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DNA evidence leads to murder charge 30 years after Claudia Guevara killing

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Nearly three decades after a 23-year-old woman was found stabbed to death in a drainage ditch in Azusa, California, prosecutors announced charges Monday against a 63-year-old man in a long-cold homicide case that investigators said was solved through DNA evidence.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said Brian Walton was charged with one count of murder, with special circumstance allegations that the killing of Claudia Guevara occurred during the commission of rape and sodomy.

“The victim’s family has waited for an agonizing 30 years to get that call to let them know their loved one’s killer had been found and charged,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement. 

“While this was classified as a cold case, investigators and prosecutors never stopped in their relentless pursuit of justice, reaffirming our commitment to holding people accountable for the crimes they are accused of committing,” he added.

DNA INNOVATION CREDITED IN IDAHO, RACHEL MORIN CASES SIGNALS SHIFT IN RACE TO CATCH KILLERS, LAB FOUNDER SAYS

L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna, right, listens as Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman speaks during a news conference in Los Angeles, California, on Feb. 3, 2026. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Guevara, who was reported missing by her brother on Feb. 20, 1996, was last seen at a bus stop in El Monte. She had been dropped off by two co-workers and was never seen again.

Her nude body was found the following day in a drainage ditch near Encanto Parkway, where investigators determined she had been sexually assaulted and stabbed in the neck.

MYSTERY OF BABIES ABANDONED AT PARK IN 1989 SOLVED AFTER MOTHER ID’D AS WOMAN FOUND MURDERED IN DESERT

Sunlight breaks through clouds, illuminating downtown skyscrapers and surrounding hills after a rainstorm.

Sunshine lights up Bunker Hill and Los Angeles’ financial district after morning showers, seen from a rooftop along Spring Street on Sept. 10, 1996. (Ken Lubas/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Hochman’s office said DNA evidence linked Walton, who did not know the victim, to the crime.

FLORIDA COLD CASE BREAKTHROUGHS: SHERIFF’S UNIT CRACKS TWO LONG-UNSOLVED KILLINGS

Jail records from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reviewed by Fox News Digital show that Walton was arrested on Feb. 5 and is being held without bail.

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His next court appearance is scheduled for March 18 at 8:30 a.m. 

If convicted, Walton faces life in prison without the possibility of parole, or the death penalty, though prosecutors said a decision on whether to seek capital punishment will be made later.

Ashley Carnahan is a writer at Fox News Digital.

A United passenger boarded the wrong flight, wound up in Tokyo instead of Nicaragua

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A United Airlines passenger ended up in a different country after accidently boarding the wrong flight.

The passenger was headed from Los Angeles to Managua, Nicaragua, with a layover in Houston — but ended up in Tokyo, according to multiple reports.

A United Airlines spokesperson confirmed the incident to Fox News Digital.

AIRLINE PASSENGER ATTEMPTED TO OPEN PLANE DOOR IN MID-AIR, AUTHORITIES SAY

“We followed up with the airport to understand how this happened, reached out directly to the customer to apologize for his experience and offered travel credits and reimbursement,” the spokesperson said.

“We always advise customers to monitor the signs at the gate and boarding announcements to make sure the aircraft they board is going to their intended destination,” they added.

A Los Angeles traveler headed to Nicaragua accidentally flew to Tokyo on a United Airlines flight. The airline reached out to the customer directly “to understand how this happened,” the airline said.  (United Airlines)

The passenger reportedly realized mid-flight that he or she was on the wrong flight — and asked the flight attendant why the trip to Houston was taking six hours, rather than just over three hours.

The person landed at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan — and stayed at a hotel for two nights while United sorted out a travel itinerary to the original destination.

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The airline allegedly first offered a $300 travel credit as an apology — but later offered $1,000 in travel credits, the blog “View from the Wing” reported.

A Reddit user posted the mishap in the “r/unitedairlines” forum, sparking a debate about users.

Passengers gather at United Airlines gate to board plane

“I’d love to go to Japan by mistake,” wrote one person on social media about the incident.  (Robert Alexander/Getty Images)

“Yeah… [if] by 6 hours you haven’t arrived in Houston, something is wrong,” wrote one person. “I’d love to go to Japan by mistake, though.”

Another person wrote, “Not saying it happened here, but several airports have two or even three gates connected to the same area. Once you scan your ticket, you can get onto any of the planes.”

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“They typically announce the flight’s destination at least one time before they close the door. Perhaps a lack of technology or a language barrier was involved here,” said a different user.

