Bill Clinton blasts Trump as Americans mark nation's 250th anniversary

Former President Bill Clinton took a swipe at President Donald Trump in a statement posted to X marking the nation's 250th birthday, urging Americans to reject division and embrace the country's founding ideals without mentioning Trump by name.

In the statement, released Saturday, Clinton reflected on the nation's founding and warned that the United States was experiencing another period of deep political division.

TOP HIGHLIGHTS FROM TRUMP'S LATE NIGHT JULY 4 ADDRESS: 'NO DREAM IN HISTORY IS BIGGER'

"Today, we celebrate this milestone amid another period of deep division, renewed questions about America's future and role in the world, and serious threats to our own institutions and to our democracy itself," the former president wrote.

Clinton, whose wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, was defeated by Trump in the 2016 presidential election, did not mention the president by name during his remarks.

"The people in charge have unleashed masked agents on American communities to seize people from their homes, workplaces and the street," Clinton said. 

"They have started an unconstitutional war on a whim, with no clear objectives or exit strategy, and zero regard for the consequences to the lives of millions of people around the world," he added.

WE ASKED AMERICANS TO GRADE THE ECONOMY. THEN WE ASKED IF IT WOULD CHANGE THEIR VOTE

The former president then broadened his criticism to the federal government and the courts.

"With the help of lifetime appointees to the Supreme Court and a compliant Congress, they have weaponized government to settle personal scores, prosecute enemies, stamp out free speech and made the federal government a new profit center for themselves and their allies," he added.

Clinton's statement came as Trump presided over separate America250 festivities in Washington, D.C., where he touted what he called America's "Golden Age" and highlighted his administration's accomplishments, the U.S. military and the country's economic outlook.

Clinton encouraged Americans to think about the nation's future as it enters its next 250 years, arguing that preserving democratic institutions requires citizens to value common purpose over political grievance.

Trump, meanwhile, used his Independence Day address to celebrate the nation's founding while touting his administration's achievements, criticizing progressive Democrats and promoting priorities, including election integrity measures, border security and a renewed emphasis on patriotism.

While both men celebrated the nation's founding, their messages highlighted vastly different views of the country's current political climate.

source https://www.foxnews.com/politics/bill-clinton-blasts-trump-americans-mark-nations-250th-anniversary

Why the Canada vs Morocco draw at +245 is the best World Cup round of 16 bet you can make today

Happy Independence Day, everyone! Nothing says independence more than the freedom to take our hard-earned money and put it on a sport that most only watch every four years. We do it with the Olympics, and we do it with the World Cup. We’ve had quite a few swings and misses, but we’ve also cashed a couple of solid plus-money plays. Let’s try to do it again.

This marks the start of the round of 16. There aren’t really too many lopsided matches in terms of odds any longer - more on that in a moment. Instead, we should be getting the best teams and solid matches from here on out. Canada vs Morocco is no exception. Canada is here after taking down Saudi Arabia. I haven’t seen much out of our neighbors to the north that I’ve been overly impressed with. They’ve scored at least one goal in every game and gotten two shutouts, so there is some stuff to hang their hat on.

MOROCCO SENDS THE NETHERLANDS HOME WITH DRAMATIC WORLD CUP KNOCKOUT IN PENALTIES

For Morocco, they had a much more difficult task of getting the victory against the Netherlands. They won in penalty kicks, and it was a wild shootout. They also haven’t actually lost a match yet and have just one draw. This should be a tight game, and a draw at +245 is where the value lies, in my opinion. I’m not going to tell you it’s a safe bet, but I think these two teams are a bit more evenly matched, and neither seems to be super aggressive on offense. Give me the draw.

If you watched the Argentina game yesterday, you know that lines don’t always tell you the full story of how things will go. The Argentinians were massive favorites and Cape Verde gave them all they could handle. Argentina won 3-2, but it took extra time to get there. Paraguay has a chance to do that today against France. France is -1600 to advance, meaning even if it goes to penalty kicks, France is still the massive favorite. Paraguay beat Germany in penalty kicks for their win to get here. It was their best game of the tournament.

France has looked unstoppable. They are still the favorites to win the World Cup. If you’ve watched them, and even if you’re not a soccer enthusiast, you can see why. Kylian Mbappe has been dynamic and continues to rack up goals. He is a real threat to Messi and the Golden Boot. He is -205 to score a goal today. I prefer his teammate, Ousmane Dembele. I think so much attention goes to Mbappe, Dembele, who already has four goals himself this tournament, gets less attention and easier looks. I’m going to play him to score at +105.

