The Maratha Empire was one of the most powerful empires in India in the 17th and 18th centuries. One of the biggest and most well-known of the Marathas, Shivaji Bhonsle, also known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was the ruler of the Maratha Kingdom. His harmonious blend of leadership, military genius, administrative skills, devotion, social welfare, ethical values and strategic vision created a legacy that was further carried on by his eldest son, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj—the second ruler of the Maratha kingdom. He was crowned after the demise of Shivaji and ascended the throne in 1681. Sambhaji Maharaj’s administration focused on justice, welfare and efficient taxation. Every year, Balidan Mas is observed to mark Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’s death anniversary. So, when is Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Balidan Divas 2025? In this article, we bring you Balidan Mas 2025 start and end dates, a brief history and life of Sambhaji Maharaj to honour the brave ruler of the Maratha empire.
Balidan Mas 2025 Start and End Dates
Balidan Mas is observed to commemorate the martyrdom of the Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. However, Balidan Mas 2025 start and end dates are yet to be announced. It must be noted that in 2024, Balidan Mas was marked from March 10 to April 8. Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj died on March 11, 1689, at the age of 31. February 2025 Holidays and Festivals Calendar: Get Full List of Major Events in the Second Month of the Year.
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’s Life and Brief History
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was a fearless warrior who ascended the throne following his father, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s death. His rule was primarily shaped by the ongoing wars between the Marathas and the Mughal empire and the neighbouring powers such as the Portuguese Empire in Goa, Siddi of Janjira and Wadiyars of Mysore. It was in 1688 when he was captured by the Mughal forces and executed.
Sambhaji Maharaj was born to the Maratha Emperor Shivaji and his first wife, Saibai, who died when he was only two years old. He was then raised by his paternal grandmother, Jijabai. He fought several battles from 1682 to 1688 to safeguard the Maratha empire. Within a few years after he came to power, he found people plotting his assassination and severe internal conflicts. However, he continued to expand his empire and protected Hindavi Swarajya, established his father. He was a symbol of courage, wisdom and resilience. His life and legacy teach valuable lessons in bravery, perseverance and patriotism. After the Mughals captured him, he was tortured for days and was executed in a painful manner. Even when death was so close, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’s incredible courage and bravery won him honour.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 18, 2025 11:18 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
During the anti-police riots of 2020, Oregon was front-and-center as protesters vandalized Portland and made a dayslong violent stand in front of the Mark Hatfield Federal Courthouse.
But in the eastern two-thirds of Oregon, the conservative geographic majority of the state did not ideologically align with their urban brethren.
Over the past several years, the Greater Idaho movement has tried to create the conditions needed for about 13 counties to join the conservative Gem State next door.
Greater Idaho began putting such measures up for votes in various counties in 2020 and this month saw Republican lawmakers file a bill in the state legislature that would create a task force to study “moving” the border.
State Rep. Mark Owens, R-Malheur, put forward HB 3844, a measure that creates and directs a task force to document the impacts of relocating the Idaho border and requires a report be presented to lawmakers in Salem.
GREATER IDAHO MOVEMENT GAINS MOMENTUM
Owens did not respond when reached for requests for comment.
Greater Idaho president Mike McCarter said in a statement: “We are encouraged to see the representatives of Eastern Oregon coming together to advocate for their voters by bringing these bills to the Legislature. The people of Eastern Oregon have made clear they want to explore moving the border and joining Idaho.
“This movement has always been about the people of Eastern Oregon, getting their voice heard and helping those communities get the kind of state-level governance they actually want.”
“If the Oregon Legislature truly believes in democracy, they will honor those voters’ wishes and move forward on making a border change happen,” executive director Matt McCaw told Fox News Digital.
“Both bills have been moved into committee and are awaiting further action there.”
By shifting the border, proponents believe both states have a “win-win” – in that the people living in each would better reflect the established political majority and lower political tension.