A user wrote, “My childhood fear … I used to travel at that age and always checked the flight map on screen [to see if I was] going to the correct destination.”

"Yeah… [if] by 6 hours you haven’t arrived in Houston, something is wrong," said one person about the inadvertent trip to Tokyo. 

“Yeah… [if] by 6 hours you haven’t arrived in Houston, something is wrong,” said one person about the inadvertent trip to Tokyo.  (iStock)

“How do you accidentally board the wrong flight? There are so many things this guy should’ve noticed,” said one individual. 

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Another user commented, “You would be surprised how clueless people are.”

Ashley J. DiMella is a lifestyle reporter with Fox News Digital. 

Treasure hunter uncovers 19th-century Japanese bronze coin near Ballarat

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A metal detectorist exploring an Australian Gold Rush-era campsite made a remarkable discovery in recent weeks — even without striking gold.

Angus James, a treasure hunter in the Australian state of Victoria, was sweeping an abandoned sports field — known locally as a sports oval — on Jan. 24 when he uncovered an unusual coin.

The field, north of the mining town of Ballarat, had been used as a campsite during the Australian Gold Rush, which began in 1851 and continued for decades.

HAUNTING ANCIENT BATTLE TRUMPET UNEARTHED IN LANDSCAPE TIED TO LEGENDARY QUEEN

Digging in the dirt, James realized the coin was Japanese in origin — and made of bronze.

The find was no ordinary piece of currency.

A rare Japanese bronze coin was discovered at a former Gold Rush-era campsite. Finding the coin was “such a buzz,” said treasure hunter Angus James, at right.  (Angus James, @GOLDCOINRELICS via Facebook)

It was a 100 Mon Tempo Tsuho, a coin that held modest purchasing power and was commonly used for small, everyday transactions in 19th-century Japan.

Interestingly, the characters on the coin are Chinese, even though it was produced in Japan during the mid-19th century — a common practice at the time.

MASSIVE INDUSTRIAL SITE UNCOVERED IN UNLIKELY LOCATION AS ARCHAEOLOGISTS CITE ‘ENORMOUS’ POTENTIAL

Unearthing the artifact was “such a buzz,” James told Fox News Digital. “Finding a Japanese coin this old in Australia is extremely rare.”

“I have found Chinese coins from the Gold Rush era… To find a Japanese coin this old is a great discovery.“

“I can’t wait to see what else I can detect from this location.”

James shared his finds on Facebook. When he first uncovered the coin, he said he felt immediate excitement — and intrigue. 

“At first I had no idea what it was because I have never found anything like it,” he said.

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He was “not expecting to find something so unique in the area,” he added, as his eyes were originally set on Australian coins and jewelry. He’s even found gold nuggets in recent weeks.

Japanese coin in dirt

The Japanese coin features Chinese characters, a common practice during the mid-19th century, when it was produced. (Angus James, @GOLDCOINRELICS via Facebook)

He described the site as “extremely old,” adding that it was originally a campsite. He said it hadn’t been used as a sports field since the 1950s.

“I have started to uncover other relics, including a belt buckle dated around the 1840s, and a trade token coin with the date 1855,” said James. 

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“I can’t wait to see what else I can detect from this location.”

And for those interested in metal detecting, James raved about the hobby, encouraging people to “go for it.”

Historic photo of Australian Gold Rush

The Australian Gold Rush, which began in 1851, drew miners and migrants from around the world to Victoria. (The Print Collector/Getty Images)

“Metal detecting is such a great hobby,” he said. 

“You get great exercise [and] fresh air, and you can also find some pretty amazing things,” he said.

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“I take my young boys with me all the time. They absolutely love it also.”

The artifact is among several coin-related discoveries that were recently uncovered, thanks to metal detecting.

Split image of Angus detecting, Angus holding coin

“Metal detecting is such a great hobby,” said James. (Angus James, @GOLDCOINRELICS via Facebook)

This winter, the children of Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders found ancient coins in a previously-unknown cave in the West Bank.

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In Scotland, a metal detectorist recently handed over the oldest Scotland-made coin ever found to the country’s national museum.

Popular vacation activity could pose health dangers and risks for older adults, experts say

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Many travelers and cruise lovers may consider scuba diving during a vacation trip a cherished bucket-list item — but a pair of recent deaths have driven home concerns about diving risks for older Americans, even as experts say the activity remains relatively safe.

A 64-year-old woman in West Hills, California, passed away on Jan. 26 after going scuba diving off the coast of Catalina Island in the Golden State, authorities said.