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For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024

source https://www.foxnews.com/sports/canada-vs-morocco-draw-245-best-world-cup-round-16-bet

Interpol issues red notice for Ukrainian woman wanted for Monaco apartment bombing targeting oligarch

The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) issued a red notice Friday for Anastasiia Berezovska, a 39-year-old Ukrainian national suspected of bombing a Monaco apartment building that reportedly targeted a Russian-linked Ukrainian oligarch.

The June 30 apartment building explosion, according to numerous media reports, injured Vadym Yermolaiev, a Ukrainian-born construction magnate.

While declining to identify any of the victims by name, Monaco public prosecutor Stéphane Thibault also revealed the explosion injured a woman and a 13-year-old child in the apartment who media reports widely claim to be members of Yermolaiev's family.

'PARCEL BOMB' EXPLODES IN MONACO RESIDENTIAL AREA, LEAVING 2 CRITICALLY INJURED: REPORTS

Berezovska, according to Interpol, is now wanted on charges of attempted murder, depositing an explosive device on a public highway with criminal intent and criminal association.

Interpol identified the Ukrainian national as a dark-haired German-speaking woman who possibly has a tattoo of a snake on her arm.

The 39-year-old suspect was initially believed to be a heavy-set man. Monaco Deputy Prosecutor Morgan Raymond even initially referred to the suspect in masculine terms.

"He stood up a few meters ahead of the victims, placed an explosive device taken from his shopping bag on the entrance steps of the building, then turned to confirm the presence of the three victims before triggering the explosion using a remote control," Raymond said at an initial news conference after the incident.

RUSSIA UNLEASHES NEARLY 600 MISSILES AND DRONES ON KYIV IN DEADLIEST STRIKE SINCE MAY

Prosecutors reviewed footage of the days leading up to the explosion, finding that a man wearing a fishing hat repeatedly cased the apartment building and surrounding area. However, on June 28, the man was absent from security footage. Instead, a woman — who prosecutors now believe to be Berezovska — followed the same patterns as the man.

"The repeated reconnaissance operations and the pauses made in front of the building clearly demonstrate the intention to specifically target the three victims," Raymond said.

Investigators tracked her escape across the Monaco-France border, through Italy and into Germany, where authorities are now actively looking for her. They raided her Frankfurt apartment Thursday.

Raymond noted that the sophistication of her explosive device gives prosecutors reason to believe she did not act alone.

"The relative sophistication of the explosive device and the modus operandi appear to indicate that the person who placed the device was not acting alone," Morgan said.

Though authorities have provided no motive, Yermolaiev's status as a sanctioned former Ukrainian is notable.

The 58-year-old construction tycoon renounced his Ukrainian citizenship in 2017, Ukrainian media reported, and has been a citizen of Cyprus since 2019. 

In 2023, the Ukrainian government sanctioned him for allegedly continuing to engage with Russia, paying taxes to Moscow and facilitating business transactions through his liquor business in Crimea, a Ukrainian peninsula which Russia annexed in 2014.

source https://www.foxnews.com/world/interpol-issues-red-notice-ukrainian-woman-wanted-monaco-apartment-bombing-targeting-oligarch

Once the Centerpiece of Celebration, a Faded Declaration Recedes

Sunlight and abuse have taken a toll on the document, encased in bulletproof glass. But the Trump administration “hasn’t put much emphasis on it,” a former archivist notes. July 3, 2026 at 11:13PM

FBI announces 305 arrests, 24 missing children recovered in Chicago during Operation New Dawn

FBI Director Kash Patel detailed a historic cross-agency operation that resulted in the arrest of over 300 suspects in the Chicago area over the course of 60 days.

"Operation New Dawn represents a massive, whole-of-government approach under President Trump’s leadership to cracking down on violent crimes and crimes against children in great American cities," Patel told Fox News Digital in an exclusive statement.

"This was a sweeping operation in Chicago that brought together 11 different federal agencies across the government who worked together to execute 305 arrests and recover 24 children – many of whom had been reported kidnapped or missing – as well as charging subjects with robbery, kidnapping, drug trafficking, child exploitation, and more," he added. "The success of this op and more to come through initiatives like Summer Heat 2.0 should be a clear message that this FBI, our partners, and the Justice Department led by AG Todd Blanche are full throttle on crushing criminal networks in this country no matter where they are."

KASH PATEL TOUTS FBI 'FULL-THROTTLE MISSION' AFTER OPERATION SPRING CLEANING YIELDS 615 INDICTMENTS/COMPLAINTS

The agencies involved included the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), according to a statement from the United States Attorney's Office of the Northern District of Illinois.

