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New South Wales in Australia is slated to begin a gun buyback scheme in November, the first state in the nation to kick-off the program as part of the national response to a shooting spree that killed 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration in the state capital of Sydney, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Sunday.

Albanese and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said the scheme would start on November 2. People who return eligible firearms under the first phase would receive fixed compensation ranging from $450 to $1,000 per firearm, depending on the type. A second phase will provide a valuation pathway for certain higher-value firearms, capped at $10,000 per firearm.

Albanese's center-left government adopted new gun-control laws in January in the aftermath of the December 14 attack at a Bondi Beach Hanukkah celebration, including the gun buyback program and tighter firearms measures. New South Wales separately passed tighter state firearms laws in December, while the federal government also strengthened laws targeting hate speech and extremism.

The pair of alleged gunmen used firearms that were obtained legally. Australia's government said there were a record 4.1 million firearms in the country last year, including more than 1.1 million in New South Wales, its most populous state.

AUSTRALIA VOWS TO STRENGTHEN HATE SPEECH LAWS, GUN CONTROL IN WAKE OF BONDI BEACH ATTACK

"We must do everything we can to make sure the antisemitic terrorist attack in Bondi doesn’t happen again. That includes meaningful nationwide gun reform," Albanese said in a statement.

The initiative is set to be Australia's largest buyback since a similar effort following the 1996 massacre in Tasmania's Port Arthur, when a gunman killed 35 people.

"Australians are quite rightly proud of our gun laws, but the fact is there are more guns in Australia today than there were at the time of dealing with the Port Arthur gun buyback ," Albanese said.

New South Wales generally limits individual firearm ownership to four guns under restrictions sparked by the Bondi Beach attack, with exemptions allowingcertain licence holders, including some primary producers, sport shooters and others with specified genuine reasons, to possess more firearms. It estimates that up to 274,000 registered firearms — about 24% of the total number of registered firearms in New South Wales — and about 50,000 license holders are affected by the new limits on gun ownership and reclassification of some types of firearms.

VIRGINIA GUN SALES SPIKE AHEAD OF JULY 1 ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN SIGNED BY GOV. SPANBERGER

"After Bondi, we promised the people of New South Wales we would introduce the toughest gun laws in the country, and that’s exactly what we did," Minns said. "The next step is getting the guns that are no longer permitted under those laws out of circulation and permanently off our streets."

"There are potentially hundreds of thousands of firearms affected by these changes," Minns added. "We want those guns handed in, compensated for and safely destroyed. This is a big undertaking, but the principle behind it is simple: fewer dangerous guns in our community means a safer New South Wales."

The attack was allegedly carried out by a father and son who police believe were inspired by the Islamic State.

The 50-year-old father, Sajid Akram, was shot and killed by police at the scene, while the surviving suspect, Naveed Akram, 24, has not yet entered pleas on a slew of charges, including 15 counts of murder. Authorities have charged him with 59 offenses in total, including committing a terrorist act and 15 counts of murder.

A man identified as Ahmed al Ahmed has been praised as a hero for tackling and disarming one of the gunmen. He suffered gunshot wounds in the incident and is still recovering.

"After the tragedy at Bondi, we committed to dealing with the motive and the method," Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke said. "Since then, we have strengthened our hate crimes and hate speech laws, which are now the strongest in our country’s history."

"Today we continue the proud Australian tradition of sensible gun reform designed to protect our community from weapons which have no utility other than to cause harm." he added.

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President Donald Trump is blaming vandals for large spots of dead grass on the National Mall near the World War II Memorial, the same area where the president hosted crowds for a 4th of July celebration.

Trump made the claim without providing evidence or explaining why he believes vandals damaged the grass. He shared a photo showing an area by the World War II Memorial with patches of brown and dead grass across much of the sprawling turf that was previously full of green grass.

