Fox News Latest Headlines
Caitlin Clark gets technical foul after tense interaction with referee in Fever win over Sparks
Caitlin Clark was assessed with her first technical foul of the season on Wednesday night after a heated exchange with a referee.
During the Indiana Fever's game against the Los Angeles Sparks, with 20 seconds remaining in the first half, Clark was called for an offensive foul, giving Los Angeles possession.
Clark later walked over to referee Jason Alabanza and appeared to engage in a verbal spat.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Alabanza gave Clark a technical before Indiana headed to the visiting locker room for halftime.
Still, the Fever went on to win 87-78.
Clark now has nine technicals in her WNBA career, with six in her rookie season and two in an injury-plagued 2025.
Clark appears to have had a combative dynamic with referees since the beginning of her professional career. In the Fever's season-opening loss to the Dallas Wings, Clark appeared to suggest certain fouls were not called on her throughout the game.
"I think especially if they're going to call it the way they're going to call it this year, I think I honestly could have probably got a couple more calls on a few of them, but that's okay," Clark said to reporters after the game when asked about plays when she drove to the basket on Saturday.
Whether officials are calling enough fouls against Clark has been a point of controversy since she entered the league in 2024. Many fans complained that Clark was frequently being targeted with hard contact by opposing players and referees weren't doing enough to protect her.
Meanwhile, Clark came one technical foul shy of taking a one-game suspension during her rookie year.
Clark herself has also made comments seemingly directed at referees in the WNBA. During the WNBA postseason in September, while Clark was injured, she said she was fined $200 for tweeting "Refs couldn’t stop us" after Indiana’s Game 2 win over Atlanta in the first round.
"Got fined $200 for this lol," she wrote on X, adding a series of crying laughter emojis. "BENCH MOB WILL BE EVEN MORE ROWDY TOMORROW LETS GOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Clark was previously seen getting into disagreements with referees during a game against the Connecticut Sun last July.
"Are you f----ing kidding me?" Clark appeared to say while Fever assistant Briann January dragged her back to the bench.
As officials continued to look at the replay, the ESPN broadcast showed Clark yelling over toward the officials again: "That’s just rude. Grow up. Come here, come here. Unbelievable."
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Shakira, Madonna and BTS co-headline first-ever World Cup Final halftime show
The world’s largest sporting event, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, is just a few weeks away, returning to North America and the United States for the first time since 1994.
FIFA announced their first ever halftime show for the World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. In a post on X, featuring Elmo, Coldplay announced that the halftime show would be curated by lead singer Chris Martin and feature BTS, Madonna and Shakira. Shakira is set to release the official song of the World Cup, "Dai Dai," later Thursday.
The show will also "raise funds for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund," dedicated to "improving access to quality education and football for children around the world."
FOX broadcasts the entire tournament, with opening matches kicking off on June 11 in Mexico. El Tri hosts South Africa in Mexico City, while South Korea takes on Croatia in Guadalajara.
Then the next day, the other two hosts play their first group stage matches. Canada plays Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto in Group B. Then the US Men’s National Team, coming off a rocky past few months of friendlies, plays its first match against Paraguay in Los Angeles. They then head to Seattle to play Australia on June 19, before closing out the group stage against Turkey back in LA on June 25.
Unsurprisingly, given the scale and scope of the tournament, and the stage hosting in the US offers, FIFA is pulling out all the entertainment stops.
Already, soccer’s governing body has set up an extensive list of entertainment to kick off the tournament in the host countries. An opening ceremony in Los Angeles on June 12 will feature music acts like Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema and Tyla.
"This opening ceremony in Los Angeles represents the extraordinary scale of what the FIFA World Cup 2026 will become," FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement. "The lineup of artists reflects the cultural diversity of the United States and the vibrancy of its many diasporas, highlighting the nation’s rich influence on music, entertainment and pop culture, while showcasing the power of music to bring people together across the country."
That ceremony will kick off 90 minutes before the start of the US match, and will complement two additional opening ceremonies in Canada and Mexico. The opening match in Toronto will feature performances by Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Elyanna, Jessie Reyez, Michael Bublé, Nora Fatehi, Sanjoy, Vegedream and William Prince.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
In Mexico, opening ceremony headliners include Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná and Tyla.
