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Bronx man convicted of running secret Chinese police station in Manhattan used to monitor dissidents
A New York man was convicted Wednesday of helping operate a secret Chinese government-linked police station in Manhattan used to monitor dissidents, federal prosecutors said.
Lu Jianwang, 64, a U.S. citizen also known as "Harry Lu" from the Bronx, was convicted by a jury on two counts related to operating an overseas police station in New York City on behalf of China’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS), as well as obstruction of justice for destroying evidence.
According to prosecutors, Lu and his co-defendant, Chen Jinping, acted as illegal agents of the Chinese government beginning in 2022 and established what authorities described as the first known overseas Chinese police station in the United States.
Chen pleaded guilty in 2024 to conspiring to act as an agent of the People’s Republic of China in connection with the operation.
CALIFORNIA MAYOR ACCUSED OF SECRETLY WORKING FOR CHINA, SPREADING PROPAGANDA WHILE IN OFFICE: FEDS
Prosecutors said the station operated out of an office building in Lower Manhattan, where investigators found a blue banner reading: "Fuzhou Police Overseas Service Station, New York, USA."
U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Joseph Nocella Jr. said the conviction disrupted a Chinese government operation on American soil.
"A police station operating in New York City at the direction of the Chinese government has been exposed, its sinister purpose disrupted, and its founder held accountable for blatantly disregarding the law and our country’s sovereignty," he said in a statement.
"Our Office remains resolute in protecting the rights of people seeking freedom from repression and speaking out to bring democracy, reform, and human rights to China," he added.
James C. Barnacle Jr., assistant director in charge of the FBI’s New York field office, said the verdict should send a message to foreign agents operating in the U.S.
"May today’s verdict send a message to other foreign agents – the FBI maintains its unwavering resolve to reveal and disrupt the clandestine operations of adversarial nations," he said in a statement.
CHINA TARGETS US MILITARY MEMBERS IN OVERSEAS SPY OPERATIONS, FORMER CIA STATION CHIEF WARNS
Prosecutors said the Manhattan outpost was part of a broader Chinese government effort to monitor and intimidate dissidents abroad, including in the United States.
According to the DOJ, Lu gathered information for the Chinese government, including helping locate a pro-democracy activist who fled China for the United States.
The FBI searched the outpost in October 2022 and seized phones belonging to Lu and Chen. Investigators later discovered WeChat messages between the men and their Chinese government handler had been deleted.
ATTORNEY RAISES BROADER CONCERNS AFTER MAYOR ADMITS TO ACTING AS CHINESE AGENT IN SHOCKING CASE
Prosecutors said Lu admitted to FBI agents that he established the Manhattan outpost, communicated with his handler through WeChat and deleted the messages.
Lu spoke briefly to supporters outside federal court following the verdict but declined to answer questions from reporters.
His attorney argued the outpost functioned as a community center where Chinese residents could renew driver’s licenses and gather socially.
"This is not espionage. This is not spying. This is not intelligence gathering," attorney John Carman said outside the courthouse. "He wasn’t charged with any of that."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Trump touts ‘fantastic trade deals’ in final Xi meeting amid tariff standoff
President Donald Trump held his final meeting with Chinese President Xi touting a big win on one of the central focuses orf the high-stakes summit after the two leaders held a bilateral tea at the Zhongnanhai compound.
"This has been an incredible visit," Trump said to reporters. "I think a lot of good has come of it, and we've made some fantastic trade deals. Great for both countries."
The announcement comes against the backdrop of a yearslong tariff standoff between the U.S. and China, with Trump arguing aggressive duties are needed to force fairer trade terms while Beijing has repeatedly pushed back. While it is unclear which deals were reached, it was shared that China agreed to order 200 Boeing jets.
TRUMP MEETS US AMBASSADOR TO CHINA AS TENSIONS FLARE AHEAD OF XI SHOWDOWN
U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, War Secretary Pete Hegseth, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer were present for the meeting.
