On the authorized entrance, it’s been a superb 24 hours for Fox Information.

Hours after President Biden introduced he would withdraw from his 2024 re-election bid on Sunday, Hunter Biden dropped his lawsuit towards Fox Information for airing salacious photos of his personal misconduct taken from his private laptop computer.

On Monday, a federal decide dismissed a defamation case filed by a former Biden administration official. He dominated that Nina Jankowicz’s authorized claims cited statements that had been typically correct, broadly talking, or fell into the classes of opinion or statements that would not be disproven.

“This was a politically motivated lawsuit aimed toward silencing free speech and we’re happy with the court docket’s resolution to guard the First Modification,” a press release from a Fox Information spokesperson learn. Jankowicz’s attorneys say they’ll attraction the choice.

A mock trial of the president’s son

In Hunter Biden’s case, the express photos had been included as a part of a six-part collection first posted in 2022 on its streaming service, Fox Nation. The collection staged a mock trial of the youthful Biden over his international enterprise dealings.

Hunter Biden was discovered responsible final month on felony gun costs and faces legal tax costs in September.

The Fox Nation collection remained obtainable till earlier this 12 months, when Hunter Biden made public his menace to sue the community. The photographs confirmed him consuming crack cocaine and cavorting with prostitutes.

The community took down the collection out of what a spokesperson referred to as “an abundance of warning.” Fox nonetheless strongly defended its protection, explicitly noting when the lawsuit was filed earlier this month that Hunter Biden was a public determine and a convicted felon.

“In line with the First Modification, Fox Information has precisely lined the newsworthy occasions of Mr. Biden’s personal making,” the community stated then in a press release. Fox pointed to its earlier remark after Biden dropped the swimsuit. Biden’s legal professional didn’t reply to NPR’s request for remark from her shopper.

Biden would have had a tricky slog in making a declare for defamation, given his household’s prominence, the repeated reminders all through Fox’s mock trial that the proceedings weren’t actual, and Biden’s actual and noteworthy authorized troubles.

Biden as an alternative sued below New York state’s revenge porn statutes, below which it’s unlawful to distribute sexually express photos or movies with out the consent of these depicted or “harassing, annoying or alarming” the topics of such materials by posting it or threatening to take action.

In April, Biden’s attorneys stated they’d been pressuring Fox privately to retract tales and segments selling unsubstantiated allegations that he had helped to funnel thousands and thousands of {dollars} in bribes to his father, the president, from Ukrainian pursuits. In keeping with the liberal watchdog group Media Issues, Fox stars ifeatured such claims a whole lot of occasions.

A key supply of these claims, Alexander Smirnov, has admitted that “officers related to Russian intelligence had been concerned” in circulating the allegations. He now faces federal costs of mendacity to the FBI about these very allegations. Fox stated it has lined that growth in subsequent studies.

President Biden introduced his resolution to step except for the 2024 race early Sunday afternoon. Hunter Biden praised his father in a press release launched publicly for providing “unconditional love… as a president and as a mother or father.” Hours later, in keeping with court docket information, the youthful Biden filed papers to withdraw his swimsuit.

Choose dismisses disinformation knowledgeable’s swimsuit

In Jankowicz’s case, U.S. District Courtroom Choose Colm F. Connolly dismissed every ingredient of her defamation lawsuit towards Fox. Jankowicz is a scholar who research disinformation, democracy and freedom of expression.

In spring of 2022, the Biden administration appointed her to steer the brand new Disinformation Governance Board inside the U.S. Division of Homeland Safety. Simply three weeks into the job, Jankowicz give up, saying she had been subjected to loss of life threats and instructed by a non-public safety advisor to depart her residence. The board was disbanded.

In her swimsuit, Jankowicz asserted that Fox had wrongly led viewers to imagine that she supposed to behave in live performance with main social media corporations to censor American’s on-line speech, that she had been fired moderately than left voluntarily, and that she wished to “give verified Twitter customers the facility to edit others’ tweets” — an accusation based mostly on a manipulated video phase. (She had endorsed a reform that’s very similar to the “group notes” function permitting customers so as to add context, which Elon Musk has embraced since taking up Twitter and renaming it X.)