Prior performers at World Cup finals include stars like Carlos Santana and Wycleaf Jean at the 2014 tournament in Brazil. Will Smith was among those who sang at the 2018 finale in Russia, and Davido, Aisha, Ozuna were part of the 2022 closing ceremony in Qatar.
Over 100 matches. 16 cities hosting in three countries. Over a month’s worth of action, culminating in a momentous finale in New Jersey. The World Cup never fails to deliver.
Trump’s upbeat China message collides with deepening Beijing rivalry
President Donald Trump opened his high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping by predicting a "fantastic future together" — striking an unusually warm tone as his administration pursues new trade and investment deals with Beijing.
"In fact, the longest relationship of our two countries that any president and president has had," Trump said at the start of the bilateral meeting Thursday local time. "We've had a fantastic relationship. We've gotten along."
"And whenever we had a problem, we worked that out very quickly," he continued. "We're going to have a fantastic future together."
Trump also praised Xi directly, calling him "a great leader" and emphasizing the personal relationship between the two leaders as a foundation for future cooperation.
TRUMP HEADS TO BEIJING FOR HIGH-STAKES XI TALKS AS TAIWAN TENSIONS, TRADE DISPUTES TEST US STRENGTH
Xi, in his own opening remarks, emphasized cooperation and shared interests between the two countries.
"As leaders of major countries, this year is the 250th anniversary of American independence," Xi said, according to a translator. "Congratulations to you and to the American people. I always believe that our two countries have more common interests than differences."
"Success in one is an opportunity for the other, and a stable bilateral relationship is good for the world," he continued.
XI JINPING WARNS TRUMP US WOULD 'LOSE FROM CONFRONTATION' WITH CHINA AS RENEWED TRADE WAR LOOMS
"China and the United States both stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. We should be partners, not rivals. We should help each other succeed and prosper together, and find the right way for major countries to get along well with each other in the new era."
Xi added that he looked forward to working with Trump "to set the course for and steer the giant ship of China–U.S. relations so as to make 2026 a historic landmark year that opens up a new chapter in China–U.S. relations."
The comments came as Trump arrived in Beijing accompanied by a delegation of top American executives, underscoring the administration’s focus on economic dealmaking even as broader tensions between the two countries remain unresolved.
INSIDE THE ‘DIGITAL LOCKDOWN’ FOR US OFFICIALS AS TRUMP ARRIVES IN CHINA
"I just want to say, on behalf of all of the great delegation that we have … we have the greatest businessmen," Trump said. "We ask the top 30 in the world. Every single one of them said yes."
The delegation includes executives from major U.S. firms spanning aerospace, finance, technology and agriculture, including Apple CEO Tim Cook, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon and Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon.
White House officials said ahead of the trip that Americans should expect the president to "deliver more good deals," with talks expected to include aerospace, agriculture and energy, as well as continued work on a proposed U.S.-China "Board of Trade" and "Board of Investment."
A senior administration official said the potential trade framework under discussion could involve "double-digit billion" levels of commerce, along with possible purchase commitments from China in areas such as aircraft and agricultural products.
The emphasis on dealmaking comes after years of friction between Washington and Beijing over trade, technology and military competition.
Trump has imposed sweeping tariffs on Chinese goods — a policy he has continued into his second term — while repeatedly accusing Beijing of unfair trade practices.
He also has criticized past U.S. policy that helped integrate China into the global trading system, arguing Beijing benefited from open markets without offering the same access in return.
But in his opening remarks Thursday, the president emphasized business ties and personal rapport, highlighting what appeared to be an effort to stabilize economic relations between the world’s two largest economies.
The comments came as administration officials said trade discussions with China are ongoing, alongside talks on issues including Iran, artificial intelligence and other security matters.
Trump’s praise of Xi is consistent with his longstanding approach of using personal diplomacy with foreign leaders, including rivals, as a negotiating tactic — though whether that approach will translate into concrete agreements with China remains to be seen.