America’s top business leaders traveled with Trump to Beijing and met with Premier Li Qiang Thursday to discuss U.S.-China economic and trade cooperation.
"China is willing to work with the United States to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strive for more positive outcomes, achieve mutual success and promote common prosperity, and better benefit the people of both countries and the world," reads a press release about the meeting from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
TRUMP AND CHINA CLOSE IN ON TRADE DEAL AFTER PRODUCTIVE TALKS, BESSENT SAYS
The ministry stressed that both countries should "meet each other halfway" and "safeguard bilateral economic and trade relations."
The White House and Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment on the matter.
During an interview Thursday with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Trump said China was interested in investing "hundreds of billions of dollars" alongside the American business leaders visiting Beijing.
"Those business people are here to make deals and to bring back jobs," Trump said.
TRUMP PUSHES XI ON TRADE AFTER SUPREME COURT RULING DENTS KEY CHINA PRESSURE TOOL
A major piece of Trump’s "America First" agenda has focused on leveling the global trade playing field by holding other countries accountable for trade deficits. One of his first moves after returning to office was rolling out the "Liberation Day" tariffs in April 2025, which were designed to serve as leverage in trade negotiations while also generating new revenue.
Tariffs have been at the center of Trump’s China strategy since his first term, when he imposed duties on Chinese imports and Beijing retaliated with tariffs of its own. The fight has remained one of the defining pressure points in the relationship between the world's two largest economies.
Trump’s first visit in 2017 produced more than $250 billion in announced commercial deals and cooperation pledges, but it did not prevent trade relations from deteriorating in 2018.
Most notably, Trump announced a $12 billion deal for cellphone chips from Qualcomm and $37 billion for Boeing commercial jets, AP reported at the time.
Trump said that Xi and his wife will visit the U.S. in September.
Trump reveals Xi’s stance on arming Iran as Hormuz tensions rattle markets
President Donald Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping has said he will not provide military equipment to Iran, which has been a central focus of the high-stakes meeting marking a possible win for the Trump administration.
Xi "said he's not going to give military equipment. That's a big statement. He said that today. That's a big statement. (He) said that strongly," Trump said to Fox News host Sean Hannity Thursday.
The pledge comes as the Trump administration increasingly has cast China not just as an economic rival, but as a key enabler of adversarial regimes, with Beijing’s economic and material support for Iran emerging as a central focus of this week’s high-stakes talks with Xi.
U.S. officials have increasingly accused China of helping prop up Iran’s military and economic strength through oil purchases, dual-use exports and intermediary networks.
TRUMP TO CONFRONT XI AT HIGH-STAKES SUMMIT OVER CHINA BACKING FOR IRAN, RUSSIA
Trump added that Xi also offered to help end the conflict.
"He said, if I can be of any help at all, I would like to be of help," Trump said.
The White House and Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment on the matter.
"But at the same time, he said, you know, they buy a lot of their oil there, and they'd like to keep doing that. He'd like to see Hormuz Strait opened," said Trump. "I said, well, we didn't stop it. They did it."
TRUMP HEADS TO BEIJING FOR HIGH-STAKES XI TALKS AS TAIWAN TENSIONS, TRADE DISPUTES TEST US STRENGTH
China heavily relies on Iranian oil imports purchasing around $31 billion to $32 billion of Iranian crude annually, according to Reuters.
Beijing ordered firms to ignore U.S. sanctions targeting Iranian oil in May — a direct challenge to Washington’s crackdown.
China’s Commerce Ministry invoked a 2021 "blocking statute" ahead of the summit which bars companies from complying with "illegitimate" foreign sanctions. The order targets several Chinese refiners accused by the U.S. of buying Iranian crude, including large independent processors known as "teapot" refineries.
CHINA ORDERS FIRMS TO IGNORE US IRAN SANCTIONS, DARING US TO ENFORCE CRACKDOWN
"He didn't like the fact that they're charging tolls," said Trump. "I don't know if they are or not. I don't know who would pay him. I mean, where do they put the money to come to countries decimated, you know, they're charging tolls where's the money going," said Trump.
