Max Verstappen keeps it blunt, yet cryptic when asked about future with Red Bull

Formula 1 is at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend, a fan and driver favorite, for the Belgian Grand Prix. We’re in the midst of a great title battle between Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli and George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton.

However, much of the focus this weekend is on Red Bull's Max Verstappen. It's been a tough season for the four-time champ, who currently sits down in P7 in the standings, and that's because the rumor mill has been churning about his future with the team.

Verstappen has not committed to Red Bull for next season and was recently linked with a potential move to McLaren. On top of that, he himself has even floated the idea of stepping away from F1. He hasn't been a fan of the direction the series has taken with its current cars, and has recently done more sports car racing.

So, he was asked about all of this on Thursday during his driver press conference, and the Dutchman gave some answers that were both blunt and cryptic.

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"Is there any update you can give us?" a reporter asked.

"No," Verstappen said.

Verstappen was then asked about what he makes of all of the speculation about his future, to which he replied, "Nothing."

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He was then asked whether he had a date in mind for providing an update on his plans.

"No, there's nothing to say from my side," he said.

"So, full commitment to Red Bull in 2027?" the reporter asked.

"I said there's nothing to say," Verstappen reiterated.

Now, Verstappen is known for handling press conferences like this, but, man, is that not going to keep the rumor mill from churning?

It is worth noting that while Red Bull's struggles have been well documented this season, Verstappen has said he has a good relationship with team boss Laurent Mekies, who took over partway through last season.

"It’s been really good. I get on very well with Laurent. We speak a lot on track, but also off track," he said, per the Associated Press. "I think the relationship that he has also within the team is great.

"Everything for me feels very positive, and I think it’s always nice when you can discuss a lot of things with your team boss. So from that sense, yeah, very happy. It’s all very open and transparent."

source https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/max-verstappen-keeps-blunt-cryptic-asked-future-red-bull

Fox News surges 29% in unique visitors during Q2 while CNN posts its weakest digital audience since 2015

Fox News Digital led all news brands and broadcast networks among total digital multiplatform unique visitors, multiplatform views and multiplatform minutes during the second quarter of 2026, according to Comscore.

During the news-packed quarter, Fox News Digital drove an average of 178 million total digital multiplatform unique visitors, to finish with a 29% increase in the critical category compared to 2025. 

Fox News Digital also had 4.6 billion multiplatform views and 9.7 billion multiplatform minutes throughout the quarter to lead all news brands in both categories. It was the 21st consecutive quarter that Fox News finished No. 1 among views and the 16th consecutive quarter it has been the top news brand with minutes.

FOX NEWS CHANNEL LEADS CBS AND NBC IN WEEKDAY PRIMETIME, DOMINATES CABLE VIEWERSHIP IN SECOND QUARTER RATINGS

While Fox News thrived, CNN finished with its worst quarter since 2015 in several categories. The struggling network managed only 62 million unique visitors, 1.5 billion multiplatform views and 2.4 billion multiplatform minutes for its worst performance in over a decade. 

CNN finished down 32% in unique visitors, down 46% among total views and shed 41% of minutes compared to the second quarter of 2025. 

Fox News Digital finished the quarter strong, also topping all news brands and broadcast networks with total digital multiplatform visitors, views and minutes during June. It was the fourth straight month that Fox News finished as the top news brand among total multiplatform unique visitors.

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Fox News delivered 1.4 billion YouTube video views across its channels, beating all news brands for the seventh consecutive quarter, according to Emplifi. Along the way, the main Fox News channel (1.1 billion views) managed to beat runner-up MS NOW by over 300 million views while more than doubling CNN’s viewership. Fox News also beat broadcast networks ABC News (337 million views), NBC News (310 million views) and CBS News (136 million views) combined. 

FOX News Media has generated a staggering 3.3 billion YouTube video views, with FOX News Channel accounting for 2.5 billion of those views, since the start of 2026. 

FOX News Media also topped all news brands on social media with interactions for the quarter, according to Emplifi and Comscore Social. 

