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Cotton demands FDA investigate Chinese drug ingredients in weight loss drugs

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FIRST ON FOX: A Senate Republican is demanding the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigate whether illegal Chinese ingredients are making their way into weight loss drugs in the United States.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., called on FDA Commissioner Martin Makary to probe how far unregulated and illegal Chinese active pharmaceutical ingredients have penetrated the U.S. supply chain — and whether they have ended up in popular weight loss drugs.

“China’s access to America’s pharmaceutical supply chain presents national security risks as well as significant health risks to American patients,” Cotton wrote in a letter to Makary first obtained by Fox News Digital.

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Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., called on FDA Commissioner Martin Makary to probe just how widespread illegal and unregulated Chinese pharmaceutical ingredients are in the U.S., and how widespread they are in non-FDA regulated weight loss drugs.  (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images)

Cotton’s concern follows recent reports from the FDA and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that between September 2023 and January 2025, authorities intercepted 195 illegal shipments of active pharmaceutical ingredients.

He noted that the ingredients were “likely used in compounded weight loss medications” that entered the U.S. market. Of those shipments, roughly 60 originated from China and Hong Kong.

“It is estimated that as of January 2026, up to 1.5 million American patients could be using unregulated compounded weight loss medications that may contain potentially dangerous ingredients from Chinese manufacturers,” Cotton wrote.

EXAMINING THE NEXT THREAT FROM COMMUNIST CHINA: OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

person stands on scale holding GLP1 injection

Americans turn to risky unregulated sellers for GLP-1 weight loss drugs.  (iStock)

The ingredients are typically used in compounded versions of GLP-1 weight loss drugs that are marketed as alternatives to FDA-approved medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy.

Earlier this month, the Department of Health and Human Services announced it would refer telehealth company Hims & Hers to the Justice Department for “potential violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act” over its planned sale of a compounded, non-FDA-approved weight loss drug.

Makary similarly said the FDA would “take decisive steps to restrict GLP-1 active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) intended for use in non-FDA-approved compounded drugs that are being mass-marketed by companies — including Hims & Hers and other compounding pharmacies — as alternatives to FDA-approved drugs.”

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The company announced last week that it would remove its weight loss pill, billed as a cheaper alternative to Wegovy, from the market following mounting pressure from federal agencies.

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Cotton acknowledged that move and called for similar investigations going forward.

“I encourage further investigations into other entities that expose American patients to dangerous, unregulated Chinese APIs,” Cotton wrote.

JetBlue flight security issue leads to temporary Aruba airport shutdown

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JetBlue passengers on a flight from Boston to Aruba were stuck on a plane for hours Monday while authorities investigated a “security-related situation.”

When the flight landed at Queen Beatrix International Airport on Feb. 9, the pilot was directed to park in an alternate location. The reason cited was a “security-related situation,” JetBlue told Boston station WCVB News Center 5.

Frustrated passengers were kept onboard for nearly two hours after landing, the station said.

FLIGHT PASSENGER MISTAKENLY BOARDS WRONG PLANE, LANDS IN SURPRISING COUNTRY AFTER MANY HOURS

One traveler told the outlet that law enforcement officers boarded the aircraft and checked passports individually. Then they were allowed to exit row by row. A K9 unit was also brought in to inspect luggage.

“The flight was met by law enforcement who conducted additional screenings and customers have since disembarked,” the airline said. 

A security issue on a JetBlue flight briefly shut down Aruba’s airport Monday, with passengers kept onboard for nearly two hours after landing. (Joan Valls/Urbanandsport/NurPhoto/Getty Images)

“The safety of our customers and crew members is JetBlue’s first priority, and further inquiries should be directed to law enforcement.”

During the incident, airport operations were temporarily suspended. In notices shared on social media, Queen Beatrix International Airport said access to the terminal was restricted while authorities assessed the situation.

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“Due to a security-related situation, airport operations are temporarily paused. The situation is being managed by the appropriate authorities, and safety remains our top priority,” the airport said in a Facebook post.

About an hour later, the airport issued an update stating that operations would remain suspended for another 90 minutes or so.

K9 police dog smelling a brown suitcase during airport screenings.

A passenger said officers boarded the plane, checked passports individually and brought in a K9 unit, such as the one shown above, to inspect luggage. (iStock)

Travelers inside the terminal were instructed to remain there — while those who had not yet entered were asked to wait outside until passenger processing resumed.

