While the sports world continued to be rocked by arrests of athletes for alleged cheating, one popular sports commentator took some time out of the controversy to blame President Donald Trump.Stephen A. Smith warned that the president was trying to get revenge on the players of the National Basketball Association and other sports figures over criticism they had leveled against him over many years.'This is just the tip of the iceberg. Everybody better brace themselves.'"How many times, for one incident after another, have I said Trump is coming. He's coming. I'm gonna say it on national television again," Smith said.He went on to claim that Trump was trying to disrupt the Super Bowl by ordering mass deportations during the performance of Bad Bunny at the halftime show."Big night for the NBA. [Victor] Wembanyama put on a show," Smith said of the recent NBA game. "That has now been smeared because we're talking about this story. OK?"He went on to cite Trump's longtime relationship with sports leagues going back to his time as owner of a casino in Atlantic City."Don't be surprised if the WNBA is next on his list," he continued. "Because when you've got all of these protests that have been going [on] out there and people that have been protesting against him and what have you, this man is coming. He's coming."Smith said he would have more to say about the issue on another platform."And I've been saying it for a long time, and to me this is the latest nugget of evidence," he added."Anybody that has seen his reactions from the sports leagues and the positions that people have taken, they are not surprised at what's going on today," Smith said. "This is just the tip of the iceberg. Everybody better brace themselves," he continued.Among the evidence Smith cited to support his claim was that other sports figures had been arrested before, but they did not see the head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation holding media briefings on the matter.FBI Director Kash Patel replied by berating Smith for the bizarre allegation and mocked the commentator during an interview on Fox News."I'm the FBI director. I decide which arrests to conduct and which not to conduct," Patel said."That may be the single dumbest thing I've ever heard out of anyone in modern history, and I live most of my time in Washington, D.C. It's right up there with Adam Schiff," he added. "We arrest people for crimes."RELATED: NBA coach, former player arrested in Mafia-tied nationwide gambling bust Smith responded by walking back some of his suggestions."Nothing to get ahead of here, people! I never denied or failed to mention that this FBI Investigation has been going on for years," he posted on social media."I said Trump wasn't inclined to stop it. He's sparing no one because the man isn't playing," he added. "He's coming!! In no way am I attempting to even have an opinion on the legitimacy of this matter. I don't know the facts of the case. I'm just saying don't expect POTUS to spare anyone on this matter. And I stand by that. That's all!"Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner may be a self-proclaimed communist, but that hasn’t garnered the usual love and support from left-wing media outlets that many of his comrades have received.In an exposé of the candidate, NBC News homed in on old Reddit posts written by Platner where he detailed his path to communism, writing that he “got older and became a communist” and is a “vegetable-growing, psychedelics-taking socialist these days.”“After the war, I’ve pretty much stopped believing in any of the patriotic nonsense that got me there in the first place, and am a firm believer that the best thing a person can do is help their neighbors and live a loving life,” he added.In a post from 2021, Platner wrote, “Bastards. Cops are bastards. All of them, in fact.”When another user on Reddit claimed in 2020 that “white people aren’t as racist or stupid as Trump thinks,” Platner responded that as someone who lives in “white rural America,” he was “afraid” to tell the poster that “they actually are.”But that’s not all. In posts from 2013, Platner “minimized challenges faced by military members in reporting sexual assault and encouraged people not to use substances in order to avoid being raped.”The real reason for this exposé of one of their own, BlazeTV host Stu Burguiere explains, is that Platner had once gotten a Nazi tattoo removed.“This is a guy, by the way, who was in the military, knows a lot about military history. There’s zero chance he did not know this was Nazi imagery,” Burguiere says. “But he says he was drunk 18 years ago and was unaware of its extremist association.”“Let me just give you a little bit of advice, if I may, for just a moment to Graham,” he adds. “You know, sometimes you make a choice to consume enough of a substance to lose your self-control. If you don’t want to be in a compromising situation, act like an adult.”Want more from Stu?To enjoy more of Stu's lethal wit, wisdom, and mockery, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