Fox News was responsible for 270 million social media interactions during the second quarter with 122 million interactions on Facebook, 51.9 million interactions on Instagram and 18.2 million interactions on X. Fox News drove another 78.0 million interactions on TikTok and finished with 4.4 billion video views across social media.

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The Fox News Mobile app averaged 6.3 million unique viewers during the quarter, leading the CNN mobile app which settled for an average of 3.1 million unique viewers.

Fox News Digital, CBSNews.com, NBCNews.com, WashingtonPost.com, and ABCNews.com have opted in to account for Social Incremental in Total Digital Multiplatform Unique Visitors, while brands like CNN.com and NYTimes.com have not. 

source https://www.foxnews.com/media/fox-news-surges-29-unique-visitors-during-q2-while-cnn-posts-its-weakest-digital-audience-since-2015

Baltimore beat-down: Video shows group of teens pummeling elderly man outside 7-Eleven as police hunt suspects

Police are searching for a group of suspects accused of beating up an elderly man and attempting to rob him outside a gas station in Baltimore.

Surveillance video shows the group run up to the man outside a 7-Eleven and proceed to attack him and display weapons.

The six unknown suspects wearing hooded sweatshirts appear to have knocked the man to the ground several times while also throwing various objects at him.

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At one point, it appears one of the suspects points what looks like an assault rifle at the victim and another suspect points a sword at him in the video shared by police.

Baltimore Police report it happened in the city's Northern District just before 4 a.m. on July 7 at the 7-Eleven location on Liberty Heights Avenue.

The attack follows an announcement Baltimore's Democratic mayor, Brandon M. Scott, made about the reported drop in violent crime in the city.

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Scott's office noted the city has seen 50 homicides so far this year.

"This total represents the fewest homicides ever recorded in Baltimore through the first six months of a calendar year. Compared to this date last year, Baltimore has seen a 23.1% decrease in homicides and a 2.5% decrease in non-fatal shootings," the announcement reported.

As for the 7-Eleven incident, Baltimore Police confirmed to Fox News Digital that "the victim sustained minor bruising from the assault."

Police could not confirm if suspects were involved in other related crimes in the city.

The investigation is ongoing.

NEW 911 AUDIO CAPTURES NEIGHBORS WARNING OF 'FULL-OUT WAR' BEFORE POLICE WERE ATTACKED IN BLOCK PARTY CHAOS

Fox News Digital has reached out to 7-Eleven for comment.

source https://www.foxnews.com/us/baltimore-beat-down-video-shows-group-teens-pummeling-elderly-man-outside-7-eleven-police-hunt-suspects

Elderly Florida woman goes viral after getting hilariously crude license plate

A nearly 77-year-old South Florida woman drew viral attention on Wednesday after a license plate she believed carried an inappropriate message was mailed to her Pompano Beach home.

The plate Nancy Dello Stritto received from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DMV) read, "SQZ A55."

"I can handle it if I get a few honks here and there. Actually, being over 70, I might like a few honks," Dello Stritto said, according to 10 Tampa Bay News.

Dello Stritto, who will turn 77 next month, said she did not request the plate, which can be interpreted as spelling out a crude phrase. She initially objected to driving through her retirement community with the tag attached to her vehicle.

"I don’t think a woman that lives in a senior community that’s going to be 77 years old next month will be driving around with what this plate has to say," Dello Stritto said, according to Fox 8 Live.

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Dello Stritto also told CBS News Miami that she was stunned when she opened the envelope and saw the new plate.

"When I saw that, I went ballistic. I said, ‘How could that pass inspection?’" she said.

The plate quickly became a subject of discussion among Dello Stritto’s relatives, friends and neighbors. She said her sons and their friends encouraged her to keep it, with the informal tally reaching 16-1 in favor of putting it on her car.

Dello Stritto also showed the plate to an 89-year-old neighbor and explained that it was supposed to remain on her vehicle for the next decade.

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"And this is what I received from the DMV for my new license plate. That’s good for 10 years," she told the neighbor, according to 10 Tampa Bay.

