Happy New Year 2025

Tag: attack

Woman loses both hands in shark attack in Turks and Caicos after photo fail

A Canadian tourist had both her hands amputated after being attacked by a shark while snorkeling on vacation in Turks and Caicos when she attempted to get a photo with the creature.

The incident happened on Feb. 7, when officials with the Turks and Caicos Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) said the 55-year-old woman was snorkeling off Providenciales, the main island in the archipelago, when she was attacked by a shark.

Officials said the shark was estimated to be approximately 6 feet in length. However, the species is yet to be confirmed.

An investigation revealed that the woman had “attempted to engage with the animal from the shallows in an attempt to take photographs.”

AMERICAN TOURISTS FELT ‘NUDGE’ BEFORE SHARK ATTACK AT POPULAR BAHAMAS RESORT

Tourist loses both hands trying to take photo with shark in Turks and Caicos

The woman’s horrified husband quickly rushed into the water to attempt to get the shark away from his wife, the New Zealand Herald reported.

Other terrified bystanders also jumped in to help the woman and try to stop the bleeding.

She was rushed to a local hospital and later flown off the island for further medical care, officials said.

AMERICAN TOURISTS ATTACKED BY SHARK AT LUXE BAHAMAS RESORT AREA

Aerial view on Turks and Caicos Islands

The victim, who was not identified, had to have both her hands amputated, according to the Visit Turks and Caicos Island website.

The beaches in the area were closed “in an abundance of caution,” but later reopened on Sunday, officials said.

“The DECR would like to urge the public to always be aware of your surroundings, follow local advisories, and respect marine life,” officials said in a statement on their Facebook page.

SHARK ‘COMPLETELY SEVERS’ LEG OF HAWAII SURFER OFF MAUI BEACH, AUTHORITIES SAY

A shark attack sign is posted at the Sand Dollar Beach section of Manresa State Beach in Watsonville, Calif., after a surfer was killed by a shark earlier Saturday, May 9, 2020. (Karl Mondon/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images)

“Swim in designated areas, avoid murky waters, never swim alone, and do not attempt to feed marine wildlife under any circumstances.”

Between 2021 and 2025, four people were reported to have been attacked by sharks, and that all victims survived those attacks, according to the Visit Turks and Caicos Island website.

The website reported that one of the incidents happened on May 23, 2024, when a male resident was snorkeling at Leeward Reef off the northeast coast of Providenciales when he was attacked by a shark. As a result of the attack, officials said the male had to have his leg amputated above the knee.

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The attack comes as another shark attack was reported on the same day when two American tourists were attacked by a shark hours after arriving at a popular beach resort in the Bahamas.

Authorities said the tourists were attacked by what appeared to be a bull shark, leaving one woman with serious injuries, while swimming in the waters of Bimini Bay.

The incident remains under investigation, and both women are expected to make a full recovery.

Fox News Digital’s Mollie Markowitz, Julia Bonavite and Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report.

Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com

February 18, 2025
Austria suffers another IS-motivated attack day after Vance’s Munich speech

Austrian authorities said Sunday that the suspect who they believe fatally stabbed a 14-year-old boy and wounded five others in the village of Villach is a Syrian refugee who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.

At a press conference, Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said the 23-year-old Syrian national was arrested seven minutes after Saturday’s attack unfolded in the village of just about 60,000 people bordering Italy and Slovenia.

“This is an Islamist attack with an IS connection by an attacker who radicalized himself within a very short time via the internet online,” Karner told reporters, according to the Associated Press.

Regarding mass migration and asylum-seekers, Karner, a conservative, said it will ultimately be necessary to “carry out a mass screening without cause because this assassin was not conspicuous.”

CAR DRIVER IN MUNICH PLOWS INTO CROWD 1 DAY BEFORE VANCE AND WORLD LEADERS GATHER FOR SECURITY CONFERENCE

Carinthia’s police chief, Michaela Kohlweiss, Austria’s Interior Minister Gerhard Karner, Carinthia’s Gov. Peter Kaiser and the mayor of Villach, Guenther Albel, address a press conference on Feb. 16, 2025, at the knife attack site. (Gerd Eggenberger/APA/AFP via Getty Images)

“There’s compassion, there’s sadness, but in these moments there’s also understandably often anger and rage,” Karner added, according to Reuters. “Anger at an Islamist attacker who randomly stabbed innocent people here in this town.”

The attack came a day after Vice President JD Vance rebuked European leaders at the Munich Security Conference over mass migration, as well as crackdowns on free speech.

