Pro-Trump artist unleashes powerful message about American flag, touts massive Old Glory painting
Patriotic artist Scott LoBaido is putting the finishing touches on what he calls the largest oil-on-canvas portrait ever of Old Glory at the Great American State Fair in D.C., but the outspoken Trump supporter says the message behind the massive American flag is completely apolitical. LoBaido told Fox News Digital the American flag “does not belong to any particular party” as he painted the 9-by-17-foot flag at the Made in America Pavilion during the Great American State Fair in the nation’s capital, part of the broader celebration surrounding America’s 250th birthday. The Staten Island artist said he believes the piece may be the largest oil-on-canvas American flag ever created. “I am a political person, but that’s irrelevant from this,” LoBaido said. “This flag is for everybody.” HOA THREATENS AMERICAN FLAG-FLYING HOMEOWNERS AS THEY FIGHT FOR OLD GLORY BEFORE NATION’S 250TH BIRTHDAY The New York-based, pro-Trump artist told Fox News Digital that some on the left “run away from the flag because they think it’s a MAGA symbol,” but LoBaido argued that view misses the point of both the flag and his painting. “This fair right now that we are at is the perfect example, because there are a lot of Democrats that are coming through here,” LoBaido said. “And they know me, and they know my politics. And we did not have any political conversation. We spoke about the flag, the art, the meaning of the flag … how special it is that we’re at this 250th birthday party anniversary.” LoBaido also pushed back on those who protest the country by desecrating the flag, arguing that Old Glory is what protects their right to protest in the first place. VANILLA ICE EXPLAINS WHY HE WILL ALWAYS ‘RAISE THE FLAG’ AT HIS SHOWS AFTER DOUBLING DOWN ON FREEDOM 250 SHOW “That American flag that men and women still die for is giving you the freedom to be whatever you want, and do whatever you want – protest whatever you want,” LoBaido added. “So that flag should always be up in the air.” LoBaido told Fox News Digital that the size and live setting of the painting are what make the project different from his past work painting the American flag. “I believe this is the largest American flag done with oils on canvas at the colossal canvas size of 9 feet by 17 feet,” he said. “So, right there is my biggest detailed oil painting of Old Glory.” LoBaido added that there was no better place to create the piece publicly than at America’s 250th birthday celebration, calling the American flag itself “the greatest work of art.” “Where better to unveil, create in public, live, this greatest work of art — not mine, but the American flag itself — at the birthday party of the greatest place in the universe, America, and its 250th birthday party?” ARTIST PAINTS PRESIDENT TRUMP LIVE, CELEBRATING AMERICA 250 AT THE GREAT AMERICAN STATE FAIR LoBaido expects the final unveiling to be emotional, adding that he plans to put the finishing touches on the painting on Independence Day before it eventually finds a permanent home. “I’m just going to put the final touches on it and I don’t know, maybe make an emotional statement, a little speech,” he said, adding that he has “a weakness for this country and the Star-Spangled Banner sung properly.” LoBaido told Fox News Digital that he has already received interest in the painting, but he also floated one high-profile possibility of where it could wind up landing. “Would this not look great in the White House ballroom?” he said. “I think it would be the most beautiful painting with the gold frame on it. Who knows?” The artist said Trump already owns several of his paintings, but joked that if the president wants this one, “he might have to open up his checkbook,” adding that he gives “a big portion” of his proceeds to charity.
