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Year: 2026

Schlossberg unveils plan to crack down on ‘new frontier’ of AI putting the ‘squeeze’ on consumers: ‘Harbinger’

Schlossberg unveils plan to crack down on ‘new frontier’ of AI putting the ‘squeeze’ on consumers: ‘Harbinger’

FIRST ON FOX: NEW YORK, N.Y. — As thousands of New York City residents prepare to hit the road to leave town for Memorial Day and summer travel, Democratic House candidate Jack Schlossberg is calling for an investigation into the way rental car companies, and potentially other industries, are using artificial intelligence. Schlossberg, the only grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, is calling on the Federal Trade Commission to look into reports that Hertz began using AI last year to scan cars for rental damages, prompting warnings that consumers could end up being overcharged. “AI is being used in consumer-facing financial products, and Hertz is using AI to scan for microscopic damage on cars, invisible to the human eye, to charge people with fees for damage that they might not even be aware of, they have no opportunity to dispute, and the FTC should act here to investigate whether or not this constitutes an unfair trade practice,” Schlossberg told Fox News Digital outside a midtown Manhattan Hertz location.  Schlossberg’s concerns stem in part from a report from The Drive where a Hertz customer at a location using the technology said he was notified minutes after dropping off his car that a 1-inch scuff on the driver’s side rear wheel resulted in a $440 charge that included $250 for the repair, $125 for processing and a $65 administrative fee. FROM CAMELOT TO ‘OUTSIDER’: JFK’S GRANDSON SHAKES UP NYC HOUSE RACE TAKING AIM AT GATEKEEPING DEM ‘MACHINE’ The report claims the situation for the customer got even worse when he tried to dispute the charges, and the company’s chatbot did not offer a way to reach a live representative, instead routing the issue for review at a later time. Hertz has been partnering with Israel-based Uveye to deploy AI-scanning technology at airport locations over the past year and uses cameras and machine learning algorithms to scan returned cars in hopes of improving the “frequency, accuracy, and efficiency” of the process and phase out the need for manual inspections, Car & Driver reported. Schlossberg is calling on the FTC to take four actions, adding that if elected to Congress in New York’s 12th District he would move to enshrine them into federal law: conduct a full investigation into Hertz’s use of AI-driven damage detection, determine whether the practice constitutes an unfair or deceptive act under federal law, establish clear guidelines for the use of AI in consumer-facing financial decisions, and ensure that consumers have a transparent, fair and accessible process to dispute charges. ‘GODFATHER OF AI’ WARNS MACHINES COULD SOON OUTTHINK HUMANS, CALLS FOR ‘MATERNAL INSTINCTS’ TO BE BUILT IN “I think that this is a harbinger of what’s to come,” Schlossberg said. “This is the new frontier of corporate fine print because AI is being used in ways we couldn’t imagine to price gouge, price fix, jack up prices on consumers without their consent, and basically just squeeze every nickel and dime out of consumers that they possibly can. And sometimes this can be unfair.” “We have elected officials in New York City who quietly work for the AI industry — meanwhile, like in the case of Hertz, consumers are being taken for a ride,” Schlossberg’s campaign said in a Wednesday press release first obtained by Fox News Digital, adding that “innovation must not come at the expense of the consumer.” A Hertz spokesperson pushed back on Schlossberg’s concerns in a statement to Fox News Digital, saying, “Digital vehicle inspections bring precision and transparency to a historically manual and inconsistent process while also enhancing the safety, quality, and reliability of our fleet. They protect customers from being charged for damage that didn’t occur during their rental while enabling faster, fairer resolution when it does.” The company added, “Since launching over one year ago, we’ve been listening, learning, and improving based on customer feedback — increasing communication, enhancing awareness at digital inspection locations, and strengthening our support channels. We’re committed to building upon the progress we’ve made to continue providing our customers with a more consistent rental experience and safer fleet.”  A company spokesperson also told Fox News Digital that customers are not charged for damages invisible to the human eye and are provided comprehensive reports that include before-and-after photos that can easily be discussed with a customer care team via email, phone or chat. Schlossberg told Fox News Digital that his announcement in mid-April is intended to “get ahead of the peak season booking” as New Yorkers plan their Memorial Day weekend trips and should be aware of the potential pitfalls of renting a car within the landscape of emerging AI technology.  The FTC declined to comment. Schlossberg is running as a Democrat in a crowded primary on June 23 to represent New York’s 12th Congressional District in Congress, where the winner is widely believed to be in the driver’s seat to win the general election in one of the most heavily Democratic districts in the country.