Wikimedia CommonsThe skull of Au. sediba. A boy walking his dog in South Africa unknowingly stumbled across the remains of a nearly 2 million-year-old couple that is now believed to fill an integral gap in our understanding of human evolution. In 2008, nine-year-old Matthew Berger and his dog tripped over the partly fossilized bones of an adult female and a juvenile male in a cavern in Malapa, near Johannesburg, South Africa. Since then, there has been much debate over whether these remains are genuinely distinct from previously discovered species. Wikimedia CommonsNine-year-old Matthew Berger upon the skeleton’s discovery. The bones were found to be a close relative of the Homo genus and have come to be known as Australopithecus sediba (Au. Sediba) — “Australopithecus” means “southern ape.” And now, according to a new study, the remains are believed to be the bridge in human evolution between early humans and our more apelike ancestors. Australopithecus sediba is thought to come between the 3-million-year-old apelike species known as Australopithecus afarensis (from which the famous “Lucy” specimen comes) and the “Handyman” species known as Homo habilis, who used tools 1.5 million to 2.1 million years ago. And these latest Au. Sediba skeletons are even more complete than the famous “Lucy,” whose 1974 discovery was previously unprecedented. “The anatomies we are seeing in Australopithecus sediba are forcing us to reassess the pathway by which we became human,” reported Jeremy DeSilva, co-author of the study. Wikimedia CommonsThe skeleton of Au. sediba on display at Maropeng, Cradle of Humankind, South Africa. Though some researchers have noted this discovery as indeed that of a unique species since its uncovering in 2008, this latest study illustrates precisely how Au. sediba is, in fact, distinct. The study thoroughly describes the new species’ anatomy and has found similarities with early members of the Homo genus “suggesting a close evolutionary relationship.” The hands of the nearly 2-million-year-old Au. sediba resemble those of Homo habilis but are not the same, which suggests that the former was also able to use tools or at the very least, had a more precise grip than that of earlier species. Australopithecus sediba is also now believed to have walked on two feet, though it would have spent much of its time in the trees, “perhaps for foraging and protection from predators,” the study said. And all this, remember, came from an accidental discovery. “Imagine for a moment that Matthew stumbled over the rock and continued following his dog without noticing the fossil,” the authors wrote. “If those events had occurred instead, out science would not know about Au. sediba, but those fossils would still be there, still encased in calcified clastic sediments, still waiting to be discovered.” Next up, check out the story behind the Hasanlu lovers, two skeletons locked in a 2,800-year-old embrace. Then, read about this discovery of an extraordinarily well-preserved military horse uncovered in Pompeii. The post Nine-Year-Old In South Africa Trips Over Rock That Turns Out To Be Fossil Of Human “Missing Link” appeared first on All That's Interesting.

