USA Update

A MECHANIC has warned drivers about issues with a fan-favorite vehicle after experts ranked it high on their list of small SUVs.

Auto expert website Edmunds put the Ford Escape as seventh out of 14 on their list of the best small SUVs – but drivers are saying the car doesn’t live up to the hype.

Tiktok/royaltyautoservice

Sherwood Cooke Jr. in a TikTok video for the account run by his garage, Royalty Auto Service[/caption]

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A 2024 Ford Escape plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, which Cooke warned against[/caption]

Sherwood Cooke Jr., who owns a garage called Royalty Auto Service with locations in Georgia, said that owners should “absolutely not” buy the Ford Escape in a video posted to TikTok.

The video, which has over 7,000 likes at the time of writing, was psoted by @royaltyautoservice on September 28 to the account’s 781,200 followers.

Cooke said he reacted to Edmunds’ list based on how often he sees certain vehicles broken in his shop – and disavowed most of the recommended cars including the Escape, the Ford Bronco Sport, and even Jeep Wranglers.

TikTok users tended to agree with Cooke in the comments of the post.

“Lol as a ford escape owner who got 2 transmissions in 3 years….. that quick no is absolutely warranted,” one response said.

“1 transmission and 1 new motor. New suspension system. It’s a 2017,” another shared their experience.

Other drivers asked for more clarification on why he didn’t recommend the vehicle.

“Why not a Ford Escape?” one asked.

“Would it be possible to get reasoning on why you say no on each model? just saying no explains nothing,” another complained.

Cooke said that the small SUV ranking made a “little bit more sense” than the extra small SUV ranking because he took into consideration how Edmunds decided on the lists.

While Cooke said that Edmunds is ranking based on comfort, he thought a more fair or accurate ranking would consist of how often the car breaks down or how long it might last.

After test driving the cars, Edmunds said that the 2024 Ford Escape is “more competitive” than it has been in the past.

“We give the Escape high marks for its comfortable ride and easy-to-use tech, but the non-electrified powertrains still make the hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions more appealing,” the experts at Edmunds said.

Cooke quickly shot down the Escape, along with the GMC Terrain, Kia Sportage, and multiple other cars.

However, he said the Nissan Rogue’s newer models seem promising – and he even agreed with a few of the choices on the list.

From the rankings, Cooke recommended that the Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forester, Mazda CX-5, and Honda CR-Vs as the best small-sized SUVs.

“If you’re keeping it for long term, we gotta start thinking about what these things are going to last,” Cooke said.

Edmunds put the Mazda CX-50, introduced in 2023, at the top of their rankings for the sedans.

Cooke said he could “maybe” understand that, but that it depends on the model.

The mechanic’s son, who filmed the video, agreed and said that they have to make their judgments based on their personal experiences with the vehicles.

“Some of them have a shorter track record than others and we have to go off track record because they do change year over year,” Sherwood Cooke III said.

TikTok users in the comments agreed and shared their love for Hondas and Toyotas, which were rarely mentioned on the rankings.

“Toyota and Honda have always been good for me,” one fan wrote.

Another shared, “Toyota & Honda all day!”

The U.S. Sun has reached out to Royalty Auto Service for comment.

PSYCHEDELIC drugs might still invoke images of The Beatles, Woodstock and flower power – but one day they could be prescribed by a doctor.

An emerging area of science is focusing on the idea that a “magic mushroom” trip can be beneficial for people with severe mental health issues.

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Magic mushrooms could transform medicine and be used to treat everything from depression to gambling and addiction[/caption]

Thomas Angus/Imperial College London

Researchers at Imperial College London published findings of a study last month[/caption]

Psilocybin is the active ingredient in “shrooms”, which when taken recreationally, gives people the giggles, hallucinations and a sense of awe at their surroundings.

But evidence suggests it can help us confront our deepest fears and traumas, and get the brain firing in novel ways.

Psilocybin is an illegal Class A drug, which makes it difficult and expensive for the small number of research centres in the UK to study it.

And one of the biggest barriers to the drug being taken seriously is its reputation.

Sam Lawes of the Centre for Evidence Based Drug Policy, told Sun Health: “It’s seen as a recreational drug and a party drug for festivals, but in terms of research we should treat it like a medicine.

“If it’s not an effective medicine, studies will show that.