As authorities revealed the alleged “Islamic terror motive,” Austria’s far-right leader Herbert Kickl, whose party won a national election four months ago, called for “a rigorous crackdown on asylum” in the wake of the attack.

Kickl wrote on X Saturday that he is “appalled by the horrific act in Villach.”

“At the same time, I am angry – angry at those politicians who have allowed stabbings, rapes, gang wars and other capital crimes to become the order of the day in Austria. This is a first-class failure of the system, for which a young man in Villach has now had to pay with his life,” Kickl said.

“From Austria to the EU – the wrong rules are in force everywhere. Nobody is allowed to challenge them, everything is declared sacrosanct,” he said, adding that his party had outlined what he viewed as necessary changes to immigration laws in its election platform.

The suspect is charged with murder and attempted murder. Austrian police said the suspect recorded himself pledging allegiance to IS, according to Reuters.

State police director Michaela Kohlweiß said authorities searched the suspect’s apartment with sniffer dogs and found IS flags on the walls.

No weapons or dangerous objects were found, she added, but police seized mobile telephones. Police were investigating whether the suspect had any accomplices.

“The current picture is that of a lone perpetrator,” Kohlweiß said, according to the AP.

Carinthia State Gov. Peter Kaiser thanked another Syrian national, a 42-year-old man working for a food delivery company, who drove toward the suspect and helped prevent the situation from getting worse.

SUSPECT IN MUNICH CAR ATTACK HAD ‘ISLAMIST MOTIVATION,’ PROSECUTOR SAYS

“This shows how closely terrorist evil but also human good can be united in one and the same nationality,” Kaiser said.

The mayor of Villach, Guenther Albel, said the attack was a “stab in the heart of the city.”

Austrian conservative party leader Christian Stocker said on X that the attacker “must be brought to justice and be punished with the full force of the law.”

“We all want to live in a safe Austria, adding that this means political measures need to be taken to avoid such acts of horror in the future,” he said.

The day before Vance visited the Munich Security Conference, an Afghan refugee on Thursday plowed a car into a crowd in the German city, injuring dozens of people, including a mother and her 2-year-old daughter, who later died.

Vice President JD Vance addresses the Munich Security Conference in Germany, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

“The number of immigrants who entered the EU from non-EU countries doubled between 2021 and 2022 alone, and of course, it’s gotten much higher since,” Vance said Friday. “It’s the result of a series of conscious decisions made by politicians all over the continent. Others across the world over the span of a decade. We saw the horrors wrought by these decisions yesterday in this very city. And of course, I can’t bring it up again without thinking about the terrible victims who had a beautiful winter day in Munich ruined. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and will remain with them. But why did this happen in the first place?”

“It’s a terrible story, but it’s one we’ve heard way too many times in Europe, and unfortunately too many times in the United States as well,” Vance said. “An asylum seeker, often a young man in his mid-20s, already known to police, rams a car into a crowd and shatters a community. How many times must we suffer these appalling setbacks before we change course and take our shared civilization in a new direction?”

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The stabbing in Villach on Saturday marked what is believed to be the second deadly Islamic terror attack in Austria in recent years. In November 2020, a man who had previously attempted to join the Islamic State carried out a rampage in Vienna, armed with an automatic rifle and a fake explosive vest, killing four people before being fatally shot by police. Last August, Austrian authorities said they thwarted a planned attack at a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna by a teenager who had also allegedly pledged allegiance to IS.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Danielle Wallace is a breaking news and politics reporter at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on X: @danimwallace.

February 16, 2025
Munich car attack suspect appears to have had ‘Islamist motivation’: prosecutor

The suspect accused of injuring more than 30 people in a car ramming attack in Munich, Germany, appears to have been motivated by Islamic extremism, prosecutors revealed Friday.

The 24-year-old Afghan, a self-described bodybuilder and fitness model, was arrested Thursday after he drove his Mini Cooper into the back of a labor union demonstration. The incident unfolded near where world leaders — including Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — were expected to gather for the Munich Security Conference.

Prosecutor Gabriele Tilmann said that the suspect said “Allahu Akbar,” or “God is great,” to police and then prayed after his arrest — which prompted a department that investigates extremism and terror to take on the case immediately.

In questioning, he admitted deliberately driving into the demonstration and “gave an explanation that I would summarize as religious motivation,” Tilmann said, according to the Associated Press. “According to all we know at the moment, I would venture to speak of an Islamist motivation.”

CAR DRIVER IN MUNICH PLOWS INTO CROWD

A car is lifted onto a tow truck at the scene where a driver drove into a labor union demonstration in Munich, Germany, on Thursday Feb. 13. (Matthias Balk/dpa via AP)

However, there were no indications the suspect was in any Islamic extremist organization, she reportedly added.