Trump said that he believes a deal will be reached with China buying oil from the U.S. by the end of the trip, prompting a spike in oil prices.
"They're going to go to Texas. We're going to start sending Chinese ships to Texas and to Louisiana and to Alaska. And I think that was another thing that was agreed to it. That's a big thing," said Trump.
The two leaders held a bilateral tea meeting Friday morning local time in Beijing at the Zhongnanhai compound in their final meeting before Trump's return to the White House.
Fox News' Morgan Phillips and Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
Cedric Alexander becomes new TNA X Division champion, crushing Leon Slater's history-making attempt
All eyes were on the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) X Division Championship on Thursday night as Leon Slater looked to retain the title over Cedric Alexander and solidify himself as the longest-reigning X Division champion in the company’s history.
Slater knew a legacy was on the line as he looked to break a record set by Austin Aries. But he needed to pin Alexander twice in one match to retain the title. It was a steep mountain to climb as Alexander had been just as dangerous since he entered the company.
The match started off hot with Slater and Alexander trading blows to begin the match. But a quick-thinking Slater rolled up Alexander quickly for the first fall.
Alexander was able to go on offense from there. He hit a nasty German suplex on the outside of the ring. He continued to work on Slater’s tweaked neck. He later hit a Lumbar Check to tie the match at 1-1.
Slater went deep into his bag. He hit an avalanche Styles Clash, which could have kept anyone else down. However, Alexander kicked out. Alexander was able to counter Slater’s high-flying abilities just for a moment and knocked him back out of the ring.
Alexander sent Slater into the steel steps, leaving him busted open. Alexander declared that he would be the "greatest" X Division champion. One brainbuster later, Alexander tried to pin Slater, but couldn’t get him down.
Alexander hit a Lumbar Check again, but Slater kicked out. Slater mustered up the last ounce of energy. A tilt-a-whirl slam set Alexander up for a swanton 450. Slater missed and Alexander hit another Lumbar Check, and then again.
Alexander pinned Slater for the win, completely shocking the fans in Sacramento, California. It will be the first reign for Alexander and his first title of any kind in TNA.
Alexander is a reminder, at least for TNA, that "The System always wins."
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Moments before TNA went off the air, the lights went out in the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. Emerging from the darkness was Fabian Aichner.
Aichner stared down Alexander and appeared to name himself the next challenger for the X Division Championship. Aichner, known as Giovanni Vinci for much of his run in WWE, hadn’t really been seen or heard from in months since his departure from WWE.
Aichner wrestled under his real name for a stint in WWE before he came back as Vinci in June 22. He was with WWE until 2025. He was a two-time NXT tag team champion and an Evolve champion before it became a WWE brand.
Eric Young outlasted nine other men in an over-the-top battle royal and earned a shot at Mike Santana’s TNA World Championship to start the show.
The match came down to him and Elijah after the latter was able to toss members of The System out of the ring while also avoiding Frankie Kazarian trying to get back into the match following his own elimination.
Young and Elijah came to blows on the apron, knowing that as soon as their feet touch the ground, they would be eliminated. Young grabbed onto Elijah’s hair to try to hang onto the moment. Elijah broke away with Young’s back turned to him. Elijah, however, didn’t account for his wide stance.
The TNA original kicked Elijah in the groin and pushed him down to the ground. Young won the match and received a shot to win the TNA World Championship in the future.
He also made clear that Santana was next on his list of people to wipe out as he did to Joe Hendry, EC3 and Ricky Sosa in weeks past.
"Mike Santana, you’re gone next," he declared.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Mike Santana came out to address the crowd and praised Young for his efforts to help build TNA from the ground up.
"You better be coming with something different because while you may be someone who helped build this place, when it comes to the new era of TNA on AMC, I’m the guy. I’m the man. I’m the one who holds down the fort week after week as your TNA world champion."
While Young might have earned a title shot, Daria Rae came out and revealed to the crowd that Steve Maclin was cleared to return to action following an injury at the hands of Santana.