"Look what VANDALS did to the grass connecting the vandalized World War II Monument and the vandalized Reflecting Pool, which will be opened again, and better than ever, shortly," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

"Anybody who thinks the Reflecting Pool wasn’t vandalized should go back to Law School!" he continued.

TRUMP URGES JEANINE PIRRO TO REVISIT DROPPED LINCOLN MEMORIAL REFLECTING POOL VANDALISM CASE

Trump had a large stage built and invited crowds to the same lawn for his Independence Day celebration last month. He is now blaming vandals for the grass damage. Crowds gathered to hear from the president and watch fireworks to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary.

Photos from the celebration show a large bandstand and seating areas covering nearly the entire lawn Trump now says was damaged by vandals. Photos from subsequent days showed workers removing the structures, revealing brown and damaged grass underneath. The photographs show that event infrastructure occupied much of the affected lawn, but do not by themselves establish what caused all of the grass damage.

Trump has repeatedly blamed vandals for damage to his renovation projects in Washington, D.C., often without evidence and contradicting accounts from his officials.

Earlier this month, Trump criticized U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro after her office moved to dismiss the vandalism case after newly disclosed evidence showed widespread liner damage stemming from a flawed installation and the rush to complete the project ahead of Independence Day events, undermining the case against the defendant.

On Friday, an arrest was made in connection with vandalism at the World War II Memorial after the words "Clean hands dirty $" were found painted on the monument and bubbles filled a fountain.

Felony charges in that case are being brought against Melissa Farris, according to Pirro.

Charging documents in that case do not mention the once-grassy area Trump referred to in his new social media post. Authorities said Farris was previously arrested for camping on federal property a few blocks from the World War II Memorial, but not the spot referenced by Trump.

OBAMA JUDGE HANDS PROGRESSIVES A WIN OVER ANTI-TRUMP '86 47' MESSAGE AMID RISING THREATS

On Aug. 1, Trump posted a different photo of the same area of dead that appears to show the numbers "86 47," which federal officials argue is a threat against Trump. The numbers are not visible in the photo Trump shared on Sunday.

Trump cited that image as evidence against Pirro's conclusion, describing it as "a pure case of VANDALISM, that included the grass."

"There may have been some contractor difficulty, but the major damage was caused by VANDALS!" he wrote.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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I know Caitlin Clark is the better player and bigger star in the WNBA, but her rivalry with Angel Reese is one of the biggest in women’s basketball, and it’s great for the sport.

It dates back to college when Reese’s LSU Tigers beat Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes in the 2023 NCAA Championship, and Clark got revenge in the Elite Eight a year later.

Unfortunately, there’s a chance she doesn’t play when her Indiana Fever (22-12) visit Reese’s Atlanta Dream (21-12) at State Farm Arena Sunday at 5 p.m. Clark limped off the court in the first half of the Fever’s 98-87 home win over the Dallas Wings Friday.

CAITLIN CLARK OVERCOMES INJURY SCARE, DROPS 29 POINTS ON DALLAS WINGS AS FEVER TAKE TOP SPOT IN EAST

She was sensational Friday, shooting 11-for-18 from the field and dishing 10 assists to one turnover. Maybe adrenaline helped her finish the game, but Clark has been on the injury report with back issues the past few games, and I could see her getting a day off Sunday.

Best Bet: Atlanta Dream -1.5 (-131) at Kalshi

Even though Clark has an -8.2 on/off net rating this season, she has been hoopin' post-All-Star break, averaging 24.9 points on 49.5% shooting with 9.4 assists per game.

So, obviously, Indiana is not better without CC. She is averaging 23.0 points on an above-average 48.1% shooting in three games vs. Atlanta.

However, Reese is averaging 16.7 points on 51.4% shooting and 9.7 rebounds in her three meetings with Clark this season.

And, just like in college, Reese’s team is beating Clark’s. The Dream are 2-1 straight up and against the spread vs. the Fever this year and have won their last two meetings.

ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!

Now, Indiana is the best shooting team in the WNBA.