NY LAWMAKER CALLS FOR STATEN ISLAND TO SECEDE
In New York City’s Staten Island, there has been a movement afoot for decades seeking to break from the Big Apple. (AP Photo)
A report in the Central Oregonian noted an “interstate compact” is part of what is required to move the line, and cited other border-shifting bills in other states.
One would forward the cause of adding several rural Illinois counties that don’t see eye-to-eye with Springfield or Chicago to more closely aligned Indiana. Another in Iowa would allow the same movement for counties in the Land of Lincoln that are closer to the Hawkeye State line.
Idaho GOP Gov. Brad Little and Oregon Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek did not respond to requests for comment.
So far, only a few such movements regarding either secession or redrawing of state lines have been successful.
The now-55 counties of West Virginia voted to secede from the then-Confederate Virginia and independently ratified the U.S. Constitution on June 20, 1863.
A Washington Post story on the matter said Mountaineers split from Virginia as a way of “defending the ‘United States’… rather than the ‘seceded states’.”
In New York City’s Staten Island – the “forgotten borough” as many locals call it – there has been a movement afoot for decades seeking to break from the Big Apple.
Already geographically distant on the “New Jersey side” of the Hudson River, the borough is also separated from the Garden State by the Kill Van Kull and Arthur Kill.
Efforts to reestablish the reliably-red borough as the city of Richmond (after its coterminous county) or other names began with a favor from then-Gov. Mario Cuomo in the 1980s.
Cuomo enraged city leaders but endeared himself to the working-class voters on the island by approving state Sen. John J. Marchi’s push for a secession referendum.
Marchi, who died in 2006 and now has a Staten Island Ferry named in his honor, saw his borough vote nearly 2-1 to secede in 1993 – only to have their desires quashed by Albany’s Democratic majority.
And while the 1995 election of Mayor Rudy Giuliani calmed secession tensions, the drumbeat began anew in recent months.
“I think it’s time to secede,” Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., told The New York Post as Gov. Kathy Hochul was touting her congestion-priced driving fee that now double-taxes Staten Island commuters.
“There’s no real value in being part of this city or the state. We didn’t vote for this mayor; we didn’t vote for this governor; and we didn’t vote for this president, but we’re always the ones getting screwed,” she said.
Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox News Digital.
He joined Fox News in 2013 as a writer and production assistant.
Charles covers media, politics and culture for Fox News Digital.
Charles is a Pennsylvania native and graduated from Temple University with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism. Story tips can be sent to [email protected].
And so it begins… Anti-Valentine’s Week—the glorious seven-day stretch where the world collectively says, “You know what? Forget flowers, chocolates, and romantic dinner dates. I’m going to embrace my inner cynic and celebrate being single (or at least pretending to be emotionally detached) for a week.” Day 1 of this wonderfully bitter journey? Slap Day—a day dedicated to, well, slapping the nonsense out of whatever feels wrong in your life. People also share Anti-Valentine’s Week Day 1 Slap Day funny memes and jokes. Hence, we bring you some of the best and iconic Slap Day 2025 funny memes and jokes. These hilarious Slap Day images, Instagram posts and quirky one-liners will make you go LOL.
But don’t get too excited; before you start envisioning yourself smacking that ex who ruined your life (or your morning coffee order), let’s remember: Slap Day is more about metaphorical slapping than anything too criminal. It’s not about physical violence—it’s about slapping away the negativity, the toxic relationships, and the utterly ridiculous expectations that come with “romantic” holidays like Valentine’s Day. And, as per tradition, this day is perfectly made for memes. Anti-Valentine Week 2025 Calendar With Full Dates: What Are the 7 Days of Anti-Romance?
If you’ve ever had an ex that makes you want to scream, or maybe you’ve had one too many reminders of the world’s obsession with coupledom, Slap Day is your official moment of catharsis. You don’t need to physically slap anyone, but you do need to share the best memes possible. Memes that make everyone laugh, roll their eyes, and wish they were emotionally unaffected… but secretly, aren’t.