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On social media, some passengers reported disruptions to connecting travel plans as a result of the delay, including missed or rerouted flights.

Travelers waiting in line at check-in counters inside Aruba Airport, with self-service kiosks and airline signage visible.

Passengers reported that the delay at the airport disrupted connecting travel plans, resulting in missed or rerouted flights. (iStock)

“We sat in the airport for three extra hours and many people missed connecting flights,” one user on Facebook said.

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“Messed up my whole day,” a Reddit user commented.

Later in the day, Aruba Airport Authority N.V. confirmed in a press release that airport operations had fully resumed.

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Fox News Digital reached out to JetBlue for further comment.

Albania protests erupt over alleged corruption scandal involving government

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Thousands of anti-government protesters violently faced off against riot police outside government buildings in Albania’s capital, Tirana, earlier this week, as people called for the resignation of the government following a massive corruption scandal.

The main Albanian opposition party called for people to take to the streets and demand the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku after she was indicted by a special prosecutor who alleged she had been improperly influenced in her decision to favor one company in a tender for the construction of a 3.7-mile tunnel in southern Albania.

Albania’s Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime suspended Balluku from the government in November, but Prime Minister Edi Rama took the issue to the country’s Constitutional Court, which reinstated Balluku in December.

STATE DEPARTMENT STAYS QUIET AS ALBANIA REINSTATES DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ACCUSED OF CORRUPTION

Anti-government protests in Albania’s capital Tirana escalated tension on Tuesday, Feb. 10, as demonstrators threw Molotov cocktails and other objects at the prime minister’s office on Feb. 10, 2026. (Anadolu Agency via Reuters)

Balluku denied the allegations, calling the accusations against her amounted to “mudslinging, insinuations, half-truths and lies.” Rama has refused to dismiss her.

The corruption allegations touched off widespread outrage, sparking protests in recent months. 

“The wave of popular protests in Albania reflects a growing societal backlash against what critics describe as the increasingly autocratic rule of Prime Minister Edi Rama,” Agim Nesho, former Albanian ambassador to the U.S. and the United Nations, told Fox News Digital.

“Over more than a decade in power, Rama is accused of centralizing authority and personalizing state institutions, while his government has faced persistent allegations of cooperation with organized crime and the misuse of public funds and public assets for the benefit of politically connected clients,” Nesho claimed.

Albania unrest.

Police officers hold shields outside the Prime Minister’s office during an anti-government protest, triggered by a corruption investigation into Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, in Tirana, Albania, Feb. 10, 2026. (Florion Goga/Reuters)

The shady circumstances surrounding Rama’s most important ally and the lack of accountability reinforces the sentiment that is pervasive in Albanian society that their government is rife with corruption. With both the incumbent government and opposition figures accused of corruption, public confidence in institutions and the justice system has steadily been eroded.

ITALY ROCKED BY ANARCHIST-LED RIOTS AS OVER 100 POLICE INJURED, MELONI CONDEMNS VIOLENCE

Albania has a long legacy of government corruption and ranks 91st out of 182 countries in Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index.

The protests on Tuesday turned violent when supporters of Berisha’s opposition Democratic Party threw rocks and Molotov cocktails at government offices in Tirana. Security forces responded with water cannons and tear gas.

Albania Prime Minister Edi Rama and his deputy Belinda Balluku.

Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama (R) and Deputy Prime Minister of Albania and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku (R) attend a press conference in the Shpirag region in Berat province, Albania on Aug. 23, 2023. (Albanian Prime Ministry / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Berisha claims the protests have been peaceful, and people are only voicing their opposition to Rama’s increasing autocratic rule and his attacks of the justice system.

At least 16 protesters were treated for injuries and 13 protesters were arrested, according to The Associated Press. 

Observers of the region believe Berisha, who was prime minister from 2005 to 2013 and faced his own corruption charges, is angling to topple the socialist prime minister and main political rival, Rama, and return to power.

The turmoil in Albania comes as the country has long sought European Union membership, which began in 2014 when it became an official candidate for accession. While the 2025 annual European Commission report stated that Albania made significant strides in judicial reforms and combating organized crime, the latest allegations against Rami’s government will complicate its path to EU membership.