China rolls out red carpet for Trump as Xi meeting tests trade, Taiwan tensions
President Donald Trump was greeted with pomp and circumstance by the Chinese as he met China's President Xi Jinping ahead of a high-stakes bilateral meeting between the two nations.
After arriving in his armored vehicle Thursday morning local time, Trump met with Xi in front of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing in front of crowds of military personnel, dignitaries, music and children.
After shaking hands with the Chinese president, the pair introduced each other to their dignitaries and later stood beneath a ceremonial red-and-yellow canopy for a photo-op as the star-spangled banner and China's national anthem played in the background.
TRUMP LANDS IN BEIJING FOR HIGH-STAKES XI SUMMIT AS TAIWAN TENSIONS, TRADE DISPUTES TEST US STRENGTH
"That was an honor like few I have ever seen before," Trump said after they made their way into the Great Hall. "I think I was particularly impressed by those children. They were happy, they were beautiful. The military is obvious — it couldn't be better — but those children were amazing, and they represent so much. And I know, I know, they represent so much to you."
The ceremony marked the formal start of Trump’s high-stakes visit, with the pageantry outside the Great Hall giving way to a series of meetings expected to focus on trade, security and the broader effort to stabilize relations between Washington and Beijing.
The discussions will test whether the public display of diplomacy can translate into progress on the deep disputes that continue to define the U.S.–China relationship.
During the opening ceremony, Trump walked around and admired the pomp and circumstance that included children waving flags and holding flowers.
The event included marching by Chinese soldiers and music from Chinese military bands.
Xi could be seen shaking hands with many of Trump's closest advisors, like policy advisor Stephen Miller and communications director Steven Cheung, in addition to members of his Cabinet.
The public part of the bilateral meeting following the ceremony was very short.
"I look forward to our discussions on major issues important to our two countries and the world," a translator for Xi said.
ESPN is reportedly preventing the College Football Playoff from expanding to 24 teams
The College Football Playoff was supposed to provide some certainty in a sport that, for too long, based its rewards on unreliable polls. And to the extent that there's no debate over the team crowned as national champions, it's worked.
But if there's one thing fans have learned over the last few years, it's that little in modern college football is certain. And after one round of expansion, from four teams to 12, there's now more discussion and debate over the next round of growth.
Some, including many fans, are happy leaving the field at 12. The SEC, arguably the most powerful conference, wants to move to 16, while maximizing the number of at-large teams. That would, in their view, allow for more teams to reach the field based on strength of schedule instead of conference affiliation. Strength of schedule=more SEC teams, the thinking goes.
Then there's the Big Ten, Big 12, ACC, and independent Notre Dame.
INSIDE THE FIGHT: NIL ARMS RACE FUELING NEW PUSH FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF EXPANSION
This week, several reports confirmed that the majority of power conferences and the Irish want a 24-team playoff field. While that number has been met with justified skepticism from most fans, there's apparently plenty of support within the sport.
Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark told On3 that 24 is their strong preference.
"We like 24, we want 24," he said. "There are too many teams getting left out and 24 teams provides the type of access that is warranted. That being said, we need to do the work around the economics around a 24-team format and make sure we address any unintended consequences."
HERE'S WHY THE COACHES ASSOCIATION'S 24-TEAM COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF COULD RUIN THE SPORT
ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips said much the same thing at his conference's media days this week.
"Our desire with the coaches and the ADs is 24," Phillips said. "When you’re leaving national championship-contending teams out of the playoff, you don’t have the right number. We lived through it, we suffered through it with Florida State, when the field was four.
"I know other schools have suffered for it. Notre Dame was a CFP worthy team last year and you saw what happened to the last team that got invited with Miami."
That aligns with what the Big Ten and Commissioner Tony Petitti proposed in initial discussions after the end of the 2025-2026 season. So if the Big Ten, the Big 12, the ACC and Notre Dame, essentially four of the five most important voices in college football all agree on 24 teams, why hasn't it already happened?
Reportedly, mostly because of ESPN.
"ESPN’s made it clear, they want it to stay at 12 or 14, but no more than 16," Phillips added on Wednesday.
What? ESPN? A broadcaster has that much power over the playoff format for an entire sport?
