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Experts reveal why 'nonnamaxxing' trend may improve mental, physical health
The key to feeling better in a fast, overstimulated world might be surprisingly simple: Live a little more like your grandparents.
A growing social media trend, dubbed "nonnamaxxing," draws inspiration from the slower, more intentional rhythms associated with an Italian grandmother.
The lifestyle is often linked to activities like preparing home-cooked meals, spending time outdoors and making meaningful connections.
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"Nonnamaxxing is a 2026 trend that embraces the slower, more intentional lifestyle of an Italian grandmother (a Nonna). Think cooking from scratch, long family meals, daily walks, gardening and less screen time," Erin Palinski-Wade, a New Jersey-based registered dietitian, told Fox News Digital.
Stepping away from screens and toward real-world interaction can have measurable benefits, according to California-based psychotherapist Laurie Singer.
"We know that interacting with others in person, rather than spending time on screens, significantly improves mental health," she told Fox News Digital, adding that social media often fuels comparison and lowers self-esteem.
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Living more like previous generations isn’t purely driven by nostalgia. Cooking meals from scratch, for example, has been linked to better nutrition and more mindful eating patterns.
Adopting traditional mealtime habits can improve diet quality and support both physical and mental health, especially when meals are shared regularly with others, Palinski-Wade noted.
There’s also a psychological benefit to slowing down and focusing on one task at a time. Anxiety often stems from unfinished or avoided tasks, Singer noted, and engaging in hands-on activities can counteract that.
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"Nonnamaxxing encourages us to be present around a task, like gardening, baking or knitting, or just taking a mindful walk, that delivers something 'real,'" she said.
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Palinski-Wade cautions against turning the trend into another source of pressure, noting that a traditional "nonna" lifestyle often assumes a different pace of life.
The key, she said, is adapting the mindset, not replicating it perfectly.
The goal is to reintroduce small, intentional moments that make you feel better.
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That might mean prioritizing a few shared meals each week, taking a walk without your phone, or setting aside time for a simple hobby, the expert recommended.
Singer added, "Having a positive place to escape to, through whatever activities speak to us and make us happy, isn’t generational – it’s human."
Stefanik fires back in heated clash with CNN's Tapper over Trump's viral Iran post
Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., defended President Donald Trump during a heated exchange Sunday, pushing back against claims that the president’s rhetoric toward Iran amounted to a call for genocide.
Stefanik directly rejected the accusation when pressed by CNN's Jake Tapper on "State of the Union," saying, "President Trump didn’t call for genocide, Jake. You are putting those words in his mouth."
The tense exchange followed scrutiny of Trump’s recent comments about Iran, with critics arguing his language about destroying threats could be interpreted as targeting civilians. Administration officials have maintained the president’s remarks were directed at Iran’s ruling regime, which the U.S. Department of State designates as a state sponsor of terrorism.
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Stefanik reinforced that distinction during the interview, saying, "He’s targeting the terrorist regime."
Tapper questioned whether references to wiping out threats crossed a line, citing concerns raised by some observers. Stefanik dismissed that interpretation and accused the media of misrepresenting the president’s intent.
"You’re adding genocide. That’s not what he's stating," Stefanik said.
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Stefanik contrasted Trump’s remarks with past congressional hearings involving university leaders.
"The difference with those university presidents is they couldn’t answer the simple, direct question," Stefanik said. "President Trump didn’t call for genocide."
Stefanik pivoted to Iran’s record, emphasizing the regime’s actions.
"The Iranians have killed tens of thousands of their own people," she said. "President Trump effectively brought the Iranians to the table. He effectively delivered a ceasefire."
STOP CALLING THIS BRINKMANSHIP. TRUMP'S HORMUZ MOVE IS THE REAL PRESSURE
She also criticized those raising concerns about the president’s rhetoric, adding, "If you want to prop up the Iranian terrorist regime, that’s on you."
