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CNN stands by Iran war reporting after retired general challenges ‘unnamed sources’ on air
CNN stood by its reporting in a statement to Fox News Digital on Sunday after retired Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt challenged the network during a Saturday interview over its anonymous sourcing on the Iran war, including claims involving negotiations and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine.
"We stand by our reporting," a CNN spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
Joseph Holstead, public affairs adviser to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, declined to comment on CNN’s report or Kimmitt’s assessment but agreed with Fox News Digital’s characterization that CNN’s sources lacked firsthand knowledge of the conversations described in the report.
"We are not going to comment on it nor the opinion of a commentator," Holstead said to Fox News Digital in a statement.
CNN did not respond to Fox News Digital's questions about how it vetted the anonymous sources or Kimmitt’s claim that earlier anonymously sourced information about the negotiations was inaccurate.
Kimmitt raised the accuracy concern after CNN anchor Omar Jimenez asked about the network’s report that Caine was privately seeking an "off-ramp" because further military escalation could backfire.
"I read the CNN article and I saw quotes from unnamed sources that last week were saying there were no negotiations going on, and that proved not to be true," Kimmitt said.
By the time Kimmitt appeared on the network, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance had publicly confirmed that negotiations were underway.
Trump said Thursday that he was personally involved in the discussions, while Vance told Fox News Digital on Saturday that American officials were speaking with Iran about restoring oil and gas traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
RNC national spokesperson Natalie Baldassarre defended Trump’s approach in a statement to Fox News Digital, portraying his Iran policy as effective and politically popular.
"President Trump’s ‘Peace through Strength’ foreign policy has been effective in preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon – something voters overwhelmingly support," she said. "The American people trust President Trump and voters will continue to gravitate toward our candidates who are in line with his efforts to strengthen our national security and keep American communities safe."
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CNN’s Friday article did not report that negotiations were nonexistent. Citing three sources familiar with the matter, it reported that Caine had privately told senior Trump administration officials that airpower alone was unlikely to accomplish Trump’s objectives and that some options for escalating the conflict carried substantial risks.
One of the unnamed sources summarized Caine's position in the CNN report.
"Caine is looking for an off-ramp," the source said.
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The article also included an on-the-record response from Caine spokesman Joseph Holstead, who rejected anonymous descriptions of the chairman’s private discussions while declining to disclose what Caine had told Trump and other senior officials.
"We do not discuss the Chairman’s confidential conversations with the President, the Secretary, or other senior leaders, nor do we comment on anonymous, agenda-driven characterizations of those conversations by sources who were not privy to them," Holstead said.
Kimmitt's criticism extended beyond CNN's sourcing. The former general said the United States had not yet accomplished its central objectives involving Iran's nuclear program, missile capabilities and support for regional proxies.
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"Look, I think it’s fair to say that we are not close to achieving our strategic objectives of ending the nuclear program, ending the missile program, and cutting off support for the proxies," Kimmitt said. "We do have the situation with the Strait of Hormuz. Those issues are undeniable."
Kimmitt also said Caine had to consider the threat from China, continued support for Ukraine and the military resources available to other combatant commanders while advising the president about Iran.
Jimenez responded that CNN reporters also preferred officials to attach their names to information.
"Hey, General, you said something that we preach all the time. I sure wish more folks would go on the record, too. But that’s me as a reporter," Jimenez said.
The sourcing dispute unfolded as the Trump administration continued negotiations intended to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Fox News Digital reported Friday that U.S. Central Command had halted attacks after 13 consecutive days of strikes against Iranian military targets while Washington and Tehran pursued an agreement.
Fox News Digital reached out to Kimmitt for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
Braves' Chris Sale ejected before game sees first pitch for yelling at umpire over Saturday balk call
Atlanta Braves starter Chris Sale was ejected on Sunday afternoon at Yankee Stadium, and he wasn’t even scheduled to pitch.
Before the game even started, Sale was still fuming about a balk call on Saturday night against the New York Yankees that he decided to unload on the umpire who called him for it.
As umpires took the field for the series finale between the Braves and Yankees in the Bronx, Sale started to yell toward umpire Dan Merzel before Yankees starter Cam Schlittler threw an official pitch.
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Merzel clearly didn’t like what he was hearing, and who can blame him after the ordeal occurred the night before. Merzel quickly ejected Sale, but the veteran left-hander continued to get his money’s worth as he shouted something toward crew chief Dan Bellino.
Sale rarely balks. In fact, he did it only twice prior to Saturday night for his entire career.
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But Merzel called him for that third career balk in the fifth inning on Saturday night, which allowed Yankees rookie Spencer Jones to score after hitting an RBI triple the at-bat prior.
In the end, the run proved costly with the Yankees picking up the victory, 5-4. Braves manager Walt Weiss was tossed from the game, but he likely did so because Sale was barking at Merzel and he stepped in between to continue the argument.
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After the game, Bellino said to a pool reporter that Sale was called for the balk after not declaring he was going to be pitching from the windup. He said Sale was pitching from the windup when he struck out José Caballero, but he didn’t do so before facing Austin Wells.
Sale’s night in the Bronx ended with three runs allowed on five hits across six innings in what was his first loss since late June. He has enjoyed quite the season with the NLEast-leading Braves, owning a 2.20 ERA across 21 starts.