Anti-corruption protesters in Albania

People gather during a demonstration held in Tirana, the capital of Albania, in support of former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, who was under house arrest from December 2023 to November 2024 on corruption charges and is currently under judicial supervision by the Albanian Special Appeal Court for Corruption and Organized Crime (GJPAKKO). (Olsi Shehu/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The United States helped implement Albania’s judicial reform process, including the creation of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK). The State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) invested millions to foster democratic progress in Albania and assisted in combating Albania’s struggles with corruption and strengthening its weak institutions.

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Nesho warned the U.S. and European Union need to get serious with policy in the Western Balkans and help move Albania closer to European integration.

“If Washington and Brussels continue to look the other way — failing to enforce the rule of law, restore real checks and balances, and cut the regime’s ties to organized crime and drug trafficking — Albania risks drifting into the orbit of Eastern-style autocracy,” Nesho said.

Roman camps are unearthed in Germany’s Saxony-Anhalt state by archaeologists

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Archaeologists recently unearthed the remains of ancient Roman marching camps in Saxony-Anhalt — a first for one of Eastern Germany’s larger states.

The discovery was announced by the State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology of Saxony-Anhalt (LDA Saxony-Anhalt) in January. 

The camps were found at a site between the northern Harz Mountains and the Elbe River. 

ANCIENT ROMAN FORT YIELDS 2,000-YEAR-OLD FRUIT THAT SURVIVED THE CENTURIES, PLUS OTHER TREASURES

Pictures from the site show aerials of the field — as well as a cross-section of sediment layers exposed during archaeological work.

Radiocarbon analysis determined that the camps were likely established in the early third century A.D.

A historical illustration depicts Roman forces operating in ancient Germania, paired with a modern, generic view of Saxony-Anhalt, the region where archaeologists have now identified the easternmost Roman marching camps to date. (iStock)

Officials say the site “documents Roman advances in the third century A.D.,” providing physical archaeological evidence that had previously been missing in the region.

“Until now, concrete evidence for these campaigns had been lacking in the territory of Saxony-Anhalt,” LDA Saxony-Anhalt said in a translated press release.

‘UNEXPECTED’ ROMAN-ERA DISCOVERIES UNEARTHED IN BIBLICAL CITY MENTIONED IN BOOK OF REVELATION

“In particular, the highly standardized marching camps that the Roman military constructed daily after reaching a marching destination were expected.”

Archaeologists used metal detectors to unearth over 1,500 artifacts, including nails, coins and fragments of fibulas, or brooches.

View of camps at excavation site

The camps are believed to date to the early third century based on radiocarbon analysis conducted at the site. (Landesamt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologie Sachsen-Anhalt, Thomas Koiki)

They also uncovered remnants of V-shaped defensive ditches, a hallmark of Roman military camps used to prevent enemy entry.

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“These are the northeastern-most Roman camps in free Germania identified to date,” the release said.

“Written sources provide only a limited picture of Roman military campaigns in inner Germania, making archaeological discoveries particularly important.”

“The discoveries represent an archaeological sensation, made possible largely through volunteer heritage conservators and modern remote-sensing technology.”

Rome made repeated attempts to push its frontier into what is now Germany, but never succeeded in fully conquering or holding the territory.

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By the third century, however, Roman armies advanced further into Germanic territory.

Aerial of field

The newly identified site lies between the northern Harz Mountains and the Elbe River, officials said. (GeoBasis-DE / LVermGeo ST, Datenlizenz Deutschland – Namensnennung)

“From the third century A.D. onward, major changes occurred in the Germanic region, with new tribal confederations posing a serious threat to the Roman Empire,” said the release.

“Written sources provide only a limited picture of Roman military campaigns in inner Germania, making archaeological discoveries particularly important.”

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“Until now, Saxony-Anhalt lacked structural evidence of Roman troop movements toward the Elbe, especially marching camps.”

Roman coins found at site

More than 1,500 artifacts were recovered during surveys, including nails, coins and fragments of Roman-era brooches. (Landesamt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologie Sachsen-Anhalt, Anika Tauschensky)

The latest discoveries join a list of other recent Roman-era finds in Germany.

Last summer, excavators found a mysterious Roman-era settlement site in North Rhine-Westphalia, complete with building remains and artifacts.

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In January, Fox News Digital spoke with German officials about a hoard of Roman coins that was recently seized by authorities — years after a metal detectorist found them.