Tilmann also announced Friday that the suspect, who arrived in Germany as an asylum-seeker in 2016 and lived in Munich, posted content with religious references — such as “Allah, protect us always” — on social media.

The attack left 36 people injured, and the suspect is now facing 36 counts of attempted murder as well as bodily harm and dangerous interference with road traffic.

PLANE CARRYING SECRETARY OF STATE RUBIO RESUMES FLIGHT TO MUNICH AFTER MECHANICAL ISSUE

Police investigate the scene of the car ramming attack in Munich, Germany on Thursday. (Matthias Balk/dpa via AP)

The deputy head of Bavaria’s state criminal police office, Guido Limmer, said investigators found a chat, apparently with relatives, in which the suspect wrote “perhaps I won’t be there anymore tomorrow,” but so far they have found nothing that points to concrete preparations for the attack or anyone else being involved.

The man had no previous convictions and had a valid residence permit. Tilmann also said there was no indication of mental illness.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier reportedly laid a flower at the attack scene Friday morning, where he condemned “the brutality of this act” and said that it “leaves us stunned.”

Markus Soeder, Prime Minister of Bavaria, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Dieter Reiter, Mayor of Munich, from right, bring flowers on Friday, Feb. 14, to the site of the attack in Munich. (AP/Ebrahim Noroozi)

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A spokesperson for the vice president told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that Vance and President Zelenskyy will meet on the sidelines of the conference, where the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war is likely to be a focus.

Fox News’ Rachel Wolf and Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.

Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.

February 14, 2025
Ukraine reports drone attack not long after Trump talks with Putin, Zelenskyy

Ukraine’s air force indicated in a Facebook post on Thursday that the Eastern European nation had been targeted in a drone attack overnight.

“85 ENEMY UAVS SHOT, 52 DRONES FAILED TO REACH THEIR TARGETS (LOCATIONALLY LOST),” the top of the post read, according to a Google translation of the Ukrainian text.

The announcement came after U.S. President Donald Trump noted on Wednesday that he had spoken to both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

TRUMP SAYS RUSSIA AGREES TO ‘IMMEDIATELY’ BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS TO END WAR IN UKRAINE

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a joint press conference with the President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) in Kyiv on Feb. 10, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine (TETIANA DZHAFAROVA/AFP via Getty Images)

In a Truth Social post, the president described his call with Putin as “lengthy and highly productive.”

During President Joe Biden’s White House tenure, the U.S. provided billions worth of assistance to Ukraine as the embattled nation has been contending with a Russian onslaught.

But Trump is pushing for an end to the years-long war between the two foreign nations.

UKRAINE REGAINING PRE-2014 BORDERS IS ‘UNREALISTIC OBJECTIVE,’ HEGSETH SAYS IN FIRST NATO VISIT

He said in the post that he and Putin “both agreed, we want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the War with Russia/Ukraine.”

“We have also agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately, and we will begin by calling President Zelenskyy, of Ukraine, to inform him of the conversation, something which I will be doing right now,” he noted.

In a post later on Wednesday, Trump said his talk with Zelenskyy had gone “very well.”

PUTIN VIEWED AS ‘GREAT COMPETITOR’ BUT STILL A US ‘ADVERSARY’ AS UKRAINE NEGOTIATIONS LOOM, LEAVITT SAYS

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“He, like President Putin, wants to make PEACE,” Trump noted.

Alex Nitzberg is a writer for Fox News Digital.

February 13, 2025
Screenshot-scanning malware discovered on Apple App Store in first-of-its-kind attack
Every tech expert will tell you the App Store is safer than Google Play Store. Some might even claim it is impossible to download a malicious app from the App Store, but they are wrong.

While I admit the App Store is a secure and tightly controlled ecosystem, it cannot completely shield you. Security researchers have found that hackers are targeting several apps on the App Store to spread malware that steals information from screenshots saved on a device.

The issue also affects those downloading apps from the Google Play Store.

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A person holding an iPhone. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson )

How the malware works and what makes it different

According to researchers at Kaspersky, this malware campaign is more advanced than typical info stealers, both in how it works and how it spreads. Instead of relying on social engineering tricks to get users to grant permissions like most banking trojans or spyware, this malware hides inside seemingly legitimate apps and slips past Apple and Google’s security checks.

One of its standout features is Optical Character Recognition. Instead of stealing stored files, it scans screenshots saved on the device, extracts text and sends the information to remote servers.