The Braves managed to salvage the series on Sunday, as they defeated the Yankees, 2-1, in extra innings. But Sale couldn’t watch it from the dugout all game long after being tossed.
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Moscow, Kyiv assassins hunt weapons bosses as Ukraine war spills beyond the battlefield
A dangerous new front is emerging in the Russia-Ukraine war as attackers and alleged intelligence operatives increasingly target executives and engineers developing the cutting-edge drone technology that is reshaping the battlefield, industry experts warned Sunday.
The attacks include an Aug. 4 car bombing near Yekaterinburg that critically injured Vladimir Tkachuk, head of Russian drone manufacturer Uraldronzavod, and killed his driver, according to Russian state news agency TASS, The Associated Press reported.
His company produces the "Upyr," or "Ghoul," a first-person-view attack drone used by Russian forces in Ukraine.
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Days earlier, Andrei Cherezov, head of another Russian drone company, was shot three times in Tula overnight July 28-29 in an apparent assassination attempt, according to Ukrainian outlet Pravda. Authorities have not publicly attributed either attack to Ukraine.
Draganfly CEO Cameron Chell told Fox News Digital that the rise in attacks comes as Russia and Ukraine race for an edge in drone warfare, making the relatively small number of people responsible for developing new technology increasingly important targets.
"When you can't take out all the distributed infrastructure, drone manufacturing leadership becomes the primary target," Chell said.
"These strikes in Russia and Ukraine and Germany on founders, leaders, engineers of defense and, in particular, drone-type companies are down to drones and these companies having such an impact themselves."
UKRAINE’S BATTLEFIELD IS TRANSFORMING THE FUTURE OF NATO
"Because drone technology evolves rapidly — often with significant iterations occurring every 10 to 30 days — targeting a key engineer, founder, or product lead creates immediate operational disruptions on the battlefield."
"Taking out a particular engineer or taking out a particular leader can set a very important weapons program back quite some time and disrupt shipments to the front line," Chell added.
German authorities have also arrested two suspected operatives accused of spying on a Bavarian drone manufacturer for Russian intelligence, while reports this month said the alleged operation included preparations to target company executive Stefan Thumann, according to Germany’s Die Zeit.
The case follows a reported 2024 plot disrupted by U.S. and German intelligence to target Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger.
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Chell said as Ukraine and Russia push toward artificial intelligence and autonomous weapons systems, engineers developing those technologies are more strategically important.
"What we see in the Ukraine-Russia conflict is nobody in the loop — total autonomy is the direction things are going because it moves with more speed and precision," Chell said.
"AI and total autonomy are the big innovations for the next 18 months, so a potential reason we could see more targeted activity against leaders is because Ukrainians have that technology advantage."
"Targeting small drone companies is a relatively easy operation compared to targeting individuals in state-run weapons programs," he said.
"It is a fairly inexpensive, low-risk tactic for intelligence agencies that yields an immediate impact on the battlefield, and that's why we've seen this tactic."
"It is a very interesting turn or tactic that's being played by both sides here."
Chell highlighted how Russia and Ukraine approach such plots differently.
"I wouldn't suggest one side has an advantage over the other in terms of tactics, but psychologically, it has a deeper effect on the Russian side," Chell said.
UKRAINE UNLEASHES MORE THAN 400 DRONES NEAR MOSCOW IN ONE OF WAR'S BIGGEST ATTACKS
"The volume of drone advantage will remain with the Russians for the foreseeable future, but the innovation of drones, tactics, and technology lies with the Ukrainians right now."
"Ukraine faces an existential threat, so they are ready for anything. Their tactics tend to be much more blunt — a direct shooter in a hallway or a car bomb," he added.
"The Russian tactics tend to be much more state-organized, using old Cold War tactics: low-level contacts, extensive intelligence and surveillance ahead of time, and inserting into other countries like Germany," he said.
"The Russians have a long-standing, well-established intelligence infrastructure dating back to World War II and the Cold War."
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As the drone manufacturing industry takes greater precautions, Chell maintained that threats against companies and individuals in the defense supply chain are receiving increased scrutiny.
"We are very cognizant of it, and we're in contact with the proper authorities to make sure we're taking precautions on both a cyber and physical level to ensure we're at less risk," he said.
"We certainly don't take anything for granted."
"There are training and programs in place to ensure executives have a level of safety, primarily around awareness, cybersecurity, and physical location protection," Chell added before stating that the attacks and attempted assassinations have "heightened the conversation around it."
"We as an industry are taking it with a measured amount more seriously," he said.
WNBA media defends DiJonai Carrington after dangerous Sophie Cunningham hit reveals glaring bias
WNBA media wasted no time jumping to DiJonai Carrington's defense after her dangerous hit on Sophie Cunningham earned her a Flagrant 2 and an early shower Saturday.
Carrington got the boot after catching Cunningham above the neck as the Fever guard went airborne for a transition layup.
But instead of taking her lumps, Carrington retreated to the locker room and immediately pulled out her phone, posting "WHITE PRIVILEGE @indianafever" on Threads.