Newsom, Walz urge Congress to block anti-climate bill in their ‘woke’ crusade
Top Democratic governors, including Minnesota’s Tim Walz, California’s Gavin Newsom and Illinois’s J.B. Pritzker are urging Congress to reject legislation that would shield oil and gas companies from climate-related lawsuits, arguing taxpayers should not bear the costs of pollution. “Communities all across our nation, in red states and blue states, have suffered and face staggering costs from fires, floods, storms, and heat waves that, according to scientists, are becoming more destructive as a result of the burning of fossil fuels,” reads a letter penned by 10 Democrat governors. The top state leaders, along with Democrat attorneys general, are pushing Congress to reject the Stop Climate Shakedowns Act of 2026, arguing it would protect oil and gas industries by granting immunity from lawsuits at the expense of taxpayers. Republicans argue the bill protects American energy from lawsuits that could bankrupt the industry, lead to job loss and drive up the cost of electricity and gasoline. NEWSOM UNDER FIRE AS CALIFORNIA GAS TAX HIKE SENDS PUMP PRICES EVEN HIGHER “Such a guide is sorely needed as litigation involving climate science only grows in prevalence and urgency in our courts. Furthermore, the chapter’s removal does not change the scientific reality of climate change,” wrote more than 20 attorneys general in their letter to Congress. Jason Isaac, American Energy Institute CEO, told Fox News Digital that this is a “coordinated legal campaign to bankrupt lawful American energy producers through junk litigation.” “These companies legally produced the energy that heats and cools homes, powers hospitals, and fuels the American economy — and now a coalition of activist attorneys general and climate advocacy groups want to make them pay retroactively for doing exactly that,” said Isaac. GOP URGES SCOTUS TO REJECT ‘WAR ON AMERICAN ENERGY’ THEY SAY WOULD HIT FAMILIES’ WALLETS The act was first introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo., in April. If passed, the act would clear over a dozen lawsuits filed against oil and gas industries brought by local and state governments. “After many failed attempts to enact EU-style climate measures, activists have turned to suing energy companies in a thinly-veiled effort to impose a global carbon tax through the courts,” Civitas Institute research director Michael Toth told Fox News Digital. “This climate lawfare threatens to hijack the federal government’s authority over matters that bear directly on our national security.” California sued several major oil companies in 2023 as part of a broader Democratic effort to hold the fossil fuel industry accountable for climate change. The lawsuit, which remains tied up in litigation, reflects Gov. Gavin Newsom’s longstanding opposition to the fossil fuel industry despite California being one of the nation’s largest oil-producing states. “These companies knew about the catastrophic consequences of fossil fuels. They covered it up. Suppressed scientific data. Spent millions to cast doubts on climate science. Time for them to pay,” Newsom wrote on X at the time. The letters from Democratic members and attorneys general come as the Supreme Court will hear a case in their fall term on ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy brought on by officials in Boulder, Colorado. TRUMP’S ENERGY INITIATIVES MAY FINALLY EXTRACT AMERICA FROM MIDEAST CHAOS More than 70 House Republicans are urging the Supreme Court to reject the bid to hold major oil companies liable for climate change damages, calling the lawsuit a costly “war on American energy,” Fox News Digital previously reported. The case would decide whether federal law preempts localities from seeking relief for alleged climate damages in state courts. Boulder sued ExxonMobil and Suncor in 2018, alleging they contributed to climate change and misled the public about its risks. Alliance for Consumers Executive Director O.H. Skinner told Fox News that elected officials need to “push back against climate lawfare, stopping left-wing activists from using their woke lawfare playbook to push unpopular political beliefs through the courts.” “These activists push a woke agenda that hurts consumers by driving up costs and limiting what is on store shelves for consumers. This is the Biden playbook all over again,” said Skinner.