Once installed, the malware operates stealthily, often activating only after a period of dormancy to avoid raising suspicion. It employs encrypted communication channels to send stolen data back to its operators, making it difficult to trace. Plus, it spreads through deceptive updates or hidden code within app dependencies, an approach that helps it evade initial security screenings by app store review teams.

The infection vectors vary between Apple and Google’s ecosystems. On iOS, the malware is often embedded within apps that initially pass Apple’s rigorous review process but later introduce harmful functionality through updates. On Android, the malware can exploit sideloading options, but even official Google Play apps have been found to carry these malicious payloads, sometimes hidden within SDKs (software development kits) supplied by third-party developers.

Messaging app in the App Store designed to lure victims.

THE HIDDEN COSTS OF FREE APPS: YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

What’s being stolen, and who’s responsible?

The scope of stolen information is alarming. This malware primarily targets crypto wallet recovery phrases but is also capable of exfiltrating login credentials, payment details, personal messages, location data and even biometric identifiers. Some versions are designed to harvest authentication tokens, allowing attackers to access accounts even if users change their passwords.

The apps serving as malware carriers include ComeCome, ChatAi, WeTink, AnyGPT and more. These range from productivity tools to entertainment and utility apps. In some cases, malicious developers create these apps with full knowledge of the malware’s purpose. In others, the issue appears to be a supply chain vulnerability, where legitimate developers unknowingly integrate compromised SDKs or third-party services that introduce malicious code into their applications.

We reached out to Apple for a comment but did not hear back before our deadline.

Messaging app in the App Store designed to lure victims. (Kaspersky)

Apple’s response to screenshot-scanning malware discovered in App Store

Apple has removed the 11 iOS apps mentioned in Kaspersky’s report from the App Store. Furthermore, they discovered that these 11 apps shared code signatures with 89 other iOS apps, all of which had been previously rejected or removed for violating Apple’s policies, resulting in the termination of their developer accounts.

Apps requesting access to user data such as Photos, Camera or Location must provide relevant functionality or face rejection. They must also clearly explain their data usage when prompting users for permission. iOS privacy features ensure users always control whether their location information is shared with an app. Also, starting in iOS 14, the PhotoKit API — which allows apps to request access to a user’s Photos library — added additional controls to let users select only specific photos or videos to share with an app instead of providing access to their entire library.

The App Store Review Guidelines mandate that developers are responsible for ensuring their entire app, including ad networks, analytics services and third-party SDKs, complies with the guidelines. Developers must carefully review and choose these components. Apps must also accurately represent their privacy practices, including those of the SDKs they use, in their privacy labels.

In 2023, the App Store rejected over 1.7 million app submissions for failing to meet its stringent privacy, security and content standards. It also rejected 248,000 app submissions found to be spam, copycats or misleading and prevented 84,000 potentially fraudulent apps from reaching users.

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

What Google is doing to stop malware

A Google spokesperson tells CyberGuy:

“All of the identified apps have been removed from Google Play and the developers have been banned. Android users are automatically protected from known versions of this malware by Google Play Protect, which is on by default on Android devices with Google Play Services.”

However, it is important to note that Google Play Protect may not be enough. Historically, it isn’t 100% foolproof at removing all known malware from Android devices. Here’s why:

What Google Play Protect can do:
- Scans apps from the Google Play Store for known threats.
- Warns you if an app behaves suspiciously.
- Detects apps from unverified sources (sideloaded APKs).
- Can disable or remove harmful apps.
What Google Play Protect can’t do:
- It does not provide real-time protection against advanced threats like spyware, ransomware or phishing attacks.
- It does not scan files, downloads or links outside of Play Store apps.
- It may miss malware from third-party app stores or sideloaded apps.
- It lacks features like VPN protection, anti-theft tools and privacy monitoring.
Image of a person typing in their password on screen. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

HOW SCAMMERS USE YOUR PERSONAL DATA FOR FINANCIAL SCAMS AND HOW TO STOP THEM

5 ways users can protect themselves from such malware

1. Use strong antivirus software: Installing strong antivirus software can add an extra layer of protection by scanning apps for malware, blocking suspicious activity and alerting you to potential threats. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

2. Stick to trusted developers and well-known apps: Even though malware has been found in official app stores, users can still minimize their risk by downloading apps from reputable developers with a long track record. Before installing an app, check its developer history, read multiple reviews and look at the permissions it requests. If an app from an unknown developer suddenly gains popularity but lacks a strong review history, approach it with caution.