Amir Yurman/University of HaifaArchaeologists recently uncovered three Iron Age shipwrecks in Israel’s Tantura Lagoon, famous for its many sunken vessels dating back to antiquity. Archaeologists have discovered three Iron Age shipwrecks off the coast of Israel, and their cargo has reshaped experts’ understanding of ancient trade across the Mediterranean. The wrecks were found in Tantura Lagoon, also known as Dor Lagoon, near the ancient harbor city of Dor. This is the first discovery of sunken cargo within a former port city in Israel and it provides deeper insight into Iron Age trade than pre-existing land-based evidence. Furthermore, these three shipwrecks, separated by several centuries, illuminate different periods of trade across the Iron Age. The Three Ancient Shipwrecks Recently Found In Israel’s Tantura Lagoon A. Yasur-Landau et al./AntiquitySome of the cargo that archaeologists found included storage jars like these. A new paper published in the journal Antiquity describes how the project, carried out by the University of California San Diego in conjunction with the University of Haifa, used both traditional methods of research alongside newer techniques. Archaeologists used 3D modeling, multispectral imaging, and digital mapping to examine the wrecks and surrounding waters throughout 2023 and 2024. In all, the team was able to explore three shipwrecks laden with vast amounts of cargo at a sandbar near Dor. The oldest shipwreck, named Dor M, dates back to the 11th century B.C.E. Archaeologists found storage jars and an anchor with a Cypro-Minoan inscription, suggesting a commercial connection between Cyprus and Egypt. This discovery is backed up by historical accounts of Egyptian maritime trade during this period. The Report of Wenamun, an Egyptian literary text from about 1000 B.C.E., describes voyages to Dor during this time. The second-oldest shipwreck, dubbed Dor L1, contained Phoenician jars and thin-walled bowls that place the wreck somewhere in the late 9th or early 8th century B.C.E. This cargo lacks any connection to Egypt, coinciding with land-based evidence suggesting that trade between Dor and Egypt began to decline at that time. The shipwreck known as Dor L2 is the youngest of the three. Dated to the late 7th or early 6th century B.C.E., it contains the most complete cargo of the newly-discovered shipwrecks. At this time, Dor was likely a bustling trade hub under the control of the Babylonian or Assyrian empire, which was reflected in the contents of its cargo. The cargo featured finds like Cypriot-style, basket-handle amphorae, and porous masses of metallic iron and slag called iron blossoms, which were part of the iron smelting process. Continued Exploration Of Mediterranean History During The Iron Age Marko RunjajicAn aerial view of divers exploring the shipwrecks of the Tantura Lagoon. The cargo from all three of these shipwrecks sheds light on trade networks and economic connections across the Mediterranean throughout the Iron Age. Primarily, it highlights how certain avenues of trade ebbed and flowed as changes in regional politics occurred. While these sunken ships and their cargo provide more insight into this tumultuous period, archaeologists are expecting to discover even more as they continue to excavate this sandbar. More specifically, they expect to find more from Dor L2, whose hull is still buried beneath the sand. In carrying out further exploration, these researchers will continue to make use of their state-of-the-art procedures, which notably include both traditional underwater excavation and cutting edge cyber-archaeology methods. For instance, the team used 3D modeling, multispectral imaging, and digital mapping to help reconstruct these newly-found ships and their cargo. The archaeologists working on this project believe that the new discoveries are just the beginning and that more wrecks and artifacts will be uncovered. So far, 26 shipwrecks have been found in Tantura Lagoon, which long had a dangerous reputation among seafarers due to its shallow waters, islets, and rocks. And to date, only a quarter of the lagoon has been excavated. After reading about the three Iron Age shipwrecks uncovered in Israel, see the six historic shipwrecks found in Sweden. Then, learn about the 10 shipwrecks spanning 5,000 years unearthed in Greece. The post Three Ancient Shipwrecks Filled With Cargo Have Been Found In A Lagoon Along The Coast Of Northern Israel appeared first on All That's Interesting.