But Atlanta has an edge in the other three factors of the game, such as rebounding, turnovers and free-throw discrepancy, which are more predictive of winning basketball.

The Dream are beating the Fever in those three factors in their meetings this year. This game is in Atlanta, and most teams shoot better at home.

Indiana scores nearly eight fewer points per game on the road and shoots worse from everywhere on the floor. Of course, the Dream scores nearly eight more points per game at home and shoots much better from behind the arc.

Meanwhile, the Dream have a rest edge. Their last game was a 104-69 win over the Connecticut Sun Thursday, and Indy played Dallas Friday.

Atlanta had a rest edge in its 108-101 home win over Indiana earlier this year, and Clark played in that game, scoring 26 points and throwing a game-high seven assists.

If CC can’t play Sunday, that sucks for the fans, and I hope she returns next game, but that’s good for my Atlanta bet. If Clark does play, I still like the Dream’s chances of covering the spread, and I feel like gambling, so to speak.

They are a physical team, and tough to play with a rest deficit. Atlanta dominates the glass on both ends of the floor and scores the most paint points per game by taking the highest rate of field goals within three feet of the hoop.

Basically, the Dream are a good bet up to -4 because they should win the "battle of possessions," could get a home whistle from the refs, and the Fever shoot worse on the road.

_____________________________

Follow me on X @Geoffery-Clark, and check out my "OutKick Bets Podcast" for more betting content and random rants.

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As the debate over transgender athletes in women’s sports intensifies, Americans who spoke with Fox News Digital offered sharply divided views on whether transgender women should be allowed to compete against female athletes.

"It's all right if you wanna be what you wanna be, but you shouldn't be competing against a woman and you’re a man," a Washington, D.C. local resident said. "Biologically, it's an advantage."

Another person disagreed.

SOFTBALL HALL OF FAMER SENDS BLUNT WARNING TO THOSE DEFENDING INCLUSION OF BIOLOGICAL MALES IN FEMALE SPORTS

"I feel like a transgender woman should be able to play in women's sports," another person told Fox News Digital. "They might have been a man before, but they're trans. They're changing into a woman, so why not play a woman's sport? Like they're not gonna let her play men's sports."

The participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports has long been debated, particularly discussing claims there is an unfair advantage posed when biological men are able to compete at the same level as women — with critics pointing to the physiological differences among males and females.

"It's a little bit of an unfair advantage," Theresa from Virginia said.

"I don't think it really makes sense because a man is more physically fit than a woman," the D.C. resident said. "Automatically stronger than a woman."

But those in favor of allowing transgender athletes to compete in the league of the gender they currently identify with argue the movement to ban biological men from competing in women's sports is part of a targeted attack against transgender people.

SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM DOUBLES DOWN AHEAD OF SUN GAME AFTER ESPN PROFILE STIRS CONTROVERSY: 'I SAID WHAT I SAID'

It is also argued that biological advantages are differentiated by the specific genetics of every individual rather than an entire gender.

"I see why they're saying that because they could be stronger than a woman," one said about the potential safety risks at play.

She continued, "But at the same time, like, girls are strong."

The debate has also spilled into professional basketball after Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham indicated that she is against biological men competing in women's sports, according to a recent ESPN article.

"I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans," Cunningham said to ESPN. "And I'm like, 'I never once said that.’ I think that I am here to extend love."

She continued, "But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men."

Cunningham brushed aside the backlash and doubled down on her comments calling it "common sense."

WNBPA ISSUES STATEMENT EMBRACING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AMID TRANS ATHLETE DEBATE IN WOMEN'S SPORTS

The Women’s National Basketball Player’s Association (WNBPA) put out a statement praising the different backgrounds of all its players, stating that while difficult conversations will be continued in the league, "we will not be political pawns."

The statement also came after Cunningham’s comments and as former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom announced that he was declaring for the WNBA draft, arguing he meets all the eligibility requirements and simply just needs to identify as a woman.