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3. Review app permissions carefully: Many malicious apps disguise themselves as legitimate tools but request excessive permissions that go beyond their stated purpose. For example, a simple calculator app should not need access to your contacts, messages or location. If an app asks for permissions that seem unnecessary, consider it a red flag and either deny those permissions or avoid installing the app altogether. Go to your phone settings and check app permissions on your iPhone and Android.

4. Keep your device and apps updated: Cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software to distribute malware. Always keep your operating system and apps updated to the latest versions, as these updates often contain critical security patches. Enabling automatic updates ensures that you stay protected without having to manually check for new versions.

5. Be wary of apps that promise too much: Many malware-infected apps lure users by offering features that seem too good to be true — such as free premium services, extreme battery optimizations or AI-powered functionality that appears unrealistic. If an app’s claims sound exaggerated or its download numbers skyrocket overnight with questionable reviews, it’s best to avoid it. Stick to apps with a transparent development team and verifiable functionalities.

HOW TO REMOVE YOUR PRIVATE DATA FROM THE INTERNET

Kurt’s key takeaway

The new malware campaign highlights the need for stricter vetting processes, continuous monitoring of app behavior post-approval and greater transparency from app stores regarding security risks. While Apple and Google have removed the malicious apps upon detection, the fact that they made it onto the platform in the first place exposes a gap in the existing security framework. As cybercriminals refine their methods, app stores must evolve just as quickly or risk losing the trust of the very users they claim to protect.

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.
February 13, 2025
CA Republicans urge Trump admin to fight state’s attack on natural gas: ‘It’s sick’

California’s top Republican leaders are asking the Trump administration “to intervene” against their own state’s push to get rid of traditional energy sources, especially gas, with one lawmaker telling Fox News Digital the push to ban gas appliances was particularly “sick” of the state’s liberal leadership.

In a letter sent to the Department of Energy Secretary Christopher Wright, California Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher and state Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones urged the DOE to look at California’s efforts to “ban natural gas and gas appliances” and “evaluate these actions and their impact on issues of energy sufficiency, energy independence, and national security.”

“It’s a sick philosophy that tells fire victims we’re going to control how you build your home, we’re going to tell you all the things that you can and cannot have,” Gallagher told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview.

“This also has a lot of huge implications for the cost of living in California,” Gallagher said. “Let’s once and for all decide that you cannot ban gas appliances. People need these. They like having these. They’re more affordable. Let’s make sure that this is not going to get any further down the road.”

‘DEI ACTIVISM’: REPUBLICAN AGS PRAISE TRUMP SEC MOVE TO REVERSE BIDEN CLIMATE RULE THEY FOUGHT IN COURT

California Republican leaders like Assemblyman James Gallagher are asking the Trump Energy Department to intervene against the state’s climate agenda push to ban natural gas resources. (Getty Images | Fox News Digital)

California has intensified efforts to phase out natural gas appliances in recent years for what lawmakers claim will cut greenhouse gas emissions and improve indoor air quality. In 2022, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved a plan to ban the sale of new gas-powered space and water heaters by 2030, requiring homes and businesses to transition to zero-emission alternatives like electric heat pumps. The state’s 2023 energy code also encourages all-electric construction, making it more costly for developers to install gas appliances.

“I hope the federal government weighs in and restores consumer choice in California,” Gallagher said. “We should be able to choose whether or not we want electric or gas, and we especially need to make those choices so we can ensure that we can afford to live in this state, because right now, electricity, because of [Gov.] Gavin Newsom and the Democrats policies, has exploded the prices through the roof.”

The Republicans are also requesting that the DOE “engage legally with any California jurisdiction violating EPCA [Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975] in order to enforce the federal preemption of any state or local gas bans.”

“In light of these actions by a number of California state agencies, local governments, and regulatory bodies, we ask the Department of Energy to intervene where appropriate to overturn these overreaching policies,” the letter stated.

PRESIDENT TRUMP’S PRO-ENERGY AGENDA WILL UNLEASH AMERICAN JOBS AND ENERGY SECURITY

President Donald Trump has vowed to unleash American energy, including oil and natural gas. (Getty Images)

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has directed the DOE to implement policies to bolster natural gas production and exports. Late last month, he signed an executive order declaring a national energy emergency, which includes measures to enhance domestic energy production.

“Expanding consumer choice and removing burdensome restrictions on household appliances is a key component of President Trump’s agenda for reducing costs for the American people,” DOE spokesperson Ben Dietderich told Fox News Digital on Wednesday.

While California — which has been a beacon of progressive environmental policies for other liberal states — participates in the federal government’s Appliance Standards Program, in some cases, the state’s stringent standards exceed federal requirements. Dietderich said the department is “conducting a comprehensive review and is working to advance a commonsense approach that prioritizes affordability and choice for all Americans” when asked about the California Republicans’ letter.