The Trump administration has said its strategy is focused on deterring Iran’s nuclear ambitions and limiting its influence in the Middle East. In recent statements, officials have emphasized that U.S. actions are aimed at the regime rather than the Iranian people, while applying pressure to force negotiations.
Stefanik reiterated that position, saying, "The president has been very effective in calling out the Iranian terrorist regime."
‘Your Friends & Neighbors’ star Jon Hamm admits he showed his real butt in nude scene
Jon Hamm is giving fans a look behind the curtain of his new show.
During a recent interview on "Radio Andy," the 55-year-old actor spoke about "Your Friends & Neighbors," more specifically about whether he used a butt double when his backside was on-screen for "the first six and a half minutes" of a season two episode.
"It’s my real butt, I think," Hamm told the host.
When asked by hosts Andy Cohen and Jonah Hill, if he did anything to prepare for the scene, Hamm joked that he didn't do much and said that he was relying on post-production to smooth any blemishes during the editing process.
Hamm's role as Andrew Cooper in the hit Apple TV + show is by no means his first big gig in Hollywood, but there was a time after the actor first moved to Los Angeles when he struggled to find work.
"I wasn't working but I was auditioning like a million auditions and I kept getting called back," he said during an appearance on "In Depth with Graham Bensinger" in July 2025. "The idea of somebody saying like, 'Oh, I like you. You might not be for this thing, but you know, there's there's going to be another thing.' And so I had that kind of feedback from casting directors and producers and directors and people like that. And I was like, 'Okay.'"
He went on to say that "you have to have a pretty thick skin to do anything in this business" and that while there is sometimes a "rhyme or reason" to how things go, other times "you just get blind lucky."
Hamm spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about that period of time when he was struggling to book roles, saying he "just didn't fit."
"I was the guy who was 25 but looked 35. It’s like I fell between two barstools," he said. "I mean, I didn’t look like I was in high school when I was in high school. I don’t know if it was losing my parents, but I looked older."
He went on to explain that losing both of his parents at a younger age than most gives you "a different sensibility," and "a different outlook or approach to life," which makes you appear "older than your years." Hamm's mother died when he was about 10 and his father died when he was around 20 years old.
Hamm went on to land the lead role in the AMC series "Mad Men," when he was 35, playing Don Draper for seven seasons from 2007 to 2015. The role earned him 12 Emmy Award nominations, including one win, as well as six Golden Globe nominations with two wins.
"My friends that have parents that are still married or still alive, and it’s not a judgment either way, it’s just different," he explained. "It’s a different way of going through life, and I don’t really wear it on my sleeve, but obviously Matt picked up on that, and it worked for Don Draper, for sure. There was something haunted in Don."
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He has since starred in a number of successful projects, including "Bridesmaids," "Fargo," "Landman" and others. When speaking about his success, Hamm has often called himself a late bloomer, telling AARP, "I’ve always been a half a generation behind all my friends in everything."
Despite success coming later in his life, he told Graham Bensinger in the 2025 podcast appearance, "I only know one way of how I've gotten to where I've gotten."
"I can't imagine what it would be like, especially now in an always-on kind of always hyperconnected, always oversharing way, what it would be like to have to manage success and a career and everything at in my 20s," he said. "I know I was not prepared for it. I look at these kids who are winning awards and being exceptional, and I think I could barely do my laundry when I was in my 20s. Like I just wasn't equipped."
Prior to moving to Los Angeles, Hamm spent 12 years working as a waiter in St. Louis, previously telling Wealthsimple that "working in a restaurant is a good life lesson for anybody."
The actor explained that his friend "used to say no one should be able to work in Hollywood if they haven’t worked in a restaurant" adding that it can quickly teach someone "what a difference a little bit of kindness and common courtesy can make for people."
"It’s important to know how to treat people, and to learn how to respond when someone you’re working with is having a bad day," he said. "Understanding other people’s problems is the cornerstone of the service industry, and it’s essential as an actor. Or whatever field you’re in."