There are some reasons why ESPN would want the playoff to stay where it is, or not expand too widely. Mainly that they own the rights up to a 14-team field, meaning they'd be forced to open up bidding on any additional playoff games. Ironically, for fans that dislike ESPN's perceived level of control over college football, it's that exact level of control that could stop a potentially unpopular 24-team format.
The SEC also has an important voice in the room, and Commissioner Greg Sankey already reaffirmed recently that he believes a 16-team expansion is better.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
"That focus hasn’t changed," Sankey explained Monday at a media meeting in Alabama. "We’re open to the conversation, but there are a lot of ideas out there that have to be supported with analysis and information, not speculation."
The incentives here are obvious. The ACC and Big 12 believe that a larger field will give them more opportunities in a new landscape dominated by the Big Ten and SEC. The Big Ten thinks 24 teams would bring in more revenue and the opportunity to host more home playoff games. Notre Dame has realized that, as teams optimize their schedules to make the playoff instead of play tougher non-conference opponents, it'll be a struggle for them to compete with the strength of the Big Ten or SEC resumes and reach the top 12 each year.
Meanwhile, the SEC wants 16 teams with as few auto bids as possible in the hopes of putting half their conference in the field each year. Thereby reinforcing their view that they're the premier conference in the sport. And half the conference isn't an exaggeration, considering Sankey's prior remarks.
Where this ends up is anyone's guess, but it's hard to see ESPN winning out in the long run relative to the power of those other conferences.
US lifts costly visa bond requirement for some World Cup travelers, Trump administration says
Citizens of a select group of countries who have purchased tickets to this summer’s World Cup matches in the U.S. will no longer be required to provide thousands of dollars in visa bonds to enter the country and attend the tournament.
On Wednesday, the State Department confirmed the Trump administration is waiving a prior mandate requiring visitors from Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia to post visa bonds of up to $15,000 to enter the U.S.
The department imposed the bond requirement last year for countries it said had high rates of visa overstays and other security concerns as part of a broader immigration crackdown. Travelers from at least 50 countries are subject to the bond requirement, but the five aforementioned nations' teams have qualified for this year’s World Cup.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
World Cup team players, coaches and some staff already had been exempt from the bond requirement as part of the administration’s orders to prioritize the processing of visas for the tournament.
STATE DEPT TO START ROLLING OUT FIFA PASS FOR FOREIGN SOCCER FANS LOOKING TO ATTEND WORLD CUP IN US
"The United States is excited to organize the biggest and best FIFA World Cup in history," Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar said. "We are waiving visa bonds for qualified fans who bought World Cup tickets" and opted in to the FIFA Pass system that allows expedited visa appointments as of April 15.
In its own statement, FIFA said the announcement shows "our ongoing collaboration with the U.S. government and the White House task force for the FIFA World Cup to deliver a successful, record-breaking and unforgettable global event" and thanked the administration for the partnership.
However, the administration has barred travelers from Iran and Haiti, though World Cup players, coaches and other support personnel are exempt. Travelers from the Ivory Coast and Senegal face partial restrictions under an expanded version of that travel ban, even without the visa bond exemption.
The World Cup begins June 11 and is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Some measures from the administration prompted Amnesty International and dozens of U.S. civil and human rights groups to issue a "World Cup travel advisory" that warns travelers about the climate in the U.S.
In a report this month, the main advocacy group for U.S. hotels blamed visa barriers and other geopolitical issues for "significantly suppressing international demand," leading to hotel bookings for the soccer tournament that are far below what had initially been anticipated.
As of early April, the number of World Cup fans affected by the bond requirement was believed to be relatively small, perhaps only about 250 people, according to U.S. officials who were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. But they said that number was changing rapidly as more people buy tickets and some with tickets opt against traveling.
FIFA had requested the waiver, which had to be approved by the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security, officials said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Iran says its small subs deployed to Strait of Hormuz as expert explains threat: ‘Vulnerable to detection’
Iran says it has deployed small submarines to act as an "invisible guardian" of the Strait of Hormuz amid a series of rejected peace deals between Tehran and the U.S., according to reports.