“Any standards should include a cost-benefit analysis considering the upfront cost of purchasing new products and reflecting actual cost savings for American families,” Wright said in a statement last week while announcing his first secretarial order.

NEW YORK ‘POLLUTERS PAY’ LAW BACKCHARGING OIL, GAS COMPANIES FACES REPUBLICAN AGS’ LAWSUIT: ‘DEVASTATING’

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Monday. (AP/Alex Brandon)

More than 70 cities in the Golden State, starting with Berkeley in 2019, enacted local ordinances prohibiting natural gas hookups in new buildings. However, a 2024 federal court ruling overturned Berkeley’s ban, prompting some municipalities to reconsider their policies. Meanwhile, the state legislature passed a bill requiring warning labels on gas stoves, citing health risks linked to indoor emissions. If signed into law, California would become the first state to ban gas appliances.

And California’s Democratic majority has the backing of Gov. Gavin Newsom. In recent years, Newsom signed laws restricting new oil and gas wells near certain sites and signed off on neighborhoods to transition to all-electric systems. Additionally, in December 2024, state regulators approved a plan to reduce reliance on a major natural gas storage facility.

In a recent interview with CNN’s Pamela Brown earlier this month, Newsom said homeowners who lost their homes in the Los Angeles wildfires “can’t rebuild the same, so we have to rebuild with science, we have to rebuild with a climate reality in mind […].”

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Fox News Digital did not hear back from Newsom’s office by time of publication.

Jamie Joseph is a writer who covers politics. She leads Fox News Digital coverage of the Senate.

February 13, 2025
Trump meets families of New Orleans terror attack victims, law enforcement officials ahead of Super Bowl LIX

President Donald Trump has made his Super Bowl debut, and one of his first priorities was to honor those who were killed in the Jan. 1 New Orleans terror attack.

Upon arriving at the Superdome on Sunday, Trump met with the families of multiple victims of the attack as well as members of the New Orleans Police Department and emergency personnel.

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President Donald Trump meets with the families of victims of the Jan. 1 terrorist attack as well as members of the New Orleans Police Department and emergency personnel before Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome. (James Lang-Imagn Images)

President Donald Trump poses with members of the New Orleans Police Department and emergency personnel before the start of the Super Bowl LIX. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

At least 14 people were killed in the Jan. 1 attack and 57 more were injured.

The 14 victims who were killed were 27-year-old former Princeton football player Tiger Bech, 26-year-old Drew Dauphin, 18-year-old Nikyra Dedeaux, 28-year-old single mother Nicole Perez, 37-year-old Reggie Hunter, 21-year-old Hubert Gauthreaux, Alabama student Kareem Bilal Badawi, 25-year-old Matthew Tenedorio, 25-year-old Billy DiMaio, 63-year-old Terrence Kennedy, 42-year-old Brandon Taylor, 40-year-old Elliot Wilkinson and 31-year-old Edward Pettifer.

The suspect in the attack was identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Texas and an Army veteran, who died after the attack in a firefight with police.

Some of the plaintiffs affected by the New Year’s terrorist attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans have filed a civil negligence lawsuit against the city’s leadership and the private companies that were hired to consult the city about safety planning in the French Quarter.

The lawsuit has 21 plaintiffs, some of whom are family members of the deceased, others are survivors who were critically injured in the attack.

HOW TO WATCH SUPER BOWL LIX BETWEEN CHIEFS, EAGLES STREAMED ON TUBI

President Donald Trump visits the field before the start of Super Bowl LIX between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Feb. 9, 2025. (ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)

“New Orleans is forever changed by this tragedy, and we’ve seen countless people now alter their behavior and avoid Bourbon Street and even the City itself out of fear for their physical safety. Further, it’s impossible to quantify how many people now suffer crippling depression, anxiety and nightmares from what they saw and heard during that attack. It is impossible to quantify this tragedy’s astounding impact on our community,” Maples & Connick partner Aaron Maples said in a statement.

The attack, along with Trump’s presence, prompted major security protocol questions amid concerns of further danger to the Super Bowl.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the U.S. Secret Service’s approach for Sunday’s event in an interview with “Fox & Friends.”

“For this event, we’ve deployed many other assets as well. We’re obviously working with the local authorities, with the governor and with his agencies that he has that he’s detailed to this,” Noem said.

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President Donald Trump gestures to the crowd before the start of the Super Bowl LIX. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

“But we have several different agencies under the Department of Homeland Security that have put hundreds of individuals, investigators and military police folks that are used to these kinds of crowd control and security operations in their other departments that are focused on today to make sure that this big event is going to be safe and that we’re going to make the right decisions in these situations that could arise and get everybody home safely.”