Aside from the robbers, kidnappers and drug traffickers Patel detailed, other suspects swept up in the colossal operation included those involved in firearms trafficking, firearm offenses and immigration violations, according to the U.S. Attorney's statement. 

The statement described the operation as "badgeless," noting that the numerous federal agencies collaborated "under the banner of the United States flag as opposed to the shield of any agency."

U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutrot said the operation and the collaboration it induced represented a new era of law enforcement in America.

"It is my view that to combat violence, federal law enforcement must move at the speed of violence," Boutros said in a statement. "The remarkable success of Operation New Dawn resoundingly proves that point. Chicago’s federal anti-violence apparatus united under one banner — the United States flag and not the shield, badge, banner, or logo of any agency — to make their presence felt on the streets of Chicago and make it known that they are a force to be reckoned with in the battle against violence."

The ATF's Special Agent in Charge in Chicago, Christopher Amon, concurred.

DOJ SAYS 11 MIGRANTS INDICTED IN MULTI-STATE SEX TRAFFICKING, DRUG, FIREARMS CASE

"Law enforcement has always been, and always will be, a team sport," Amon said in a statement. "The success of Operation New Dawn reflects the leadership of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the trust, commitment, and collaboration among our Chicago federal law enforcement partners. Together, we made a meaningful impact by removing shooters and other violent offenders from our streets making Chicago safer for all."

The cooperation enabled the agencies to sweep up criminals like Felipe Dejesus Gomez Ramirez, who HSI noted is a convicted murderer and illegal alien.

New Dawn operators also arrested David Collins and Tyrone Thomas, who authorities say are members of Chicago's Traveling Vice Lords criminal gang who were deeply involved in drug trafficking. Both were federally charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl.

"Operation New Dawn demonstrates the power of coordinated law enforcement efforts to address the interconnected threats of violent crime and drug trafficking," Todd C. Smith, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Chicago Field Division said in a statement.

"Through the Homeland Security Task Force and in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies combined intelligence, resources and expertise to target individuals and criminal networks that threaten public safety. Reducing violent crime remains one of DEA’s top strategic priorities, and the significant drug seizures resulting from this operation underscore the close relationship between violence and drug trafficking activity. By working together to disrupt criminal organizations, remove dangerous drugs from our communities, and hold offenders accountable, we are enhancing public safety while advancing our commitment to a Fentanyl Free America," Smith concluded.

The operation, which began in earnest on May 1, has so far resulted in 179 criminal defendants being charged in federal court across 140 newly-filed criminal cases. Twenty-four children, many of whom were kidnapped, were located and safely returned home, according to the statement.

source https://www.foxnews.com/us/fbi-announces-305-arrests-24-missing-children-recovered-chicago-operation-new-dawn

Phil Mickelson's team rips reporter for story about alleged troubling transgressions: 'Drive-by shooting'

Earlier this month, Skratch published a story that accused Phil Mickelson of showing a nude photo of himself to a fellow golfer's wife amid other original reports that he had been expelled from a golf club due to alleged misconduct with a female employee.

The five-time major champion obtained defamation counsel to absolve the "false rumors" about his golf club departure, which turned out to be his own voluntary resignation.

Days later, though, the Skratch story spoke to Ashley Perez, the ex-wife of pro golfer Pat, who said Mickelson showed her a picture of himself nude with an erection and flexing his bicep and said she could come to his bedroom after her then-husband fell asleep. Skratch also interviewed other sources for its story who hinted at potential infidelity by Mickelson amid abrupt endings of memberships at other golf clubs.

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A rep for Mickelson, though, said the reporter is perhaps infamous for a "drive-by shooting" style of "anonymously-sourced" stories.

"The clear implication (of the story) is that Mr. Mickelson was forced out of multiple golf clubs. He wasn't. Mr. Mickelson has never been expelled from a golf club. His membership has never been revoked by a golf club," the statement says.

The statement also ripped Shipnuck for citing a source in which Mickelson's wife, Amy, played a role in his departures from clubs.

PHIL MICKELSON ACCUSED OF SHOWING NUDE PHOTO TO PRO GOLFER'S EX-WIFE: 'COME SEE ME'

"That is false. Mr. Mickelson has never been forced by his wife or by any golf club to surrender his membership. Those decisions were his alone..." the statement said. "Instead, the source's personal assumption about her involvement is presented as fact, and that unsupported speculation has since been repeated by other media outlets as though it were established truth. It is not."