‘Stop this insanity’: Angel mom rips Newsom, Dems for bill to use taxpayer dollars for illegals’ defense

‘Stop this insanity’: Angel mom rips Newsom, Dems for bill to use taxpayer dollars for illegals’ defense

California Angel Mom Agnes Gibboney, who lost her son in an illegal alien-involved shooting, is blasting Gov. Gavin Newsom and state Democrats over a proposed bill that would use taxpayer dollars to fund legal defense for immigrants facing deportation. She urged voters to “stop this insanity.” State lawmakers are considering a proposal that would expand access to taxpayer-funded legal representation for immigrants facing deportation proceedings. The measure would build on existing state programs by creating a framework to provide attorneys to adults in immigration court, regardless of legal status, with priority given to those in detention. This comes as California, and other sanctuary states across the country, are facing increasing pressure and scrutiny from the Trump administration for allegedly prioritizing illegal aliens over citizens. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Gibboney, whose son, Ronald, was shot and killed by an illegal alien, ripped into Newsom and California Democrats over the bill. She claimed that it is further proof that they care for illegal immigrants more than citizens. “My son was murdered,” she said. “Not one politician has ever contacted me. Not one politician said, ‘I’m so sorry that this previously deported criminal illegal alien shot and killed your son.’ Not one of them.” NEWSOM ADMINISTRATION ALLEGEDLY KNEW OF $2B CALIFORNIA BUDGET ERROR FOR MONTHS: REPORT Gibboney said that since losing her son in 2002, she sent Newsom “many, many emails,” and “never once did I get a response, not even from his office, much less from Newsom.”  Newsom has not signaled whether he would sign the bill into law. He previously signed legislation that created and expanded a state-funded legal aid program to ensure legal representation for unaccompanied immigrant children in deportation proceedings. Ronald da Silva, 29, the son of a law enforcement official, was shot and killed by an illegal immigrant gang member while standing in his driveway. Gibboney asserted that “Newsom doesn’t care about citizens of this country, about legal immigrants like myself. He cares about free votes from illegal aliens.” Regarding the legal defense bill, Gibboney said she is “outraged.” “California is about three to 400 billion, with a ‘B,’ dollars in debt. How is that possible? How much more can you milk us citizens?” she railed. Meanwhile, for citizens, she said, “everything has gotten worse” under Newsom. ILLEGAL ALIENS ARE GETTING TAXPAYER-FUNDED BOOB JOBS AND SEX CHANGE OPS IN NEWSOM’S CALIFORNIA, WATCHDOG SAYS “We have the highest tax in the entire country, we have the highest cost of living, the most homeless,” she said, adding, “We are number one on everything, and nothing number one in good things, it’s always on the bad things.” “We taxpayers keep paying more and more each year for taxes just so our government, actually Gavin Newsom, can hand it out and squander our tax dollars and give it to illegal aliens.” The bill, introduced by Democratic Assembly member Mia Bonta in February, advanced out of two Assembly policy committees and is currently under review in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. In addition to Gibboney, the bill has garnered significant outrage, including from the American Border Story, a group that advocates on behalf of the families of victims of migrant crime. Earlier this month, the group condemned the measure as “a grave affront to Angel Families across the country who have suffered immeasurable loss at the hands of foreign criminals.” The group asserted that the bill “actively incentivizes illegal immigration and directly undermines the progress achieved by the Trump administration since the President’s second inauguration.” At the same time, the bill has been lauded by some, such as Abraham Bedoy, manager of California policy and government affairs for the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. Bedoy said in a March statement that “increasing immigrant legal defense is critical to address the mass deportations, unprecedented numbers of people held in detention, and indiscriminate arrests devastating families, communities, and our economy across our state.”  He called the measure “another important step in our state’s strong trajectory towards universal legal representation.” DOJ SUES NEWSOM OVER CALIFORNIA MEASURE GIVING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS COLLEGE TUITION BENEFITS While the bill does not explicitly outline all its exclusions, existing California policy suggests some immigrants with certain criminal histories could be excluded or deprioritized under any expanded program. California has already moved to limit state-funded legal aid in certain immigration cases, particularly for individuals with serious or violent felony convictions. Bonta, who represents the Oakland area, framed her bill as ensuring “every Californian’s right to a fair hearing.” In a March statement, Bonta’s office said the bill “builds on” her earlier bill to expand access to counsel for unaccompanied minors and other young immigrants in removal proceedings. That bill was signed into law by Newsom last year. “Every person deserves their day in court, with a lawyer by their side. In California, thousands of our neighbors are being swept into one of the most complex legal systems in the country, often in a second language, without an attorney or a fair shot,” she said in a March statement. She decried the Trump administration’s “mass deportation machine,” saying it is “accelerating that injustice.” “[The bill] represents California’s chance to stand up for our values: a commitment to due process, dignity, and the principle that justice shouldn’t depend on what you can afford,” said Bonta. Gibboney, however, said California should “use that money appropriately.” “Use it for our education, which is failing… Use it for the veterans for better healthcare and for the seniors for better healthcare,” she suggested. She urged Newsom to “recall his oath of office is to serve us, the public, we the people, not those that broke into our country and came here illegally.” “Ronald was my firstborn and only son. He was 29 years old, a father of two. They were 8 and 10,” she shared. “The media usually doesn’t talk about that kind of family separations, six feet of dirt in a coffin. But they talk about the ones that are deported to their country, where they