She exhibited signs of distress while diving, the Los Angeles Times reported — and died later at a hospital. 

NEARLY 70 SKIERS STRANDED IN MIDAIR FOR HOURS AFTER GONDOLA MALFUNCTIONS AT POPULAR RESORT

On that same day, a 66-year-old man from Waukee, Iowa, died in a diving accident off the coast of Manasota Key Beach, Florida. 

He and a diving partner had gone hunting for shark teeth, according to reports — but he never resurfaced. His body was found several hours later.

A pair of recent deaths have driven home concerns about diving risks for older Americans, even as experts say the activity remains relatively safe. (iStock)

Both deaths are still being investigated.

There are some 2.5 million scuba divers in the U.S. each year, according to the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association, a trade group headquartered in San Diego — and serious incidents are rare. 

Experts say deaths are uncommon, particularly when divers are properly screened, trained and prepared. 

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Still, physicians point out that age-related changes can make diving adventures riskier. 

The body doesn’t always respond the same way while underwater, and pre-existing medical conditions can become exacerbated during a dive. Aging affects multiple systems needed during scuba diving, say experts — and cardiovascular health is one of the most significant.

Scuba diving is a bucket list vacation for many travelers

Doctors say the body doesn’t always respond the same way underwater. (AP Photo/Chris Gillette)

Cardiac events account for roughly 20% to 30% of diving-related deaths. The likelihood increases in older adults, according to the Divers Alert Network, an international nonprofit headquartered in Durham, North Carolina. It’s focused on diver safety and emergency assistance. 

“The key medical considerations are — in my opinion, first and foremost — cardiovascular health. Pre-dive cardiac screening is essential,” Dr. Lara Lambiase, a dive medicine specialist, told InDEPTH magazine in Sept. 2025. 

SHOVELING SNOW COULD POSE DANGEROUS HEALTH RISK FOR ONE GROUP, EXPERTS WARN

“Aging can also reduce lung elasticity, which may become a critical factor.”

Older travelers are encouraged to schedule a medical evaluation before they go diving. The evaluation should include a cardiovascular assessment and a discussion about pre-existing medical conditions.

“Aging can reduce lung elasticity, which may become a critical factor.”

Many older adults are managing chronic conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure or pulmonary issues, or take medications that can affect exertion, hydration or breathing.

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“Remember that you should get in shape to scuba dive,” Dr. Douglas Ebersole, a cardiology consultant for the Divers Alert Network, told the same publication last year. “You should not scuba dive to get in shape.” 

Preparation is key — and choosing reputable dive operators is essential, experts say.

In this May 2013 photo provided by Catlin Seaview Survey, Christophe Bailhache with an SVII camera is escorted underwater by a Spotted Eagle Ray during a survey dive in the Galapagos Islands.

Underwater landscapes can be enjoyed as long as precautions are taken. (AP Photo/Catlin Seaview Survey)

Refresher training can be helpful, even for experienced divers. Reviewing skills such as air management, buoyancy control and emergency procedures can reduce stress and fatigue during dives.

“A major problem is the seasonal diver who returns after six months away and is not ready at all,” Neal W. Pollock, dive physiology researcher, said last year, according to the same source.

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“We do not always admit we are slipping — but, over time, we all do.”

Experts recommend staying within conservative depth and time limits, avoiding overexertion and adding rest days.

Turks and Caicos beach

Turks and Caicos, a popular destination for scuba diving, is shown above. “A major problem is the seasonal diver who returns after six months away and is not ready at all,” said one expert.  (iStock)

Staying hydrated and avoiding alcohol before dives can help reduce fatigue and stress, particularly in hot, tropical environments, they also note.

Travelers should ensure dive operators carry oxygen and have emergency protocols.

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Lastly, experts encourage buddy practices. 

They recommend that people stay close to a dive partner and avoid solo dives.

Jessica Mekles is an editor on the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. 

Bipartisan lawmakers call on Howard Lutnick to resign over alleged Jeffrey Epstein ties

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Will Anybody Get Arrested From The Epstein Files?

Rich Zeoli, host of “The Rich Zeoli Podcast,” tells Jimmy he doesn’t think anybody will face any real charges following the release of the Epstein files. But the Clintons testifying could set a trap precedent for President Trump down the road.

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The top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee piled onto calls from Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., on Monday for Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to step down in light of alleged business ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Files released by the DOJ suggest that Lutnick and Epstein bought stakes together in a technology company called Adfin in 2012.