Maclin will get a shot at Santana’s TNA World Championship next week on "Impact."
Santino Marella also came out during the segment after he was "suspended." He revealed that Indi Harwell re-signed with TNA.
Lei Ying Lee brought the TNA Knockouts Championship back home last week with a win over Arianna Grace. She addressed the crowd before being interrupted by her former best friend, Xia Brookside.
In all black, Brookside claimed she was already in Lei’s head.
"You’re such a fraud. I’ve destroyed you mentally, I’ve destroyed you emotionally, I’ve destroyed you physically, and that title will be around my waist."
Both competitors tossed expletives at each other before the segment was over. But Brookside made clear that she had her eyes on the title.
A.J. Francis told Fox News Digital before the SacTown Street Fight on "Impact" that he was going to bring the pain to Navarro.
While wearing "Show Stealer" across his back, Francis did just that. Francis took some punishment from Navarro – a few shots from a baseball bat and a drop kick with a trash can.
Francis was able to turn the tide for a few moments, using the baseball bat to his advantage. But Navarro dug deep. He aligned six chairs in the ring, hoping to splash Francis through it. Instead, Francis countered and attempted an avalanche Down Payment. Somehow, Navarro countered with a cutter as both men crashed through the sea of chairs.
It looked like it could’ve been it. Navarro went for the pin, but only got a two count.
Francis turned on the heat from there. He got ahold of Navarro and hit a Down Payment through tables lined up on the outside of the ring.
He rolled Navarro back into the ring and picked up the pinfall victory.
Paul Finebaum roasts Lane Kiffin for recent comments: "Trying to wipe Ole Miss off the map"
The world of college football is rarely dull. Even with the regular season a few months away from starting, this week has been full of drama.
And most of the most recent drama has been created by LSU Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin.
Kiffin, who's no stranger to making headlines, made several comments that garnered attention in new interviews. The most contentious and controversial being some very pointed criticisms of Ole Miss, his former school.
Specifically Kiffin claimed Ole Miss would lose out on recruits because of supposed concerns over racial diversity on campus and in Oxford.
"'Hey, coach, we really like you. But my grandparents aren’t letting me move to Oxford, Mississippi.’ That doesn’t come up when you say Baton Rouge, Louisiana," Kiffin said to Vanity Fair. "Parents were sitting here this weekend saying the campus’s diversity feels so great: 'It feels like there’s no segregation. And we want that for our kid because that’s the real world.'"
LANE KIFFIN TAKES SHOT AT OLE MISS, CITES RACISM IN RECRUITING GAP WITH LSU IN AWKWARD INTERVIEW
Reactions on social media were immediate and generally dismissive of Kiffin's claims. And you can add one of the SEC's biggest supporters to the list of those roasting him for bringing race into the Ole Miss discussion. Even at a new school.
ESPN's Paul Finebaum, during a new episode of his "The Paul Finebaum Show," went after Kiffin and had some thoughts on what motivated him to say what he did.
"An SEC coach at LSU is breaking big news in Vanity Fair," Finebaum said. "Has to be shaking up Fifth Avenue right now. But it's Lane Kiffin.
"The most important thing to factor in here, this wasn’t a slip of the tongue. I talked to the writer who did the Vanity Fair piece the other day, Curt [sic] Smith, he said he didn’t even ask Kiffin about the racism aspect, he just started rifting [sic]. This is Kiffin trying to wipe Ole Miss off the face of the Earth, he’s still very bitter at them, even though they're the jilted lover. He's bitter at them because they wouldn’t let him coach in the playoffs.
"And he has to recruit against them, he has to coach against them on September 19th, a game that will get a little bit of attention."
Finebaum then took a minute to address Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian's comments, which implied that Ole Miss has an advantage because it's not a good academic school. "The Sarkisian thing is even more amazing. The fact that any coach is whining and complaining about anything ... Steve Sarkisian makes about $12 million a year, and not one person on his roster is going to the University of Texas for their curriculum. They're going for the money."