"I think that it's crazy," the D.C. resident said about a biological man being able to compete in the WNBA. "I think that a lot of people just say that they’re women just to go compete against women to make themselves look good."

"They’re just getting outrageous with this rainbow stuff," he said.

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California authorities seized more than $800,000 worth of suspected cocaine during a traffic stop this week, officials said.

The California Highway Patrol said a Central Division canine officer stopped a 2025 Honda CR-V in Merced County on Aug. 12 for an alleged traffic violation.

During the stop, the officer identified "several indicators of possible criminal activity," according to CHP.

A subsequent search of the vehicle allegedly uncovered a bag containing approximately 30 pounds of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of $817,200, CHP said.

TWO SUSPECTS ARRESTED AFTER CRASHING THROUGH CAMP PENDLETON GATE WITH 112 POUNDS OF COCAINE AND FENTANYL

The driver was arrested and booked into the Merced County Main Jail on charges of possession of cocaine for sale and transportation of cocaine across non-contiguous counties, according to authorities.

The Merced Area Gang Narcotics Enforcement Team (MAGNET) is handling the investigation.

The seizure comes after federal authorities last month uncovered more than 1,000 pounds of cocaine hidden beneath the floorboards of a commercial truck entering the U.S. from Mexico, marking one of the largest drug busts in Southern California this year.

FEDS SEIZE $6.4M WORTH OF COCAINE ABOARD OIL TANKER AT PORT OF LOS ANGELES, ARREST SUSPECTED CARTEL SMUGGLER

According to the Justice Department, more than a half-ton of cocaine was discovered concealed in the floorboards of a truck and flatbed trailer at the Calexico Port of Entry along the California-Mexico border. Authorities estimated the cocaine had a street value exceeding $20 million.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) also announced last month that officers discovered more than $3.7 million worth of cocaine concealed in a shipment of cucumbers.

CBP officers at the Pharr International Bridge in Texas discovered 112 packages inside a tractor-trailer after a canine inspection and nonintrusive imaging scan detected anomalies in the vehicle.

The packages contained a total of 278.88 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of $3,723,654, according to CBP.

Fox News Digital's Leo Briceno contributed to this report.

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Florida socialist congressional candidate Oliver Larkin repeatedly declined to say how much he would raise taxes on high earners while defending his call to tax billionaires "out of existence" during a contentious interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity.

Larkin, who volunteered for then-Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., in 2008 and led a New Hampshire presidential campaign field office for Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in 2016, sparred with Hannity over his Democratic Socialists of America-aligned platform as Florida voters prepare to vote Tuesday.

When asked about the idea of an economy based on the promise of "to each American based on their needs from each American based on their ability," Larkin replied, "I think that’s a fine concept."

EXPERT WHO FLED CUBA WARNS OF ‘VICIOUS CYCLE’ THAT WILL LEAD TO ‘COMMUNISTS IN DOUBLE DIGITS’ IN CONGRESS

The axiom was popularized in 1875 by German political theorist Karl Marx in his "Critique of the Gotha Programme."

Larkin, who is challenging moderate Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., in a district considered a prime Republican target in November’s general election, said he was less concerned with ideological labels than with meeting his potential new constituents every day.

"I'm coming at the race from a pragmatic point of view of what the American people and the people of South Florida need, and that is Medicare-for-all, that is universal child care, that is the policy proposals that you just articulated on your show," Larkin told Hannity.

Before introducing Larkin, Hannity listed a series of policies he said the millennial left-winger supported, including abolishing the Electoral College, automatic same-day voter registration, shunning fossil fuels, abolishing ICE and prosecuting its agents, free public college, an end to sanctions on Iran and Cuba and a "passionate hatred of Israel," in the conservative host’s words.

THE MEDICARE FOR ALL TRADE-OFFS SOCIALISTS AREN'T TALKING ABOUT, ACCORDING TO EXPERTS

Hannity challenged Larkin to go beyond the proposals and explain how he would achieve each of his policy objectives, starting with higher federal taxes

"Out of every dollar these so-called ‘evil rich people’ make, how much should they be able to keep…?" he asked.