Humor is catharsis, people. It’s a day when you can laugh about all the bad dates, the awkward encounters, and the emotional baggage you carry around. It’s an opportunity to let off some steam in a funny way, without actually hurting anyone. Sharing Slap Day 2025 memes and jokes with your friends on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook is like saying is a must and if you are looking for some of funniest Slap Day 2025 funny memes and jokes, we have your back.
LOL
LMAO
Cannot Stop Laughing
This
Hahahaha
Purrfect!
This Remains Iconic!
So there you have it—Slap Day, day one of Anti-Valentine’s Week, is here, and it’s glorious. It’s the day you get to slap reality in the face with humor, share memes that drag every ridiculous notion of love into the trash, and be unapologetically sarcastic about your love life.
Now, take those funny memes, send them to your friends, post them on social media, and embrace the snark. Because while everyone else is in full Valentine’s Day mode, we’ll be here enjoying our singlehood—one meme at a time.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 15, 2025 07:10 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Parinirvana Day, also known as Nirvana Day, is a significant event in the Buddhist calendar that is observed every year on February 15. This day marks the anniversary of the death of Gautama Buddha, when he achieved full nirvana, or parinirvana, after his passing. For over 2,600 years, Buddhism has been a profound spiritual tradition, and Parinirvana Day offers a chance for Buddhists around the world to reflect on the Buddha’s life, teachings, and the path to enlightenment. In this article, we will explore the spiritual importance of Parinirvana Day 2025, the historical significance of Nirvana Day and the ways in which people observe this deeply meaningful occasion. The Life of Gautama Buddha, Story of Enlightenment and His Teachings To Know.
What is Parinirvana Day (Nirvana Day)?
Parinirvana Day commemorates the moment when Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, passed away and attained parinirvana, which is a state of ultimate enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of birth and death (samsara). According to Buddhist belief, parinirvana occurs when an enlightened being passes away, having fully transcended all suffering, desires, and attachments.
While Nirvana Day is celebrated on February 15 in most Buddhist traditions, the date varies in other regions. In some parts of East Asia, Parinirvana Day is observed on February 8, while in Bhutan, it is celebrated on the 15th day of the fourth month of the Bhutanese calendar. Regardless of the specific date, the central theme of this observance is the Buddha’s transition into complete peace and the profound spiritual teachings that can help others attain similar liberation. February 2025 Holidays and Festivals Calendar: Get Full List of Major Events in the Second Month of the Year.
The Life and Teachings of Gautama Buddha
Gautama Buddha, born as Siddhartha Gautama in the 5th or 4th century B.C. in what is now Nepal, is revered as one of the most influential spiritual leaders in history. Initially a prince, Buddha left his royal life behind in search of answers to the suffering he observed in the world. After years of meditation, self-discipline, and reflection, he reached an enlightened state under the Bodhi tree, where he became the Buddha, or “the Awakened One.”
Buddhism is based on the teachings and philosophy that Buddha shared, which are aimed at helping individuals overcome suffering (dukkha) and attain a state of inner peace and enlightenment. Central to his teachings are the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, which provide a roadmap for overcoming desire, ignorance, and suffering to achieve nirvana.
The Four Noble Truths and the Path to Parinirvana
The Four Noble Truths are fundamental principles that explain the nature of suffering and the path to its cessation. They are as follows:
The Truth of Suffering (Dukkha): Life involves suffering, dissatisfaction, and impermanence. Suffering can come in many forms, from physical pain to emotional struggles, and it is an inherent part of existence.
The Truth of the Cause of Suffering (Samudaya): The cause of suffering is craving and attachment. Humans often cling to desires, which leads to dissatisfaction and suffering.
The Truth of the Cessation of Suffering (Nirodha): Suffering can be overcome by letting go of cravings and attachments. Achieving enlightenment, or nirvana, is the end of suffering and the attainment of inner peace.
The Truth of the Path Leading to the Cessation of Suffering (Magga): The Eightfold Path is the path that leads to the cessation of suffering and the attainment of enlightenment. It includes practices like right understanding, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.