Paul Finebaum, not holding back. And he's right.
Lane Kiffin is bitter, upset, whatever the adjective, that Ole Miss didn't let him coach in the playoff after taking the LSU job. But he knew that was going to be the outcome if he decided to leave, and he left anyway. Kiffin then essentially proved Finebaum right in another interview with Wilson Alexander from On3.com.
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"Obviously, I wish the timing was different. There was no way around it," he said. "Tried to do everything possible to still coach and, obviously, that was [athletic director Keith Carter's] decision and understandable. Do I still wish that had happened? Yeah, I do. I wish that would have been allowed to happen. Maybe we would have won it all."
That's why he's so upset. He believed Ole Miss had a chance to win a national championship. And he would have that on his résumé, winning a title, especially at a program like Ole Miss. But he has no one to blame but himself for missing out on that opportunity. Even if the LSU job is a better one in the long run.
And he's right on Sarkisian too. Sark knows the Texas football team isn't there for academics, or at least, the starters. If any coach is going to complain about putting together a roster, it shouldn't be the head of arguably the richest program in the country. With a massive NIL budget, classic uniforms, a legendary stadium and history, and a gigantic, devoted fan base.
Credit where credit's due, Finebaum didn't pull any punches. Even though the target was based in his beloved SEC.
Trump says Xi agreed US became a ‘declining nation’ during Biden years
President Donald Trump turned Chinese President Xi Jinping’s reported swipe at the West during the U.S. and China's high-stakes meetings in Beijing into a political attack on former President Joe Biden Thursday.
"When President Xi very elegantly referred to the United States as perhaps being a declining nation, he was referring to the tremendous damage we suffered during the four years of Sleepy Joe Biden and the Biden Administration, and on that score, he was 100% correct," Trump wrote on Truth Social ahead of the second day of talks between the U.S. and China.
After the U.S. delegation was greeted with pomp and circumstance at an opening ceremony Wednesday night, Xi invoked the so-called "Thucydides Trap" during opening remarks, asking whether China and the United States could avoid the historical pattern of conflict between a rising power and an established one.
TRUMP-XI’S CHINA SUMMIT IS A DEFINING TEST FOR AMERICA IN THE NEW COLD WAR
The line echoed Beijing’s broader view of a shifting global balance of power, though it is unclear if Xi explicitly called the U.S. or the West a "declining nation."
"President Xi was not referring to the incredible rise that the United States has displayed to the world during the 16 spectacular months of the Trump Administration, which includes all-time high stock markets and 401K’s, military victory and thriving relationship in Venezuela, the military decimation of Iran (to be continued!)," Trump added in his post.
"The United States is the hottest Nation anywhere in the world, and hopefully our relationship with China will be stronger and better than ever before!" Trump continued.
BEHIND SUMMIT SMILES, XI GIVES BLUNT WARNING TO TRUMP OF 'CLASHES' AND 'CONFLICTS'
Trump went on to say that the United States "suffered immeasurably" under Biden-era policies like open borders, increased taxes, DEI, "transgender for everybody," and sanctuary city ordinances. He agreed that "two years ago" the nation was "in decline."
Fox News Digital reached out to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the White House for comment.
A White House spokesperson referred Fox News Digital back to the president's Truth Social post, but a Chinese Embassy spokesperson said in a statement that "the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can go hand in hand."
However, the Chinese embassy spokesperson did not respond to inquiries asking for more context about Xi's reported comments.
Xi’s "Thucydides Trap" reference was not a direct statement that the United States or the West is declining, but it invoked a geopolitical theory about the danger of conflict when a rising power challenges an established one and came as the Chinese president raised the prospect of a future U.S.-China clash over Taiwan. The phrase has been used in U.S.–China policy circles to describe fears that China’s rise could put it on a collision course with Washington.
"On a welcoming banquet for President Trump, President Xi pointed out that this year marks the start of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan for economic and social development. The over 1.4 billion people of China, drawing on the rich heritage of our over-5,000-year civilization, are advancing Chinese modernization on all fronts through high-quality development. This year is also the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. The over 300 million American people are reinvigorating the spirit of patriotism, innovation and enterprise, and ushering in a new journey for the development of the United States," the spokesperson said in their statement to Fox News Digital.