Beloved ‘Sandcastle Man’ Bill Pavlacka parts ways with Hotel del Coronado

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For nearly two decades, families posed for photos beside his towering sandcastles, couples got engaged in front of them, and holiday visitors returned year after year to see what he would build next.

Now, the man affectionately known as “The Sandcastle Man” is no longer building on the stretch of Southern California beach where he became a Coronado fixture.

Hotel del Coronado confirmed to Fox News Digital that it and sand artist Bill Pavlacka “have parted ways” effective Feb. 5, ending his nearly 20-year run crafting elaborate sculptures on Coronado Beach outside the historic resort.

“We can confirm that Hotel del Coronado and The Sandcastle Man have parted ways effective February 5. We wish The Sandcastle Man continued success,” a hotel spokesperson said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.

GIRL CAUGHT ON VIDEO PULLING SINGLE SQUARE AS 63,000-BEER-COASTER TOWER FOR GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS COLLAPSES

Bill Pavlacka, known as “The Sandcastle Man,” poses beside one of his sand sculptures on Coronado Beach in California. The longtime beach fixture recently parted ways with the Hotel del Coronado after nearly two decades building on the resort’s beachfront. (Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)

The hotel did not provide any additional details about the decision.

Pavlacka’s sand creations, ranging from whimsical holiday displays to custom wedding proposals, anniversary tributes and birthday messages have long-drawn crowds along the iconic shoreline adjacent to San Diego.

The circumstances surrounding his departure were detailed in a letter and interview quotes reported by The San Diego Union-Tribune, as well as in statements Pavlacka shared on social media.

The Union-Tribune reported that Pavlacka was formally notified in a letter from the hotel’s human resources director that he was no longer permitted to operate on hotel property. According to the newspaper, the letter said that in recent months a new incident had come to light “involving consumption of alcohol, resulting in a negative guest experience.”

TIKTOK-FAMOUS HOOTERS GIRLS BUILT VIRAL FOLLOWING, BUT LANDLORD HAD FINAL SAY ABOUT THEIR FUTURE

A detailed sandcastle with heart-shaped carvings reading

A sandcastle sculpture created by Bill Pavlacka sits on Coronado Beach in Southern California with the Hotel del Coronado in the background. Pavlacka has built proposal displays, holiday scenes and custom creations along the beachfront for nearly 20 years. (Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)

Pavlacka denied that allegation in an interview with the Union-Tribune.

“There was no alcohol. I don’t drink alcohol out there,” he said. “I asked the hotel guy who complained, ‘Did you see me drinking?’ He said, ‘We’re not going to go there.’ If they want me out of there, that’s OK. I’m not going to fight and argue with them.”

The Union-Tribune also reported the letter stated Pavlacka was “no longer permitted to operate ‘The Sandcastle Man’ or any other business on the premises of the Hotel del Coronado… explicitly including the Hotel’s beach.”

The newspaper further reported that the hotel owns portions of the beachfront and, citing the California Coastal Commission, has the right to control that property so long as public access is not denied.

Pavlacka told the Union-Tribune he believes the decision may have been influenced by messages he sometimes carved into his sculptures. The newspaper reported the hotel letter said that as a condition of operating on the hotel’s beach property, Pavlacka’s sandcastle content was to be “neutral” and “free of political or controversial messages.”

Pavlacka said he had incorporated phrases such as “I believe in freedom of speech” and “I love democracy,” along with a quote attributed to Mark Twain: “Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please.” 

He said the messages were interpreted as political.

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Exterior view of the Hotel del Coronado in Coronado, California

The historic Hotel del Coronado is seen in Coronado, Calif. The beachfront resort confirmed it has “parted ways” with longtime sand sculpture artist Bill Pavlacka, known locally as “The Sandcastle Man.” (Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)

“The hotel always says I do not work for them, but they kicked me off the property,” he told the Union-Tribune. “But I have tremendous support in San Diego and almost all the feedback I’ve gotten is positive. So I can’t understand why all of a sudden things changed.”

Local supporters echoed that sentiment.

“Bill is hardworking and quiet and never have we ever seen him drinking,” Kimberly Weed told the Coronado Times. “This is a huge loss for the people of San Diego, and everyone loves ‘The Sandcastle Man.’ Bring him back and appreciate the joy it brings people from all over the world.”

Ken Fitzgerald told the outlet, “There is nothing controversial, much less offensive, about a quote from one of America’s greatest authors about the importance of truth and objective reality in our nation’s civic life.”