The deployment claim came as analysts said that although the Iranian Ghadir-class mini-subs could threaten U.S. naval forces, the vessels’ limited range, firepower and endurance would blunt any real strategic impact.
The submarine deployment was highlighted by Bloomberg and first reported by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency.
Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, commander of Iran’s navy, said that his forces deployed its light submarine, referred to as the "dolphins of the Persian Gulf," according to the Iranian state media outlet.
IRAN TURNS TO PUTIN AS US TALKS COLLAPSE, HORMUZ STANDOFF THREATENS GLOBAL OIL FLOW
It also comes as Tehran seeks to reinforce its control over the strait, now defining it as a far larger zone, Reuters reported.
"Time would be limited, probably a couple of days at the most," defense analyst Tom Shugart told Fox News Digital about the Iranian vessel deployment.
The retired U.S. Navy submarine warfare officer also said the small diesel-electric submarines face fundamental operational constraints.
"If they run their diesel engines to snorkel and recharge batteries, that could generate sound that could be detected," Shugart said.
"Their snorkel mast projecting from the water could be detected by radars on patrol aircraft or helicopters," Shugart added.
The submarines are said to be designed for shallow waters like the Strait of Hormuz and can operate quietly for limited periods on battery power.
"While they may be able to sit on the bottom for a while and operate somewhat quietly on their batteries for a while, they have no air-independent propulsion system (AIP) like more modern diesel-electric submarines," Shugart said before adding that they’ll, "eventually have to come up and snorkel. This will make them more vulnerable to detection and destruction."
INSIDE IRAN’S MILITARY: MISSILES, MILITIAS AND A FORCE BUILT FOR SURVIVAL
The IRGC Navy is said to be the sole operator of this class of submarine, all of which serve in the Southern Fleet.
"Any remaining Ghadirs, if they exist and are actually deployed, may be able to lay mines and may be able to threaten merchant ships," Shugart warned.
"But I don’t see them as a serious threat to U.S. Navy warships — and certainly not to U.S. submarines," he said.
"But I can say for sure that I wouldn’t want to go out on one in the current environment."
HORMUZ CHOKE POINT PERSISTS AS IRAN HALTS OIL TRAFFIC DESPITE TRUMP CEASEFIRE
The U.S. Navy confirmed May 10 that a U.S. Navy Ohio-class nuclear-armed submarine had arrived in Gibraltar.
"The port visit demonstrates U.S. capability, flexibility and continuing commitment to its NATO allies," U.S. Sixth Fleet Public Affairs said in a statement.
"Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines are undetectable launch platforms for submarine-launched ballistic missiles, providing the U.S. with its most survivable leg of the nuclear triad," it added.
Meanwhile, Shugart’s remarks came as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, with commercial tanker traffic largely choked off amid ongoing military activity and the continued U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.
The United Arab Emirates and South Korea reported new strikes on stranded vessels Wednesday, while the IRGC increased its fast-attack craft activity, according to reports.
President Donald Trump has maintained Iran’s navy is "completely obliterated."
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Tech entrepreneur flees Washington due to companies being 'villainized'
A prominent Washington tech entrepreneur is joining the growing exodus of business leaders fleeing the Evergreen State, citing a "dramatic" shift in the state’s tax climate following the passage of a controversial new "millionaire tax."
Jesse Proudman, the founder and CTO of the privacy-focused generative AI platform Venice.ai, told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that the state he once called a "startup sanctuary" has become increasingly hostile to the very people who fuel its economy.
"I started three companies here in the state. I have been an entrepreneur my whole life here," Proudman said. "The business climate when I started my first company was very entrepreneurial-friendly, and the startup community was looked upon as a contributing member of the city. Over the last number of years, that has changed dramatically."
Proudman, who previously founded the private cloud company Blue Box and the crypto-investing platform Makara, is now serving as a spokesperson for Let’s Go Washington. The political committee is currently spearheading a massive signature-gathering effort to repeal the tax measure before it can take root.
STARBUCKS CUTS JOBS IN SEATTLE AS FORMER CEO HOWARD SCHULTZ BLASTS ‘SOCIALIST’ MAYOR
The tax, pushed through by the Democratic-controlled legislature during the 2026 session and signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson in March, imposes a 9.9% levy on annual income exceeding $1 million. While it is set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2028—with the first payments due in 2029—the mere threat of its implementation is already shifting the state’s demographics.