Just like that, Carrington turned punishment for her own reckless play into an accusation about race. If anything, that response warranted even greater scrutiny. Instead, WNBA media circled the wagons around Carrington, downplaying the hit.
ESPN quickly joined the defense when analyst Andraya Carter rationalized the hit as little more than a product of Carrington's aggressive style of play.
ESPN BURIES DIJONAI CARRINGTON DIRTY FOUL ON SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM, 'WHITE PRIVILEGE' POST
"These are plays we've seen from DiJonai, right? So getting in the right position, jumping over the top, getting these transition blocks," Carter explained.
"She's always gonna make that effort. So even for some of these, she's behind the offensive player coming over the top. So again, she was behind Sophie Cunningham. She wasn't able to get over the top. Had she got over the top and made that play, we wouldn't have been talking about it. She was too far behind the play. The contact above the head was too much. But that's what DiJonai Carrington does. Like, this wasn't, to me, because it was Sophie Cunningham making the layup."
Carter's own analysis undermined the defense she was making.
She acknowledged that Carrington was behind the play and that the contact above the head was "too much," only to excuse it with a familiar refrain: "that's what DiJonai Carrington does."
JD VANCE PRAISES SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM FOR 'SAVE WOMEN'S SPORTS' ACTIVISM
It's clear that Sophie Cunningham is in the WNBA's crosshairs for speaking out against male athletes competing in women's sports and refusing to toe the league's preferred line.
That stance has created an environment where she carries a target on her back, leaving players like Carrington to expect their aggression toward her to be rationalized after the fact.
The response to Saturday's incident exposes a persistent imbalance within WNBA coverage.
When physical aggression is directed at White players such as Cunningham or Caitlin Clark, commentators have repeatedly shown a willingness to search for explanations that soften the actions of the offending player.
The disparity becomes even harder to ignore when the circumstances are reversed.
Imagine a white player drilling a Black opponent above the neck, getting tossed and then immediately posting a racial accusation aimed at the opposing team.
Saturday was not Carrington's first go at controversy. During the 2024 postseason, Carrington struck Clark directly in the eye, leaving the league's signature star with a visible black eye, then mocked the ensuing public outrage online.
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Less than two years later, another dangerous play involving Carrington has produced another controversy, followed by another effort to shift the conversation away from her own responsibility.
The facts from Saturday are straightforward. Carrington delivered a dangerous hit that officials deemed serious enough to warrant a Flagrant 2 and an ejection, then responded by invoking race.
Rather than scrutinize both actions, prominent voices within WNBA media devoted their energy to explaining her conduct.
Player safety cannot depend on who delivers the hit, just as media scrutiny should not depend on the racial identities of the players involved.
Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela
Teen burglary ring linked to nearly 80 Bay Area break-ins dismantled after months-long investigation: PD
A gang of teenage burglars accused of targeting nearly 80 Bay Area homes and vehicles is behind bars after investigators unraveled a months-long crime spree that included stolen firearms, high-speed chases and an alleged fencing operation that netted roughly $250,000 in suspected stolen property.
Concord police also released surveillance video of the burglary spree, dubbing the compilation "Teamwork Leads to Arrests in Regional Armed Burglary Series."
The video shows the suspects breaking into parked vehicles in the early morning hours before using stolen garage door openers to gain access to attached garages, where investigators said they stole power tools, firearms and other valuables.
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In one of the most brazen moments captured on camera, investigators said the suspects pointed a firearm at the interior door connecting a garage to a home, apparently waiting for a homeowner to emerge. During another burglary, the crew allegedly stole 14 firearms from a single residential garage.
By the time the investigation wrapped up, detectives had linked the suspects to 37 vehicle and residential burglaries in Concord and approximately 40 more across Contra Costa and Solano counties. Police said the group also stole multiple vehicles, which they allegedly used to commit additional crimes.
The suspects repeatedly slipped away from officers as the burglary spree unfolded.
In May, an officer spotted a possible suspect vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver allegedly sped away. Police launched a pursuit before calling it off over public safety concerns.
OREGON BURGLARY SUSPECT NABBED AFTER CRASHING SUV DURING POLICE CHASE: VIDEO
During another string of burglaries in June, officers located a different suspect vehicle, but the suspects again escaped.
Later that month, the juveniles allegedly fled another burglary, crashed a vehicle and ran from the scene on foot. They evaded capture once again, though officers recovered a firearm.
The break in the case came in late June, when Concord detectives working with the Richmond Police Department identified four juveniles believed to be behind the burglary spree.
One suspect was already being held in juvenile hall in connection with an unrelated case. Investigators then obtained arrest and search warrants for the remaining three.
In July, the Concord Police Department SWAT Team executed simultaneous warrants with assistance from the Antioch Police Department, Pittsburg Police Department, Central County SWAT and the U.S. Marshals Service.
All three outstanding suspects were arrested.
Searches of their residences led to the recovery of two firearms stolen during the burglaries, police said. A third stolen firearm had previously been recovered by the Richmond Police Department during a separate investigation.
As detectives dug deeper, they uncovered what prosecutors describe as an organized fencing operation.
Investigators identified 37-year-old Wuillian Cordova-Cubias of Oakland as the alleged buyer of stolen property, accusing him of purchasing power tools from the juvenile suspects, often shortly after the burglaries occurred.