On the time of Jankowicz’s submitting, authorized students instructed NPR it was a attain: the bar for successful defamation instances is raised considerably for public officers, as free speech traditions search to offer People sturdy operating room to criticize individuals holding vital authorities posts.

Choose Connolly held that a number of of the offending statements on Fox had been true. For defamatory claims to be upheld, these statements would have needed to be discovered damaging and false. (Moreover, Fox would have needed to know, or had purpose to know, they had been false.)

He cited dictionary entries to say the statements on Fox encompassed honest descriptions below generally understood definitions of phrases in query. And he rejected Jankowicz’s quotation of moments when commentators referred to the disinformation board with out naming her, although her picture was on display screen.

Fox celebrated the choice by Connolly, who was nominated by then-President Donald Trump and had the help of Delaware’s two senators, each Democrats. Lately, Fox has been mired in unwelcome scrutiny and authorized challenges for what it has broadcast on quite a lot of political tales – largely aiding Trump’s pursuits.

Fox Information paid $787.5 million a 12 months in the past to settle a defamation swimsuit stemming from its amplification of false claims {that a} voting machine firm had helped rig the 2020 election in favor of President Biden. It’s dealing with a multi-billion greenback lawsuit from a second voting tech firm on the identical grounds, although the community says it expects to prevail. In 2020, Fox paid thousands and thousands to the mother and father of Seth Wealthy, a slain Democratic occasion staffer, to settle their swimsuit over the community’s reporting on him, since retracted.

Slash introduced the passing of his stepdaughter, Lucy Bleu-Knight, 25, on Monday morning (July 22). In a publish, the Weapons N’ Roses guitarist and solo star posted a tribute to the younger lady he referred to as an “extremely proficient artist, a passionate dreamer, and a captivating, lovable, candy soul.”

The publish famous that Bleu-Knight, born on Dec. 6, 1998, was the “beloved daughter of Meegan Hodges and Mark Knight, stepdaughter of Samantha Somers Knight and Slash, sister of Scarlet Knight, stepsister of London and Money Hudson,” and that she died in Los Angeles on July 19; Slash’s start title is Saul Hudson and Meegan Hodges is the guitarist’s longtime girlfriend.

At press time no details about Bleu-Knight’s reason for loss of life was out there and the household requested for privateness throughout this time, including a request that “social media hypothesis be stored to a minimal as they grieve and course of this devastating loss.”

On Sunday morning (July 21), Slash additionally introduced the cancellation of 4 dates on his S.E.R.P.E.N.T. tour, asserting that “as a result of unexpected circumstances, the S.E.R.P.E.N.T. tour regrettably has to cancel the under performances.” A spokesperson for Slash had not returned Billboard‘s request for touch upon the reason for the present cancellations.

The affected reveals are:

July 22 — Cincinnati, OH @ PNC Pavilion at Riverbend

July 24 — Interlochen, MI @ Interlochen Middle for the Arts

July 25 — Huber Heights, OH @ Rose Music Middle

July 27 — Windsor, ON @ The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor

The touring blues competition encompasses a headlining set from Slash and help on choose dates from the Warren Hayes Band, Keb’ Mo’, Larkin Poe, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Samantha Fish, ZZ Ward, Robert Randolph, Eric Gales and Jackie Venson. The following scheduled date on the tour is a July 28 present in Toronto on the Budweiser Stage.

See Slash’s posts under.

Weapons N’ Roses guitarist Slash confirmed Sunday that his girlfriend’s daughter, Lucy-Bleu Knight, has died at 25.

The Grammy-winning rocker, whose actual identify is Saul Hudson, introduced the demise on Instagram in a press release that stated Knight died final week. His accomplice Meegan Hodges — Knight’s mom — posted an similar assertion on her account and requested a restrict to hypothesis about her daughter’s demise.

“Lucy-Bleu Knight (December 6, 1998), beloved daughter of Meegan Hodges and Mark Knight, stepdaughter of Samantha Somers Knight and Slash, sister of Scarlet Knight, stepsister of London and Money Hudson handed peacefully in Los Angeles, CA on July 19, 2024,” the assertion learn.

