HHS halts work at high-risk infectious disease lab following repeated safety violations
FIRST ON FOX: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) implemented a pause on research at one of the nation’s most highly secure research labs, following repeated safety incidents that a source familiar told Fox News Digital have been occurring since the Biden administration. An HHS official confirmed the pause at Fort Detrick’s Integrated Research Facility, which conducts risky research on deadly infectious diseases like SARS-COV-2 and the Ebola virus, began Tuesday at 5 p.m. The facility, which is one of only a handful across North America, is part of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and is located at the U.S. Army base Fort Detrick, outside Washington, D.C. The research there studies treatment and prevention of deadly, “high-consequence” diseases such as Lassa Fever and Eastern equine encephalitis. CHINA BLAMES US FOR ORIGIN OF COVID-19 AND TURNING ‘DEAF EAR TO THE NUMEROUS QUESTIONS OVER ITS CONDUCT’ According to the HHS official who was willing to speak on the matter under the condition of anonymity, the pause stemmed from a lover’s spat between researchers at the facility, which resulted in one of the individuals poking holes in the other’s personal protective equipment (PPE). That individual has since been fired, the official indicated. The HHS official added that the incident is just the latest example of safety incidents at the high-risk laboratory, which they blamed on a poor safety culture at the lab enabled by the previous Biden administration. “NIH and HHS take the safety of our facilities and research very seriously,” HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said. “As soon as we found out about this incident, we took immediate action to issue the safety pause until we can correct the safety culture at this facility.” COVID VACCINE BOOSTERS CALLED INTO QUESTION BY FDA CHIEF: ‘VOID OF DATA’ The latest incident, according to HHS, was preceded by a separate incident that occurred as recently as November. The facility’s director, Connie Schmaljohn, was placed on administrative leave following the incident. The HHS official familiar with the matter indicated Schmaljohn did not report the incident up the chain of command immediately, causing a delay in remedying the matter. During this temporary pause, all research at the facility will come to a halt and access will be limited to essential personnel. It is unclear how long the pause will remain in effect.
Angel moms whose kids were killed by illegal immigrants celebrate Trump’s White House lawn ‘justice’ crusade
FIRST ON FOX: Angel moms and dads whose children were killed at the hands of illegal immigrants and the previous immigration crisis traveled to the White House this week, where they celebrated President Donald Trump ushering “justice back” to the U.S. in an emotional video. “My name is Angie Morfin Vargas, and I’m the mother to Ruben Morfin,” Morfin-Vargas said in a video published by the White House Thursday. “He was executed in the streets of Salinas in 1990. Thirty-four years later, I could still cry for him like if it was yesterday.” “This right here is what should be living here in America, not criminals that are coming in,” another mom, whose son Javier Vega Jr. was shot to death in 2014, said while pointing to a photo of her son. The White House installed a massive poster campaign on the White House lawn on Sunday evening showcasing 100 of the “worst illegal immigrant criminals” arrested in the first 100 days of Trump’s second term. WHITE HOUSE DISPLAYS LAWN SIGNS HIGHLIGHTING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CRIME “We will hunt you down. You will face justice. You will be deported – and you will never set foot on American soil again,” the White House wrote in X post early Monday morning. “Oh, and your mugshot may just end up on a yard sign at the White House.” The poster showcased mugshots of illegal immigrant criminals arrested for crimes such as fentanyl distrubution, murder, rape of a child, lewd acts in front of a child, and distribution of guns. OVER 100 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARRESTED IN COLORADO SPRINGS MASSIVE UNDERGROUND NIGHTCLUB RAID Angel moms and dads are parents whose children have been killed by illegal immigrants, and is a title Trump popularized for the grieving parents under his first administration. The angel moms and dads held photos of their children in the video published by the White House Thursday, and were seen standing in front of the posters on the White House lawn. “My name is Chris Odette. I’m an angel father,” the dad said, while holding his phone to show a photo of his daughter, who was 13 years old when she was killed in a hit-and-run while crossing a street. “My daughter, Chrishia, was killed Sept. 12, 2014 by an illegal alien in Rockwall, Texas.” NEARLY 800 ILLEGAL ALIENS ARRESTED IN MASSIVE FLORIDA ICE OPERATION: ‘TIDAL WAVE’ The driver, Ramiro Guevara, was an illegal migrant from Mexico. He was arrested by the Rockwall, Texas, Police Department for driving without a license and for not having an operator’s license, but records showed he spent roughly 35 minutes behind bars before he posted a cash bond, Fox News Digital previously reported. ICE arrested Guevara in 2025 under the Trump administration. “Without them, there would be no justice for my daughter,” Odette said. TRUMP FLAUNTS ARRESTS OF VIOLENT ILLEGALS WITH MUGSHOT POSTERS ON WHITE HOUSE LAWN AND MORE TOP HEADLINES “This is my son, Ryan, and his girlfriend, both poisoned to death by illicit fentanyl,” another angel mom said in the video. “I can’t bring my son back, but we are doing all of this to save the future Americans from being poisoned to death by fentanyl.” The angel parents celebrated in the solemn video that the Trump administration was ushering back “justice” for the families suffering and all Americans. “We’re finally getting some justice in this country for our children,” one angel mom said in the video. Fox News Digital’s Brooke Taylor contributed to this report.