On Aug. 5, detectives with the Concord Police Department, Oakland Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service executed a search warrant at Cordova-Cubias' Oakland home.
Police said the search uncovered what investigators believe was the hub of a regional fencing operation. Inside, detectives found at least 500 suspected stolen power tools, along with a stolen ATV, a stolen forklift, an unregistered firearm and numerous other high-value items. Authorities estimated the recovered property was worth approximately $250,000.
The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office charged Cordova-Cubias with receiving stolen property, two counts of receiving stolen motor vehicles, unlawful firearm activity and conspiracy with juvenile co-conspirators. Prosecutors also filed sentencing enhancements that could increase any potential penalties if he is convicted.
"As organized theft offenses have increased, my office has responded by building an effective Organized Theft Unit that works closely with law enforcement to file strong cases we believe we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt in court," Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton said in a statement. "Concord Police Department's thorough investigation into these burglaries and the fencing operation reflects the kind of collaboration that holds individuals accountable."
Cordova-Cubias remains in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility and is scheduled to be arraigned Monday afternoon in Contra Costa County Superior Court.
The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office also filed complaints against the three juvenile suspects. Their identities have not been released under California law.
Cyclospora fears are sending shoppers to farmers markets for local produce
Concerns surrounding the ongoing Cyclospora outbreak are changing how some consumers shop for produce, with farmers markets reporting a surge in shoppers seeking homegrown greens.
Demand for locally grown lettuce has increased across Ohio, with some farmers market vendors selling out within 30 to 60 minutes of opening, Ohio news publication Axios Columbus reported.
The increased interest comes as shoppers pay closer attention to where their food comes from amid concerns about produce distributed through larger commercial suppliers.
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Grocery store lettuce sales and visits to restaurants with produce-heavy menus have declined this summer, while farmers markets are seeing increased demand for locally grown alternatives, according to Axios.
Locally grown produce, however, is not immune from Cyclospora. Local greens typically have a shorter journey from farm to consumer than produce handled through larger commercial supply chains, which may mean fewer opportunities for contamination, the publication said.
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The shift in shopping habits comes as federal health officials continue investigating the outbreak and encouraging consumers to take precautions when preparing produce.
The CDC advises consumers to wash their hands and rinse fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before preparing or eating them. Washing produce, however, does not guarantee that Cyclospora will be eliminated, according to the agency's food safety alert.
Concerns about the outbreak have also spread online, where some consumers say the uncertainty has left them anxious about what they eat.
"I've been coping by pretty much only eating things that are cooked," one Reddit user wrote.
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Another commenter pointed to the time between exposure and potential symptoms as a source of worry.
"The incubation period is what's making me anxious," the user wrote.
"Any time I feel a little off I absolutely panic that I have this parasite," another user commented.
The concerns come as the outbreak has grown to thousands of confirmed cases across the country.
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Fox News Digital previously reported that over 6,300 cases had been confirmed across 15 states, resulting in 278 hospitalizations and two deaths.
Taylor Farms de Mexico recalled all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico on July 17 after health officials linked the product to the outbreak. The recalled lettuce reached consumers, restaurants and retailers in at least 27 states.
People who develop Cyclosporiasis can experience diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, cramping, bloating, nausea and fatigue. Symptoms most often develop about a week after infection, although they can begin as early as two days after exposure or take two weeks or longer to appear, according to the CDC.
Fox News Digital's James Cirrone contributed to this report.
Florida AG James Uthmeier says Fauci probe could uncover grounds for criminal liability despite pardon
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said on "Sunday Morning Futures" that his office is examining potential claims ranging from fraud and deceptive trade practices to public nuisance as part of its investigation into Dr. Anthony Fauci, adding that the probe could uncover grounds for criminal liability.
Uthmeier said Florida investigators plan to use "every tool under Florida law" as they examine whether Fauci engaged in any self-dealing or profited from COVID-era policies.
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Asked whether he believes Fauci committed a crime, the attorney general said, "I can't say that right now."
"We follow rules of procedure and evidence. I mean, I could say generally, I think what he did to the American people was horrific. People died because of him. People got hurt because of him. People couldn't be there for the birth of their first child or the loss of a loved one because of him," he added.
"If he is making money on the side while perpetrating this fraud, there could very well be criminal liability," he said. "But we're going to start with civil, criminal, everything from public nuisance to deceptive trade, to fraud. We're going to look at every aspect of Florida law and do everything in our power to seek truth and accountability."
Uthmeier's investigation is ongoing. Criminal wrongdoing has not been established at this time.
Former President Joe Biden issued Fauci, who served as the principal architect for the government's COVID-19 guidelines, a full and unconditional pardon for all actions taken between Jan. 1, 2014, and Jan. 19, 2025. This pardon does not protect Fauci from prosecution under state law, however.
Uthmeier's comments follow Fauci's congressional hearing, during which he declined to answer questions, instead invoking the Fifth Amendment, more than 100 times.
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted on sharp party lines to charge the former chief medical advisor to the president with contempt after he refused to answer questions from both sides of the aisle over fear of self-incrimination.
"I don't know why you need a pardon if you didn't do anything wrong," Uthmeier said.