"The peoples of China and the United States are both great peoples. Achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can go hand in hand. We can help each other succeed and advance the well-being of the whole world. President Xi and President Trump also agreed to build a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability to promote the steady, sound and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations, and bring more peace, prosperity and progress to the world."
Former President Biden's personal history with Xi dates back to both their tenures as vice presidents.
But as president, Biden’s relationship with Xi was one that involved an ongoing strategic rivalry, with the two leaders meeting in Bali in 2022 and California in 2023 as Washington and Beijing tried to stabilize ties amid disputes over Taiwan, a spy balloon caught over the United States, fentanyl and other disputes.
Fox News Digital reached out to Biden's representatives for comment, but did not immediately hear back in time for publication.
"We should be partners, not rivals," Xi told Trump during opening remarks that followed the welcome ceremony in front of Great Hall of the People in Beijing. "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."
The Colts channeled "The Simpsons" for their schedule release, and it's a masterpiece
The NFL schedule release has turned into an arms race among teams' social media departments to see who can get the most attention.
I don't care about that.
All I care about is that the Indianapolis Colts just threw down the greatest schedule release of all time. And I'm not just saying that as a die-hard fan of "The Simpsons."
I mean, I am, but that's not the only reason I'm saying it.
For the 2026 season, the Colts' cromulent, Simpsonized schedule release video was kind of a two-parter.
The first part was a reworking of the long-running primetime sitcom's iconic opening sequence that was jammed full of very funny NFL Easter eggs, starting with a classic Bart Simpson chalkboard gag that reads, "WE WILL NOT INCLUDE TYREEK HILL IN THESE VIDEOS."
CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE
Then, the second part was the actual schedule reveal, and that was where this went from being cool to being brilliant. Each game was introduced with a clip from the show that fits it perfectly, starting with the Colts' Week 1 date with the Baltimore Ravens.
That one used a clip of "The Simpsons'" adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" from Season 2's "Treehouse of Horror." Pour yourself a Duff and maybe gnaw on a pink donut, because this is a masterpiece you will probably watch several times.
Just speaking from experience.
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Perfect. No notes on this end.
Honestly, with more than 800 episodes, every NFL team could do a Simpsons schedule release video, and there wouldn't be too much overlap.
I kind of dig these schedule releases, because they honestly get better and better.
I think we're probably only about a year or two from James Cameron directing one of them... and then directing five more sequels no one asked for.
NBA tries justifying egregious, game-changing no-call in Pistons-Cavs in final seconds
The NBA says the officials were correct not to call a foul on the Cavaliers in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter against the Pistons, in a game Cleveland won in overtime.
"[Jarrett] Allen and [Ausar] Thompson legally step to the same spot while pursuing the loose ball [before either player has possession], and both lose their balance from the marginal contact," the league said via its Last Two Minutes Report on Thursday.
Except that is not what happened.
As the video below shows, Allen tripped Thompson and committed a foul. Had the foul been called, Thompson would have gone to the free-throw line with the score tied 103-103 with less than a second to play.
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That's a trip right there," said game analyst Tim Legler on the replay. "There's a couple of tenths left when that happens."
Though Thompson is just a 60% free-throw shooter, the odds would have heavily favored a Detroit win had the officials properly called the foul.
Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff agreed.
"[Allen] fouled Ausar -- clearly," Bickerstaff said after the game. "He tripped him when he was going for a loose ball."
Bickerstaff came into the game already displeased with the officiating in the series, noting the free-throw disparity in Game 4.
"It’s unacceptable, it is," Bickerstaff said, via the Detroit News’ Coty Davis. "We didn’t do enough honestly to help ourselves, and I’ll start there. But ever since we came to Cleveland, the whistle has changed. There’s no way that one guy on their team shoots more free throws than our team."