Pavlacka addressed the split in a Facebook post.

“After nearly two decades, Hotel del Coronado and I have parted ways. Building sandcastles in front of the hotel, and meeting guests from all over the world, has meant everything to me,” he wrote.

“While I’m saddened this chapter has ended, I’m excited for greater creative freedom ahead,” he added, directing supporters to find him “just north of the main lifeguard tower on Coronado Beach.”

San Diego skyline at night

The San Diego skyline from Centennial Park in Coronado, Calif. (Christopher A. Jones via Getty Images)

In his interview with the Union-Tribune, Pavlacka said he plans to continue building sandcastles elsewhere.

“I won’t give up, I’ll still build sandcastles. It may not be here, it will be somewhere,” he said.

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Pavlacka also publishes a price list on “The Sandcastle Man” website. 

The page states: “Sandcastles and lessons on Hotel Del Coronado property must be pre-approved by the hotel.” It adds that prices are subject to change based on design complexity and may include add-ons such as music, lights, rose petals and travel fees.

Pavlacka is currently seeking donations per his most recent Facebook post.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Pavlacka for additional comment.

Greece expands its ‘golden’ visa program for wealthy Americans seeking new residency

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With the growing popularity of “golden” visas among wealthy Americans, one country is expanding the pathways for those interested in gaining citizenship in this fashion. 

Greece has introduced the “Greek Startup ecosystem” — expanding citizenship opportunities beyond just an investment in real estate.

Those eligible can invest around $259,000 in select startups listed on the country’s National Startup Registry, according to the official platform Elevate Greece (EG), in sectors that include real estate, defense and finance.

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“A strong culture of innovation and entrepreneurship drives the public and private sectors to join forces through Elevate Greece and reach out into global markets, promoting Greece as a major innovation hub in Southeast Europe,” the EG website says.

Americans have been increasingly seeking second citizenship residencies as an “insurance” against global uncertainty, as Fox News Digital previously reported. 

Greece is opening a new citizenship pathway for international entrepreneurs through startup investments. (Mehmet Emin Menguarslan/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Canada-based Mohamed Bennis, senior vice president at Arton Capital, a global financial advisory and consultancy firm, told Fox News Digital that “golden” visa programs have become “mainstream” today. 

“We’re seeing a clear shift away from passive real estate toward more active investments that directly support the local economy — including startups, operating businesses and private equity, with more risk but also more potential reward,” said Bennis.

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He added that countries need to innovate and adapt to new investor expectations.

“Greece is playing to win, using popular residency policy tools to pull in tech money, while other countries are still stuck in red tape,” said Bennis. 

Those eligible for the new program in Greece can invest around $259,000 in select startups that are listed on the country's National Startup Registry.

Those eligible for the new program in Greece can invest around $259,000 in select startups that are listed on the country’s National Startup Registry. (iStock)

“This is a country saying, ‘If you invest and build, we’ll make it easy for you to stay.'”

“America pioneered the idea that capital and entrepreneurship should be welcomed, not punished.”

Arton Capital advises high-net-worth individuals on the process of investing in citizenship or residency all around the world.

“America pioneered the idea that capital and entrepreneurship should be welcomed, not punished,” said Bennis. 

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“The Trump Gold Card made that clear — and I think Greece is following that logic.”

The Trump Gold Card was launched in December to provide a new, streamlined path to U.S. citizenship.

view of santorini cliff

“This is a country saying, ‘If you invest and build, we’ll make it easy for you to stay,'” said an expert in citizenship residency and investment programs.  (iStock)

The card is a visa for individuals who can provide substantial benefit to the United States.

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It requires a nonrefundable $15,000 processing fee and a $1 million gift after vetting, with expedited review once fees and documents are submitted, according to TrumpCard.gov.

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Fox News Digital’s Emma Bussey contributed reporting.

NFL news: George Kittle wants 49ers facility substation theory investigated

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The San Francisco 49ers’ practice facility theory, where being positioned next to an electrical substation is causing an increase in injuries, remains alive after tight end George Kittle’s comments during a recent interview.

Kittle, who suffered a torn Achilles in the 49ers’ Wild Card Round loss to the Super Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks, spoke with Complex on Wednesday where he was asked about this theory.

While Kittle doesn’t believe it’s true, he does want further investigation into it because of something he noticed during his rookie year in 2017.