Noem also said DHS has regulations for the airspace regarding drone traffic as well as cybersecurity operations to monitor online activity.

“We will be utilizing different agencies and departments under the umbrella of Homeland Security, but President Trump has also made a commitment for us to be able to deploy other assets from other departments and agencies, and I appreciate the flexibility that he has given us to make sure that we’re addressing this even in a way that we see as responsive coming forward,” Noem said. “We’re grateful for that interagency support, and I believe that it is unprecedented.”

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said he was deploying an additional 350 National Guard troops to support the federal effort.

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Jackson Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital. He previously worked for ESPN and Business Insider. Jackson has covered the Super Bowl and NBA Finals, and has interviewed iconic figures Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, Jerry Rice, Troy Aikman, Mike Trout, David Ortiz and Roger Clemens.

February 9, 2025
Jason Kelce brought to tears with story about New Orleans terror attack victims

Former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce got emotional when talking about two of the victims in the New Orleans terrorist attack.

Kelce is part of ESPN’s Super Bowl pregame coverage, and the network aired a piece about Ryan Quigley, an Eagles fan who survived the attack.

The story brought Kelce to tears.

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Jason Kelce on the ESPN postseason countdown set during the 2025 Pro Bowl Games at Camping World Stadium. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

Quigley was with his friend, Tiger Bech, who was walking on Bourbon Street when a man driving a pickup truck drove into a crowd of people.

Bech was among one of 14 people killed in the attack, and Quigley was injured.

Quigley vowed to never return to the city after the tragedy, but the Eagles offered him tickets to the Super Bowl after his story.

Quigley made the decision to go to the game because of a promise he made to his late best friend, Bech.

HOW TO WATCH SUPER BOWL LIX BETWEEN CHIEFS, EAGLES STREAMED ON TUBI

ESPN personality and former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce on set before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans at AT&T Stadium. (Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)

Quigley told Bech that if the Eagles made the Super Bowl, he would take them to the big game in New Orleans.

When the cameras cut back to Kelce and the ESPN crew, the former Eagles star was overcome with emotions.

“Listen, there’s some awful people in this world,” Kelce said after taking a moment to gather himself.

“I had the fortune of meeting Ryan,” Kelce said through tears. “And the spirit, right there – you wouldn’t even know something happened if he wasn’t in a wheelchair before the Rams game. On one end, something terrible can happen, and on the other, something so beautiful can happen. And just happy that he’s going to be here on the behalf of Eagles fans everywhere. Hell yeah, Ryan.”

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Stream Super Bowl LIX coverage on Tubi for free. (Tubi)

Quigley will be in attendance, hoping to see his Eagles win their second Super Bowl in franchise history.

The Kansas City Chiefs will take on the Eagles in the Super Bowl on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

FOX’s Super Bowl coverage began at 1 p.m. ET Sunday. Coverage can be streamed live on Tubi for the first time.

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Ryan Canfield is a digital production assistant for Fox News Digital.

February 9, 2025
Australian teenager dies in devastating shark attack

A 17-year-old girl from Bribie Island, just north of Brisbane in Queensland, Australia, died Monday after being bitten by a shark nearly 100 meters offshore, according to reports.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Charlize Zmuda, a member of the Bribie Island Surf Life Saving Club, was bitten on her arm by a shark while swimming about 100 meters off the beach.

She was reportedly helped in, Nine News reported, where crews from the Queensland Ambulance Service eventually met her.

The stretch of beach where Zmuda was injured, Woorim Beach, is an unpatrolled stretch of sand, and crews met her there at about 4:45 p.m. local time. The area is popular with off-road enthusiasts and campers.

SHARKS: 12 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE MARINE FISH

FILE – A large white shark looks straight into the camera. Captured in the clear blue waters of South Australia. Three great whites were pinged this week off the coast of the southeast United States, researchers said. (iStock)

While paramedics and witnesses tried to save her life, the wounds to her upper body were reportedly so significant that she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Queensland Police Department will prepare a report for the coroner, according to the local outlets.

The publication reported that drumlines are used in the area where the reported attack took place, to attract and catch sharks in an effort to reduce the risk of shark attacks.

SWIMMING IN A SHARK’S HOME: TIPS FROM AN EXPERT FOR AVOIDING AND SURVIVING AN ATTACK

A map pinpointing Bribie Island in Queensland where a teenager reportedly died after being bitten by a shark. (Google Maps)

It was not immediately clear if the drumlines were baited when Zmuda was attacked.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Bribie Island Surf Life Saving Club for more information about Zmuda as well as the types of sharks that typically come through the waters, though the club did not respond.