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For context, the Pistons shot just 12 free-throw attempts in Monday night's loss to the Cavaliers. Cleveland guard Donovan Mitchell shot 15 free throws himself.
Still, crew chief Tony Brothers stands by his poor officiating.
"During live play, both players were going for the ball, and there was incidental contact with the legs with no player having possession of the ball," he said about the no call on Wednesday.
"There was incidental contact on the play. The play will be reviewed by the league office tomorrow, and it will be posted in the L2M," he added.
The Cavs host the Pistons on Friday for Game 6. Detroit would like some makeup calls.
US moving to indict former Cuban leader Raúl Castro: source
The United States is moving to indict Raúl Castro, the former Cuban president, a source familiar with the matter confirmed to Fox News Digital.
The potential charges against Castro, 94, come after CIA Director John Ratcliffe met Thursday with counterparts from Cuba’s Ministry of the Interior during a high-level visit to the island nation.
CBS News first reported on the potential charges.
CUBA SAYS CIA CHIEF RATCLIFFE MET WITH OFFICIALS IN HAVANA AMID US TENSIONS
Raúl Castro is the younger brother of longtime Cuban leader Fidel Castro, who died in 2016.
Castro is reportedly being indicted in connection with the downing of planes 30 years ago, U.S. officials familiar with the matter told CBS News.
The indictment, which would require approval from a grand jury, would center on Cuba’s deadly 1996 shootdown of planes operated by the humanitarian group Brothers to the Rescue, according to the report.
During his meeting Thursday, Ratcliffe met with Cuban officials including Raulito Rodriguez Castro, Interior Minister Lazaro Alvarez Casas and the head of Cuban intelligence services in Havana to "personally deliver President Trump’s message that the United States is prepared to seriously engage on economic and security issues, but only if Cuba makes fundamental changes."
TRUMP TEASES US WILL BE 'TAKING OVER' CUBA 'ALMOST IMMEDIATELY' IN FLORIDA SPEECH
A CIA official told Fox News that Ratcliffe and Cuban officials discussed intelligence cooperation, economic stability and security issues, all against the backdrop that Cuba can no longer be a safe haven for adversaries in the Western Hemisphere.
Ratcliffe also stressed that the Trump administration was offering a genuine opportunity for cooperation and that Trump should be taken seriously, sources said.
Earlier this month, Trump joked during remarks at the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches in Florida that the U.S. would be "taking over" Cuba "almost immediately."
DESANTIS REVEALS WHICH DICTATORSHIP SHOULD BE 'PUT OUT TO PASTURE' NEXT
"Cuba’s got problems. We’ll finish one first. I like to finish a job."
The Trump administration has recently expanded sanctions targeting countries and companies that do business with Cuba, particularly oil suppliers, increasing pressure on Havana amid fuel shortages and widespread power outages.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Department of Justice for comment.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
Fox News Digital's Alexandra Koch and Fox News' David Spunt contributed to this report.
Trans athlete AB Hernandez's mother says criticism is politically motivated ahead of midterm elections
As the debate over transgender athletes continues in California, concerns surrounding competitive fairness remain at the center of the conversation.
Jurupa Valley senior AB Hernandez, born male, delivered three dominant performances in girls' events at the CIF Southern Section Division 3 preliminaries.
Save Girls’ Sports activists gathered outside Yorba Linda High School in protest, which OutKick documented firsthand through conversations with parents and attendees at the meet.
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One attendee acknowledged that debate surrounding a high school athlete can become contentious, but argued the issue of fairness is straightforward. The results, they said, spoke for themselves after Hernandez’s dominant showing.
As criticism over competitive disparities intensified following the meet, pro-trans activists pushed back with the familiar argument that inclusion matters more than results, while opponents argued female athletes lose opportunities in the process.
Hernandez will continue competing under CIF rules permitting transgender participation and is scheduled to compete Saturday, May 16, before advancing to the CIF finals in Clovis later this month.