"We have until July 2nd to gather about 325,000 signatures to put this on the November ballot," said Hallie Herzberg, Director of Communications for Let's Go Washington. "The people deserve the right to vote on this. It’s already driving businesses, employers, and families out of the state."
The move marks a seismic shift for Washington, which has historically been one of only a handful of states with no personal income tax. However, the legal ground shifted in 2023 when the state’s Supreme Court upheld a 7% capital gains tax, effectively opening the door for broader income-based levies that critics argue violate the state constitution’s requirement that property (which includes income) be taxed at a uniform rate.
GOV ABBOTT EXTENDS OFF-RAMP FOR NY BILLIONAIRES FLEEING MAMDANI'S POLICIES
State Sen. Jamie Pedersen (D-Seattle), the Senate Majority Leader and the bill's primary sponsor, has dismissed concerns of "tax flight."
"The reality is the millionaire tax is not likely to result in businesses leaving," Pedersen told a local FOX affiliate following the bill’s signing. He later told Fox News Digital that there is "no evidence" that high earners will migrate to lower-tax jurisdictions like Florida or Texas.
Data from the Association of Washington Business (AWB) suggests otherwise. A recent survey reported by The Center Square found that 44% of business leaders in the state are considering moving their personal residences elsewhere. Furthermore, Washington businesses reported they are now more than twice as likely to expand outside the state than within it.
For Proudman, the decision has already been made. He plans to relocate his life and business interests to Austin, Texas.
"It's no longer a friendly place to conduct business," Proudman said. "Startup companies are being villainized. With the passing of this tax, we have looked at alternative places to move, and we'll probably end up in Austin."
SIX DIFFERENT WAYS THAT PROVE THE WEALTHY PAY A LOT MORE THAN THEIR ‘FAIR SHARE’
Proudman warned that while the tax is currently branded as a "millionaire’s tax" to gain public favor, the long-term economic consequences will eventually hit middle-class residents as the tax base shrinks.
"They are targeting a very highly mobile cohort of the population," Proudman argued. "When those folks leave, this will become a tax on everybody. The voters are unwittingly creating an incredibly worse tax situation for themselves. Washington is already the 45th worst state from a tax point of view. This is a constitutionally illegal tax that ultimately will apply to everyone."
Sen. Pedersen’s office did not respond to Fox News Digital's latest request for comment.
Jeff Probst's defiant message to 'Survivor 50' critics over Zac Brown backlash: 'I've also got a backbone'
Jeff Probst isn't afraid to "outwit, outplay, outlast" fans, but also recognized that the tribe has spoken out against "Survivor 50."
The longtime, Emmy Award-winning host took qualms with superfans spinning a narrative that the show's once ruthless narrative has softened over the years.
"We experiment with all kinds of new ideas, and we tried to usher in the most unpredictability we’ve ever had," Probst told Variety.
'SURVIVOR' RETURNS FOR MILESTONE 50TH SEASON WITH ALL-STAR CAST INCLUDING 'WHITE LOTUS' CREATOR
"Whether or not you like the season is subjective, but it’s not that something didn’t work. We’ve made bad choices in the past. I just don’t think we did in 50."
‘MORMON WIVES’ IS CLASHING WITH CORE LDS VALUES AND AMERICA IS EATING IT UP: EXPERT
Of the myriad new additions to the evolving series, "Survivor" enlisted the help of a celebrity panel — including Jimmy Fallon, Billie Eilish, MrBeast and Zac Brown — to collaborate on new twists for the show.
Fan-favorite contestant Cirie Fields was taken aback by seeing the "Country Fried" singer — who is also a close Probst friend — appear on the island in Fiji during Season 50.
"We’re in a bubble. So to walk out on the beach and see Zac Brown standing in front of me, it’s like, 'How did you get in?'" she said.
"We’ve never had someone from the outside come be a part of this. That let me know that Season 50 was about to be off the rails. Mind-blowing things that would never happen in the 'Survivor' of old are happening on Season 50."