Lutnick, who is listed among nine other investors, appears as a “signatory” alongside Epstein, who is named as a “preferred holder.”

Notably, the purchase is dated four years after Epstein was convicted in 2008 for sexual abuse involving a 14-year-old girl.

DOJ PUBLISHES TROVE OF EPSTEIN FILES, SAYS MORE TO COME AFTER FRIDAY DEADLINE

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., Robert Garcia, D-Calif., and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick are pictured from left to right.  (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images; Tasha Poullard/Lexington Herald-Leader/Tribune News Service via Getty Images; Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images)

Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., said the documents clearly contradicted previous statements from Lutnick about his relationship with Epstein.

“It’s now clear that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has been lying about his relationship with Epstein. He said he had no interactions with Epstein after 2005, and we now know they were in business together,” Garcia said in a post to X.

“Lutnick must resign or be fired. And he must answer our questions,” Garcia added.

Garcia’s calls follow similar comments made by Massie on Sunday. When asked about Lutnick’s appearance in the files on CNN, Massie also said that Lutnick should step down.

MASSIE, KHANNA TO VISIT DOJ TO REVIEW UNREDACTED EPSTEIN FILES

Rep. Thomas Massie

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., arrives for a House vote on Feb. 3, 2026, in Washington, D.C.  (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

“He should just resign. Prince [Andrew] lost his title for less than what we’ve seen Howard Lutnick lie about,” Massie said, referring to the member of the royal family who was stripped of his titles last year for his association with Epstein.

“He was in business with Jeffrey Epstein — and this was many years after Epstein was convicted for sexual crimes. So, he’s got a lot to answer for.”

LAWMAKERS ESCALATE EPSTEIN PROBE WITH POSSIBLE BILL GATES SUBPOENA

Other documents in the Epstein files reveal communications between Lutnick and Epstein’s staff that suggest Lutnick may have met with Epstein in the Virgin Islands.

“Jeffrey Epstein understands you will be down in St. Thomas some over the holidays. Jeffrey requested I please pass along some phone numbers to you so the two of you can possibly get together,” an assistant to Epstein wrote in an email dated November 2012.

In response to an inquiry from Fox News Digital on the criticism from Garcia and Massie, a spokesperson for the Department of Commerce framed their demands as a distraction.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick speaks during a roundtable meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House.

Howard Lutnick, Commerce secretary, participates in a roundtable in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 10, 2025. (Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“Mr. Lutnick met Jeffrey Epstein in 2005 and had very limited interactions with him over the next 14 years,” the spokesperson said.

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“This is nothing more than a failing attempt by the legacy media to distract from the administration’s accomplishments, including securing trillions of dollars in investment, delivering historic trade deals and fighting for the American worker.”

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., did not respond to a request for comment on whether the committee would consider questioning Lutnick as a part of the committee’s ongoing probe of Epstein and his crimes.

Leo Briceno is a politics reporter for the congressional team at Fox News Digital. He was previously a reporter with World Magazine.

Starmer crisis deepens with resignations over Mandelson-Epstein links

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing one of the most serious crises of his premiership after a cascade of resignations, renewed scrutiny over his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to Washington and mounting unrest inside the ruling Labor Party ahead of a critical meeting of members of Parliament Monday evening.

On Monday, Scottish Labor leader Anas Sarwar became the most senior party figure to call for Starmer’s resignation, saying “the distraction needs to end and the leadership in Downing Street has to change,” according to the Associated Press. His intervention piles fresh pressure on the prime minister.

At the center of the crisis are newly publicized materials detailing Mandelson’s links to Jeffrey Epstein, revelations that have reshaped the political stakes and triggered questions about vetting at the highest levels of government. Documents cited by Fox News Digital report Mandelson maintained contact with Epstein after his 2008 conviction, and that Epstein transferred about $75,000 in 2003 and 2004 to accounts connected to Mandelson or his husband.

KEIR STARMER’S CHIEF OF STAFF RESIGNS AFTER RECOMMENDING EPSTEIN-CONNECTED AMBASSADOR

Morgan McSweeney, Starmer’s chief of staff and one of the most influential figures inside Downing Street, stepped down on Sunday after acknowledging his role in recommending Mandelson for the diplomatic post. In a resignation statement obtained by The Guardian, McSweeney said the decision was “wrong” and he accepted responsibility, calling his departure the “only honorable course.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, right, talks with Britain’s ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson, during a welcome reception at the ambassador’s residence in Washington, on Feb. 26, 2025. (Carl Court/Pool Photo via AP)

The pressure intensified hours later when Tim Allan, the prime minister’s director of communications, also resigned, according to GB News. Allan, a veteran New Labor strategist, became the second senior aide to exit as the political fallout deepened.