Johnica Winter“Paleofeces” like that pictured here offered researchers a wealth of information. In the 1950s, archaeologists excavated the Cave of the Dead Children in Mexico and found a number of ancient artifacts, including fossilized human feces. Now, researchers have used modern technology to take a closer look — and discovered that ancient people were plagued by a number of serious pathogens that would have caused gastrointestinal distress. The feces samples found in the cave are thus a “time capsule,” offering a unique look back at the Loma San Gabriel culture of Mexico and the parasites that infected its people. Studying The 1,300-Year-Old Feces According to a study recently published in PLOS One, the paleofeces samples were first collected between 1957 and 1960, when archaeologists excavated the Cave of the Dead Children (La Cueva de los Muertos Chiquitos) in the Rio Zape Valley of northwestern Mexico. Archaeologists gave the cave its name because of the skeletons of children they’d found inside, but they also recovered the paleofeces, botanical remains, and both animal and human bones. The paleofeces, which dated back to between 725 and 920 C.E., presented an especially intriguing way to study the pathogens that infected the Loma San Gabriel people. Johnica WinterAn example of paleofeces recovered from the Cave of the Dead Children in Mexico. Previous studies of the paleofeces had detected hookworm, whipworm, and pinworm eggs, but researchers sought to take an even closer look at the feces by using new methods of DNA analysis. They extracted DNA from 10 “distinct defecation events,” then used a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine which microbes were present in the paleofeces. The answer? A lot. The researchers found that every sample of paleofeces had at least one pathogen or microbe. The most common were the intestinal parasite Blastocystis and the bacterium E. coli, both of which had never been detected in ancient feces before. In addition, researchers also detected Shigella and Giardia. All of these could have caused gastrointestinal distress in the people who carried them. “Working with these ancient samples was like opening a biological time capsule,” the study’s lead author, Drew Capone of Indiana University, remarked in a statement about the find, “with each one revealing insight into human health and daily life from over a thousand years ago.” Indeed, the study has offered some insights into the Loma San Gabriel culture, which used the cave more than 1,000 years ago. New Insights Into The Loma San Gabriel Culture The Loma San Gabriel people inhabited the Rio Zape Valley in Mexico between 600 and 800 C.E. They lived in small villages, farmed the land, and produced ceramics. They also practiced child sacrifice, and they seemingly used the Cave of the Dead Children as a place to dispose of waste. In doing so, they unknowingly left behind clues about their culture. According to the study, their paleofeces suggest that intestinal infections were common and that the Loma San Gabriel people likely had poor sanitation habits, which exposed them to pathogens. The researchers also found that the Loma San Gabriel people primarily ate agave, as well as cherry, maize, sunflowers, pigweed, and goosefoot. It’s not the first time that researchers have studied feces to learn more about an ancient culture. In 2022, a study of feces left behind by a Neolithic settlement near Stonehenge revealed that its inhabitants routinely ate tainted animal meat. That same year, a study of a cesspit beneath a 2,700-year-old toilet in Jerusalem revealed the presence of parasites like roundworm, tapeworm, whipworm, and pinworm. Yoli Schwartz/Israel Antiquities AuthorityThe 2,700-year-old toilet in Jerusalem where researchers studied a cesspit in 2022 and discovered a number of parasites. As such, the study of the paleofeces from the Cave of the Dead Children is the latest example of how poop can reveal more about our past. “There is a lot of potential in the application of modern molecular methods to inform studies of the past,” researcher Joe Brown remarked. “Highly sensitive and specific targeted assays can complement sequencing approaches when specific targets are of interest. We look forward to continuing this collaborative work to better understand the presence and movement of pathogens in ancient samples.” After reading about the study of the 1,300-year-old paleofeces found in Mexico, discover the story of Moloch, the pagan god of child sacrifice. Or, learn about Mictlantecuhtli, the Aztec god of death and the underworld. The post ‘A Biological Time Capsule’: Ancient Poop From Mexico’s Cave Of The Dead Children Reveals An Array Of Pathogens appeared first on All That's Interesting.

Senator Mark Kelly's Desperate Ploy: Boosting a Butchered Karoline Leavitt Clip with Zero Shame

Zohran Mamdani’s Galling Gall: Propping Up His Aunt as 9/11’s Poster Victim Triggers Epic Backlash

A new ad campaign paid for by the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) targets New York and New Jersey Democrats following House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries' endorsement of Zohran Mamdani for New York City mayor.

The president of the Club for Growth says the conservative advocacy group is undecided about backing Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., in his primary race ahead of the 2026 midterms, The Hill reported Friday.

Two Planned Parenthood affiliates are moving to overturn Ohio's decision to cut them off from Medicaid, testing a key provision of President Donald Trump's recently signed tax-and-spending package that restricts public reimbursements to abortion providers.