Immigrant business owner who built the American Dream says birth tourism is a ‘slap in the face’
A legal immigrant from Trinidad who became a U.S. citizen after nearly a decade-long process told Fox News Digital that birth tourism and illegal immigration are a “slap in the face” to those who came to America the right way. Kris Ramsingh, a Virginia business owner who immigrated in 2006 and became a citizen in 2015, said his own experience becoming an American shaped his support for President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. “When you see that people come across the border, whether it’s [to] have a baby for an anchor, or come across to border and get free healthcare, [or] free school, it’s really a slap in the face to the people who have worked really hard to come into this country the legal way,” he told Fox News Digital in an interview Thursday. Unlike those who enter the country illegally, Ramsingh said he was required to satisfy a series of federal immigration requirements before becoming a U.S. citizen. ‘WEAPONS OF MASS REPRODUCTION’: WATCHDOG UNVEILS ACTION PLAN TO CURB BIRTH TOURISM AFTER SUPREME COURT RULING As part of the legal immigration process, federal authorities required Ramsingh to provide proof of certain vaccines, personal documentation, a criminal background check and proof of a bank account to demonstrate he would not become a ward of the state. “America doesn’t owe us anything,” Ramsingh said of legal immigrants like himself. “Our government here doesn’t owe us anything. We have the privilege of coming into this country where it’s a holiday visa or for school.” Ramsingh said the week of Independence Day also marks the anniversary of his and his wife’s arrival in the U.S. in 2006 with just $300 and a few suitcases. “I have lived in Roanoke all of those 20 years since,” he said from his Dominion Custom Upholstery business not too far from the city’s famed Mill Mountain Star. WORLD CUP SOCCER FANS ARE DISCOVERING AMERICA’S GREATNESS. IT’S TIME AMERICANS DID, TOO As Americans prepare to celebrate Independence Day, Ramsingh said he feels a special sense of pride in the American flag. He recounted living in his home country in 1990 when Muslim insurgents carried out a coup and shot Prime Minister ANR Robinson while taking officials hostage. “When we saw the red, white, and blue [of American] soldiers coming into the country, we knew we were safe. We knew at that point that America had our back. And America has had a lot of countries’ back over the years,” he said, commenting that — having experienced such a situation firsthand — he is troubled by other countries that demand America’s assistance but go back to resenting the U.S. after they’ve been helped. Ramsingh said that experience shaped his appreciation for the United States and its role around the world. After immigrating to the United States, Ramsingh founded Dominion Custom Upholstery 13 years ago and later launched another company focused on boatworks and interior repairs. He also recently founded Dominion Project International, a missionary organization through which he travels to India, Africa and the Caribbean to share the Gospel while providing potable water and medical supplies to people in need. “The American Dream is that you can try something — you can work hard and try and if it doesn’t work out you can you can pick up and try again,” he added. “The flag represents peace [and] hope as we’re getting ready to celebrate Saturday, the Fourth of July, and it means so much to me — it means freedom.” Since becoming a U.S. citizen, Ramsingh said he feels a special sense of security and pride whenever he returns from missionary trips abroad. “There’s a sense of ‘I’m back on U.S. soil; I’m home,’” he said, whether landing in Washington, D.C., Miami or New York. “That feeling is so great and it really bothers me to see Americans and foreigners coming into this country and saying that they hate America,” he said. “I think if you hated that much, you should just leave — there is no need for you to be here.” Asked about critics’ claims that Trump is anti-immigrant, Ramsingh rejected that characterization. “He’s not anti-immigrant. Republicans are not anti-immigrant — we just want them to go through the process of doing it legally; coming in legally.” “During the Biden administration. When he opened that border — we’re anti-invasion, we are not anti-immigrant. That was an invasion.” Ramsingh acknowledged that some of the personal stories surrounding deportations are difficult to watch, but said those situations stem from years of lax enforcement of U.S. immigration laws. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER “I came from a third-world country. My missions are in third-world countries. I see how these people live. I understand why they want to come to America. I understand the ‘why’,” he said. “I would say Trump is not against immigration. He just wants to see it done right. And again, Donald Trump and our government doesn’t owe immigrants anything. We have the privilege of being here. It’s a privilege. It’s not a right.” Fox News Digital’s Hannah Brennan and Kiera McDonald contributed to this report.