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George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers is carted off the field during the second quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Jan. 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

As Kittle was focused on making an impact with his NFL squad, one of his veteran teammates pointed out that the trees between the team’s facility and the substation never grew the leaves it should all year.

The NFL had the trees cut down this year, Kittle added.

“(The trees aren’t) there anymore, so no one can see them,” Kittle said. “So, it’s only us vets that know that was the truth. I don’t think anyone talked about that yet. That one messed me up.”

49ERS STARS EVEN-KEELED ON ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD INJURY THEORY: ‘I HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE’

Again, Kittle doesn’t believe the rumors are true, but he also wants a definitive answer. He added that teammate Kyle Juszczyk and others feel the same.

“As a professional athlete, you’re always trying to get one percent better. If something’s affecting you negatively .25%, you’d want to know about it. All we’re saying as players is we’d like them to look into it to make sure it’s not something,” Kittle said.

To back Kittle’s thought that the substation isn’t doing anything to the players, he noted Fred Warner, who suffered a broken ankle in October that knocked him out for the season. Warner trains at the facility year-round, and the ankle injury was the only major one he’s had in his career.

George Kittle walks on practice field

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) looks on during San Francisco 49ers minicamp on June 10, 2025 at SAP Performance Facility in Santa Clara, CA.  (Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Fox News Digital also spoke to some of Kittle’s teammates during Super Bowl LX week, including Warner, Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey, all of which were content with the facility.

“Dude, I am not a scientist, and I’m not a doctor. Look, we’ll play anywhere. You know, for us, I think that’s stuff that a lot of people smarter than me can talk about,” McCaffrey told Fox News Digital on radio row.

“All I know is, you know, there’s too many variables in football to just say that something like that is the reason for injuries. I mean, you can do everything right and bad things can still happen, so.”

The theory, which has now gone viral, suggests the 49ers’ unusually high number of soft tissue and non-contact injuries could be due to the electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from the substation. The claim is that being around the substation for years could weaken tendons and soft tissue, leading to serious injury like an ACL or Achilles tear.

George Kittle looks on field

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) watches from the sideline in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium on Aug. 9, 2025. (David Gonzales/Imagn Images)

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McCaffrey, Kittle, Purdy, Nick Bosa, Dre Greenlaw, Ricky Pearsall, and numerous others have dealt with those types of injuries over the last couple of seasons, which the theory points at.

ESPN reported in January that the team does plan to investigate every theory, not just the one involving the substation, this offseason to determine why their injury list was so long in 2025.

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Beloved Destination Imposes Fees to Prevent Overcrowding

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Dubbed the “Hawaii of Europe,” the island of Madeira — about 600 miles from mainland Portugal — is known for its volcanic cliffs, stunning waterfalls and picturesque hiking trails. 

But anyone looking to explore the destination’s famous walking paths will be slapped with new fees this year.

With locals fuming over what they call overcrowding and potential environmental damage, fees have now been imposed on non-residents who want to enjoy some of the most popular hiking trails. 

MAN DRIVES 5,600 MILES, SPENDS OVER $12K CHASING LIFELONG DREAM OF EXTREME JOURNEY

The stunning archipelago has become a beloved cruise ship destination. The Port of Funchal reached 700,000 cruise passengers in 2025.

“This significant milestone highlights the growing interest of the cruise industry in the region,” reported MedCruise, the Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports.

In a move to combat mass tourism, the island of Madeira is charging fees for access to its popular hiking trails. (iStock)

All hikers now need to book a 30-minute time slot in advance through the SIMplifica platform. 

Non-residents will need to pay about $5.30 for the use of standard trails — and those trails used via a registered tour operator will carry a reduced $3.60 fee, according to numerous travel sites, including the “Hiking Madeira” blog. 

POPULAR TRAVEL DESTINATION TO CHARGE ‘TOURIST TAX’ UPWARDS OF $65 PER NIGHT

Residents of Madeira and children under age 12 remain exempt from the fees — but must still register. 

The PR 1, Madeira’s most famous day hiking trail, takes visitors between some of the highest mountains on the island. After renovations to it, access to its trail starting in April will cost about $12.50 for members of the public and $8.30 for those who use the guided tours, according to “Hiking Madeira.”