Dr. John Hemmings, director of the National Security Center at the Henry Jackson Society, told Fox News Digital the prime minister is now under escalating political pressure and that “it’s unclear as to whether he’ll survive.”

“Prime Minister Starmer is coming under ever-increasing political pressure to resign here in London in the wake of the scandal around Lord Mandelson — his appointed ambassador to the United States — and his connection to Jeffrey Epstein. He has lost two close aides and is under attack for his China foreign policy. The Chagos Deal is under scrutiny and his trip to Beijing was largely viewed as devoid of real results,” Hemmings said.

Alan Mendoza, executive director of the Henry Jackson Society, added: “It is extraordinary to be in a situation where a prime minister who won a landslide general election victory only 20 months ago is now on the verge of being forced to resign. We are here as a result of a series of policy U-turns and bad judgment calls culminating in the Lord Mandelson debacle. His fate is now ultimately in the hands of the Parliamentary Labor Party tonight. If he feels he no longer has their confidence, then there is every chance that this will be the end of Keir Starmer.”

STARMER CALLS ON EX-PRINCE ANDREW TO TESTIFY BEFORE CONGRESS AFTER LATEST EPSTEIN RELEASE

Peter Mandelson

Peter Mandelson speaks during a welcome reception for British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, at the ambassador’s residence on Feb. 26, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Carl Court/Pool via Reuters)

Starmer has sought to contain the damage, saying he regrets the appointment. In remarks reported by GB News on Monday, the prime minister said: “I have been absolutely clear that I regret the decision that I made to appoint Peter Mandelson. And I’ve apologized to the victims, which is the right thing to do.” He added that scandals of this kind risk undermining public faith in politics.

The prime minister now faces a showdown with Labor lawmakers, with backbench MPs expected to challenge his leadership at a party meeting Monday evening U.K. time. A senior Labor MP told GB News the “clock is ticking” and called for decisive action to “cleanse politics.”

Downing Street has insisted Starmer will not resign despite the double departure. A spokesperson told journalists that the prime minister is “getting on with the job in hand and delivering change across the country,” and he remains “upbeat and confident,” and retains Cabinet support.

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Peter Mandelson at a table with Jeffrey Epstein

Peter Mandelson sits with Jeffrey Epstein as he blows out the candles on a cake, in an undated photograph released by the U.S. Justice Department on Dec. 19, 2025, as part of a trove of documents from its investigations into Epstein. (U.S. Justice Department/Handout via Reuters)

The political damage, however, extends beyond staffing turmoil. Mandelson was withdrawn from the ambassador role after additional details about his relationship with Epstein emerged, and he resigned from the Labor Party earlier this month, leaving Starmer confronting what experts describe as the most acute test of his leadership since taking office.

Fox News Digital’s Ashley Carnahan and The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Efrat Lachter is a world reporter for Fox News Digital covering international affairs and the United Nations. Follow her on X @efratlachter. Stories can be sent to efrat.lachter@fox.com.

Medieval tunnel found by archaeologists in Neolithic burial site in Germany

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Archaeologists in Germany recently revealed a secret tunnel from the Middle Ages — a tunnel hidden within a much older burial site.

The findings were revealed in a Jan. 29 press release by the State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology of Saxony-Anhalt (LDA Saxony-Anhalt).

The tunnel was found in the Middle Neolithic burial complex near Reinstedt, Germany. Officials estimate the burial complex was used by members of the Baalberge culture in the 4th millennium B.C.

MAJOR ROMAN TREASURE HOARD RECOVERED AFTER DETECTORIST KEPT IT SECRET FOR YEARS

Excavators found it late last year ahead of wind turbine construction, officials said.

Some 5,000 years later, an erdstall — or underground tunnel system — was built into the loess, or compact wind-deposited silt, at the site.

Archaeologists in Germany uncovered a medieval underground tunnel, seen at left, built into a much older Neolithic burial complex near Reinstedt. (Landesamt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologie Sachsen-Anhalt, Ulf Petzschmann; iStock)

The erdstall dates back to the late Middle Ages — and officials said that its purpose is unclear.

“Interpretations of erdstalls range from hiding places to spaces used for cultic activities,” the statement said.

Archaeologists initially believed the feature was a grave. 