To reach parinirvana, one must follow these teachings and understand the nature of suffering and the mind. By practicing the principles of Buddhism and embracing compassion, wisdom, and mindfulness, individuals can gradually achieve liberation from the cycle of samsara.
Why Parinirvana Day Matters?
Parinirvana Day is not only a day to remember the Buddha’s death but also an opportunity for Buddhists to contemplate the impermanence of life and death. It serves as a reminder that, like all living beings, we are subject to change, and that attaining peace involves understanding and accepting the transient nature of existence. The teachings of Buddha, centered around the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, continue to inspire millions of people worldwide, offering a profound approach to living with mindfulness, compassion, and wisdom.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 15, 2025 07:30 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
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President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Palestinians should leave Gaza to rebuild their lives after months of war has triggered a wave of reactions, exposing deep divisions within the enclave and across the Arab world.
Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House last week, Trump outlined his vision for Gaza’s future, describing it as “the Riviera of the Middle East.” His proposal to relocate 1.8 million Palestinians sparked outrage among Palestinian leaders and drew mixed reactions from Gazans.
While some Gazans have rejected emigration, others see it as their only hope.
“I’m asking Donald Trump himself to relocate us as he suggested. And I’ll be the first one to go,” one young man told the Center for Peace Communications team in Gaza during a camera interview. The man described his bleak reality, saying, “I want to leave because there’s no life left here. Life here is gone. I mean, just look around you.”
THE HISTORY OF GAZA AMID TRUMP’S PLAN TO REBUILD ENCLAVE
A view of the widespread destruction in Gaza, Jabalia, on February 5, 2025. (YOUSSEF ALZANOUN/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)
Another Gazan called on neighboring Arab countries to provide an escape route. “To our brotherly Egyptian and Jordanian people and King Abdullah—we hope they open the crossing for the youth who are leaving, for the wounded, for the sick, and the elderly who need treatment.”
Jordan’s King Abdullah is set to meet with President Trump on Tuesday, having rejected his plan for annexing Gaza and displacing Palestinians, Reuters reported.
Jordanian King Abdullah meets President Trump on Tuesday having already rejected his plan for Gaza. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)(AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
The Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research poll conducted before the October 7 terror attacks found that 31% of Gazans were already considering emigration—44% among young people. The most popular countries were Turkey, followed by Germany, Canada, the United States and Qatar.
The poll’s authors said, “The main drivers seem economic, political, educational, security and concerns about corruption.”
Displaced Palestinians arrive in central Gaza after fleeing from the southern Gaza city of Rafah on Thursday, May 9, 2024.(AP/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Joseph Braude, founder and president of the Center for Peace Communications, told Fox News Digital that the number has grown significantly due to the ongoing devastation. “Through our daily contact with Gazans from all walks of life across the coastal strip, we have seen that proportion grow, amid the destruction of the present war, to a substantial majority of the population.”
Ayman Khaled, a Palestinian journalist, echoed similar sentiments, pointing to the grim prospects for rebuilding Gaza after months of relentless Israeli bombardment. “Gaza will need to go through a very long period of reconstruction. In that long period of time, where will the youth go? Where will the wounded go? We have more than 100,000 wounded. Even before the last war, a stream of people were leaving Gaza—workers, students, business people. That’s how it looked then. Now, those trends will double. There is no hope for the reconstruction of Gaza, not in a year nor 10 nor 15.”
‘LEVEL IT’: TRUMP SAYS US WILL ‘TAKE OVER’ GAZA STRIP, REBUILD IT TO STABILIZE MIDDLE EAST
U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet at the White House in Washington, D.C., Feb. 4, 2025.(REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz)
He also warned that as long as Hamas remains in power, cycles of violence will continue, pushing more people to flee. “If Hamas remains on the scene, this will keep happening. Every day, we’ll have new killings. After every battle, they say they are victorious—but what is this victory? If we don’t seriously address the issue of Hamas leaving the political scene, we cannot talk about anything else. If Hamas remains, people will emigrate, whether willingly or unwillingly.”