A view from Cabo Girao, in Madeira

Cabo Girão in Madeira is one of the world’s highest sea cliffs.  (iStock)

“I definitely get where these destinations are coming from. When it gets overcrowded it drives up costs for locals, and it kind of makes life difficult,” J.Q. Louise, a Boston-based travel influencer and writer, told Fox News Digital.

In 2023, Madeira welcomed 279 ship calls, with a record-breaking number of passengers. 

Business was booming — yet the trails were harder to enjoy.

Madeira has had a surge in popularity the last 5 years

Locals in Madeira have been fuming that their stunning trails have become overcrowded.  (iStock)

“The question really becomes, is a fee effective for managing the crowds — or is it purely a tourist tax, which sometimes does more harm than good,” Louise added.

No longer hidden away

“Madeira five years ago was totally off the map,” she added. “Now it’s on all the top lists of must-see islands in Europe.”

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The influencer visited Madeira in 2019. At the time, it was considered a hidden gem.

Some stunning spots include the Levada das 25 Fontes, which features waterfalls, tunnels and lush scenery. 

Madeira is known for sweeping views

Influencers have flocked to Madeira for views such as the one shown here. (iStock)

The Cabo Girão Skywalk, a glass platform above the Atlantic, is also a favorite.

“The Instagram effect is very real, and now the TikTok effect,” she said. 

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“I went there before the rush,” she recalled. “There were so many beautiful trails. It was still undiscovered by tourists.”

The Funchal cable car and Botanical Gardens are bucket-list items, according to many — with visitors claiming the natural volcanic pools of Porto Moniz are breathtaking.

View of Funchal in Portugal

A panoramic view of the capital of Madeira, Funchal, is shown above.  (iStock)

Locals and tourists remain divided. 

“For years, locals struggled with a slower economy and fewer job opportunities,” a commenter on the r/Madeira Reddit said. 

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“Now, as tourism has surged, bringing more visitors than ever before, new concerns have emerged.”

One Facebook poster wrote recently, “We were in Madeira, and I must be honest: The crowds, the lack of parking, closed attractions without warning, put a damper on our vacation. Maybe we should’ve gone before all the cruise ships crowded this island.”

Debate rages on

There’s been an increase in housing prices, a strain on resources and a new sense of commercialization, a commenter argued.

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“Many are frustrated that the island’s natural beauty is at risk, and the tranquil, close-knit community life they cherish is shifting toward something more chaotic and crowded,” the commenter added.

Capturing photos in Madeira

“People need to learn to be more responsible and respectful toward nature, other people and infrastructure,” one man said on social media.  (iStock)

Another commenter said, “Regarding the new city tax in Funchal — it solves nothing. … The money will be used to restore pavements and gardens.”

Travelers on Facebook had varied opinions. 

“I support this! People need to learn to be more responsible and respectful toward nature, other people and infrastructure,” one man said.

Madeira's Incredible View

Funchal bay in Madeira provides an incredible view. (iStock)

Another man chimed in, “So sad to see the wonderful mountain trails … turned into a barrage of red tape.”

Imposing fees on tourists in an effort to decrease crowds is not a new concept. 

As of Feb. 2, tourists need to pay to stand by the Trevi Fountain in Rome. 

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“I think tourists were shocked by the fact that the city of Rome is only asking for 2 euros for a site of this level,” Alessandro Onorato, Rome’s assessor of tourism, told The Associated Press recently. 

“I believe that if the Trevi Fountain were in New York, they would have charged at least $100.”

CDC warns of Chikungunya virus outbreak in Seychelles islands for travelers

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A group of exclusive sunny islands are on alert as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an urgent warning of a virus outbreak.

The Seychelles, a group of islands in the Indian Ocean, were hit with a level two alert about the Chikungunya virus.

“There is an outbreak of chikungunya in Seychelles,” the alert said.

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“You can protect yourself by preventing mosquito bites.”

Common symptoms are a fever and joint pain starting three to seven days after a bite from an infected mosquito, according to the CDC.

The Seychelles, a group of islands in the Indian Ocean, were hit with a level two alert about the Chikungunya virus. (iStock)

Headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash are other symptoms — with most people recovering within a week.

“Some can have severe joint pain for months to years following acute illness,” the CDC’s site says. “Death from chikungunya is rare.”

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The CDC recommends that travelers get the chikungunya vaccine and take precautions to prevent mosquito bites.