Iran talks in Rome not happening this weekend and were never confirmed, State Department says
The U.S. has not committed to participating in a fourth round of denuclearization talks with Iran this weekend despite reports to the contrary, according to the State Department. “The United States was never confirmed to be participating in a fourth round of talks with Iran, which people had believed were Saturday in Rome,” spokesperson Tammy Bruce said at a news conference Thursday. “We expect another round of talks will take place in the near future.” The U.S. participated in talks with Iranian officials once in Rome and twice in Oman. Envoy Steve Witkoff is the lead negotiator for President Donald Trump’s desired deal that stops Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. IRAN, US BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS OVER TEHRAN’S ADVANCING NUCLEAR PROGRAM Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi, whose nation is trying to help broker a deal, posted on X that the talks had been postponed for “logistical reasons.” Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, said Tehran is still committed to getting to a “fair and lasting agreement.” Iran seeks to have U.S. sanctions lifted, while the Trump team has insisted it will need verifiable proof Iran has stopped enriching uranium to lift any financial penalties. HEGSETH SENDS STRONG MESSAGE TO IRAN AND HOUTHIS: ‘YOU WILL PAY’ Trump has threatened to launch strikes on Iran if talks go sideways. On Wednesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued an ominous threat to Iran over its backing of the Houthis. “Message to IRAN: We see your LETHAL support to The Houthis. We know exactly what you are doing,” Hegseth wrote on X. “You know very well what the U.S. Military is capable of — and you were warned. You will pay the CONSEQUENCE at the time and place of our choosing.” A U.S. official described last week’s talks as “positive and productive.” “There is still much to do, but further progress was made on getting to a deal,” the official said. “We agreed to meet again soon, in Europe, and we thank our Omani partners for facilitating these talks.” “This time, the negotiations were much more serious than in the past, and we gradually entered into deeper and more detailed discussions,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said. “We have moved somewhat away from broader, general discussions, though it is not the case that all disagreements have been resolved. Differences still exist both on major issues and on the details.” The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Fox News Politics Newsletter: Waltz-ing Up to Turtle Bay
Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump administration, Capitol Hill and more Fox News politics content. Here’s what’s happening… -Kamala Harris comes knives out against Trump in first speech since leaving office: ‘Absolute chaos’ -JD Vance explains why meeting Pope Francis hours before his death was ‘a sign from God’ -35 GOP lawmakers say not repealing Biden’s green agenda in Trump tax bill is ‘hypocrisy’ President Donald Trump tapped former national security advisor Mike Waltz for his administration’s ambassador to the United Nations after Waltz was ousted from the National Security Council office earlier Thursday. “I am pleased to announce that I will be nominating Mike Waltz to be the next United States Ambassador to the United Nations,” Trump posted to Truth Social Thursday. “From his time in uniform on the battlefield, in Congress and, as my National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz has worked hard to put our Nation’s Interests first. I know he will do the same in his new role. In the interim, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will serve as National Security Advisor, while continuing his strong leadership at the State Department. Together, we will continue to fight tirelessly to Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” …READ MORE STAND STRONG: Parents of Hamas hostages urge Trump to be ‘tough with enemies and friends’ as Israel continues military operations in Gaza ‘DEI STRANGULATION’: White House vows to implement ‘system of merit’ in US, dismantle DEI ‘strangulation’ ‘SIGNAL GATE’: Dems say Trump ‘firing the wrong guy’ as Waltz ousted as national security advisor ‘BRINGING RELIGION BACK’: Trump jokes his admin will ‘forget about’ separation of church and state LEADERS OF FAITH: Trump executive order will stand up presidential religious liberty commission ‘YOUR FATE’: CIA videos aim to turn Chinese officials and ‘steal secrets’ SHIFTING BLAME: China blames US for origin of COVID-19 and turning ‘deaf ear to the numerous questions over its conduct’ ‘SHAKEN’: Israel cancels Independence Day celebrations as wildfires rage through country OFF THE ROAD: Trucking vet lawmaker sounds off on illegal immigrant drivers as REAL ID deadline looms TAX TIME: Republicans discuss defunding ‘big abortion’ like Planned Parenthood in Trump agenda bill REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: Where we stand with Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ EDUCATION FREEDOM: School choice supporters protest exclusion of religious charter in Supreme Court case GRACE UNDER FIRE: Former Air Force Major who defied Biden vaccine mandate speaks out, applauds Hegseth HUNTER BACKS OFF: Hunter Biden drops lawsuit against IRS, which whistleblowers say ‘shows you everything you need to know’ ‘POWERFUL METAPHOR’: Harris draws social media scorn for digression about elephants during an earthquake ‘MISSION-MINDED FOCUS’: HUD Secretary Scott Turner lays out agency wins during first 100 days, shares priorities for next 100 HISTORY OF VIOLENCE: Columbia student activist interviewed by FBI for allegedly saying ‘I like to kill Jews’: court docs ‘RESIDENT ALIENS’: DOGE says it’s referred dozens of potential voter fraud cases to DOJ WAR MODE: Hegseth orders sweeping Army overhaul and consolidation aimed at countering China and Golden Dome capabilities Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
Why has Trump’s Russia-Ukraine deal stalled?