Hamas described Trump’s plan as a “recipe for creating chaos and tension in the region,” and for many Gazans, leaving is unthinkable. Speaking to The Associated Press, Mustafa al-Gazzar, a displaced Gazan, dismissed the idea of leaving. “You think you’ll expel me abroad and bring other people in my place? I would rather live in my tent, under rubble. I won’t leave. Put that in your brain.”
Amna Omar, 71, who has been sheltering in central Gaza, was equally defiant. “Gaza is our land, our home. We as Gazans… I don’t want to die in Egypt.”
Another woman in Deir al-Balah told Israeli news agency TPS-IL, “We clung to our destroyed homes and we clung to the soil of Palestine.” While voluntary emigration has been quietly discussed for years, Trump’s endorsement has turned it into a divisive issue. Arab governments, wary of being seen as complicit in Palestinian displacement, have been quick to condemn it.
Smoke rises during an Israeli strike in the vicinity of the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City on March 28, 2024 amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas terrorists.(AFP via Getty Images)
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However, with Gaza in ruins and no reconstruction in sight, the debate over emigration is no longer theoretical. The question is not whether Gazans want to leave, but whether they will have the opportunity to do so.
A Gazan man interviewed on-camera by the Center for Peace Communications said “In the end, people will accept reality. They’ll emigrate because they want to live. They want to live in a country that protects and supports them. A country where you can hold your head up high. If our country isn’t looking out for us, where should we go?”
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this article.
King Charles III sent condolences Saturday to the U.S. and the families of the Washington, D.C., plane crash victims.
“My family and I have been profoundly shocked and saddened by the dreadful news of the tragic air accident in Washington, D.C., which has led to such a devastating loss of life,” the monarch said in a memo released by Buckingham Palace and shared by multiple news outlets.
“Our hearts, and our special thoughts, are with the people of the United States, and our deepest possible sympathy goes to the families and loved ones of all the victims.”
Charles also said he wanted to pay “particular tribute to the emergency responders who acted so quickly to this horrendous event.”
DC PLANE CRASH INVESTIGATORS RECOVER AMERICAN AIRLINES BLACK BOXES AFTER MIDAIR COLLISION
King Charles III sent his condolences to the U.S. and the families of the Washington, D.C., plane crash victims Saturday. (Getty Images)
On Wednesday night, 64 people were on board an American Airlines regional jet inbound to Reagan National Airport from Wichita, Kansas, when the plane collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter carrying three soldiers, sending both aircraft into the Potomac and leaving no survivors.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation.
Search crews are still recovering bodies, and both aircraft remain in the Potomac River until they can be removed in a salvage operation.
The crash is the first commercial airline accident on U.S. soil since 2009, when 50 people were killed when a Buffalo, New York-bound plane stalled after takeoff.
The king also offered condolences in December for the victims of a Dec. 29 plane crash in South Korea that killed 179 people.
“My wife and I were profoundly saddened to learn of the horrific air accident at Muan, which resulted in such grievous loss of life,” he said at the time. “As the people of the Republic of Korea mourn this disaster, the families and loved ones of all the victims are in our prayers.”
Emergency workers recover debris from the Potomac River Thursday after Wednesday night’s collision between American Eagle Flight 5342 and a Black Hawk helicopter.(Reuters/Carlos Barria)
VICTIMS IDENTIFIED IN DC PLANE CRASH INVOLVING AMERICAN AIRLINES JET AND MILITARY HELICOPTER
The royal family is no stranger to tragedy. Princess Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris in 1997, and Lord Louis Mountbatten, the late Queen Elizabeth’s second cousin, was killed in an Irish Republican Army terrorist bombing in Ireland in 1979.
The late queen’s uncle, Prince George, the Duke of Kent, also died in a plane crash in 1942 while visiting troops in Iceland. And her first cousin, Prince William, the Duke of Gloucester, died in 1972 while piloting a plane in a race during an air show in Staffordshire, England.