The ditch, described as “trapezoidal,” was part of a site that contained several “poorly preserved” burials that date to the Late Neolithic period of the 3rd millennium B.C.

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Seeing a stone slab at the northern end of the pit, archaeologists initially believed the feature was a grave — before realizing it was actually an underground tunnel.

Officials said the feature continued downward into the loess beneath the prehistoric site.

Image of excavation site with placards

A stone slab at the entrance of the erdstall was initially believed to mark a grave before archaeologists identified an underground tunnel. (Landesamt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologie Sachsen-Anhalt, Ulf Petzschmann)

Excavators found late medieval pottery, numerous stones and small cavities in the loess fill — which made clear that the structure was an erdstall.

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The underground passage contained a horseshoe and some traces of charcoal from a fire that “burned briefly,” officials said — as well as animal remains. 

Aerial view of excavation site in Germany

The Neolithic ditch enclosure may have remained visible above ground during medieval times, officials speculated. (Landesamt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologie Sachsen-Anhalt, Simon Meier)

It appeared to be intentionally sealed, adding to the mystery of the site.

Officials said, “At the narrowest point of the entrance, an accumulation of larger stones stacked on top of one another was observed, which could indicate an intentional sealing of the entrance.”

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Officials speculated the Neolithic ditch enclosure was likely still recognizable above ground during the late Middle Ages. It’s possible that the tunnel was built there because medieval Christians would have purposely avoided a pagan burial site.

Artifacts found at site

Late medieval pottery, stones and small cavities helped confirm the structure as an erdstall, officials said. (Landesamt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologie Sachsen-Anhalt, Ulf Petzschmann)

The find is part of a series of recent archaeological discoveries reported across Germany.

Last summer, excavators found a mysterious Roman-era settlement site in North Rhine-Westphalia, with building remains and artifacts surviving nearly 2,000 years.

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During another summer excavation, archaeologists unearthed a hoard of early medieval treasures — and a rare cross — on the banks of an inlet in northern Germany.

Gutsy traveler drives 5,600 miles to Norway for ‘amazing’ adventure to catch northern lights

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A lifelong dream led one man to plan an extreme road trip of thousands of miles across several continents — just to see the northern lights.

In an extended journey that would likely defeat most people, Malik Al-Sultan, 28, drove more than 5,600 miles from Saudi Arabia to northern Norway — spending thousands of dollars on the trip — to catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis.

He planned the long journey for over a year, news agency SWNS reported.

Rather than flying, he chose to make the trip by road so he could experience other countries along the way.

MAN TRAVELS 14,000 MILES TO SHARE A FINAL BEER WITH DYING LONGTIME FRIEND

The freelance digital creator from Saudi Arabia set off on Dec. 20, 2025, driving his Toyota Land Cruiser pickup truck across Europe and Scandinavia.

The three-week journey took him through 19 countries, with a final destination of Bodø, Norway.

Over three weeks, the freelance digital creator drove his car, shown above, through 19 countries as he headed toward his destination. (SWNS)

He said the idea for the trip came about roughly a year before his departure.

That’s when he began mapping out a route, saving money and preparing his vehicle for long-distance travel.

In the five weeks leading up to his departure, Al-Sultan spent a lot of free time making sure his truck was road-ready and securing the necessary travel documents, he said — including a Schengen visa required for Saudi citizens traveling across much of Europe.

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The cost of his trip, which included fuel, food and hotel stays in every city where he spent the night, totaled about $12,300, SWNS reported.

His route took him through countries such as Kuwait, Turkey, Serbia, Italy, Germany and Sweden.

“It made the whole journey worth the trouble.”

Along the way, he made an unplanned detour to the United Kingdom — where he visited London for the first time and decided to remain for a few days.

London England from distance

“When I arrived in London and saw it,” said the intrepid traveler, “I decided to stay for a couple [of] days and enjoy the atmosphere.” (iStock)

“At first, the United Kingdom was not part of the plan,” he said. “But when I visited it, I was amazed by the beauty of the roads. When I arrived in London and saw it, I decided to stay for a couple [of] days and enjoy the atmosphere.”

After logging approximately 5,600 miles, Al-Sultan arrived in Bodø — and was finally able to witness the aurora borealis lighting up the night sky.

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“It was quite a long journey, traveling through so many different cultures and lands,” he said.

“It made the whole journey worth the trouble,” Al-Sultan said.

“I was so amazed [at] watching the lights,” he said.

Malik Al-sultan sitting on top of a Toyota pickup truck in a green alpine village with mountains and clouds.