Brown's guest spot became a hot topic on social media after viewers watched the country singer spearfishing to feed immunity challenge winners and then playing them music while they ate.
Additionally, Brown appeared in a number of individual confessionals and received more air time than a few contestants.
Legendary "Survivor" winner Parvati Shallow also criticized Brown's appearance, and noted, "They showed [Brown] catching the fish, and then they didn't show Ozzy catching one."
In hindsight, Probst wouldn't change much about Brown's visit, but admitted that the country star could have impacted the game instead of serving as a reward.
"It’s fascinating to me that a couple of people, most of them either former players or people who will never play, criticize the show, and it gets momentum," he said.
LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
"I tell anyone who wants to listen: If that’s your goal, to somehow impact our point of view, it will fail. We trust what we’re doing. If you think we’re going to re-edit because you thought there was too much Zac Brown, you’ve not been reading interviews with me."
He added, "I couldn’t be more serious. I love 'Survivor.' I love joy. I love fans. I’ve also got a backbone. It’s gonna take more than that to knock me over."
Probst, 64, began hosting "Survivor" at its inception in 2000. One decade into hosting the popular competition show, Probst became disillusioned by the audience's desire to revel in conflict.
"I didn’t like the stories we were telling, and I was losing my joy of the format, therefore my joy of the job, therefore my joy of life," Probst said.
"I didn’t want vitriol and who can be the meanest, most spiteful person."
At one point, he tried to quit, but was met with resistance by executive producer Mark Burnett after confessing he was "done" with the gig.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
It was Burnett who recognized that Probst likely needed some time off, in addition to more responsibility on the back end of the show.
"CBS was initially horrified. They didn’t want stars to be given showrunner status," Probst said. "But I was so argumentative and sure that it was the right thing to do that I convinced them."
"It was the best move I’ve made in my career."
While recognizing the cultural impact, Burnett admitted that playing "Survivor" is similar to a "management training test."
"If someone works for you, can you fire them and have them shake your hand after?" Burnett wondered.
"At 'Survivor,' you’re voting people out — firing them every week — then you’re asking the very people you fired to give you $1 million. That’s a tricky thing to do."
First clade I mpox case confirmed in Connecticut after patient traveled to Western Europe
A case of clade I mpox — a more virulent version of the virus that causes monkeypox, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — has been confirmed in the U.S., as global health officials also monitor newly reported hantavirus cases in Europe.
The Connecticut Department of Public Health (CDPH) said Wednesday that the state’s first identified case of clade I mpox was detected in a person who recently traveled to Western Europe, where officials continue to monitor infectious disease activity.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also reported new hantavirus cases in Spain and France, drawing attention to the rare but potentially severe disease, which can cause serious respiratory complications in humans.
Hantavirus is typically spread through contact with infected rodents and can lead to severe respiratory illness, though cases remain rare, according to the WHO.
While health officials said the mpox case "does not pose a risk to the general public," they still encourage those who may be at risk to receive the JYNNEOS vaccine.
NEW MPOX STRAIN CONFIRMED IN US STATE FOR FIRST TIME
Mpox symptoms can include fever, swollen lymph nodes and a characteristic rash, according to CDC.
"Mpox hasn't gone away, and we want people to be protected, especially as many in our community prepare for travel, festivals, and gatherings this summer," CDPH Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani said in the release.
"The vaccine is safe, effective and widely available. Completing the two-dose series is the best way to protect yourself and your partners."
HANTAVIRUS DEATHS ON CRUISE SHIP HIGHLIGHT DANGERS OF RODENT-BORNE DISEASE
Clade I and clade II mpox are genetically distinct forms of the virus with key differences in severity and geographic origin, according to the CDC and the WHO.
Clade I, historically identified in Central Africa, has been linked to more severe illness and higher mortality rates, with cases often involving more widespread rashes and complications.
Clade II, which has circulated primarily in West Africa, is generally associated with milder disease and drove the global outbreak beginning in 2022, when most patients experienced less severe symptoms and lower hospitalization and death rates, according to the WHO.
The CDC and WHO say distinguishing between the two clades helps guide risk assessments, particularly as international travel increases.