Prince Charles, seen here in 1971, learned to fly in the Royal Air Force. (UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)
The royal family is often in the air, flying to far-flung locations, and Prince Philip and King Charles both learned to fly in the military. Prince William and Prince Harry were also both helicopter pilots in the military.
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Charles had a scary incident while piloting a small, nonmilitary plane in 1994 over Scotland’s Inner Hebrides when he popped a tire and overshot a runway.
Former Hamas hostage Amit Soussana is sharing more details about her time in captivity, and she says there was another hostage who was instrumental in her survival. Liri Albag, one of the IDF soldiers who was kidnapped on Oct. 7, “saved” Soussana.
Speaking on Israeli TV, Soussana recalled her captors tying her up and beating her, demanding that she admit to being in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Soussana says her hands and feet were bound, and she was beaten with a stick before one of the captors pointed a gun at her and said, “You have 40 minutes to tell us the truth, or else I kill you.”
Amit Soussana was released after 55 days of hell in a hostage deal. (Getty Images)
ISRAELI WOMAN BRAVELY DESCRIBES HORROR AS HAMAS HOSTAGE: ‘THEY WERE TAKING PLEASURE IN HURTING ME’
Fellow hostage Albag was apparently able to convince their captors that Soussana was not in fact in the military. Soussana who calls Albag “something special, a force,” believes this act saved her life.
“I told her when she came back: ‘I don’t know if they would have killed me or not; as far as I’m concerned, you saved my life,” Soussana said in the interview.
Released Israeli hostage Liri Albag, a soldier who was kidnapped from her army base during Hamas’ deadly Oct. 7, 2023 attacks, embraces loved ones after being released, in an unknown location, in a handout photo obtained by Reuters on Jan. 25, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces/Handout via REUTERS)
Hamas terrorists kidnapped Soussana from her home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza during the brutal Oct. 7 attacks. She was forced to walk barefoot in pajamas from her burning house to the Gaza border, being beaten along the way. Soussana fought her kidnappers in what was called “the battle of my life,” trying to stall them in hopes that the IDF would rescue her before she was dragged into Gaza.
Soussana was released from Gaza in November 2023 after 55 days in captivity as part of Israel’s first hostage deal with Hamas.
UN FINALLY RECOGNIZES THAT ISRAELI WOMEN WERE RAPED, SEXUALLY ATTACKED BY HAMAS TERRORISTS
In March 2024, Soussana became the first Israeli woman to speak publicly about being sexually assaulted while in Hamas captivity. She recalled the horrifying incident in an interview with The New York Times. Soussana later testified before the UN Security Council in October 2024 about her experience.
Amit Soussana spoke before the UN on Wednesday, sharing her harrowing experience as a hostage. Hamas terrorists abducted her on Oct. 7, 2023.(UNTV)
During her captivity, Soussana was chained by her ankle, unable to move. “I had to ask for permission to use the bathroom,” she explained, detailing her experience. “In that house, I was sexually assaulted by the Hamas terrorist who had guarded me.”
She described the assault, saying, “He forced me to go to the shower and entered the room, pointed his gun at me. He was breathing heavily and had a monstrous beast-like face.” She recalled his intrusive questioning while he sat next to her in his underwear, lifting her shirt and touching her. “I knew exactly what he was planning to do, and yet I couldn’t do anything to prevent it. I was utterly helpless.”
Soussana said that after the assault she was not “allowed to cry or to be sad.” She recalled feeling isolated and being “forced to act nice to the person who had just sexually assaulted me.”
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Israel and Hamas have been engaged in a deadly war for over 15 months following the terror group’s devastating surprise attacks on Oct. 7, 2023. Hamas is expected to release Agam Berger, Arbel Yehoud and 80-year-old Gadi Moses on Jan. 30 as part of the current ceasefire deal with Israel.
Rachel Wolf is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and FOX Business.
Caroline Kennedy, the only surviving child of President John F. Kennedy and a former U.S. ambassador, sent a letter to lawmakers urging them not to confirm her cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who she referred to as a “predator” and said was “unqualified” both professionally and personally to be the next Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).