He has found success in more ways than one. Following an episode of "Your Friends and Neighbors" in which his character can be seen letting loose in a club, the actor became a viral online meme.
Fans of the show took the clip, which features Hamm with an injured face closing his eyes and swaying to the music, and turned it into an online sensation, with captions such as "When life is falling apart but this song hits" and "Coping but make it aesthetic."
"Now, people don't realize I have several active injuries on my face. Where I've just been beaten up in the show, but I was having a moment in the club, and the first person to send me this meme was Brian Williams of all people," he told Jimmy Fallon on an episode of "The Tonight Show." "Who sent me a text and was like, ‘I think you should be aware of this.’"
Hamm, who has been known as "the internet's boyfriend" since his days on "Mad Men," married actress Anna Osceola, who is 17 years his junior, in June 2023.
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The two first met in 2015 on the set of "Mad Men," but did not spark relationship rumors until 2020, ultimately making their red carpet debut in March 2022 at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party. The couple now work together on "Your Friends and Neighbors."
"It was great to have my wife, Anna, come in and be a part of it," Hamm told People. "It's fun to go to work together. We get to bring the dog in as well sometimes, so that's nice. We save money on dog sitting."
Top NFL Draft pick Zachariah Branch arrested in Georgia on two misdemeanor charges
Former Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch is facing two misdemeanor charges after he was arrested in Athens early Sunday. The arrest of the star receiver comes just days before he is projected to be a second-round pick in this week’s NFL Draft.
Branch, who turned 22 just last month, was arrested by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and booked into the Athens-Clarke County Jail just before 1:30 a.m. on two charges.
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The former Bulldogs star was charged with obstructing public sidewalks/streets – prowling and obstruction of a law enforcement officer. He was released after more than two hours in jail after posting $39 in bonds.
ESPN reported that Branch attended Georgia’s spring game on Saturday. His brother, Zion Branch, is a safety for the team after both transferred there in 2025.
Branch transferred after two seasons at Southern California and immediately became quarterback Gunner Stockton’s favorite target. He finished the season with a team-high 811 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.
GEORGIA FOOTBALL PLAYERS ARRESTED FOR SHOPLIFTING AHEAD OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF
In January, he announced his plans to declare for the draft.
"DAWG NATION, thank you for your unwavering support. You welcomed me with open arms. Having the opportunity to play between the hedges and winning the SEC Championship is a story only God could’ve written, and for that, I am forever grateful," he wrote in a statement shared on social media.
Branch’s status as a projected second-round pick was bolstered after an impressive showing at the combine, where he clocked a 4.35 40-yard dash.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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This popular burger chain built its own ‘university’ to train future leaders
One popular fast-food chain is known for more than its burgers, as it also operates its own university.
In-N-Out Burger runs a training program known as In-N-Out University, located near its original restaurant site in Baldwin Park, California.
The facility serves as a training center for employees working toward management roles, the company's website notes.
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Unlike a traditional college, the program does not offer academic degrees. Instead, it focuses on teaching employees how to run restaurant operations, maintain cleanliness standards and deliver customer service.
The training program is not open to the public. Employees must either be promoted internally or apply for a management position to attend, food publication, The Takeout reported.
The program is rooted in the company’s early growth strategy.
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In-N-Out Burger was founded in 1948 by Harry and Esther Snyder, who opened California’s first drive-thru hamburger stand in Baldwin Park, the company said. The original restaurant was just over 100 square feet, with a focus on fresh ingredients and made-to-order meals.
The chain later expanded under the leadership of their son, Rich Snyder, who took over operations in the 1970s and emphasized structured training as the company grew.
Rich Snyder introduced formal management training programs near the original restaurant, with the goal of ensuring each new location had experienced leadership before opening.
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A dedicated building for In-N-Out University opened in 1984 on the site of the Snyder family’s former home, according to the company.
