Iran Executes Teen Champion Wrestler in Public Hanging
19-year-old champion wrestler Saleh Mohammadi was publicly executed in Iran on Thursday for participating in protests against the Khamenei regime.
He and two other people were hanged "in the presence of a group of people in Qom," according to the Iran Human Rights non-government organization.
The IHRNGO says Mohammadi, Saeed Davodi and Mehdi Ghasemi were accused of being involved with the murders of two police officers during recent nationwide unrest -- prior to the country being attacked by the U.S. and Israel -- and are the first people to be hanged over these protests.
Combat athlete and human rights activist Nima Far told Fox News Saleh's hanging was "a blatant political murder" on Iran's part, accusing the regime of targeting athletes "to crush dissent and terrorize society."
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IHRNGO Director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam said Saleh's trial was "grossly unfair" and said he was tortured and coerced into confessing.
Amiry-Moghaddam warned that protesters are at "risk of mass executions" ... saying, "The Islamic Republic is fighting for its survival and knows that the greatest threat to its existence comes from the Iranian people who demand fundamental change."
Nima told Fox News that Iran should be banned from international competitions "until it halts executions of protesters and athletes, releases those jailed in sham trials, and ends retaliation against competitors who speak out or defect."
Mohammadi won several wrestling tournaments in Russia and Iran, and had qualified for an Iranian national team in 2023.
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Donald Trump Cracks Insane Pearl Harbor Joke ... In Meeting With Japan's Prime Minister
Things got wildly uncomfortable on Thursday when President Trump made a joke about Pearl Harbor ... while sitting next to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
During the White House meeting, a journalist asked Donald why he didn't give America's allies -- including Japan -- a heads-up before going to war with Iran.
Trump started to explain that he didn't want to "signal too much" before the attack, when he decided to turn the question back around on the journalist with a disturbing joke, saying ... "We wanted surprise. Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor?"
Pete Hegseth To Teenage Son Our Troops in Iran Died for You!!!
Pete Hegseth says he's keeping it real with his son when it comes to the Iran War ... telling his 13-year-old the troops who died in Iran made the ultimate sacrifice for the next generation.
President Trump's Defense Secretary was talking to the media Thursday at the Pentagon when he mentioned his son ... claiming his kid popped in to his office the night before, when he was working on a speech, to ask him about the war and the families of the dead soldiers he went to visit at Dover Air Force Base.
Hegseth says he told his son the troops died for his son's generation so they don't have to deal with a "nuclear Iran."
Nampa, Idaho Mayor Rick Hogaboam Dead at 47
Nampa, Idaho Mayor Rick Hogaboam died suddenly Wednesday night after experiencing a medical emergency in the middle of addressing a town hall.
According to local CBS affiliate KBOI-TV, the politician was speaking at city hall in Eagle, Idaho, when the incident took place, around 6:45 PM.
The City of Nampa shared a statement on Facebook yesterday, writing ... “It is with the deepest sadness that we must report Mayor Rick Hogaboam experienced a medical emergency tonight and has passed away. We ask the community to please keep his family and loved ones in your prayers during this incredibly difficult time."
Cesar Chavez Accused of Sexual Abuse and Grooming Girls New Report Alleges
A new investigation published by The New York Times on Wednesday claims to have "extensive evidence" that Cesar Chavez -- the leader of the United Farm Workers who died in 1993 -- sexually abused and groomed young girls ... and "used" women in his movement "for his own sexual gratification."
According to the NYT report, one alleged victim, Ana Murguia, claims she was 13 when Chavez -- who was 45 at the time -- "kissed her and pulled her pants down." She says he instructed her afterward to not tell anyone, allegedly telling her ... "They’d get jealous."
The alleged incident happened over half a century ago and the report says there were "dozens" more sexual encounters between them over the following four years.
She told the paper she "wanted to die" ... and by age 15 she had attempted suicide "multiple times."
Around the same time, the NYT reports a woman named Debra Rojas claims she was only 12 when Chavez started abusing her, "groping her breasts" in his office.
Rojas claims they had sexual intercourse at a California motel when she was 15 -- which would be considered rape, as she wasn't old enough to legally consent.
She claims Chavez groomed her, explaining that at the time she "had love for him" because he allegedly made comments about moving to Mexico with her, being jealous of boys who were around her, and even telling her "I love you."