RFK Jr. is set to sit before two Senate committees on Wednesday and Thursday this week, during which lawmakers will get a chance to probe him about various issues related to his nomination as Health and Human Services Secretary. In advance of those hearings, Caroline sent a letter to senators who will vote on her cousin’s confirmation, explaining why she thinks he should not be allowed to run the federal government’s chief public health agency.
“Throughout the past year people have asked for my thoughts about my cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr and his presidential campaign. I did not comment, not only because I was serving in a government position as United States Ambassador to Australia, but because I have never wanted to speak publicly about my family members and their challenges,” Caroline said in a video posted online of her reading the letter. “But now that Bobby has been nominated by President Trump to be Secretary of Health and Human Services, a position that would put him in charge of the health of the American people, I feel an obligation to speak.”
TRUMP’S MOST VULNERABLE NOMINEES RFK JR, TULSI GABBARD GET BACK-TO-BACK HEARINGS
Caroline Kennedy speaks at the 2009 Women’s Conference held at Long Beach Convention Center on October 27, 2009, in Long Beach, California. (Photo by Toby Canham/Getty Images)
In addition to arguing her cousin lacked the relevant government, financial management and medical experience to fill the role of HHS Secretary, Caroline said her cousin’s personal qualities were also a disqualifying factor. In the letter, Caroline called her cousin a “predator,” arguing he has sought to exploit his family’s tragedies for publicity and led his siblings and cousins down a path of addiction.
“It’s no surprise that he keeps birds of prey as pets, because Bobby himself is a predator,” she said. “I watched his younger brothers and cousins follow him down the path of drug addiction. His basement, his garage, his dorm room were always the center of the action – where drugs were available and he enjoyed showing off how he put baby chickens and mice in a blender to feed to his hawks.”
DR NICOLE SAPHIER: WHAT RFK JR MUST DO TO WIN OVER SKEPTICAL SENATORS – AND AMERICANS
Caroline did concede that such moments were “a long time ago,” and that she admired her cousin for finding his way out of his addiction. “I admire the discipline that took,” she said. “But siblings and cousins who Bobby encouraged down the path of substance abuse suffered addiction, illness and death, while Bobby has gone on to misrepresent, lie and cheat his way through life.”
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., partner with Morgan & Morgan PA, is sworn-in during a House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government hearing in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, July 20, 2023. The committee chairman announced the hearing to examine the federal government’s role in censoring Americans and big tech silencing speech. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images(Getty)
Caroline added in the letter that her cousin was “addicted to attention and power,” and also accused him of grandstanding “off my father’s assassination and that of his own father.”
“It’s incomprehensible to me that someone who is willing to exploit their own painful family tragedies for publicity would be put in charge of America’s life and death situations.”
She also took shots at her cousin’s views on vaccines in the letter, calling them “dangerous and willfully misinformed.” In the past, Kennedy has posited theories that vaccines cause autism, argued they are not safe for young children, and blamed them for a rise in chronic disease across the United States.
DOCTOR DEFENDS RFK JR.’S VACCINE STANCE: ‘HE’S NOT AGAINST VACCINES
“Bobby preys on the desperation of parents of sick children, vaccinating his own kids while building a following hypocritically discouraging other parents from vaccinating theirs,” she said. “Overseeing the FDA, the NIH, the CDC and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services agencies that are charged with protecting the most vulnerable among us is an enormous responsibility and one that Bobby is unqualified to fill.”
A woman holds a mock-up vial labeled “Monkeypox vaccine” and medical syringe in this illustration taken, May 25, 2022. (REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo)
RFK Jr.’s confirmation remains uncertain as both Republicans and Democrats have taken issue with his stance on vaccines and other public health issues. Lawmakers from more rural states have also raised concern over the potential that RFK Jr. could severely disrupt the agriculture sector as a result of his staunch views on healthy eating.