“But so far, studies are showing great promise.”

A quarter of Brits will experience some form of mental health problem each year.

For many, medicines don’t work, NHS therapy is hard to access and waiting lists are growing.

Sam says: “You can see we’ve got a burning need for an alternative solution.”

Researchers at Imperial College London published findings of a study last month that compared two doses of psilocybin to the SSRI antidepressant escitalopram.

Both treatments were effective at reducing depression at a six-month follow-up.

But, unlike antidepressants, psilocybin didn’t stall sex drive.

Small studies have also shown the positive impact of psilocybin on eating disorders, anxiety, addictions, PTSD and OCD.

Psychiatrist Professor David Nutt, the leading expert in psychedelic research in the UK working at the Department of Brain Sciences at Imperial College London, has seen lives transformed with psilocybin.

He tells Sun Health: “It is almost certainly the most promising development innovation in the treatment of mental illness and also some neurological illnesses for 50 years.”

Typically, a trial participant takes a dose comparable to that taken recreationally, closes their eyes and listens to music.

Afterwards, volunteers talk things through with a therapist.

Though science is only beginning to understand this compound’s effects, MRI brain imaging has been “remarkable”, Prof Nutt says.

Scans by the team at Imperial, published in the journal Nature Medicine, have shown that psilocybin boosts connectivity in brain regions that have become rigid in those with depression.

Essentially it cracks open unused networks of the mind in a way not seen with antidepressants and this was linked with improved depressive symptoms.

‘UNUSED NETWORKS’

Columbia University has also shown that patients with body dysmorphic disorder had increased brain activity just one day after taking a 25mg dose of psilocybin.

Those with the greatest boost in neural connectivity had the most improvement in BDD symptoms a week later.

The effects of a single dose of pure psilocybin can last weeks, research suggests.

It is almost certainly the most promising development innovation in the treatment of mental illness and also some neurological illnesses for 50 years

Psychiatrist Professor David Nutt

A paper published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in August found 25mg of psilocybin plus psychological support had a “rapid and sustained antidepressant effect” over six weeks.

But the long-term effects, including comparison to traditional treatments, still needs studying.

Prof Nutt and colleagues will soon start trials to explore if psilocybin could treat opioid and gambling addictions.

He explains: “These are disorders in which people get locked into ways of thinking that they can’t escape from.

“Gamblers know they shouldn’t gamble, but they can’t stop.

“Depressed people know that they’re not worthless and guilty, but they can’t stop those thoughts.

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Psychiatrist Professor David Nutt is the leading expert in psychedelic research in the UK[/caption]

“These ruminations in the brain can be broken by psychedelics.

“For most people in these studies, their lives have been ruined and they feel depressed or anxious.

“After taking the psychedelics, they can see they are not a worthless person, they can forgive themselves and that is a great release.”

The problem is that trial participants want more of what made them better.

Prof Nutt says: “Depression is deep-seated and after a few months, it creeps back and they plead to have psilocybin again.”

Regardless, taking magic mushrooms in a hospital setting with a therapist to hand is safer than doing so in your living room.

Now, experts want psilocybin to be medicalised as cannabis was in 2018.

This would speed up research, but more importantly, allow doctors to prescribe it in the real world, they argue.

While the UK is usually a world leader in health sciences, other countries have forged ahead with psilocybin.

Prescribing psilocybin and MDMA for treatment-resistant depression has been legalised in Australia, and Colorado and Oregon, in the US, have legalised some use of psychedelics.

The Home Office told Sun Health it is “considering advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs on how best to reduce barriers to research with controlled drugs, including psilocybin, while ensuring they are not misused or exploited by criminals”.

The UK is lagging behind, mired in outdated laws and stigma

Tara Austin, Psilocybin Access Rights

In 2022, it rejected a bid to reclassify psilocybin, arguing that even if an application for a product licence was made, it would be up to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency to authorise it.

As psilocybin is a natural compound “it means drug companies won’t pay for the trials because they can’t reap financial reward afterwards,” says Prof Nutt.

Meanwhile, patients get caught in the middle. Labour MP Charlotte Nichols led a Commons debate on the topic last year.

She described her own PTSD as a “living hell” and said: “It feels like institutional cruelty to condemn us to our misery when there are proven, safe, and effective treatments if the Government would only let us access them.”