House Dems dodge questions on SCOTUS trans athlete ruling, shift blame to ‘culture wars’
House Democrats mostly sidestepped questions on the Supreme Court ruling that now allows states to ban student-athletes from competing on sports teams or in leagues that correspond with their gender identity rather than their biological sex. ” I think we spend far too much time obsessing over that,” Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., told Fox News Digital when asked for his opinion on the ruling. “And what people should be focused on right now is the dysfunction here in Washington.” ” I think the focus should be on this economy and getting us out of this war of choice and bringing down gas prices so that folks do not have to make real decisions about if they’re going to put food on their table or gas in their tank, to take their kids to the hospital or to school,” Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Calif., said. DEMOCRATS STAY QUIET ON NEXT STEPS AFTER SUPREME COURT TRANSGENDER SPORTS RULING She continued, “I think that the culture wars that we allow to divide us don’t do anything to feed our kids.” The Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision marked a major victory for supporters of laws restricting transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s sports, upholding state laws challenged by transgender student-athletes who argued the policies violated the Constitution. But when asked about the landmark ruling, several House Democrats didn’t know about the decision or pivoted to talking about what they deemed as more important issues like the economy and dysfunction in Congress. “This place is a disaster,” McGovern said. “And, you know, and the incompetence here is… I’ve never seen this before. “ “I think what people should be focused on is that Washington is not working, and it’s really sad.” WHAT THE SCOTUS TITLE IX RULING COULD MEAN FOR LAWSUITS SEEKING DAMAGES FOR WOMEN IMPACTED BY TRANS ATHLETES Despite the ruling leaving the decision up to the states rather than a nationwide ban, Rep. Seth Magaziner, D-R.I., argued the issue should be dealt with at an even lower level — locally. “Let like the school athletic associations, let parents, let people at the local level decide which sports and which age groups should be co-ed or what the rules should be.” Like several of his Democratic colleagues, Magaziner quickly shifted the conversation to broader issues he said Congress should prioritize. NEWSOM’S OFFICE RESPONDS TO SCOTUS RULING ON WOMEN’S SPORTS AS CALIFORNIA FACES ONGOING TRANS ATHLETE WAVE “I frankly like don’t think that this is something that politicians in Washington should be involved in,” Magaziner said. “We should be focused on lowering inflation, we should be focused on ending the war, we should be focused on preserving our democracy.” “Congress should be focused on the big picture things,” he added. Rep. Sarah Elfreth, D-Md., was among the few Democrats to offer a direct criticism of the ruling, calling it “unfortunate.” “Unfortunate for a lot of folks in across this country,” Elfreth said. “Like I said, they didn’t get a lot right today.”
Al Green responds to July 4 question with renewed call to impeach Trump
Democratic lawmakers said they believed the U.S. is still an extraordinary country despite expressing disagreements with President Donald Trump when asked by Fox News Digital if they were proud to be American citizens. “The freedoms that we have and the fact that anyone should be able to get ahead for them and their family based on the laws we have every now and then — in general, it’s sound,” Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wisc., said. The answers, which came ahead of the country’s 250th Independence Day celebration, highlight the deep distrust Democrats have of the administration’s leadership even as they expressed confidence in principles that have made U.S. prosperity possible. Just one, Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, declined to expand on why he was proud to be an American. WORLD CUP SOCCER FANS ARE DISCOVERING AMERICA’S GREATNESS. IT’S TIME AMERICANS DID, TOO “I am very proud to tell you that impeachment is an option to remove a reckless, ruthless, lawless president,” Green answered when asked if he was proud to be an American. “I’m proud that it exists,” Green added. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, echoed his thinking. “I believe Americans are ready to defend our democracy and oppose authoritarianism so that we can celebrate our 251st birthday in this country instead of turning all power over to a would-be king,” Doggett said. Despite his disagreements with the Trump administration, Doggett clarified that his views were distinct from his feelings about the nation itself. “We’re the greatest country on earth. We’re innovative, we’re smart, we make sure that we promote our values, our liberties and justice and freedom. We’re always trying to perfect our union, but at the same time, we were the great experiment of democracy and it’s been a rousing success,” Doggett said. Other Democrats, like Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Mich., agreed with U.S. exceptionalism. “This is a great country. You know, we are a country of immigrants. Immigrants have contributed so much to our country, and you know this is the greatest country on earth. I am so proud to call myself an American citizen, although there are some concerns with the new administration,” Thanedar said. AMERICA WON’T LAST ANOTHER 250 YEARS BASED ON THE ‘CURRENT ADMINISTRATION,’ MS NOW GUEST WARNS Thanedar, who was born in India, immigrated to the United States in 1979. For their own part, Republicans, who readily affirmed their pride in the country, articulated that they believed the founding ideas were the reason for the country’s success. Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Wisc., said he believed the Constitution had given citizens the latitude to thrive. “I guess our Constitution and all the freedoms we have that other countries don’t have, which results in us being so much wealthier than other countries — not that that’s the main thing. But you look at your average American with a front yard and backyard, they don’t even have that in Western Europe, they don’t have that in Israel, they have it in other top countries. We’ve got it here in the United States,” Grothman said. “So, I think the combination between the material wealth which impresses you and a Christian nation which is also so tremendous.” PUSH TO OUST TRUMP EXPOSES CRACKS AMONG DEMOCRATS ON STRATEGY, TIMING Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., said he believes it’s that success that has made Americans proud and zealous for protecting its interests. “We’re a nation who’s willing to understand peace through strength. And we’re a nation that has been willing to go ahead and pledge our lives to keep the freedoms that we have here that no other nation like ours has seen,” Mills said.