Travelers should “use insect repellent, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, and stay in places with air conditioning or that have screens on the windows and doors.”

island of Seychelles aerial view

The Seychelles consists of 115 islands off the coast of East Africa. Above, an aerial view of Mahé Island and Eden Island.  (iStock)

In December, the CDC issued Level 2 travel advisories for Cuba, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Guangdong Province in southern China — advising Americans to “practice enhanced precautions” when visiting these areas.

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The Seychelles consists of about 115 islands off the coast of East Africa, with 354,034 travelers visiting from January to November of last year, according to government data.

island of Seychelles aerial view

Crystal Kayak at Anse Source d’Argent, La Digue, in the Seychelles.  (iStock)

The Vallée de Mai national park is one of the world’s smallest natural UNESCO World Heritage sites. 

It is home to many unique forest species.

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Another UNESCO site is the island of Aldabra, which is one of the world’s largest raised coral atoll.

Lemon hires unlikely lawyer as he faces charges tied to anti-ICE church takeover

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Former CNN host Don Lemon has added an unlikely attorney to his legal team as he faces charges over his role in a January protest by anti-immigration enforcement agitators at a Minnesota church.

Joe Thompson, who served as the acting U.S. attorney for Minnesota after being appointed by President Donald Trump in May 2025, resigned from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in January. He was the lead prosecutor who helped uncover the massive $250 million Feeding Our Future food fraud case tied to the state’s Somali community.

A notice of appearance was filed on Tuesday, indicating Thompson “shall appear as counsel of record for defendant Don Renaldo Lemon” moving forward. Thompson is expected to work with Lemon’s lead defense attorney, Abbe Lowell, who previously represented Hunter Biden in his tax and gun-charge case.

TOP FEDERAL PROSECUTOR WHO EXPOSED MASSIVE $250M MINNESOTA FRAUD CASE STEPS DOWN FROM POSITION

Former CNN anchor and journalist Don Lemon speaks to the media after a hearing at the Edward R. Roybal Federal Courthouse in Los Angeles on January 30, 2026. (AFP via Getty)

The New York Times and other outlets, including NBC News, reported that Thompson and other prosecutors resigned over the Justice Department’s approach to the investigation of the fatal shooting of Renee Good, but a DOJ official told Fox News Digital that the prosecutors had submitted early retirement paperwork months earlier, which preceded the shooting death of Good. They remain on the job until their retirement date, the official said. 

However, the Times reported again on Tuesday that Lemon’s new attorney resigned “over the Justice Department’s handling of the immigration operation.” 

Thompson did not immediately respond to a request for comment when reached by Fox News Digital. 

Lemon, who last month livestreamed left-wing agitators storming St. Paul’s Cities Church under the suspicion that its pastor had collaborated with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is charged with conspiracy to deprive religious freedom rights and a violation of the FACE Act. 

DON LEMON’S LENGTHY HISTORY OF ANTI-ICE RHETORIC

Joe Thompson

Joe Thompson was the lead prosecutor that helped uncover the massive $250 million Feeding Our Future food fraud case tied to the state’s Somali community. (AP Newsroom)

Thompson has also been involved in several other high-profile cases, including filing federal charges against Vance Boelter for his alleged shooting rampage that killed Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and seriously wounded Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. 

The FACE Act makes it a federal crime, with potentially steep fines and jail time, to use or threaten to use force to “injure, intimidate, or interfere” with a person seeking reproductive health services, or with a person lawfully trying to exercise the First Amendment right of religious freedom at a place of religious worship. It also prohibits intentional property damage to a facility providing reproductive health services or a place of religious worship.

Lemon previously told Fox News Digital that he stands by his reporting and has faced online threats as a result. 

DON LEMON TAKEN INTO CUSTODY FOR HIS INVOLVEMENT IN LIVESTREAMING PROTEST AT MINNESOTA CHURCH

“It’s notable that I’ve been cast as the face of a protest I was covering as a journalist — especially since I wasn’t the only reporter there. That framing is telling. What’s even more telling is the barrage of violent threats, along with homophobic and racist slurs, directed at me online by MAGA supporters and amplified by parts of the right-wing press,” Lemon said in a statement.

“If this much time and energy is going to be spent manufacturing outrage, it would be far better used investigating the tragic death of Renee Nicole Good — the very issue that brought people into the streets in the first place,” Lemon continued. “I stand by my reporting.”

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Fox News Digital’s Louis Casiano contributed to this report.