million in income in 2017 and 2.2 million in income in 2018,’ most of which came from Chinese or Ukrainian interests."

He then took a swipe at Biden’s 2020 claims, before playing footage from the debates, "This directly goes against what Joe Biden said in the debate in 2020 with Donald Trump. Take a listen."

After playing the footage of then-President Trump’s allegations and Biden’s denial, Tapper admitted that Trump was correct about Hunter Biden's business dealings.

"So this is from two different debates but, I mean, Trump was right. I mean, he did make a fortune from China and Joe Biden was wrong," Tapper declared.

HUNTER BIDEN SPECIAL COUNSEL APPOINTMENT CALLED ‘DEBACLE’ FOR BIDEN JUSTICE DEPARTMENT

About Biden’s denial, he added, "I don’t know that he was lying about it. He might not have been told by Hunter, but this blind spot is a problem."

After Tapper asked his panelists whether they considered this blind spot to be an issue for the president going forward, former Rep. Andy Levin, D-Mich., played the issue off, saying, "Well I think dads sometimes, and parents sometimes, have blind spots about their kids for sure and the president may be no exception. But nothing has tied the president to any of Hunter Biden’s dealings. There’s no whiff of him being involved or implicated in it."

"I think it’s not something the voters care a lot about," he added. 

Though Biden denied his son’s alleged corrupt business dealings while on the presidential campaign trail, CNN recently mentioned that the president has been "very obsessed" with the topic and sensitive to how it’s being portrayed in the media.

Earlier on Thursday, CNN’s John Avlon stated, "And in private also, I've heard reports that he’s very obsessed with the negative coverage of Hunter. He’s concerned about it, it’s an irritant. And that’s understandable. But not one that allies around him want to raise because it will derail a conversation."

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Fox News Digital’s Hanna Panreck contributed to this report.

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Democrats demand increased fertility treatment access for LGBTQ federal workers

Congressional Democrats are pushing the federal government to make it easier for LGBTQ federal workers to access fertility treatments.

More than 30 House Democrats, plus Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., wrote a letter to the Office of Personnel Management claiming the definition of "infertility" in existing government employee health plans was "outdated and lacks inclusivity."

"By adopting an inclusive definition that recognizes the full spectrum of reproductive needs and removing unnecessary barriers to coverage, we can ensure that all federal employees, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status, have access to the comprehensive reproductive health care they deserve," the lawmakers said. 

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The letter is also led by Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., and Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., among others.

Meanwhile, Democrats have been attacking their GOP counterparts in Congress for passing bills they claim infringe on the LGBTQ community’s rights. 

Just last month, House Republicans added amendments to the annual National Defense Authorization Act that would stop military health care from covering surgeries and hormone treatments for transgender troops. Both sides of the aisle have also butted heads over taxpayer dollars being given to LGBTQ organizations.

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"We would like to highlight two specific concerns with the current definition of infertility used by OPM," the letter states. "First, the requirement of six cycles of Artificial Insemination or Intrauterine Insemination performed by a qualified specialist using normal quality donor sperm, while excluding other assisted reproductive technologies, is both arbitrary and unnecessarily restrictive.

"The number of cycles required in the definition does not take into account an infertility diagnosis that may occur when a patient is evaluated, leading to inconsistent and unequal coverage for individuals seeking alternative methods of conception. Furthermore, this policy creates unnecessary barriers and costs for LGBTQ people by excluding consideration of at-home inseminations."

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The second concern, they said, was that "the definition fails to account for same-sex couples and single individuals."

"By limiting coverage to these individuals only after six cycles of insemination with donor sperm, we are effectively denying them access to necessary fertility treatments, placing an undue burden on their path to parenthood," the letter said. 

Fertility treatments like intrauterine insemination and in vitro fertilization typically cost thousands of dollars out of pocket and are not always covered by health insurance policies. 

As of June 2023, just 21 states have laws requiring insurance companies to provide some kind of fertility treatment, according to RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association.