The focus on training has remained central to the brand’s expansion.
In-N-Out has grown from a single drive-thru location into a chain with more than 400 restaurants across multiple states, while maintaining a policy of promoting many managers from within.
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The Baldwin Park site also features a replica of the original restaurant and a company store, offering visitors a look at the chain’s history, though the university itself remains closed to the public.
Fox News Digital reached out to In-N-Out for comment.
Other fast-food chains have also invested in training programs to develop employees and future managers.
McDonald’s operates its own global training center known as Hamburger University, which focuses on restaurant operations, including quality, service and cleanliness. The program has campuses around the world and is designed to help employees build skills as they move into management roles, according to the company.
Waltz says Trump has created 'best chance in our lifetime' to break Hezbollah’s grip on Lebanon
U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Michael Waltz said Saturday on "My View with Lara Trump" that the Trump administration has created the "best chance in our lifetime" to break Hezbollah’s grip on Lebanon, arguing Iran and its proxies are on the defensive after a series of aggressive U.S. moves.
Waltz pointed to recent developments, including the political alignment of Lebanon under President Joseph Aoun, "who's trying to do the right thing," Israel's military crackdown on Hezbollah and the first-ever direct talks between Lebanon and Israel, expressing hope for peace.
"I think we can take full advantage of [these conditions] and finally get this region back to where it was in President Trump's first term, which is back to the peaceful Abraham Accords," he said.
"Getting rid of Iran and its nefarious, malicious attacks all over the region, including trying to assassinate President Trump right here at home, will finally, finally allow us to focus on other places around the world and get us back to the extension of the Abraham Accords."
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The ambassador said President Donald Trump was "playing chess when the rest of the world is playing checkers," commending his Iran strategy and dismissing concerns surrounding his rhetoric.
"I was just on the Senate this week. And, you know, critics were hand-wringing over some mean tweets and maybe an F-bomb from the president. But you know what? What do you say to a regime that is yelling ‘Death to America’ at every turn?"
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"And you know what? It worked. It got them back to the table," he said.
Still, Iran's willingness to negotiate is unclear. Waltz said Iran's foreign ministry is in conflict with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
"The foreign minister says it's [the Strait of Hormuz] is open. The IRGC says it's closed. Regardless, it's the U.S. Navy and President Trump as the commander-in-chief that decides what ultimately comes in and comes out. And I think the bigger picture here is that the Iranian regime cannot hold the entire world's economy hostage," Waltz said in a Sunday interview on "Meet the Press."
Mamdani sidesteps question on whether he supports AOC challenging Schumer
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani sidestepped questions Sunday about whether Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez should challenge Sen. Chuck Schumer, declining to take a position amid growing debate over Democratic leadership.
"I have to be honest with you," he told NBC's Kristen Welker. "This is another question that gets into the future," Mamdani said when asked if Schumer should step aside as Senate Democratic leader.
The exchange unfolded as divisions within the Democratic Party have intensified over generational change, with progressives increasingly raising the prospect of Ocasio-Cortez mounting a primary challenge against Schumer, who has led Senate Democrats for years.
When pressed directly on whether he supported such a challenge, Mamdani avoided endorsing the idea while praising Ocasio-Cortez.
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"I will tell you this, that I have had the privilege of being represented by Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez," he said. "Now it’s an honor to work with her as an incredible congresswoman, and I’m excited to see whatever it is that she decides to do next."
Welker noted Schumer did not endorse Mamdani in his own mayoral race and asked whether that influenced his view, but the mayor emphasized cooperation.
"I’ll tell you that right now my focus is on working with everyone, and that includes Senator Schumer," Mamdani said.
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"You know, recently I worked with Senator Schumer to deliver on a hub of relief for delivery workers right here across from City Hall."
Mamdani expanded on his broader view of the party, suggesting the issue was not simply about age.