Steve Rolles, analyst at the Transform Drug Policy Foundation, added: “Politicians are very wary about being seen as soft on drugs.”

Tara Austin, of Psilocybin Access Rights, said: “The UK is lagging behind, mired in outdated laws and stigma.

“We’ve seen an alarming rise in antidepressant use in England, which is ineffective for many, with no innovative solutions in sight.

“Veterans with PTSD, and indeed all individuals facing mental health challenges, deserve better.”

While the future of magic mushrooms as medicine is uncertain, the advice for now is clear: “Don’t try this at home”.

WHITNEY Houston’s mom has died after battling an illness, her heartbroken family has confirmed.

Cissy Houston, who had a Grammy-winning singing career of her own, died at 91 years old.

AP:Associated Press

AP:Associated Press

Alamy

Cissy was surrounded by family in her New Jersey home when she died on Monday, according to the report first shared by The Associated Press.

Her cause of death was not immediately released, but she had been in hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease.

“Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness,” Pat Houston, Cissy’s daughter-in-law, said in a statement.

“We lost the matriarch of our family.”

“Mother Cissy has been a strong and towering figure in our lives.

“A woman of deep faith and conviction, who cared greatly about family, ministry, and community.

“Her more than seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain at the forefront of our hearts.”

Though she’s most known for being Whitney‘s mom, Cissy developed fame of her own by singing backup for artists like Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley.

The youngest of eight children, Cissy was born Emily Drinkard in Newark, New Jersey on September 30, 1933.

She sang with the vocal group the Sweet Inspirations, who sang backup for soul legends including Otis Redding, Dionne Warwick, and The Drifters.

The group was formed in 1963, just as Cissy was about to give birth to her daughter Whitney.

They also appeared on Van Morrison’s hit Brown Eyed Girl, and sang background vocals on The Jimi Hendrix Experiences’s Burning of the Midnight Lamp, both in 1967.

Houston last sang with the Sweet Inspirations at an Elvis Presley show in Las Vegas in 1969.

She left the group after four albums together and pursued a solo career, recording more than 600 songs in multiple genres.

Among the artists she sang for included Chaka Khan, Luther Vandross, Beyonce, Paul Simon, and Roberta Flack.

She also sang with her own daughter.

In the late 1990s, when Whitney was in the grips of drug addiction, Cissy staged several interventions to get her daughter into rehab programs.

She wrote in her 2013 book Remembering Whitney: My Story of Love, Loss, and the Night the Music Stopped, about going over to the house Whitney shared with her then-husband Bobby Brown.

Finding the walls and doors painted with disturbing drawings of glaring eyes and strange faces, Cissy left and returned with law enforcement to perform an intervention.

Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We lost the matriarch of our family.

Houston family statement

Cissy spoke out about certain media coverage after her daughter’s death on February 11, 2012.

“The media are awful,” she told New Jersey-based Fox affiliate WWOR.

“People have come from here and there, and don’t know what they’re talking about. People I haven’t seen in 20 years.

“Here they come, think they know everything, but that’s not true.

“But God has his way of taking care of all of it, and I’m glad I know that.

“They really chopped on her, chopped on her… kept, kept, kept.”

In the wake of her book’s release, Cissy gave an interview to Oprah Winfrey where she talked about her daughter’s struggles with drugs and the rumors about her sexuality.

The interview included a number of revelations, such as the fact that Whitney’s brother Michael had introduced the troubled singer to crack cocaine and not her husband Bobby Brown.

Cissy also described being “a wreck” when she learned of her daughter’s death and said she was alone when she found out.

The devastated mother also revealed she only learned the extent of Bobby’s “emotional abuse” of her daughter when Whitney appeared on Oprah’s show in 2009.

In the interview, Whitney said her husband once spat on her while their daughter watched.

Cissy said finding that out “hurt me to my heart… She never told me any of those things.”

Whitney’s mother also addressed rumors that her daughter was in a relationship with her female best friend, which she adamantly denied.

Asked if the women were romantically involved, Cissy said, “I don’t really know,” and added that she “absolutely” would have objected if her daughter was gay.

More to follow… For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos.

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SASHA ATTWOOD has been key in keeping boyfriend Jack Grealish’s spirits high after he missed out on a Euro 2024 spot for England.