The neighbor offered a one-word endorsement of the plate. "Good," he replied.

Dello Stritto said she still planned to alert the DMV, but had become increasingly willing to give the plate a test drive after hearing from people around her.

"I’m resigned to it; maybe it was destined for it to be on my car," she told CBS News Miami.

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The Pompano Beach resident also joked that the unexpected attention could provide an unexpected benefit.

"I can handle it; maybe I’ll even get some honks," Dello Stritto said.

The plate prompted reactions on social media, where commenters encouraged Dello Stritto to keep the unusual configuration.

"I cannot believe that this particular Florida license plate had not been previously requested. She could sell that for thousands," commentator Emily Zanotti wrote.

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Radio host Dana Loesch joked about the reactions the plate could generate in Dello Stritto’s community.

"I just want to be in the church parking lot on Sunday to see the reactions," Loesch said.

OutKick’s Clay Travis shared the story with a brief reaction.

"Dying," Travis said.

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Fox News Digital reached out to Dello Stritto for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

It was not immediately clear how the plate was generated or whether the combination was reviewed before it was mailed.

Florida’s standard license plates are replaced every 10 years under state law, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Dello Stritto indicated that the plate was issued as part of that scheduled replacement cycle.

The agency lists three standard plate options: a county-name plate where available, a "Sunshine State" plate and an "In God We Trust" plate. Standard plates receive alphanumeric configurations unless a motorist separately applies and pays for a personalized plate.

Broward County Records, Taxes and Treasury Division serves as an agent of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and issues license plates and parking permits. Its motor vehicle office is located in Plantation.

An office manager told CBS News Miami that Broward County would replace a license plate deemed offensive at no cost if Dello Stritto brought it to the Plantation office.

source https://www.foxnews.com/media/elderly-florida-woman-goes-viral-hilariously-crude-license-plate

'The Dog Stars' trailer shows Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin surviving post-apocalyptic world

A new trailer has dropped for the upcoming movie "The Dog Stars."

Basic info:

BONE-CHILLING PREVIEW RELEASED FOR STEVEN SPIELBERG'S HIGHLY ANTICIPATED UFO MOVIE 'DISCLOSURE DAY'

There has been some significant hype for "The Dog Stars" ever since the first preview was released. I've never read the book, and likely won't before the movie comes out.

However, I know a fire trailer when I see one, and the new one for the post-apocalyptic thriller is absolutely outstanding.

It's a shot of adrenaline to the soul, and it looks like the exact kind of movie made for guys who love action, suspense and high stakes in a world where civilization has collapsed.

Check out the preview below, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.

Seriously, how great does this film look? It has all the ingredients to be a successful film. Ridley Scott is a legendary director. "Black Hawk Down" remains arguably the best war movie ever made, and his list of accomplishments runs long.

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The cast is also loaded with Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin and Margaret Qualley. Three legit grade-A talents. What's not to love?

I'm certainly excited, and will be adding it to my list of movies to see.

You can check out "The Dog Stars" in theaters starting Aug. 28. Let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.

source https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-culture/dog-stars-trailer-jacob-elordi-josh-brolin-surviving-post-apocalyptic-world

Powerful LGBTQ+ group's endorsements could tank vulnerable Dems over radical youth trans agenda

Endorsements from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a pro-LGBTQ+ advocacy group, are raising questions about whether the candidates they’ve endorsed hold the same beliefs as the organization — stances that could fly in the face of attempts to paint a moderate image.

The endorsements highlight the struggle candidates face to manage their associations — especially on topics and in areas that may draw controversy.

Among their stances, HRC has a few that put it solidly in the progressive camp.

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The organization has supported gender-affirming care for minors in the form of puberty blockers and hormone therapy. It has also opposed state restrictions on their implementation and has promoted elementary school lessons on gender identity, resisted efforts to restrict Critical Race Theory and promoted removing police from schools.