"I think it’s time for a party that reflects the urgency that we’re seeing across this country," he said. "We know very well what we oppose. What are we for?"
He also declined to weigh in on former Vice President Kamala Harris and her potential political future, despite repeated questioning.
"I have to be honest, I haven’t thought about the candidacies for president this time," Mamdani said.
"I think that New Yorkers are tired of politicians pontificating about other politicians. What they want to see are results."
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Harris has hinted at another presidential run, placing her at the center of early discussions about the Democratic field. Party leaders have emphasized the importance of focusing on the 2026 midterms as Democrats look to regain momentum.
Mamdani signaled he planned to stay focused on governing rather than engaging in national political debates.
"And here in 2026 I want to be delivering for New Yorkers," he said.
Legacy media trust hits new low with Swalwell story latest example of protecting Dems
A defining story of the past decade or so has been the collapse of trust in the credibility of legacy media institutions.
The latest survey data from Gallup found that just 28 percent of Americans have a "great deal" or "fair amount" of trust in mass media to report accurate or complete information. That's the lowest number in the poll's history. Conversely, a whopping 70 percent of respondents have "not very much" confidence or "none at all" in those same institutions. In 1972, that was flipped, with nearly 70 percent of Americans saying they trusted media outlets.
Among Republicans, those numbers are far worse. Just 8 percent of those on the right trust the media to report information fairly. That figure represents a 62 percent decline on the right even from 2015.
And that decline is very well deserved. The latest example of an obvious partisan bias being the reporting around accusations levied at now-former California Congressman Eric Swalwell. Swalwell over the last five to seven years turned himself into one of the most prominent voices on the left. Always outraged, committed to whatever progressive talking points were at a given moment, always with an expression on his face that seemed to imply he couldn't believe he was getting away with gaslighting, lying, and extreme hypocrisy.
Well, that all came crashing down in less than a week. And in the process exposed not just the Democrat Party yet again, but its most willing and helpful partners: legacy media.
Before diving into Swalwell, it's important to back up. Starting around the time when Donald Trump was first elected in 2016, legacy media quite obviously made a collective decision about its news coverage and reporting. Instead of attempting to present stories or information and let readers or viewers interpret for themselves, it would put its thumb on the scale. Pew Research, for example, found in 2025 that 55 percent of journalists don't believe that both sides do not deserve equal coverage. In reality, that number is likely far higher.
Impartiality and fairness among ostensibly unbiased journalists has all but evaporated. This only got worse during the COVID-19 pandemic. While prior generations of journalists believed that their mandate was to hold powerful people accountable, COVID was the exact opposite. The powerful, people like Anthony Fauci, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, or local public health officials, were treated with awe, reverence, and deference. Instead of questioning their statements, decision-making, or mandates, virtually every legacy media outlet promoted them.
Holding the powerful to account turned into holding the public to account. It was your fault for not wearing enough masks, or not wearing the right kind of masks, or for wanting your kid to go to school and have class without wearing a mask. It was your fault for not getting COVID vaccines based on inaccurate promises of efficacy and the disinterest in side effects legacy media demonstrated.
Why did they handle the pandemic this way? Because they do not view journalism as their primary goal or outcome. They are ideologues first, reporters second. And what their ideology said and believed during the pandemic was that Fauci and "health experts" must not be questioned, no matter how absurd their views were, or how quickly they were disproven. Criticism of Fauci, or coverage of his failures would be a betrayal of their political party and the "In this house" messaging it depends on.
There are many more examples of legacy media "missing" stories that would hurt Democrats. The Hunter Biden laptop story undoubtedly impacted the 2020 election, as mass media downplayed, ignored, or in some cases, helped ensure that the story was censored from the internet lest it hurt Joe Biden's campaign. The lab leak explanation for the pandemic was labeled as a "racist conspiracy," before evidence became overwhelming that it was the most likely source of the coronavirus.