The route carried him through multiple countries across Europe and the Middle East, including Kuwait, Turkey and Germany, before an unexpected detour to London. (SWNS)

Al-Sultan said his journey itself became just as meaningful to him as the ultimate destination.

“I will always remember both together, because one could not exist without the other for me,” he said.

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After soaking in the experience, Al-Sultan said he plans to continue driving back to Saudi Arabia — possibly taking a different route home.

“Love his camping set-up,” wrote a social media commenter. “Would love to sit by his fire and listen to his stories.”

Malik Al-sultan standing beside a Toyota pickup truck under the northern lights on a snowy mountain road at night.

Malik Al-Sultan, 28, pictured above, drove more than 5,600 miles across continents, spending over a year planning to fulfill a dream. (SWNS)

In another extreme journey that made headlines recently, a man’s longtime friendship led him to make a one-day, 14,000-mile journey to say goodbye to a dying pal, as. Fox News Digital recently reported. 

Bob Walker traveled from Jakarta, Indonesia, to Arbroath, Scotland, and back again, just to spend a few hours with his friend Peter Gould, 82, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer in December. 

The two men had been friends for more than four decades, first meeting while working as aircraft engineers in Papua New Guinea in the 1980s. Despite living in different countries for much of their lives, they stayed in close contact over the years.

“I really wanted to [make] the journey.” 

“There’s not many opportunities where you can actually say goodbye to people, so I really wanted to [make] the journey,” Walker said.

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On Jan. 16, the friends sat together in Gould’s hometown — sharing cans of their favorite beer and reminiscing about their years working, traveling and raising families.

“I’m very grateful for what Bob did,” he said. “He didn’t have to do it.”

Kelly McGreal is a production assistant with the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. 

RFK Jr declares ‘war on protein is over’ and ‘beef is back’ at Nashville conference

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Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declared that the “war on protein is over” during his address to thousands of cattle ranchers in Nashville this week. 

Speaking in a “fireside chat” with National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) president Buck Wehrbein, Kennedy said that “beef is back on the menu.”

The two discussed “the importance of meat protein,” according to an HHS news release.

It was the ranchers who Kennedy commended for being “essential partners in advancing the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans and restoring a food pyramid grounded in real nutrition.”

The trade show attracted over 9,400 attendees, which included industry professionals as well as ranchers.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., at left, spoke to cattle ranchers in Nashville about protein, beef and federal dietary guidance. (@HHSGov via X)

The secretary thanked America’s cattle ranchers “for producing real, nutrient-dense food, stewarding our land and sustaining rural communities,” per the release.

Wehrbein said the cattlemen and women in the room appreciated Kennedy for “making certain that beef remains at the center of the plate for the nation’s consumers.”

The speech came one day after Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee welcomed Kennedy to the Volunteer State.

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The two discussed recent state actions to advance the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda, including banning Red 40 from school meals and restricting the purchase of candy and sugary drinks with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

RFK next to new food pyramid

The event drew more than 9,400 attendees from across the cattle and beef industry, according to organizers. (@HHSGov via X)

“Under President [Donald] Trump and Secretary Kennedy’s leadership, Tennessee is leading the way to create innovative, responsible solutions that strengthen families and improve health outcomes,” said Lee, according to the HHS statement.

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“I’m grateful for this administration’s commitment to asking hard questions and challenging the status quo so that every Tennessean can live a healthier life.”

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Fox News Digital reached out to the NCBA. The HHS declined to provide additional comment.

Raw fresh minced beef

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends consuming a variety of protein foods from animal sources, including red meat. (iStock)

The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend consuming “a variety of protein foods from animal sources, including eggs, poultry, seafood and red meat.”

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The guidelines also recommend getting protein from certain plant-based foods, “including beans, peas, lentils, legumes, nuts, seeds and soy.”

A rancher in Nebraska rounds up cattle ahead of an auction

A cattle rancher rounds up black angus cattle in McCook, Nebraska. (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post/Getty Images)

The report advises avoiding too much saturated fat consumption, limiting it to 10% of total daily calories — and a doctor previously told Fox News Digital that balancing protein sources is essential.

Working in poultry, fish and plant proteins “helps lower saturated fat intake, supports healthy cholesterol levels and still allows flexibility and enjoyment in everyday eating,” said Dr. Craig Basman, a cardiologist at Hackensack Meridian Health in New Jersey.