Instead of offering a figure, Larkin praised former Presidents Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower for presiding over extremely high top marginal tax rates.

"Give me a number," Hannity demanded.

PROGRESSIVES WANT TO TAX BILLIONAIRES FIRST, AND YOU'RE NEXT ON THE LIST

"What percentage of every dollar should every American be able to keep after they pay the government, local, state, federal [taxes]?"

Larkin replied that the figure depends on income, but did not specify any income ranges except to say that "billionaires should be taxed out of existence."

Hannity countered that most billionaires are among the "most brilliant" people and argued that it is wrong to take money from the most creative Americans through higher taxes.

Larkin replied that X CEO Elon Musk — the world’s richest person — has received billions in government subsidies that helped build his wealth, arguing that billionaires should therefore face higher taxes and calling the South African immigrant a "vulture" for buying Tesla and presiding over its largesse himself.

Hannity returned to pressing the candidate for specifics about his plans, including what tax rates Americans at different income levels should pay under a socialist system:

"How much are you willing to let the government take? How much? Give us a number," he said, asking for an example with an American making $100,000 per annum.

"I want to see a return on our taxpayer investment," Larkin replied without offering a specific figure.

"I'm not interested in changing the tax rate on middle-class Americans on people making a hundred grand," he later added, prompting Hannity to ask what tax rate should apply to people making $500,000.

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"Give me a number," he insisted. "The DSA people talk a lot about fairness. What is fair for a guy that makes a half a million dollars a year out of every dollar -- how much should the government get? Answer the question."

"It’s not that simple," Larkin argued. After crosstalk, the candidate said the cap on income subject to Social Security taxes should be raised, but did not specify an amount.

Moskowitz’ and Larkin’s district — which has changed numbers several times — has been represented by Democrats for most of the modern era.

Over the past two decades, including when it was numbered the 22nd District, Col. Allen West has been the only Republican to represent the district. West served one term.

From its inception in 1993 through the early years of George W. Bush’s presidency, the district was represented by Republican Rep. Eugene Clay Shaw Jr.

After socialist candidates lost in Wisconsin but won in Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York and Minnesota, Florida Democrats will decide Tuesday whether to follow the same trend.

Fox News Digital reached out to Larkin for comment.

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The sweeping policy shift announced Tuesday to end Medicaid funding for youth sex-change treatments is being hailed by at least one veteran pediatrician, who argued that the procedures were never "compassionate" approaches for children facing gender dysphoria.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Dr. Quentin Van Meter, the immediate past president of the American College of Pediatricians (ACPeds), reflected on the new restrictions issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

"I'm really congratulating HHS and CMS for... taking the step to block the medical and surgical interventions or funding for those in those healthcare systems... primarily because it's not an appropriate kind of intervention," Van Meter said.

Despite claims that children will be left to suffer under the policy change, Van Meter, a pediatric endocrinologist, asserted that government intervention is not meant to strip them of the care they need, arguing instead for ongoing mental health treatment to address the underlying issues driving their distress.

MEDICAID ENDS FUNDING FOR CHILD SEX-CHANGE PROCEDURES AS TRUMP ADMIN SLAMS 'EXPERIMENTAL' TREATMENTS

"This is not denial of care. This is not lack of compassion. This is not denial that these patients exist, as we are told that we are doing this," he added. "This is actually very compassionate, very appropriate, and has been scientifically proven to be of benefit to these children."

Van Meter, who has 42 years of experience in the field dating back to his fellowship at Johns Hopkins in the late 1970s, further argued that "puberty is not a disease" and that interventions intended to alter its course under sex-change procedures can instead exacerbate the mental health problems children are facing.

Tuesday’s policy shift also comes against the backdrop of what Van Meter described as a collapsing medical framework behind the youth transgender movement, citing mounting evidence and a series of disturbing findings.