‘El Obeid crisis could be worse than El Fasher,’ warns ex-UN official
NewsFeed Dr. Mukesh Kapila, former UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, warns the current crisis in El Obeid, Sudan could be even worse than what unfolded in El Fasher in 2024-2025. However, he says sustained international attention and Al Jazeera’s continued coverage could help deter the RSF. Published On 4 Jul 20264 Jul 2026 Click here to share on social media share-nodes Share googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Adblock test (Why?)
Arias sends Colombia into World Cup last-16 with 1-0 win over Ghana
The World Cup Round of 32 ends with Colombia beating Ghana 1-0, as Jhon Arias sends the South Americans through. By Reuters Published On 4 Jul 20264 Jul 2026 Colombia beat Ghana 1-0 on Friday to reach the World Cup Round of 16, as Jhon Arias scored the only goal and set up a clash with Switzerland. Arias struck in the 14th minute from close range after a cross from Luis Suarez, who had just come on as a substitute for the injured Jhon Cordoba. Luis Diaz thought he had doubled Colombia’s advantage in the 56th minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Colombia dominated much of the match, with Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi making three notable saves. The South Americans will face Switzerland in the last-16 on Tuesday in Vancouver. More to follow… Adblock test (Why?)
Ahead of Morocco vs Canada at the World Cup, comparisons arise with the 2022 team
Morocco’s historic run at the Qatar World Cup 2022 is remembered by some poignant, powerful and indelible images from their quarterfinal win over Portugal: a towering header – the match-winning goal by Youssef En-Nesyri – against Cristiano Ronaldo’s side, Hakim Ziyech’s mazy dribbles that put the 2016 European champions in a spin, and Soufiane Boufal’s dance with his mother on the pitch in the heartwarming post-match celebrations. Four years on, none of those players have made the trip to the World Cup in North America. In fact, the only holdovers from that memorable tournament are Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Azzedine Ounahi, Bilal El-Khanouss and the goalkeepers. The then-celebrated manager, Walid Regragui, has been cast aside, too. Despite the radical changes, Morocco are yet to lose a match and have advanced to the Round of 16 after dispatching the Netherlands in a nervy penalty shootout on Monday. Comparisons between the classes of 2022 and 2026 were inevitable. They began at the end of the group stage, when it was pointed out that the Moroccan team of four years ago topped their group while this one failed to beat Haiti and Scotland by big enough margins to leapfrog Brazil in Group C. In order to truly impress the critics, the current generation may need to match or improve the semifinal run of 2022. Morocco of 2022: Experience and defensive tactics In 2022, the tactical plan was simple yet effective. Head coach Regragui was an emergency appointment following Bosnian manager Vahid Halilhodzic falling out with several players. Advertisement Regragui had less than three months before the start of the World Cup to select his players and implement a tactical plan. Realising that time was not on his side, he kept things simple. “Regragui’s team was more defensive,” Mohammad Alrfae, an analyst for Jordanian Premier League side Al Ahli SC, told Al Jazeera. “He had older, more experienced players from big European sides at his disposal.” In spite of their technical ability, the team showed no interest in dominating possession under Regragui during Qatar 2022. In fact, their highest possession percentage came in the only match they lost – against France in the semifinal. Morocco, under Regragui, were not as negative as some other sides employing the same tactics. They set their backline midway between their goal and midfield, as opposed to clustering deep in what is referred to as a low block but ceded possession in order to lure the opposition into their traps. En-Nesyri, the striker of the 2022 team won plaudits for his relentless work