House Democrats demand Kash Patel take alcohol test under penalty of perjury after Atlantic report

House Democrats demand Kash Patel take alcohol test under penalty of perjury after Atlantic report

House Democrats are launching an investigation into FBI Director Kash Patel following a bombshell story from The Atlantic alleging he had “alarmed colleagues” with excessive drinking and erratic behavior.  Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., and House Judiciary Democrats are demanding that Patel complete a 10-question test identifying “hazardous drinking behaviors” under the penalty of perjury. “These glimpses of your relationship to alcohol would be alarming to see in an FBI agent; for us to see them in the FBI Director himself is shocking and indicative of a public emergency,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Patel late Tuesday evening.  Patel has vigorously denied the allegations in The Atlantic story and said Tuesday he has “never been intoxicated on the job.” LEFT-WING GROUP CHASES PROOF OF KASH PATEL’S ALLEGED ‘EXCESSIVE DRINKING’ AS DEMS EYE FBI DIRECTOR’S OUSTER “I can say unequivocally that I never listen to the fake news mafia, and as when they get louder, it just means I’m doing my job,” he added, during a joint press conference with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. Raskin also sent a letter to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, demanding that he require Patel to testify under oath in person if he does not provide the requested information. The missive is likely to fall on deaf ears, with a spokesperson for the committee Republicans slamming the letter as “unserious” in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Crime is down to record-low levels. Criminals are behind bars, and America is safer thanks to the leadership of President Trump and Director Patel,” the spokesperson said. “This is just another unserious effort from anonymous sources and partisan actors to attack the President and his Administration.”  Democrats’ probe comes after Patel on Monday sued the outlet and Sarah Fitzpatrick, the story’s author, for $250 million in a defamation lawsuit alleging “actual malice.”  KASH PATEL CALLS ‘BULLS**T’ ON SWALWELL IN HEATED EXCHANGE OVER EPSTEIN FILES The story, relying completely on anonymous sourcing, cited several officials detailing an alleged “emotional outburst” Patel had after being logged out of his computer. The outlet also reported officials alleging several instances of the FBI director engaging in copious drinking that led to difficulties waking him up. “Defendants are of course free to criticize the leadership of the FBI, but they crossed the legal line by publishing an article replete with false and obviously fabricated allegations designed to destroy Director Patel’s reputation and drive him from office,” the lawsuit states.  The Atlantic released a statement defending its reporting and argued Patel’s lawsuit is “meritless.” Trump administration officials have publicly defended Patel following the viral story. Blanche told reporters Tuesday that he had “a lot of concerns” with the report’s anonymous sourcing, but said he had not read it. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told The Atlantic that “Director Patel remains a critical player on the administration’s law and order team.” Fox News Digital reached out to the FBI for comment.

Minnesota allows ‘happy hour’ in nursing homes under new law easing alcohol restrictions

Minnesota allows ‘happy hour’ in nursing homes under new law easing alcohol restrictions