This includes a federally funded study researchers allegedly tried to bury after multiple transitioning children reportedly died by suicide, federal allegations challenging a prominent transgender medical authority, the shocking rise in potentially thousands of detransitioners, and the irreversible damage caused by sex changes, including sterilization.

SEN HAWLEY WARNS IT WOULD BE 'UNCONSCIONABLE' IF BILLIONS OF TAXPAYER FUNDS FLOW TO TRANS KIDS’ SEX CHANGES

One of the examples Van Meter pointed to dates back to 2015, when the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded a five-year study to examine the outcomes of sex-change hormones in children. By the second year, three participants had died by suicide.

Not only did researchers fail to immediately halt the study after the first death, they also attempted to bury the results by refusing to publish the data, according to Van Meter. The study’s chief investigators reportedly had a significant conflict of interest, having been "very proactive in the transgender arena" and often asserting that "these treatments are very beneficial and should be continued."

The multimillion-dollar study, titled "The Impact of Early Medical Treatment in Transgender Youth," was later scrutinized by a GOP-led Senate committee in 2024. The committee accused the researchers involved of having "intentionally withheld scientific data from the American public showing that puberty blockers do not improve the mental health of children."

The Republican lawmakers involved added that the study also found 11 participants with suicidal thoughts.

DETRANSITIONER CHLOE COLE SHARES COMPLICATIONS AFTER GENDER PROCEDURES: ‘I AM GRIEVING’

Separately, a major transgender medical authority known for spearheading the pediatric sex-change guidelines that major medical groups relied on, has been accused of promoting ideological opinion instead of evidence-based medicine.

The criticism centers on the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), which is being challenged in a Texas court case involving the Federal Trade Commission.

"None of this is a standard of care, none of it is rigorous. It's just their specific opinion based on their ideology," Van Meter said.

Van Meter added that there has been a significant increase in the number of people seeking to detransition, citing online support resources that reportedly receive an estimated 600 to 700 hits per month from patients seeking help.

During a conference last March, Van Meter said he encountered roughly 85 individuals from around the world who wanted to detransition, indicating that "there clearly is a population for which this has been a detriment."

HHS OFFICIAL WARNS OF IRREVERSIBLE RISKS AS TRUMP ADMIN RESTRICTS FUNDING FOR YOUTH GENDER PROCEDURES

However, detransitioning is reportedly a highly complex process that involves reconstructive surgeries, gradual medication weaning and extensive mental health support.

Sex-change treatments can ultimately result in severe and irreversible physical harms, Van Meter said. 

Pediatric interventions can result in permanent sterilization, profound sexual dysfunction, permanently diminished bone density, impaired brain development, a heightened risk of early dementia and lifelong health conditions requiring continuous medical management.

The desire to undergo sex-change procedures can often emerge among vulnerable children "when their life is falling apart," as they seek an escape from underlying problems such as divorced parents, parental incarceration, alcoholism, drug abuse or the death of a family member, Van Meter said.

Impressionable children may then encounter online communities that frame undergoing a sex change as a cure-all or claim that their gender is the root of their problems.

FTC ALLEGES INFLUENTIAL TRANSGENDER HEALTH ORGANIZATION MISLED PARENTS ABOUT SAFETY OF YOUTH TREATMENTS

Beyond the need for better mental health access for children, Van Meter said more should be changed systemically across transgender policies.

Van Meter proposed cutting federal funding from medical schools that promote research into sex-change treatments or teach such procedures as the standard of care in their curricula.

He said doctors and pediatricians often uncritically promote transitions because they can easily be labeled a "bigot" or "hater" otherwise. 

Health care workers who disagree are also denied a voice in medical literature, academic departments and professional associations, he said.

Additionally, he added, the statute of limitations should be extended to give detransitioners ample time to sue healthcare providers for facilitating such treatments, while clinics should be audited for scientific transparency.

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