Joe Biden's cognitive and physical decline was dismissed as a right-wing conspiracy, with "cheap fakes" becoming one of CNN's most popular terms before his atrocious debate performance. Russiagate was another. And news this week on the first Trump impeachment has exposed yet another media failing.
Now we have Swalwell as yet another shining example.
After the allegations about years of improper behavior surfaced, several reporters took to social media to explain that they'd long heard rumors or reports of Swalwell's actions and simply…did nothing about them.
One Democrat strategist posted on X Thursday morning that "…A reporter with Politico was working on verifying the rumors on Swalwell when he was running for President." He continues, "Two days before he was scheduled to sit down with this reporter Swalwell dropped out of the race. The energy disappeared to potentially take him out, the victims if they were even willing to go on the record never did."
Another reporter, Bethany Allen, said she heard information on Swalwell's behavior in 2020 when at Axios, but because it wasn't her beat, simply passed it along and never reported it. A journalist based in California posted this, saying that "shortly after being elected to Congress in 2013, [Swalwell’s] behavior towards women was known by all levels of our local government and the Alameda County Democratic Party."
The executive editor of American Prospect, David Dayen, wrote "The truth, which will be available for all to see before long, is that Swalwell’s conduct with interns, young staff, and female fans was an open secret for a long time, and yet the party…had been supporting him and raising money for him."
There are many more examples of those on the left admitting that Swalwell's treatment of women was an open secret among Democrats, which would, of course, trickle down to their partners in mass media outlets. So why did it take until now for it to come out?
Well, the legacy media's primary objective is to help and protect its "side." Which is why a majority of these people openly admit in surveys that they don't feel the need to treat both sides equally. Reporting does require those who are making the allegations to come forward. But apparently some did, then interest in the story fizzled as Swalwell stopped running for president. But that's not an acceptable excuse.
Swalwell was a sitting congressman from the country's largest state. He started a campaign for governor, and in some polls, was the leading candidate. He was a relentless force against Trump and the right, with sneering, smirking social media videos, predictable #Believeallwomen hashtags, and was seen as one of the primary leaders of the "resistance" in appearances with good buddy Jimmy Kimmel.
He was prominent enough to deserve scrutiny, particularly in light of the "everyone always knew" messaging we now see. They knew, they just didn't care enough because Swalwell was on the left. And those on the left are never treated with the aggressive mentality journalists take when they can hurt a member of the opposition. Fauci is still viewed as a hero because they never cared enough to point out how many lies he told, or facts he got wrong. All the Democrat Party partners now talking about how it was so obvious Swalwell was engaging in inappropriate behavior were happy to support his candidacy. Until now.
Some look at ~20 percent trust ratings for mass media and wonder how we got here. The real question is why it isn't lower.
UK chief rabbi says Jews targeted by ‘sustained campaign of violence and intimidation' after string of attacks
British counterterror police are investigating whether suspected Iranian proxies are behind a wave of arson attacks targeting Jewish sites in London, as a chief rabbi warned that such attacks are escalating.
The Metropolitan Police said specialized counterterror officers are probing fires at synagogues, Jewish-linked facilities and a Persian-language media company critical of Iran’s regime.
The latest incident caused minor damage to a north London synagogue Saturday night. No injuries have been reported in any of the blazes, which all happened within a few miles of each other.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans said investigators are examining claims by a group calling itself Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, which has taken responsibility for several attacks. The group’s name means Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right.
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"We are aware of public reporting that suggests this group may have links to Iran. As you would expect, we will continue to explore that question as our investigation evolves," she said.
"I’ve spoken previously about the Iranian regime’s use of criminal proxies, and we’re considering whether this tactic is being used here in London," Evans added.
Authorities say the group — which Israel has described as a possible Iranian proxy — has also claimed synagogue attacks in Belgium and the Netherlands.
IRANIAN MAN, 2ND PERSON ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY TRYING TO ENTER UK NUCLEAR MISSILE BASE: REPORT
Police have flooded northwest London with additional officers after a series of incidents in recent weeks, including the torching of four Jewish charity ambulances in the Golders Green neighborhood on March 23.