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed a bill Tuesday allowing nursing home residents to drink alcohol, clearing the way for “happy hour” in senior living facilities. Previously, Minnesota law barred facilities from organizing events that included alcohol without a liquor license. The new “Grandparents’ Happy Hour” law allows nursing homes and assisted living facilities to serve alcohol without one. The measure also updates the state’s liquor laws, allowing some cities to issue licenses and easing rules for certain businesses, including nursing homes and University of Minnesota facilities. Walz announced the bill in a post on X, encouraging seniors to enjoy a drink. STATE OFFICIALS AND DAYCARE MANAGER PUSH BACK ON VIRAL VIDEO FRAUD ALLEGATIONS IN MINNESOTA “Living in a nursing home shouldn’t mean giving up everyday freedoms,” Walz wrote in a post on X. “I just signed a bill allowing seniors living in nursing homes to consume alcohol – so that everyone can enjoy happy hour!” The law requires staff serving alcohol to be at least 18 years old, and facilities are responsible for ensuring residents do not overindulge. The bill drew attention during the legislative session, largely due to Anita LeBrun, an 88-year-old resident of an assisted living facility whose support went viral. FEDERAL PROSECUTORS OPEN INVESTIGATION INTO WALZ, FREY OVER ALLEGED IMPEDING OF LAW ENFORCEMENT “My friends and I love happy hour, just like many of you do, I am sure,” LeBrun said before the House Commerce, Finance and Policy Committee last month.  “Over a shared drink, we get to reminisce about parts of our lives, military service, raising a family, the loss of a friend, and celebrating the golden phase of our lives too,” she said. LeBrun also told a state Senate committee that living in an assisted facility “doesn’t mean that we should have fewer freedoms than anyone else.” BIDEN-ERA HEALTH OFFICIALS QUIETLY URGED LIMITING ADULT ALCOHOL INTAKE AS TRUMP TAKES REINS FOR NEW GUIDANCE She later appeared on “Fox & Friends,” describing social gatherings with snacks and music where residents previously had to bring their own alcohol due to restrictions. While policies vary, senior living communities in many states allow residents to drink or host informal social hours. Minnesota’s rules stood out because they limited how facilities could organize and serve alcohol in communal settings. “This bipartisan bill increases independence and safety under clear regulations, while ensuring residents are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve—including the ability to get together for happy hour,” Walz said in a statement. As the bill was considered, industry advocates said it would preserve small routines that support quality of life. “Ultimately, the ‘free the happy hour’ bill is about restoring a fundamental expectation — that moving into a senior living community does not mean giving up one’s autonomy,” LeadingAge Minnesota, an industry group that represents senior living providers, said in a statement last month. Fox News Digital’s Deirdre Bardolf contributed to this report.

Argentina’s Milei sings and lights torch for Israeli national day

Argentina’s Milei sings and lights torch for Israeli national day

NewsFeed Argentine President Javier Milei sang and lit a ceremonial torch at Israel’s 78th Independence Day celebrations. Milei has doubled down on relations with Israel at a time when other leaders are distancing themselves. Published On 22 Apr 202622 Apr 2026 Click here to share on social media share-nodes Share googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Adblock test (Why?)

Tehran held military parades as ceasefire was set to end

Tehran held military parades as ceasefire was set to end

NewsFeed Videos show large crowds attending a military parade in Tehran on Tuesday as the US-Iran ceasefire deadline approached. Donald Trump has since said the US was indefinitely extending it. Published On 22 Apr 202622 Apr 2026 Click here to share on social media share-nodes Share googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Adblock test (Why?)

FIFA unlocks more World Cup tickets and adds new, more expensive categories

FIFA unlocks more World Cup tickets and adds new, more expensive categories

Football’s governing body puts more tickets on sale but has introduced new premium-priced tiers that angered some fans. Published On 22 Apr 202622 Apr 2026 The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) is putting more World Cup tickets on sale after angering some fans by adding new, more expensive categories. FIFA announced on Tuesday that it would make more tickets available at 11am EDT (15:00 GMT) on Wednesday for all 104 games in Categories 1, 2 and 3, in addition to the new “front category” pricing it added this month. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list The new category led to online complaints from fans, who said they had thought that the better seats in the categories they had bought tickets for were withheld, and they had been assigned less favourable locations. FIFA in December put tickets on sale at prices ranging from $140 for Category 3 in the first round to $8,680 for the final, then raised prices to as much as $10,990 when sales reopened on April 1. FIFA did not respond to an April 9 request for comment about the new ticket categories it added. Also on Tuesday, The Athletic reported that ticket sales are lagging for the US opener against Paraguay on June 12 at Inglewood, California. It said a document distributed to local organisers, dated April 10, said that 40,934 tickets had been bought for the US-Paraguay game, and 50,661 were bought for the Iran-New Zealand contest on April 15. FIFA projects the capacity at the Los Angeles SoFi Stadium, where the US-Paraguay and Iran-New Zealand games will be held, to be about 69,650, noting that it may change. FIFA’s December sale priced US-Paraguay tickets at $1,120, $1,940 and $2,735, and Iran-New Zealand seats at $140, $380 and $450. Advertisement Adblock test (Why?)