"Dr. Fauci clearly doesn't want to answer questions, but the American people still have a lot of questions, especially Floridians."
Fox News Digital reached out to Dr. Fauci but did not immediately receive a response.
Is cyberbullying hiding in your child's group chat?
"It was only a joke." Those five words can stop an important conversation before it begins. Maybe your child or grandchild posted a rude comment in a group chat. Another kid added an embarrassing picture. Soon, classmates were sharing it and piling on with laughing reactions.
To the children taking part, it may feel like ordinary online drama. To the child being targeted, every notification can feel like another person joining the attack. The warning signs of cyberbullying are not always obvious. Some children hide what they are experiencing. Others take part without realizing their behavior has crossed a line.
That is why cybersecurity education needs to go beyond strong passwords, antivirus software and password managers. Those protections remain essential. However, children also need guidance about empathy, privacy and the consequences of what they post. Parents play a central role. Grandparents can also become trusted listeners, especially when a child feels nervous about telling Mom or Dad. Share this article with the adults in your family. Then use it to start a conversation before a child needs help.
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Cyberbullying rarely arrives with a warning label. It may appear as a cruel joke, an altered photo or a rumor inside a private chat. Someone might create a fake account to embarrass a classmate. A group may deliberately exclude one child and then share screenshots of the conversation.
The CDC defines bullying as unwanted aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior repeats or has a strong chance of being repeated. Cyberbullying occurs when children use texting, social media or other technology to carry out that behavior. That definition can become confusing online.
One person may post something only once. However, dozens of other people can save and share it. The child who created the post may call it a single joke, while the person being targeted watches it circulate for days. Children may also believe they are only watching. Yet forwarding a humiliating image or adding a laughing reaction can make the attack feel much larger. Adults need to help children connect an online action with the real person receiving it.
The latest available research shows that online harassment remains part of daily life for many young people. The CDC reports that more than one in six U.S. high school students experienced electronic bullying during the previous year. That includes bullying through texting and social media. Female students reported it more often than male students.
A World Health Organization study involving 44 countries and regions found that 15% of adolescents had experienced cyberbullying. Meanwhile, 12% admitted cyberbullying someone else. Both figures had increased compared with the organization's earlier research. A 2026 Pew Research Center study offers a closer look at the social platforms teenagers use. Roughly three-quarters of teen TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat users said harassment and bullying were problems on those platforms for people their age.
Nearly three in 10 teen Snapchat users said they had personally experienced at least one form of harassment covered by the survey. Those behaviors included offensive name-calling, rumor spreading or physical threats. The figure was about one in five among teen Instagram and TikTok users. These numbers do not mean every disagreement counts as bullying. Still, families should not wait for an online situation to become severe before discussing it.
Ask a child whether they have bullied anyone and the answer will probably be no. Ask whether they have forwarded an embarrassing screenshot and you may hear a different response.
Children often picture a bully as one openly cruel person who targets someone weaker. Online harassment can look far less organized. A teenager may add an emoji without thinking. Someone else may share the post because everyone at school has already seen it. Another child may remain silent because speaking up could make them the next target.
Each action can increase the pressure on the person being humiliated. Parents and grandparents should avoid starting this conversation with an accusation. Instead, use an example your child can understand.
Ask how the person in the picture might feel. Find out whether they gave permission for the post. You could also ask what your child would want a friend to do if someone shared the same content about them. These questions help children examine their decisions without immediately feeling attacked.
I recently spoke with a high school senior and her mother, who works in education. The student explained that bullying often looks very different from the scenes adults remember from movies. Much of it happens in private chats, anonymous apps and social media accounts that hide the person posting.
Rumors can spread across a school before the person being discussed knows they exist. AI tools can also produce altered photos, fake audio and convincing videos of a classmate. When I asked whether leaving social media could provide some relief, the student explained that her phone connected her with friends and much of her school life. That response stayed with me.
Adults often see putting down a phone as a break. A teenager may see it as disappearing from their social circle. Leaving an app can also mean missing plans or school updates while everyone else continues discussing the situation.
Pew Research Center found that 74% of teens said social media helped them feel connected to what was happening in their friends' lives. At the same time, 39% said social media made them feel overwhelmed by drama. Nearly one-third said it sometimes left them feeling excluded. "Delete the app" should not be the only advice a child hears.
Adults often assume their children know they can come to them. Children may feel differently. A 2025 Pew Research Center survey found that 80% of parents felt highly comfortable discussing their teenager's mental health. Only 52% of teens felt equally comfortable having that conversation with a parent. That gap should get every parent's attention.
A parent may believe the door is wide open. Meanwhile, the child may worry about losing a phone or being blamed for what happened. The child may also fear that an adult will immediately call the school and make the situation more public.
Grandparents can sometimes help bridge that distance. A teenager may reveal something during a car ride or while visiting for the weekend. The conversation may begin casually instead of during a serious family meeting. Listen closely when a child suddenly asks what you would do in a "hypothetical" situation. They may be testing whether it feels safe to tell you more.
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Generative AI has made a painful form of online abuse much easier to create. A classmate can take an ordinary social media photo and use an AI tool to create a fake nude image. Someone can also clone a voice, produce a false video or build a convincing impersonation account. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received more than 400,000 CyberTipline reports with a generative AI connection during 2025.