Several suspects, ranging from teenagers to people in their 40s, have already been arrested and charged.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis warned on X that "a sustained campaign of violence and intimidation against the Jewish community of the UK is gathering momentum."
"Thank God, no lives have been lost, but we cannot, and must not, wait for that to change before we understand just how dangerous this moment is for all of our society," he added.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the violence, calling the attacks "abhorrent" and vowing those responsible "will be found and brought to justice."
The threat level rose further after the group released a video claiming it would target Israel’s embassy in London with drones carrying hazardous substances. Police shut down nearby Kensington Gardens while investigating suspicious items but said no dangerous materials were found.
UK COUNTERTERRORISM POLICE PROBE ANTISEMITIC ARSON ATTACK AS IRAN-LINKED GROUP CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY
British officials have long warned that Iran uses criminal networks to carry out attacks in Europe. MI5 says it disrupted more than 20 potentially lethal Iran-linked plots in the past year.
Police issued a blunt warning to any "thugs for hire" involved in such attacks.
"Let’s be really clear — it’s a mug’s game," said Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes. "That’s what people who are now serving long prison sentences have found out, and the same fate awaits those responsible for these recent crimes."
Investigators say the probe remains ongoing as authorities work to determine whether the attacks are part of a coordinated foreign-backed campaign.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
California regulators kill charity fireworks for America’s 250th, sparking outrage
As the nation prepares for its 250th Independence Day celebration, a decades-long California Fourth of July fireworks tradition that has raised millions for local children’s programs is going dark this year after the California Coastal Commission rejected a final effort to keep it alive, citing environmental concerns to protect the bay.
"We’ve raised over the past 14 years $2 million for kids programs here in Long Beach," event organizer John Morris told Fox News Digital, adding the July 3 event is fully funded by the local community.
"This community pays for everything — everything. City fees, and the city doesn’t give us a break. We pay $20,000 to the city for police and fire, which I’m fine with, because there’s 100,000 people enjoying the fireworks," said Morris, a Long Beach resident and business owner.
Morris, who owns the Boathouse on the Bay restaurant, had planned a scaled-up fireworks display this year to mark America’s 250th Independence Day.
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In January, Coastal Commission staff rejected the proposal, and last week commissioners unanimously upheld that decision despite an appeal backed by local, state and federal officials.
Regulators warned Morris last year that 2025 would likely be the final year for fireworks at the event, as they continue pushing organizers to switch to drone shows they say are more environmentally friendly.
The decision stands in contrast to other approvals by the commission, including a permit granted to SeaWorld allowing up to 40 nights of fireworks.
"They get 40 nights in Mission Bay. All I’m asking for is 20 minutes — it doesn’t make any sense," Morris said.
Morris, 78, also pushed back on the environmental concerns cited by the commission, pointing to years of testing around the event.
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"We’ve had 10 years of environmental studies," Morris said. "We test the water before and after the fireworks and send a robotic camera into the bay to check for debris — there’s never been any. It’s been spotless.
"We’ve also had eight years of bird reports to make sure we’re not harming wildlife. We’ve never had an issue. We’ve never been written up one time. So what is it really about?"
Joshua Smith, a spokesman for the California Coastal Commission, told Fox News Digital that permits are determined on a case-by-case basis, citing environmental concerns to "protect the bay."
Smith said Morris was approved for a permit to hold a drone show in lieu of fireworks. Morris told Fox News Digital such a show would cost about $200,000 — roughly four times more than traditional fireworks.
Smith confirmed that SeaWorld received a permit allowing 40 nights of fireworks. When pressed on the discrepancy, he reiterated that decisions are made individually and declined to provide further details.
Morris said the loss of the fireworks show will be felt across the community, from local businesses to families who have made the event an annual tradition.