CALIFORNIA GIRLS' TRACK ATHLETE OPENS UP ON LOSING FIRST-PLACE TITLE TO TRANS COMPETITOR
AB Hernandez’s mother, Nereyda, declined to speak with OutKick about fairness in women’s sports, but told the Los Angeles Times in an exclusive interview that criticism directed at her child is being fueled by politics during a midterm election cycle.
Addressing the backlash from the May 9 preliminaries, Nereyda said she encouraged AB to ignore activists and dismissed much of the criticism as politically motivated.
Nereyda told the Times, "Once they started posting [online] about their protest, I thought, ‘Wow, it’s going to be another crazy year,’" she said. "But no, on the outside, they had maybe, maybe 10 people. … They’re there to target one child, but they affect all of them."
Nereyda also suggested the controversy surrounding AB has become increasingly politicized as the national debate over transgender athletes intensifies.
"I told AB, this is a [midterm] election year," Nereyda said. "They’re gonna hit us hard, because they’re using us for their campaigns."
Hernandez’s standout performance at the CIF Southern Section Division 3 preliminaries included victories in the triple jump by more than four feet and the long jump by over a foot.
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Those margins are substantial at the elite high school level.
Supporters of Save Girls’ Sports say Hernandez’s results highlight the competitive advantages created by biological differences in girls' athletics.
Nereyda and activists supporting AB have defended CIF policies allowing transgender athletes to compete based on gender identity, even as California Gov. Gavin Newsom has publicly acknowledged concerns surrounding fairness.
"I think it’s an issue of fairness. I completely agree with you on that," Newsom told Charlie Kirk during a podcast appearance in early 2025.
The California governor continued, "It is an issue of fairness. It’s deeply unfair," he said. "I’m not wrestling with the fairness issue. I totally agree with you."
Despite growing backlash, Nereyda Hernandez remains unwavering in criticizing protestors for disrupting her family’s peace. She dismissed much of the criticism as outside agitation rather than concern from families directly involved in the competition.
"She has been doing this sport since freshman year [of high school]," Nereyda said. "She’s not doing anything wrong."
"It’s just the outsiders," Nereyda added. "They’re infiltrating, pretending they’re parents or they know people, but I’m the mom. I know who they are."
Supporters of Save Girls’ Sports often point to high-profile collegiate cases as evidence of what they believe is a widening competitive gap in women’s athletics.
Critics portray the movement as politically motivated, but many athletes and parents involved insist their concerns center on competition rather than ideology.
They argue women’s sports exist to preserve opportunities and protected competition for female athletes under Title IX.
Among the most frequently cited examples is former University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas, who transitioned from competing on the men’s team, where Thomas ranked 462nd nationally before winning an NCAA Division I women’s national championship.
Advocates argue retained physical advantages still created disparities female athletes could not overcome through training alone.
The movement also points to San Jose State volleyball player Blair Fleming, whose presence on the court sparked national controversy and prompted opponents to forfeit matches over safety concerns and the integrity of the women’s category.
In a separate statement released through TransFamily Support Services, Nereyda Hernandez said much of the harassment directed at AB has come from adults, including some "in positions of power who should be protectors of our youth."
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She said AB has been "attacked for simply being who they are," while noting competitors themselves have generally shown respect.
While the emotional weight of a mother defending her child is undeniable, supporters of Save Girls’ Sports argue compassion for one athlete should not come at the expense of opportunities for other young women.
They point to widening performance gaps as evidence supporting those concerns as transgender participation expands in girls and women’s sports.
For years, athletes and parents who questioned transgender participation in women’s sports were often labeled transphobic.
But as the debate gains national attention, more families argue that acknowledging biological differences is not an act of hatred.
Supporters say girls are losing podium spots, titles and scholarship opportunities to competitors with measurable physical advantages.
Nereyda Hernandez told the Times that her family is looking forward to the meet, despite expected protests.
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Meanwhile, supporters insist their goal is not to attack a student, but to defend women’s sports.
For supporters of Save Girls’Sports, the answer is clear: protected competition for female athletes must come first.
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