Neither woman had spoken publicly about the alleged abuse until now ... although Rojas reportedly posted about it in a private Facebook group many years ago, writing "Wake up people. This man u march for every year molested me." She says she ultimately deleted it after getting backlash.
In addition to these claims, Chavez's UFW cofounder Dolores Huerta told the NYT that Chavez assaulted her, too.
And after the report was published, the 95-year-old labor-rights activist shared a statement on Medium, describing two instances of alleged abuse -- one where she says she felt "manipulated and pressured," and the other where she says she was "forced" -- and revealing both led to pregnancies.
Huerta said the babies were raised by families "that could give them stable lives." And while she says she has "a deep relationship" with those children, "no one knew the full truth about how they were conceived until just a few weeks ago."
Huerta writes she hasn't come forward in 60 years because she "believed that exposing the truth would hurt the farmworker movement I have spent my entire life fighting for."
She had told NYT that she didn't go to the cops at the time of her alleged assault because of "their hostility toward the movement, and she feared that no one within the union would believe her."
The publication claims that elements of both Murguia's and Rojas' stories have been "corroborated in documents, emails, itineraries and other writings from union organizers, supporters of Mr. Chavez and historians."
NYT says they couldn't independently verify Huerta's account -- because she never told anyone about it -- but they say she described the alleged events in a "startlingly matter-of-fact manner."
The publication claims that "several other women" are victims of Chavez's abuse ... reporting that they interviewed more than 60 people in their investigation -- including relatives, "top aides" and UFW members -- and scoured union records, confidential emails, photographs and audio recordings of UFW board meetings.
The report says many of the alleged victims never spoke about their experiences out of "fear of tarnishing the image" of the celebrated civil rights leader ... adding that a lot were "discouraged from speaking out."
Chavez’s family addressed the accusations in a statement Tuesday night ... saying they were "not in a position to judge."
They say they "honor the voices of those who feel unheard and who report sexual misconduct," and the allegations against Chavez are "deeply painful."
However, NYT report says a "handful" of relatives were "aware for years" about the sexual misconduct allegations ... claiming there's "no evidence" that they investigated or even acknowledged the victims.
The report also alleges some former UFW leaders knew, too.
As TMZ previously reported, the UFW canceled this year's Cesar Chavez celebrations ... a move NYT says was made after "learning of the reporters’ inquiries."
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Cesar Chavez Hit With Disturbing Abuse Allegations
Cesar Chavez -- the late labor leader and civil rights icon who cofounded the United Farm Workers -- is under fire after accusations surfaced he abused young women and minors … with celebrations honoring him now being canceled.
The UFW released a statement Tuesday saying it learned of "deeply troubling allegations" that Chavez "behaved in ways that are incompatible with our organization's values."
While some of the reports involve family issues ... the org says the "far more troubling" allegations involve abuse of young women and minors. Though UFW says it doesn't have firsthand knowledge of the allegations, it says they're serious enough that the org is taking "urgent steps" to learn more and help potential victims.
The B-52s To Sen. John Cornyn 'Love Shack' Attack Ad Is Tasteless!!!
The B-52s are ripping Texas GOP Senator John Cornyn for using their famous song to attack his political opponent.
Cornyn's campaign dropped a political attack ad Tuesday using AI-generated content to go after Texas attorney general Ken Paxton and his sex scandal ... the 80-second ad is a parody of the B-52s' hit, "Love Shack."
NEW: @TeamCornyn digital ad: @KenPaxtonTX’s Love Shack.#txsen pic.twitter.com/coLt14hDvr @MattMackowiak
In a statement to TMZ, the band says ... "Today we learned that our song 'Love Shack' is being used without our approval for a political attack between two politicians in the beautiful state of Texas. We do not endorse either candidate. We have already formally demanded the song immediately cease to be used in this tasteless and illegal way."
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You never know what you're gonna get ... a big story that breaks, an argument erupts in the room, or someone's just joking around.
Your comments are a big part of the stream, and the staff spends a lot of time speaking directly to you. Every day is different!
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Jennifer Newsom to Donald Trump Gavin's Dyslexia Isn't the Problem ... You Are!!!
Update
8:51 AM PT -- White House Spokesman Davis Ingle tells TMZ ... “President Trump is right. Gavin Newscum is the worst governor in America, and he also may be the dumbest.”
Jennifer Newsom is going full scorched earth on President Donald Trump after he came for her husband, the governor of California ... declaring she’s not letting a dig about dyslexia slide.