Still, the Premier of Queensland, David Crisafulli, called the attack “devastating.”

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“What happened on Woorim Beach at Bribie Island late yesterday is devastating,” Crisafulli said in a post on X. “For someone so young to lose their life in a shark attack is an unimaginable tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and Bribie community. Thank you to our first responders who were on the scene.”

Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital.

Story tips and ideas can be sent to Greg.Wehner@Fox.com and on Twitter @GregWehner.

February 4, 2025
‘No credible threats’ on Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans following New Year’s terror attack, Kristi Noem says

Secretary Kristi Noem said Monday the Department of Homeland Security has “no credible threats” on Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.

Noem spoke at a press conference ahead of the Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles. While it’s all about football in the “Big Easy” this week, discussions about safety for this massive event naturally came up following the New Year’s Day terror attack on the city’s historic Bourbon Street.

Terrorist Shamsud-Din Jabbar killed 14 civilians and injured 57 others after ramming his Ford F-150 truck through crowds celebrating on the famous street around 3 a.m. on Jan. 1. Jabbar was killed during a shootout with police.

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Gov. Kristi Noem during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee confirmation hearing in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 17, 2025. (Getty)

The NFL held a public safety press conference on Monday in New Orleans where Noem spoke alongside Cathy L. Lanier, the league’s chief security officer, Eric DeLaune, Homeland Security Investigations special agent in charge, Col. Robert P. Hodges, Louisiana State Police superintendent, and Anne Kirkpatrick, New Orleans Police Department superintendent.

Noem discussed the reality of the danger around the world, but when it comes to events here in the United States, she was clear with how safe the Super Bowl would be.

HOW TO WATCH SUPER BOWL LIX BETWEEN CHIEFS, EAGLES STREAMED ON TUBI

“The world is a much more dangerous place, but here in the homeland, we are safe, and I will tell you that right now we have no specific credible threats to this event at the Super Bowl, which I think should give us all a sense of security, but also knowing we will adjust that as needed,” she explained. “Today, there are no credible threats that we have that are on the radar for this event that is coming up on Sunday.”

Noem also touched on safeguarding “our traditions,” like the Super Bowl, when it comes to everyone doing their part to provide a safe environment for those traveling to the city for the big game.

“[It] exemplifies how we come together to safeguard our traditions,” she said. “How we come together to make sure that the public is well-informed and gets the chance to celebrate something that’s very special to us, to our culture, to our people, to our families. But we also do it in a way that is reactive to the current environment we see in the world today.”

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Gov. Kristi Noem speaks during the Republican National Convention, July 15, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

New Orleans is expecting upwards of 125,000 visitors to converge on its city limits, beginning Wednesday, where parties, concerts and other events will be happening throughout the week leading up to the game.

“We’re going above and beyond what we’ve seen in the past when we’ve hosted previously,” New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said during a news conference. “We know we’re safer than we’ve ever been before.”

Safety will be at the forefront with state, federal and local law enforcement officers with boots on the ground during the Super Bowl, Lanier said, though details about protocol were left unsaid.

Agencies including the FBI and Secret Service will be around the stadium and downtown New Orleans, per DeLaune. That will include rooftop snipers, BearCat armored SWAT vehicles and more.

Authorities patrol Bourbon Street as it is reopened in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Jan. 2, 2024, after the New Year’s Eve attack. (Kat Ramirez for Fox News Digital)

There will also be federal air marshals, who are armed, stationed around the city’s public transportation hubs scanning for suspicious people and activity, while also guarding against drones. There is a ban on drones around the Superdome and downtown New Orleans throughout the week and flight restrictions up to 18,000 feet, per the Federal Aviation Administration.

New Orleans has already begun starting to shut down, and limit traffic, on roads near the Superdome. DeLaune also mentioned the perimeter of the Superdome will have blast barriers, requiring trucks to go through giant X-ray machines typically seen at border crossings to ensure safety around the site of Super Bowl LIX.

From bomb-sniffing dogs, to improved security infrastructure, to more manpower and resources, all the stops are being pulled out to ensure the safety of every individual heading to New Orleans to experience the NFL’s final game of the 2024 season.

This security will carry over into New Orleans’ famous Mardi Gras season, which has already begun.

Super Bowl LIX will be streamed on Tubi. (Tubi)

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“New Orleans will be the safety place to be anywhere in the country,” Phillip Constantin, adviser with U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 3, 2025