He will face questions from both the Senate Committee on Finance and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions this week. However, only the Finance committee will ultimately vote on whether to advance RFK Jr.’s nomination to a full floor vote.
A Philadelphia Eagles fan is reportedly fighting for his life after a tragedy while celebrating the Birds’ NFC title.
The fan, just 18 years old, fell from a light pole on the corner of 15th and Market streets in Philly, according to ABC 6 in Philly. City officials have urged fans not to climb the poles during their celebrations.
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Two years ago, when the Eagles made Super Bowl LVII, also against the Kansas City Chiefs, poles were greased up to prevent fans from climbing.
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Philadelphia Eagles fans cheer before the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field.(Bill Streicher-Imagn Images)
The man was transported to Jefferson Hospital after suffering brain trauma.
Several other fans were also spotted climbing poles throughout the city.
There were several scary incidents on Sunday night, including a shooting, stabbing and other assaults. Four people were arrested, and 31 citations were handed down. Three other people were injured after a woman crashed her car into a crowd of people, several hours after the game had ended.
People celebrate following the Eagles’ NFC Championship win over the Washington Commanders in Philadelphia on Jan. 26, 2025.(Thomas Hengge/Anadolu via Getty Images)
JALEN HURTS’ AGENT GETS LAST WORD AS EAGLES WIN NFC TITLE AFTER ‘PRETTY PRIVILEGE’ REMARK
The Eagles walloped the Washington Commanders, 55-23, thanks to seven rushing scores on the day. Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts each had a hat trick.
It’s the third time the Eagles will be playing for the Lombardi Trophy since 2018, splitting their first two appearances. Seven years ago, they defeated the New England Patriots, 41-33, in Super Bowl LII thanks to the magic of Nick Foles.
People climb poles following the Eagles’ NFC Championship win in Philadelphia on Jan. 26, 2025.(Thomas Hengge/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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The Chiefs are looking to become the first team in NFL history to win the Lombardi Trophy three times in a row. Kansas City is the fourth team to play in three consecutive Super Bowls, joining the Dolphins from 1971-73, the Bills in the early ’90s (who played in four straight), and the Patriots from 2016-18.
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Arizona Wildcats men’s basketball star Caleb Love played the hero in the team’s upset over the No. 3 Iowa State Cyclones on Monday night.
The Wildcats were down 71-68 with 2.2 seconds left in the game when Love received the inbound pass. He took a couple of dribbles and heaved up a prayer from well beyond half-court and nailed the shot. Love’s Wildcats teammates celebrated as the team forced overtime.
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Arizona guard Caleb Love, #1, reacts after scoring against Iowa State during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 in Tucson, Arizona. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona locked in and defeated Iowa State, 86-75. Love had 22 points in the win.
“Best moment of my life,” he said after the game. “Obviously, it wasn’t going our way throughout the game, but you’ve got to trust your work, to stay confident.”
Love, a senior transfer from North Carolina, did not have the best of shooting nights in the win but came up clutch when it mattered the most. He was 8-of-22 from the field overall and only 4-of-13 from 3-point range. He had two assists and two steals as well.
It was the heave that made all the difference.
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Arizona guard Caleb Love, #1, and forward Carter Bryant, #9, celebrate after defeating Iowa State in overtime in an NCAA college basketball game on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 in Tucson, Arizona.(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
“We actually practice half-courters in practice for fun, and he’s decent at it, but I’m probably a little better,” Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd said. “He let it go, it was on line — all you can do is get it on line and don’t leave it short. When it went in, it was pretty amazing.”
Arizona, which came into the game unranked, definitely needed a big-time win for its tournament resume as it improved to 14-6 on the season. The team improved to 4-2 against ranked opponents after losing their first two against Duke and UCLA earlier in the season.
Cyclones guard Tamin Lipsey led the team with 18 points. He was 7-of-13 from the field.
Arizona guard Caleb Love, #1, drives on Iowa State guard Keshon Gilbert, #10, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 in Tucson, Arizona.(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
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Iowa State fell to 17-3 on the season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