US President Donald Trump boasted that he could broker a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire in his first 24 hours in office. 100 days later, fighting continues, and both sides are questioning the plan the Trump administration has laid out. Why is there still no agreement on a ceasefire proposal, and what does it reveal about the limits of American power? Adblock test (Why?)
Al Jazeera wins two Peabody Awards for documentaries on Gaza war carnage
Fault Lines wins in News & Documentary category while Close Up wins in Interactive & Immersive category. Al Jazeera Media Network has been honoured with two prestigious Peabody Awards, one of the most esteemed accolades in broadcast storytelling. The awards recognise the Al Jazeera English Fault Lines documentary The Night Won’t End in the News & Documentary category, and the Al Jazeera English Digital film One Day in Gaza from the series Close Up, in the Interactive & Immersive category. The 85th annual Peabody award winners were announced on May 1, 2025, in advance of its annual ceremony in Los Angeles on June 1, 2025. The awards honour intelligent, powerful and moving stories told in broadcast and digital media. Al Jazeera English’s Fault Lines documentary The Night Won’t End uncovers the tragic human cost of war. It depicts the realities of the unrelenting Israeli bombing campaign on Gaza, the unsafe “safe zones,” and arbitrary executions through the eyes of three families during the initial 15 months of the war. The film investigates the death of five-year-old Hind Rajab, who was waiting to be rescued from a car where her family members had already been shot dead. Two medics dispatched to rescue her were also killed, as verified by a forensic watchdog agency. Advertisement Laila Al-Arian, executive producer of Fault Lines, stated, “No single piece can fully capture the scale of the atrocities in Gaza, but we aimed through investigative journalism and on-the-ground storytelling to offer a glimpse of what life has been like. We are honoured by this recognition because it helps bring more attention to a continuing story the world needs to see. Though we filmed this over a year ago, the horrors we documented remain a daily reality for more than 2 million Palestinians in Gaza.” To date, The Night Won’t End has garnered multiple awards, including in the coveted International Current Affairs category at the Royal Television Society Awards in the United Kingdom, the Overseas Press Club prize for best TV, video or documentary about international affairs, and the long-form award from the Centre for Information Resilience Open-Source Film Awards. The One Day in Gaza film from the series Close Up is a compilation of videos recorded by 10 individuals in Gaza, who were asked to document moments throughout their day, thereby helping viewers understand the immense hardships and constant dangers faced by Palestinians living under the constant bombardment in Gaza. Juan Carlos Van Meek, director of digital innovation and programming, expressed his gratitude for awarding the team the Peabody Award, stating, “I am immensely proud of our team’s relentless efforts in amplifying the humanity of Palestinians living in Gaza under constant bombardment. Through the brave voices of people on the ground, we have captivated millions of viewers and helped sustain global attention on the ongoing genocide, ensuring their stories are not forgotten.” Advertisement The recognition of these documentaries underscores Al Jazeera’s commitment to highlighting the profound human experiences amid conflict. As the situation in Gaza continues to unfold, The Network remains dedicated to shedding light on the stories that matter, ensuring that the voices of those affected are heard on a global platform. Adblock test (Why?)