NCMEC also identified more than 275 direct victims of AI-generated child sexual abuse material during 2024 and 2025. In many cases, the person responsible had direct access to the child. Those reports involve child exploitation rather than cyberbullying alone. However, NCMEC warns that classmates can use AI to create fake images and videos for bullying.
The content can circulate through schools and cause severe emotional harm. AI fakes may also be used for blackmail or sextortion. Parents should never dismiss an altered image because it is fake. The humiliation can feel painfully real. Copies may also keep circulating after the original post disappears. A child may fear that teachers, classmates or future friends will believe the image is genuine.
One serious lecture will not prepare a child for every app, friend or group chat. Instead, return to this conversation as your child's online habits change. These steps can help you begin.
Opening with "You spend too much time on that phone" will probably lead to an argument. Ask which game they have been playing. Find out what their friends are sharing. You could also ask whether a group chat has started feeling uncomfortable or stressful.
The goal is to understand where your child spends time online. You probably know the names of their closest school friends. Try to learn about the people they interact with online too. That interest can make it easier for a child to describe a problem later.
Children need examples they can recognize. A joke becomes harmful when the person asks for it to stop and the group keeps going. Sharing someone's picture without permission can also cross a boundary.
Spreading a rumor or creating a fake account to embarrass someone can cause lasting harm. Ask your child whether they would make the same comment with the other person sitting beside them. That pause may stop an impulsive post from growing into a much bigger problem.
Many children stay silent because they fear losing access to their device. Tell your child that showing you a troubling message will not automatically lead to punishment.
You may eventually need to restrict an app or change how the device is used. However, your first response should focus on what happened and whether the child feels safe. Listen before contacting another family. When possible, explain what you plan to do next. A child is more likely to keep talking when they feel included in the response.
An angry reply can create another screenshot for people to share. Tell your child to stop responding when an exchange becomes heated. They can mute the conversation and show the device to a trusted adult. They should also avoid forwarding the content.
Even a reaction emoji can keep the post active and encourage more children to join. Federal bullying guidance advises children not to reply to or forward cyberbullying messages. It also recommends blocking threatening or questionable accounts.
The first instinct may be to erase a cruel post immediately. Take screenshots first. Capture the username, date and complete conversation.
Save emails, links and text messages. Write down when the behavior happened and whether anyone else saw it. You can use that evidence when reporting the account to the platform or school. StopBullying.gov recommends saving screenshots, emails and messages before reporting cyberbullying.
After saving the evidence, block the person responsible. Report the post through the app or platform. Choose the category that most accurately describes what happened. If students from the same school are involved, contact an administrator and ask for the school's cyberbullying policy.
Tell the school what you already reported to the platform. Share enough evidence to explain the situation without spreading the harmful content further. Direct threats or stalking may require contacting law enforcement. Seek emergency help when anyone faces immediate danger.
Make your child's social media accounts private when the platform offers that choice. Review the follower list together. Remove accounts your child does not recognize or no longer trusts.
Check whether posts reveal a school name or regular location. Look for phone numbers and home addresses too. Family members should review their own accounts.
A grandparent may proudly share a school photo without noticing the logo on a uniform. A relative might post a practice schedule or tag the child's exact location. Before sharing, ask what an angry classmate or stranger could learn from the post.
A stolen account can quickly become a cyberbullying tool. Someone may impersonate your child, publish private conversations or send cruel messages to classmates.
Use a different password for every account. A password manager can create and store strong passwords so children do not reuse one login across several apps. Turn on multifactor authentication wherever it is available.
Children should also avoid sharing passwords with friends. Friendships can change, and access given today may be abused after an argument. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at CyberGuy.com.
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Require children to ask before installing an unofficial gaming client, mod or computer program. A convincing video can promote a download that hides malware. Once installed, malicious software may steal passwords or allow someone to access private files.
Tell children never to disable security software because an online creator says a warning is harmless. They should download mods only from established communities recognized by the game's developer.
Strong antivirus software can help detect malicious files and block dangerous websites. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.
Parental controls can help manage app downloads, content access and time spent on a device. Apple's Screen Time allows parents to set app limits and restrict certain content on a child's iPhone or iPad.
Google Family Link can manage apps and set screen-time limits on supported Android devices and Chromebooks. Microsoft Family Safety includes screen-time settings and content filters across supported devices. Some web filtering features require Microsoft Edge.
Tell children which controls you use and why. Secret monitoring can damage trust. A child who understands the rules has a better chance of respecting the boundaries.
You can also review my top child monitoring programs if built-in settings do not provide enough support at CyberGuy.com.
Do not tell a child to ignore an explicit deepfake because people know it was created with AI. Save the evidence without forwarding it. Report every account distributing the content.
Contact the school when students are involved. You can also report suspected child sexual exploitation to NCMEC's CyberTipline. Its Take It Down service creates a digital fingerprint of eligible images or videos so participating platforms can detect copies without the image leaving the device.
Do not download or ask someone to send you an explicit image of a minor to make a report. NCMEC specifically warns against downloading or sharing the content for submission.
A bully may send a child their home address or the names of relatives to frighten them. That information could come from public social media posts, people-search websites or data brokers.