rate in preventing the opposition centre-backs from making easy passes to the midfield and forcing opposing teams into wide areas. Wider areas of the pitch were packed with standout players. The full-backs, who are still part of the 2026 team, Noussair Mazraoui and Hakimi teamed up with wingers and aimed to win the ball and launch dangerous counter-attacks. So effective were Morocco in blocking service to the middle areas of the pitch that opponents – particularly Portugal in the 1-0 quarterfinal loss – dropped deep to receive the ball, inhibiting their ability to attack. But what happened when Morocco faced lower-ranked teams? At two successive Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments, Morocco failed to lift the trophy, with an exit in the Round of 16 (2023) and a 1-0 loss in the 2025 edition, which they hosted. The final was a particularly testy affair, with Senegal seeing a goal ruled out in the dying moments of the match before Morocco were awarded a penalty. Incensed, the Senegalese marched off the pitch. Although Morocco missed the penalty and lost the match 1-0, they were declared AFCON champions after the on-field result was declared void and Morocco were handed a 3-0 forfeit by CAF. The result was later reversed and Morocco were declared champions under contentious circumstances. To make matters worse, Morocco faced a tournament-long allegation that the referees favoured Morocco. The hosts did not help their cause by requesting and receiving a change of referee before their quarterfinal encounter against Cameroon. Morocco of 2026: Faith in youth and offence Despite the controversial AFCON win, pressure kept mounting on Regragui with fans comparing the senior team with younger, more successful Moroccan sides. Advertisement Under the junior team manager Tarek Sektioui, Morocco bagged a bronze-medal finish at the Paris Olympics 2024, as well as lifting the winners’ trophies at the African Nations Championship 2024 and the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 with completely different squads. Similarly, Mohammed Ouhabi enjoyed success with the youth team by winning the FIFA Under-20 World Cup 2025. In a moment of deja vu, a last-minute coaching change was made in the lead-up to the World Cup. Regragui was out and Ouhabi was in with the aim of playing an expansive, rather than defensive, brand of football. According to Alrfae, squad selection has been the biggest indicator of change. “Ouhabi has picked a lot of young players,” adding: “Partially because he knows them but also because they fit his tactical approach.” Ouhabi relies on mobile players, all with lower profiles, who constantly switch positions and rotate around the pitch. The younger squad, with their nimble movements, made an instant impact in the World Cup, recording an impressive 1-1 draw against Brazil in their opening game. Experts believe it’s all part of a long-term plan. “I think Morocco made this change with an eye on the World Cup they will be hosting in 2030,” North African football journalist Maher Mezahi told Al Jazeera. Indeed, the average age of Morocco’s starting XI has hovered just below 26 years of age. None of the outfield starters are over 30 and half of them are 25 or younger. In their Round of 32 match, Morocco forced the Dutch to abandon their style of play and field five defenders to neutralise Morocco’s fluid movements. The change, according to Mezahi, was “an implicit admission” that Morocco were the stronger team. “The result proves that the 2022 World Cup was not a fluke
Ketan Agarwal murder case: Siya Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary used code words in chats, police say
Ketan died at the Lohagad Fort near Pune on June 18, with the police arresting his fiancee Siya and co-accused Chetan for allegedly killing him.
Capgemini shuts down Bengaluru campus daycare facility over allegations of child abuse
The IT giant stated that the safety and well-being of children was its highest priority and that it was fully cooperating with the law enforcement while extending support to the affected families.