In a fiery IG video Monday, Jennifer shut it down fast, saying learning differences don’t define someone’s potential, but mocking them sure says a lot about you ... calling Trump’s comments offensive and ignorant.
Jennifer doubled down, pointing out people with learning challenges work twice as hard to prove themselves -- then flipped it, saying the one who’s actually unfit is Trump … and rattles off a list of facts about him she says prove it.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett Security Guard Shot Dead in Standoff With SWAT
Jasmine Crockett's security guard, who was shot and killed by a SWAT team in Texas, was captured on video in a police standoff moments before his death.
The Dallas Police Department held a press conference Monday and released dashcam footage showing what led up to Diamon-Mazairre Robinson's fatal encounter with law enforcement on March 11. Robinson had been working security for Crockett since 2023, when she began her first term in Congress as a Texas representative.
In the footage, cops say, Robinson was driving a car with stolen plates leading Dallas PD officers on a chase, which ended inside a hospital parking garage. As you can see, Robinson is surrounded by officers who order him out of his vehicle, telling him to drop his gun.
Jimmy Kimmel Slams Trump, FCC Over Iran War Coverage Threats
Jimmy Kimmel is once again pulling no punches when it comes to his longtime nemesis, President Donald Trump ... this time blasting the prez over the FCC's threat to revoke broadcasters' licenses because of Iran war coverage.
The late-night host said Trump is unleashing FCC Chairman Brendan Carr -- whom Kimmel dubbed Trump’s “attack schnauzer” -- on broadcast networks after Carr posted on X over the weekend, accusing broadcasters of “running hoaxes and news distortions” and warning them to “correct course before their license renewals come up.”
Carr bluntly warned broadcasters will lose their licenses if they do not "operate in the public interest" ... adding the media has "earned itself the label of fake news."
Kimmel fired back, saying the media never earned that label ... rather, "the First Fatso made that up and you ran with it."
Trump On Rep. Neal Dunn Doctors Told Him He'd Be Dead By June
President Trump says Rep. Neal Dunn had a terminal diagnosis that had him dying in June ... and POTUS claims he saved the guy.
Trump publicly revealed the grim outlook the GOP Congressman from Florida was facing in a press conference Monday on Capitol Hill.
GOP leaders were talking about their slim voting edge in the House when Trump brought up one Congressman in his party who was very ill ... Dunn.
The White House Mocks Democrats With Sombrero-Wearing Oscar
The Trump Administration endured a few jabs during last night's Oscars, but they're not taking it lying down ... in fact, they made up their own award to hand out.
In a post Monday on X, the White House wrote, "And the Academy Award goes to... the Democrats. For yet ANOTHER PERFORMATIVE SHUTDOWN -- putting political theater over the American people. Fund @DHSgov!"
The message captioned an edited picture of an Oscar statuette wearing a sombrero.
President Trump LOLs When Told Iran's New Leader May Be Gay: Report
President Trump laughed out loud when he was briefed about Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei possibly being sexually attracted to other men ... at least according to a new report.
Trump was shocked and amused when given intel on the Ayatollah's alleged sexual proclivities ... according to a new report Monday in the New York Post.
POTUS was also told Khamenei's father, who was killed in a missile strike at the outset of the Iran war, was concerned about his son taking over for him.
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles Is Battling Breast Cancer, Trump Says
President Donald Trump announced Monday his White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer.
According to the president, her prognosis is "excellent," and she'll continue to work full-time at the WH during treatment.
POTUS posted ... "Her Strength and her Commitment to continue doing the job she loves, and does so well, while undergoing treatment, tells you everything you need to know about her. Susie, as one of my closest and most important advisors, is tough and deeply committed to serving the American People."
Ivanka Trump & Jared Kushner Date Night While Dad Focuses On Iran
Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, are living their best lives in NYC while her father, President Donald Trump, continues Operation Epic Fury in Iran ... they were spotted heading to a boozy dinner with James Rothschild and Nicky Hilton on Sunday.
Check out the pics ... Jared and Ivanka left separately to meet up with their high-society friends. Kushner was seen carrying a bottle of wine, while Ivanka clutched a phone and pocketbook on the way to her waiting car.
As you know ... U.S.-Israeli strikes killed Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, last month, initiating a new all-out war in the Middle East.
The conflict has risen to a fever pitch as Iran has virtually closed the Strait of Hormuz -- a critical passage for global trade -- and sparked the "largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market," according to the International Energy Agency.
Meanwhile, back in New York, it was time to dine!