Limit the family details you publish publicly. Ask relatives to do the same. A data removal service may reduce the information available through people-search and broker sites. No service can erase every detail, but ongoing removal can make sensitive information harder to locate. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting CyberGuy.com.
Contact the school when classmates are involved or the online harassment begins affecting attendance. Report credible threats to law enforcement. Seek immediate help when a child appears to be in danger.
Do not try to negotiate with someone who claims to control a child's account, camera or computer. Disconnect the device from the internet. Then run a full security scan.
Change passwords from another device that you know is safe. Most importantly, reassure the child that asking for help was the right decision.
Children notice how adults behave online. They see angry arguments on Facebook. They notice when family members share humiliating memes or attack someone in the comments.
An adult may view that behavior as blowing off steam. A child may see permission to act the same way. Before posting, ask whether you would say those words with your child sitting beside you.
Grandparents can set a powerful example too. They often have close relationships with grandchildren and may hear something a child hesitates to tell a parent. Let your grandchild know they can show you a troubling message without being blamed. Then involve the parents unless doing so could place the child in immediate danger.
Families preparing for the school year can also review my updated best back-to-school supplies and tech for students at CyberGuy.com.
You do not have to wait for a crisis. Send this article to another parent. Share it with grandparents, relatives and anyone who regularly cares for your child.
Then agree on how the adults will respond if a child reports an online problem. A child should hear the same message from every trusted adult: Tell us what happened. We will listen before reacting.
That response may stop a child from hiding something because they fear punishment or embarrassment. It may also give a bystander the confidence to speak up when someone else is being targeted.
Cyberbullying may begin with a joke, rumor or altered picture. Within minutes, it can follow a child across several accounts and into the classroom. Recent research shows that many teenagers see harassment as a serious problem on the platforms they use. AI has also made humiliating fake content easier to create and harder to contain. Security tools can protect accounts and devices. Parental controls can create useful boundaries. However, children still need adults who will listen before taking over. Parents and grandparents should keep the conversation going as apps and friendships change. Share these tips with the people who care for the children in your family. Then make sure every child knows which trusted adult they can approach when something feels wrong.
If your child or grandchild saw a humiliating post about a classmate today, would they join the crowd, stay silent or come tell you? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
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Israel's new $634M German-built 'doomsday' sub gives major boost to Iran deterrence
Israel has taken delivery of its most advanced and expensive submarine from Germany, expanding its fleet amid escalating regional threats, according to reports.
The handover of the INS Drakon is expected to significantly bolster Israel's underwater strike and reconnaissance capabilities, The Algemeiner reported. The warship had been scheduled to be delivered in 2025.
A statement following the submarine's naming ceremony in Kiel in 2024 said the INS Drakon is of the Dolphin AIP class and "equipped with unique systems, including groundbreaking technologies that expand the range of the IDF's capabilities across various arenas."
Built specifically for the Israeli Navy by Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), the submarine is said to provide a vital sea-based layer of "deterrence and retribution," amid the war with Iran, defense analysts say.
Dr. Ehud Eilam, an Israeli national security expert and former researcher for Israel’s Ministry of Defense, told Fox News Digital that maintaining a continuous undersea presence is paramount for the nation's national survival.
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"Some of them would have to be at sea, on high alert, around the clock, if Iran suddenly attacked Israel in such a way that would cripple the IDF, including its strategic capabilities," Eilam said.
"In such a drastic scenario, Israel’s submarine/s that would be at sea could respond," he added.
"Israel’s other submarines might be in Haifa harbor at the time. They might be attacked and unable to operate. This demonstrates how important it is to always have submarines at sea."
TKMS reportedly handed over the INS Drakon—the sixth Dolphin-class vessel and third modified Dolphin II-class submarine in Israel's fleet—at its shipyard in Kiel, Germany, in late July.
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Measuring more than 70 meters (230 feet) in length with a displacement exceeding 2,000 tons, the vessel is reported to be the largest submarine constructed in Germany since World War II, carrying an estimated price tag of $634 million, according to The Algemeiner.
According to Israeli outlet Ynet , Israel's Dolphin-class fleet also provides the nation with a critical sea-based second-strike capability in its defense program.
"Everything is going according to plan with the new program for Israel," TKMS CEO Oliver Burkhard told Ynet Global.
"That also applies to the handover of the last boat of the previous series, including the homecoming in Israel," he said of the expansive submarine program.
The INS Drakon’s arrival comes as Israel projects increasing military power across distant operational theaters, Eilam said.
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"Israel has been acquiring submarines for several purposes. One of them is for deterrence and retribution, such as if Iran manages to develop nuclear weapons," Eilam said before adding that "Israel has to be ready."
While submarines on active deployment carry out intelligence and reconnaissance missions across the Mediterranean Sea, their primary objective remains readiness for "doomsday scenarios," Eilam noted.
"Israel’s new submarine is bigger than others, which suggests Israel wants to have more options, such as increasing the range of the submarine's missiles so they can reach every target in Iran, even if the Israeli submarine is in the Mediterranean Sea," Eilam said.
"That way the submarine does not have to get closer to Iran, which requires crossing the Suez Canal, and this could be very risky, if not impossible in some situations," he added. "The other alternative is to bypass all of Africa, which would take a long time."