Archaeologists reveal that Christians, Zoroastrians coexisted in Iraq in ancient times

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Archaeologists recently uncovered evidence suggesting that Christians co-existed with a now-little-known religion in modern-day Iraq. 

The discovery, announced by Goethe University Frankfurt in Germany, was made public in December.

The excavations began in the late summer of 2025. It focused on a building complex at the Gird-î Kazhaw site in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, built around 500 A.D.

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Archaeologists were unsure what purpose the complex had in ancient days — until they found five square pillars that “suggested that it might be a church,” the university release said.

“Geophysical investigations had revealed more walls underground, so that this ‘church’ was initially believed to be part of a larger monastery,” the release also noted. 

An excavation site linked to early Christian worship is shown alongside a historical depiction of Prophet Zoroaster, the founder of Zoroastrianism. (Alexander Tamm, Dirk Wicke; Culture Club/Getty Images)

Archaeologists also found additional stone pillars “which point to the existence of perhaps a three-nave structure,” along with the remains of a Christian meeting place. 

Pottery with a Maltese cross was also recovered there.

ARCHAEOLOGISTS FIND ARTIFACTS OLDER THAN STONEHENGE BENEATH BRITAIN’S HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT: ‘INCREDIBLY RARE’

The site’s proximity to a nearby Sasanian fortification is particularly significant, researchers said, as it may indicate that Christians and Zoroastrians lived side by side in the region.

“Religious diversity was common.”

The Zoroastrians were subjects of the Sasanian Empire, a major Persian empire that ruled from around 224 A.D. to 651 A.D. 

The state religion was Zoroastrianism, and the fall of the empire in the 7th century gave way to Islamization in modern-day Iraq and Iran. 

Aerial view of cross on excavation floor

Researchers believe the complex dates to around 500 A.D. and may have functioned as a Christian meeting place. (Alexander Tamm, Dirk Wicke)

There are some 100,000 Zoroastrians practicing the religion today.

The proof of Zoroastrians at the site is “more indirect,” said Alexander Tamm, a professor at Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen–Nuremberg. He co-led the excavation.

CHINESE COWBOYS WORKED RANCHES IN THE AMERICAN WEST FOR DECADES: ARCHAEOLOGISTS FIND NEW CLUES

“There was also a small fortress that was in use at the same time,” said Tamm. “So far, we have not found any artifacts there that would indicate a Christian presence.”

He added, “If one thinks this through further and assumes that a small military unit may have been stationed there … these individuals were most likely Zoroastrians.”

“Zoroastrianism includes multiple deities, whereas Christianity, of course, has only one God.”

It’s not news that these two religions had intermingled in northern Iraq, Tamm said.

“Religious diversity was common,” the archaeologist noted.

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“One should also not forget that Muslims and Christians later coexisted in this region as well — and still do today.”

For those unfamiliar with Zoroastrianism, Tamm said it differs markedly from Christianity.

Split image of beads, broken pottery found at site

Excavators uncovered pottery marked with a Maltese cross, shown at right — strengthening evidence of an early Christian presence. (Alexander Tamm, Dirk Wicke)

“Zoroastrianism includes multiple deities, whereas Christianity, of course, has only one God,” he said. 

Tamm also cited “significant differences” in customs, particularly in burials. Zoroastrians would bury their dead in rock-cut niches or vessels to prevent direct contact with the earth.

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“For Zoroastrians, the earth is considered pure, so the dead could not simply be buried in the ground, as that would have defiled the earth,” he said.

“Christians, however, did exactly that: They buried their dead in the ground. This could certainly have been perceived as a major affront to Zoroastrians.”

“We really had very few indications of what to expect…we had assumed we might uncover a small village.”

Despite that tension, Tamm pointed to evidence of people “adapting to one another, to some extent.”

He said, “They likely respected each other’s customs, even when those practices partially contradicted their own religious teachings.”

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Tamm added that it was “quite surprising” to find that the site itself dated to the Sasanian period, particularly given the size of the buildings uncovered.

“We really had very few indications of what to expect,” the expert said. “We had assumed we might uncover a small village.”

Rocks at excavation site

“There is still a great deal left to excavate,” said a professor and co-leader of the excavation. (Alexander Tamm, Dirk Wicke)

Tamm concluded that much about the history of Christianity in Iraq and Iran remains unknown.

“There is still a great deal left to excavate,” he said.

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“Only new excavations can help to reconstruct this information… The staff of the Sulaymaniyah Antiquities Authority and our excavation workers are of the Islamic faith — but for them, as for us, archaeology and the pursuit of knowledge are the priority.”

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