Israel executing ‘genocidal war’ against Palestinians, Qatar tells ICJ
NewsFeed A senior Qatari diplomat told the International Court of Justice that Israel is conducting a “genocidal war against the Palestinian people” and weaponising humanitarian aid. He joined a long list of representatives from governments across the world condemning Israeli actions in its war on Gaza. Published On 1 May 20251 May 2025 Adblock test (Why?)
‘Pakistan must get strong answer’: Rajasthan villagers near border ensure safety, prepare for possible conflict after Pahalgam attack by building…
Amid mounting tensions between India and Pakistan following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, villagers who live near the international border in Rajasthan are bracing for all possibilities and say they are ready to provide all assistance to the Indian Army.
Texas House panel advances THC bill with stricter regulations — but no ban — for hemp industry
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has called banning THC products a top priority. The latest draft of the lower chamber’s THC regulation bill would allow retailers to continue selling edibles and drinks.
Top GOP nominee in Virginia race defiant after Youngkin advisor denies ‘extortion’ claims
The campaign for Virginia’s Republican nominee for lieutenant governor is pushing back amid a firestorm of controversy and Republican infighting in Virginia, which has pitted the nominee against Gov. Glenn Youngkin. A source familiar with the conversations told Fox News Digital that a Youngkin advisor attempted to solicit business from the lieutenant governor nominee just days before allegedly attempting to extort him. John Reid, the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, is refusing to drop out of the race after being pressured to do so by the governor because of lewd photos he allegedly posted on a Tumblr account. In a video posted on Sunday, Reid, who is gay, denied that the Tumblr account with lewd photos belonged to him. He said he would not back down from the race and accused the Youngkin-linked Spirit of Virginia political action committee, which is run by Matt Moran, of attempted “extortion.” Reid also said Spirit of Virginia offered to purchase the negative research against him gathered by Republican-aligned America Rising PAC and to bring an end to the negative coverage. AFTER HURRICANE HELENE, VIRGINIA COUPLE WELCOMES NEW HOME BUILT BY VOLUNTEERS Reid’s team filed a cease-and-desist letter against Moran on Monday. Moran has since filed an affidavit in which he denied attempting to extort Reid’s team, saying, “I never attacked John and did not threaten or coerce him” and “I communicated what I truly believed was in his best interests in my judgement.” Moran said he was “clear in the meeting that I had acted on the information as a friend and colleague of John Reid, and adamantly deny the characterization of the meeting.” However, audio of an April 25 conversation with Moran and Reid’s team, which was obtained and reviewed by Fox News Digital, casts doubt on Moran’s characterization of the conversation. During the conversation, Moran stated that “if John were to step aside … I would go buy it all from America Rising, if that’s what you want. The campaign could go buy it all from America Rising.” At another point in the conversation, Moran states that “it is in no one’s best interest for any of this to continue” and that if Reid “stays in the race, it is going to continue.” FORMER CONGRESSWOMAN TURNED VA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE ABIGAIL SPANBERGER ACCUSED OF ETHICS VIOLATION “That hurts our candidates up and down the ticket,” said Moran, adding, “Him getting out of the race is the only way it stops, and then, yeah, it absolutely would have to stop forevermore after that.” Additionally, a source familiar with the conversations told Fox News Digital that Moran pitched the Reid campaign services from his advertising company, Creative Direct, in a conversation on April 21. Youngkin has explained his decision to ask Reid to step down by saying that “explicit social media content like this is a distraction” and “it’s a distraction for campaigns, and it’s a distraction from people paying attention to the most important issues.” He noted, however, that “the decision is John’s and up to John.” WINSOME EARLE-SEARS KNOCKS GUBERNATORIAL OPPONENT FOR HIDING BIDEN’S HEALTH: SHE CANNOT BE TRUSTED A spokesperson for Reid’s campaign claimed in a statement to Fox News Digital that “the threat was clear” in the April 25 conversation and that “Moran’s affidavit denying it is not accurate.” The spokesperson added that “it’s deeply unfortunate he chose to create this distraction for the party after failing to secure business for himself from the campaign.” In response to these accusations, Moran referred Fox News Digital to Wednesday’s X post in which he said, “I’ve known John Reid for years and consider him a friend” and that “over the last nine days, I was actively supporting and assisting John as the Lt. Governor nominee of the Republican Party.” “Let me be clear, facts matter, and they will demonstrate the accusations against me are unfounded,” Moran said. The X post Moran shared included a letter from his attorney, George Terwilliger, in which the attorney stated that “the facts, evidence, and witnesses would demonstrate that Mr. Moran never attempted to extort, coerce, or pressure Mr. Reid directly or indirectly, but rather as a seasoned professional endeavored to provide sound advice regarding the viability of Mr. Reid’s candidacy to someone he counted as a friend.”