"Our goal is to ensure that all LGBTQ+ people, and particularly those of us who are trans, people of color and HIV+, are treated as full and equal citizens within our movement, across our country and around the world," the organization states on its website.

The organization has advocated fiercely against virtually all LGBTQ+ restrictions.

In one such case, after the Supreme Court ruled that parents had a right to pull their children out of LGBTQ+ classes and lessons, HRC blasted the decision.

"This decision elevates the religious beliefs of some parents, who believe that being LGBTQ+ is wrong, over any acknowledgement in the classroom that LGBTQ+ young people and their families exist," the organization said in a statement.

In 2026, the organization endorsed 11 Democratic newcomers and 18 incumbents in battleground districts.

Among them, HRC has endorsed members like Rep. Josh Riley, D-N.Y., Derek Tran, D-Calif., and Greg Landsman, D-Ohio, — all of whom won their races by less than five points.

WATCH: SURFACED VIDEOS OF DEM SENATE CANDIDATE BACKING 'DEFUND THE POLICE' CONTRADICT RECENT DENIALS

Those members did not respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital on whether they stood by HRC’s positions.

Headed into the midterms, HRC framed their success as key to taking pressure off of the LGBTQ+ community from the Trump administration.

"Our community is facing an all-out assault on our rights and its coming from a congressional majority bowing to Trump and his MAGA followers. They’re trying to strip away our freedoms and push us back into the closet while doing nothing to meet the urgent needs of the American people," the group’s president, Kelley Robinson, said in a statement.

In the past, some of the candidates HRC has endorsed have framed their appreciation as a matter of shared interest in anti-discrimination.

That was the way Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., acknowledged their endorsement of him in a 2023 special election.

"I am grateful for the support and endorsement of the Human Rights Campaign. This will be a tough race, and the support of HRC, which has been dedicated to anti-discrimination research, advocacy and education for more than 40 years, means a great deal to me," Suozzi said.

FIRST ON FOX: PRESSURE MOUNTS ON YMCA TO DITCH TRANSGENDER POLICIES AFTER SUPREME COURT TITLE IX RULINGf

HRC has renewed its endorsement of Suozzi in the 2026 midterms.

The organization did not immediately respond to questions about what factors go into their endorsement process or whether they ask candidates for permission before publicly endorsing them.

source https://www.foxnews.com/politics/powerful-lgbtq-groups-endorsements-could-tank-vulnerable-dems-radical-youth-trans-agenda

Practicing pole dancing in living room sounds like a good idea until you make it rain and flood your apartment

If you want to get better at something, you have to practice. It's how you develop skills, even those of the pole dancing variety.

You're not going to hop on the pole and be elite without some effort. That's just not how it works, even the best of the best have to work at it.

A Houston woman decided that she would work on her pole dancing skills from the comfort of her living room. What better place to get in some extra work? I can't think of any.

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She put up a pole, tossed on a tutorial video, started recording her practice session, and got to work. Then, out of nowhere, the pole slipped and struck a sprinkler head in the ceiling of her apartment.

Asha Gilbert had accidentally made it rain inside of her apartment. The sprinkler poured water down from the ceiling and flooded her apartment.

"I went into shock and was completely stunned," she said, reports FOX 26 Houston. "My main concern was for my dog."

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The video shows her running out of the apartment as the water continued to rain down. She and the dog reportedly made it out before the fire department arrived on the scene.

It's a good time to remind everyone that there are risks associated with pole dancing. One of those risks if you're on a pole you've installed in your own living room is slippage.

Before you hit the pole with everything you have, you should really double-check that the pole itself is ready for action. You don’t want to rip a sprinkler head out of your ceiling or have the pole carelessly toss you to the ground.

Neither of those outcomes will help you become better on the pole and that's why you have the tutorial video on and the pole installed in the living room in the first place.

Be careful out there as you work on those pole dancing skills in the comfort of your own living room and, by all means, don't let a little setback keep you from improving your skills.

source https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-culture/practicing-pole-dancing-living-room-sounds-good-idea-until-make-it-rain-flood-apartment