Mickelson's spokeswoman also ripped Shipnuck for reporting that a source told him Mickelson would give his phone to "a young man in the pro shop and pay him $500 to drive around the course," so his wife would believe he was playing golf while "tracking his phone" as he had his "secret rendezvous."

"How does the member know all of this? 'The kid from the pro shop told me,'" the story reads.

"Shipnuck attempts to portray an ordinary 'Find My' family feature, used by millions of families every day, as something sinister. It wasn't. Anonymous speculation is presented as meaningful insight when it is nothing more than unsupported opinion," Mickelson's spokeswoman said.

The statement does not deny the allegation that Mickelson showed Ashley Perez a photo of himself but does confirm he "apologize[d] for his conduct." However, that "should not be misconstrued as an admission of every allegation made against him," the spokeswoman said. "Responsible journalism does not amplify the most sensational characterization of a disputed event while minimizing the fact that the allegation itself was challenged."

The statement also warned of potential "corporate" bias, as Skratch was founded by the PGA Tour, and Mickelson has since defected to LIV Golf.

"Taken together, these reporting failures expose an article that prioritizes a compelling, click-bait narrative over an accurate one. Anonymous speculation is elevated over firsthand knowledge. Implication is used where facts fall short. Private family members are falsely drawn into public narratives without evidence. Context that undermines sensational allegations is minimized. Readers are left with conclusions the reporting itself never actually establishes," the statement concludes.

"Credibility is not earned by publishing the most provocative narrative. It is earned through transparency, verification, and a clear distinction between fact, inference, and speculation. Those standards protect readers just as much as they protect the people being written about. Readers should demand more. Journalism should, too."

Mickelson has played in only one LIV event this year and no majors as he attends to a "personal health matter."

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source https://www.foxnews.com/sports/phil-mickelson-team-rips-reporter-story-alleged-troubling-transgressions-drive-by-shooting

Anti-Israel demonstrator sentenced to year in jail for manslaughter during 2023 protests

An anti-Israel protester who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of a pro-Israel demonstrator in California was sentenced to one year in county jail this week.

Loay Abdel Fattah Alnaji, 53, had an altercation with Paul Kessler, 69, in 2023 where he hit Kessler in the head with a megaphone. Kessler then fell backward and struck his head again and later died of his injuries in the hospital.

The incident took place against the backdrop of Israel-Hamas war tensions and concerns about antisemitism rising in the United States and more broadly. Alnaji was initially facing up to four years in prison in the case as he fought the charges against him, but the expected sentence was shortened when he pleaded guilty in May.

Prosecutors in the case argued the one-year sentence is not enough, saying he should have been committed to state prison and received a longer period of confinement.

MOHAMED SABRY SOLIMAN TO PLEAD GUILTY IN DEADLY FIREBOMBING OF PRO-ISRAEL RALLY IN BOULDER, COLORADO

"Mr. Kessler lost his life in a violent attack that took him from his family and his wife of 43 years," Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said in a statement. "Given the circumstances of this case and the death that resulted, we believe a state prison commitment was the appropriate and just sentence."

Kessler's widow wrote a victim impact statement that said, in part, "There are no words to describe the pain of losing a husband in such a sudden and violent way."

MOHAMED SABRY SOLIMAN TO PLEAD GUILTY IN DEADLY FIREBOMBING OF PRO-ISRAEL RALLY IN BOULDER, COLORADO

"The grief is relentless. The silence in our house, the absence of his voice, his companionship, his love and the future we had planned together are losses I carry with me every day," she continued, according to the district attorney's office.

Jonathan Oswaks, a friend of Kessler's who was at the rally with him when the incident took place, spoke to the Jewish Journal when news of Alnaji's expected sentence was released, calling it "deeply frustrating."

"I’m not a lawyer, but the way this was handled raises serious questions for me. It sends a troubling message about accountability," he told the outlet.

PRO-ISRAEL DEMOCRAT CALIFORNIA STATE SENATOR HECKLED AT TRANS MARCH OVER GAZA, ‘WE F---ING HATE YOU’

Oswaks recounted moments from the event in his interview with the outlet, noting how the pro-Palestinian protesters vastly outnumbered them that day. He said after the pair had split up, people began approaching him and stood inches from his face yelling into his ear and using a megaphone.

"When I tell you I had never experienced that level of hate in my life, I hadn’t," he said. "I told them to get out of my space. They backed off briefly, then started again. I made it clear they needed to stay away, and eventually they did."

Fox News' Alec Schemmel contributed to this report.

source https://www.foxnews.com/us/anti-israel-demonstrator-sentenced-year-jail-manslaughter-2023-protests