“Lucy-Bleu was a proficient artist, a passionate dreamer, and an enthralling, lovable, candy soul,” the assertion stated. “The household asks for privateness right now and requests that social media hypothesis be stored to a minimal as they grieve and course of this devastating loss.”

Knight died Friday at a personal residence in Los Angeles, in response to data from the Los Angeles County medical expert’s workplace.
Knight’s case continues to be open. No method of demise has been decided and the reason for demise has been deferred for extra investigation, on-line data stated Tuesday. The physique’s standing is listed as “prepared for launch” and an investigator has been assigned to the case.

Hours after the household posted about Knight’s demise, a cryptic put up went up on her Instagram account that led many to imagine she had scheduled it to be printed earlier than her demise, fueling hypothesis within the missive’s remark part.

“Whether or not I made you’re feeling excluded, manipulated/ managed you, advised you to stop your day job from the consolation of being financially supported by my dad and mom, or drowned actual points in poisonous positivity – I’m sorry,” the put up stated. “Numerous missed alternatives and connections on account of a disgustingly huge ego, insecure coronary heart and worry of being susceptible. Might my soul be taught to evolve from my poor job at being Lucy-Bleu. Peace.”

Slash, 58, shares 21-year-old London and 20-year-old Money with ex-wife Perla Ferrar. The heavy-metal musician and Hodges dated within the late Eighties and reportedly rekindled their romance after he filed for divorce in 2014. (He and Ferrar finalized their cut up in 2018.)

London Hudson, who can also be a musician, reposted the household assertion Monday, in addition to an illustration of Knight with angel wings, on his Instagram story: “Relaxation In Paradise Lucy,” he wrote.

The spouse of 65-year-old former Mets basic supervisor Omar Minaya was abruptly discovered useless on the couple’s New Jersey house Monday, authorities say, although they don’t suspect any criminality right now.

Minaya, who’s at the moment with the Yankees in a entrance workplace function, was not at their Harrington Park house when his spouse Rachel, 55, was discovered unconscious round 3:30 p.m. Saturday, in response to police.

She was pronounced useless at a hospital about an hour later.

The Bergen County prosecutor says his workplace is investigating.

The circumstances concerned don’t seem suspicious, nonetheless a ruling on the trigger and method of demise is pending, investigators say. They’re releasing no additional info right now.

Extra info is predicted to be launched because it turns into accessible.

The Yankees group stated the Minaya household “is an extension of the baseball household, and this can be a loss that’s deeply felt amongst all of us.” Minaya is at the moment a senior advisor within the Yankees baseball operations division.

“The Yankees are devastated to be taught of the passing of Rachel Minaya, the spouse of Yankees Baseball Operations Senior Advisor Omar Minaya,” the Yankees stated in a press release. “To these closest to her, she was a loving and compassionate mom and spouse, and an enormous supporter of her household and family members.”

Omar Minaya, 65, was with the Mets beginning within the mid-Nineteen Nineties. He labored his approach as much as assistant basic supervisor behind Steve Phillips and later grew to become the primary Latino to carry a basic supervisor job within the MLB with the Expos. Then he went again to the Mets after the 2004 season and made notable signings, together with Pedro Martinez and Carlos Beltran. After some organizational shakeups and a stint with the Padres, Minaya landed again with the Mets in 2017.

He was fired two hours after Steve Cohen purchased the crew. He joined with the Yankees as a senior advisor to baseball operations in January 2023.

“We have been tremendously saddened to be taught of Rachel Minaya’s passing,” Cohen and his spouse, Alex, stated in a press release. “Omar had a considerable influence on our group and his spouse, Rachel, was all the time by his aspect each step of the way in which. The Minayas have been pricey pals of ours for years and we lengthen our deepest condolences to Omar’s total household and family members.”

Minaya was drafted by the Athletics within the 1978 MLB Draft. He had a short-lived taking part in profession.

A investigation is underway for Rachel Minaya, spouse of Yankees govt Omar Minaya, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Workplace introduced on Monday. 

In a launch issued Monday, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella mentioned the Harrington Park Police Division responded Saturday afternoon to a 9-1-1 name reporting an unconscious and unresponsive grownup feminine found within the toilet of a non-public residence. Musella mentioned police arrived on the residence at about 3:32 p.m.