The new submarine was named INS Drakon (Dragon) — a mythical sea creature symbolizing strength, uniqueness and power — was chosen because it contains the Hebrew letters ד׳, ק׳, ר׳ (Dakar), thus commemorating the legacy of the submarine INS Dakar and its crew, the Ministry of Defense said.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Israeli Navy, the Ministry of Defense, TKMS and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for comment.
Tarik Skubal says he was emotional leaving Detroit Tigers for LA Dodgers, would love to return: 'I'm crying'
Through no fault of his own, Tarik Skubal has become the center of discussion around Major League Baseball.
Skubal spent his entire career with the Detroit Tigers and, over the last four seasons, has turned himself into one of the best pitchers in baseball. Thanks to the Collective Bargaining Agreement and its handling of a player's first six seasons, he's been paid well below market salaries for a pitcher of his caliber. But Skubal's ready to reach free agency after this season, providing his first opportunity to finally cash in on his hard work and success.
Despite the Tigers' playoff appearance in 2025 and their willingness to spend to try and reach the postseason in 2026, a series of bad breaks, injuries, underperformance, and poor bullpen performance put them well under .500 heading into July. Given the higher prices teams are willing to pay for talent midseason, and the middling return organizations receive if a player leaves in free agency, the Tigers faced a choice. Keep Skubal, hope their season turns around, and potentially watch him leave for just a draft pick this winter, or trade him to a contender for top prospects, years of control, and the certainty that you haven't let your star leave for nothing.
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They traded him. Makes sense, right? Sure, if they'd picked a different team.
But because Detroit chose the offer from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Skubal has unwittingly become a villain around the league. Even worse, he echoed the position shared by players across baseball, like Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, that the Dodgers are not bad for the sport because their owners are willing to accept lower profits in exchange for winning more games.
Many have assumed that the trade means Skubal will spend the rest of his career in Los Angeles. A complete misunderstanding of how midseason trades for free agent rentals work, and an inaccurate assumption that the Dodgers automatically keep every player they trade for.
Well, maybe they'll be happier hearing what Skubal had to say about his upcoming free agency and leaving the only team he's ever known.
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"I would love to play my whole career in Detroit. I would love to," Skubal explained in an interview with Pardon My Take. "And hopefully those negotiations can pick back up in November once the playoffs are done. We’ll see where that goes. Hopefully they’re involved with everything. I would love to return."
Skubal also said that his departure was emotional, even as someone who doesn't get emotional easily.
"You start saying goodbye to teammates…a lot of those guys are my best friends," he added. "It’s a bunch of men, and I’m crying. I hate crying. I don’t cry a lot."
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He too felt that the Tigers had a legitimate chance at winning a championship after signing Framber Valdez, Kenley Jansen and bringing back Jack Flaherty and Justin Verlander, among others.
"This wasn’t the way the season was supposed to go. Going into the offseason, [with] the people that we acquired through free agency and who we signed, I’m like, ‘This is the World Series team,’" Skubal said. "This is the team that I’m gonna go and win a World Series and beat anybody. It doesn’t matter what’s going on."
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So even after making his first start with his new team, and incorporating the fact that he was traded away, Skubal wants to return to Detroit. Guess everyone can put down their pitchforks now, right?
Well, no, of course not, because that's not how fans think or operate. But Skubal is correct about what this trade actually means and how the open free agency market works.
The Dodgers could approach Skubal and his agent, Scott Boras, with an extension offer for the remainder of the regular season. They also have a five-day exclusive negotiating window the day after the World Series ends, before free agency starts. But for a player like Skubal, who's expected to get between $300-400 million, reaching the open market carries immense value. More teams bidding increases prices, after all. Especially with big market teams like the Mets or Giants desperate for pitching and capable of making big salary commitments.
So while it's possible he signs with LA, it's unlikely. But the point is that, should Tigers ownership decide they're willing to spend in to bring him back, there's a near certainty they'll have the opportunity. That's how free agency works. And it's why the wailing and gnashing of teeth over this trade was always an exaggerated overreaction.
The Dodgers traded for Yu Darvish in 2017, and let him leave. They traded for Manny Machado in 2018, and saw him sign with San Diego. They traded for Trea Turner and Max Scherzer in 2021, only for Scherzer to leave after that season, while Turner went to Philadelphia in free agency in 2022. They traded for Jack Flaherty in 2024, and he signed with the...Detroit Tigers after winning a World Series in LA.
In fact, outside Tommy Edman, they've never re-signed a player brought in via midseason trade. And Edman is hardly the type of superstar player fans associate with the Dodgers.
Skubal knows that Boras is known for taking advantage of the open market. He knows there's every possibility that he's simply a rental for LA in hopes of a three-peat. And by the way, even after the trade, the Tigers are one of the hottest teams in baseball.
They've won seven of their last 10 games, have passed several teams and are now just two games back of the third wild-card spot in the American League, and three and a half out of first place in the division. They're tied for the best run differential in the AL at +85, and just got top prospect Jackson Jobe back from Tommy John. Imagine if they make a run to the playoffs, bring in Zyhir Hope and River Ryan, and sign Skubal back anyway. Well, none of that would matter because the Dodgers would still have "ruined baseball" regardless.