Upon arrival, first responders positioned the 55 12 months outdated and tried to resuscitate her.

Minaya was transported through ambulance to Hackensack Meridian Well being Pascack Valley Medical Heart in Westwood. 

She was pronounced useless at 4:26 p.m.

Was Omar Minaya residence when his spouse was discovered?

Omar Minaya was not residence on the time of his spouse’s demise, in accordance with the New York Submit.

The circumstances concerned don’t seem suspicious, Musella mentioned. Nevertheless, a ruling on the trigger and method of demise is pending. 

Further particulars usually are not obtainable because the investigation continues, officers mentioned.

The Minayas have two sons, Justin and Teddy.

Baseball:Omar Minaya is newest veteran govt to affix Yankees’ entrance workplace

Omar Minaya joined the Yankees at first of 2023 as a senior adviser to common supervisor Brian Cashman. He beforehand served because the Mets’ common supervisor from 2004 to 2010 and as a particular assistant to a number of GMs from 2017 to 2020.

Whereas a lot of the nation’s consideration has understandably been centered on the White Home, one former New Jersey lawmaker thought the president’s choice could possibly be a teachable second for a sure senior senator from the Backyard State.

Retired state Sen. Loretta Weinberg, a veteran Bergen County Democrat, posted a message to Sen. Bob Menendez on X, the platform that had been referred to as Twitter, on Sunday evening. The publish reads “Sen. Menendez – message to you despatched by Pres. Biden on how you can behave! Hope you acknowledge receipt.”

Within the publish, Weinberg referred the truth that President Joe Biden withdrew his bid for re-election after weeks of hypothesis about his subsequent transfer from social gathering officers.

Will Bob Menendez keep within the Senate race?

Menendez, convicted on 16 felony prices in federal court docket earlier this month, is dealing with calls to resign for the great of the social gathering. His colleagues together with — Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer of New York, New Jersey’s Sen. Cory Booker and Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania have all mentioned it’s time for him to step down. Gov. Phil Murphy referred to as on the Senate to expel Menendez if he doesn’t depart on his personal.

Shortly after the decision was introduced final week, Menendez vowed to enchantment and mentioned he believes “the regulation and the information didn’t maintain that call.”

NJ senate race:Will Sen. Bob Menendez stay defiant and keep as an impartial candidate?

His Senate seat is on the poll this fall however his present time period runs by means of the tip of the 12 months. Menendez didn’t have interaction in what was at occasions a extremely contentious main for the Democratic nomination for this 12 months’s senatorial election however continues to be on the poll.

He filed in June — throughout the trial — to run as an impartial. The Democratic candidate on the poll this fall shall be Rep. Andy Kim — the Burlington County congressman who has an outspoken critic of Menendez and who declared his candidacy in the future after the senator was indicted. Menendez and Kim will each face Republican hotelier Curtis Bashaw.

Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. E mail: sobko@northjersey.com

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a 1975 graduate of the College of Virginia College of Legislation who championed efforts to advertise equality throughout her 30-year profession in Congress, died Friday from pancreatic most cancers. She was 74.

Jackson Lee, who was lively within the Black American Legislation College students Affiliation on the Legislation College, represented Texas’ Houston-based 18th District, a Democratic stronghold, since 1994, after serving on Houston’s Metropolis Council and as a municipal choose.

In Congress, she was a lead sponsor of laws making Juneteenth a federal vacation in 2021. The date commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, and introduced that greater than 250,000 enslaved Black individuals within the state had been free.

“I thought of these slaves, who had been born, lived and died, and by no means had been honored, and by no means knew freedom,” Jackson Lee advised TV station KHOU at a Juneteenth prayer service in Houston in 2022.

President Joe Biden referred to as Jackson Lee “unrelenting” in her management.

“All the time fearless, she spoke fact to energy and represented the facility of the individuals of her district in Houston with dignity and charm,” Biden stated in a press release.

Go to the College of Legislation’s web site for extra about Jackson Lee, her time at UVA and her efforts on behalf of racial justice and fairness.