The childhood sweethearts first started dating when they were teenagers at school together in Solihull and have now announced the arrival of their first child.

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Sasha Attwood has been with Manchester City footballer Jack Grealish since 2016[/caption]

Who is Sasha Attwood?

Sasha Attwood is a fashion model and influencer, best known as the partner of Manchester City and England player Jack Grealish.

She’s got more than 264,000 followers on Instagram – where she regularly shares stunning selfies and snaps.

Much like her partner, Sasha hails from Birmingham.

In December 2023, The Sun revealed that around ten relatives were cheering on the Manchester City star in his televised match at Everton when they heard noises upstairs and dogs barking frantically.

The terrified family then hit panic buttons as a gang of burglars looted his new home.

The shaken group — including fiancée Sasha Attwood, his parents, gran, two sisters and brother — dashed for cover at the unfamiliar mansion which Jack moved into just before Christmas.

Police fearing a hostage situation raced to the scene and a helicopter scoured the estate.

Despite extensive security and perimeter fencing around Jack’s   lavish home, the crooks got in and fled with £1million of watches and jewellery.

A source told The Sun: “The family are really shaken.

“The gang took a lot of watches and jewellery.

“They executed their raid when Manchester City were playing live on TV and all his family had gathered downstairs to cheer him on.

“No one was injured but there was a lot of panic.

“Everyone was terrified as they were all so vulnerable.

“It’s an enormous property, so it is understandable why no one heard anything at first.

“It was also the first time the family had visited  so they were unfamiliar with the property.

“When the dogs went mad, and they could hear people creeping about, they pressed the security panic alarm.

“An emergency unit responded immediately, with multiple police cars and a chopper deployed. ­Initially, they feared they could be facing a hostage situation or worse.”

Jack and model and influencer Sasha bought the “exceptional modern” seven-bed mansion set in 24 acres last year but have only just moved in.

Do they have any kids together?

Grealish, 28, missed out on the final 26-man England squad for Euro 2024, leaving him “stunned and upset”.

However, that gave him the chance to enjoy some R&R alongside his long-term partner – and support her as the pair revealed in July, 2024 they were expecting a baby.

Sasha took to social media to share the news with her followers.

She captioned a picture of the baby bump with: “Half of me , half of you – beyond blessed ”

On October 7, 2024, Grealish announced on his own Instagram their daughter had arrived.

The doting father shared an image of the baby gripping a finger with the caption “Mila Rose Grealish 27/09/24”.

When did Sasha Attwood start dating Jack Grealish?

Sasha and Jack Grealish have been together since they were 16.

They met while attending St Peter’s Roman Catholic Secondary School in Solihull, West Midlands.

It is not known if they remained as a couple for all of that time.

Who has Sasha Attwood modelled for?

While Jack has been making headlines on the pitch, Sasha has been forging her own career path.

She was scouted by a modelling agent at just 13 while out on a shopping trip with her mum in Birmingham.

According to her Instagram, the model is represented by Elite Model World and and Jadore Models Manchester.

She has also modelled for a number of high profile labels, including Loreal and Lounge Underwear.

COSTCO members have been left furious after the chain has added a fresh new food court item – but only in Canada.

The new sushi in the food court has left fans amazed – especially as it is reportedly made with real crab.

Instagram / sopheats

@Sopheats told her followers about the Costco find[/caption]

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Apparently the sushi is only available in Canada[/caption]

One Costco member took to Instagram to share her find.

User @Sopheats captioned her video: “BETWEEN THE COSTCO PIZZA AND THE COSTCO COOKIE, THERE IS SUSHI?

“Anyone can order from the food court, you don’t need a costco card.

“I was pretty excited to see this because I don’t like greasy or fried food so sushi is the option I’d go for.”

She told viewers how eight “huge” pieces of delicious sushi were priced at only $9.99.

The influencer also shared how each roll comes with real cab, avocado and cucumber.

The post has accumulated nearly 50,000 likes and loads of comments from fellow Costco shoppers.

But the catch of the bargain sushi is that it’s apparently only available in Canada – leaving shoppers devastated.

One user said: “Wish they have it at my local Costco.”

Upon finding out the sushi is in Canada, a happy Costco shopper commented: “Omg yes my day has been made!”

It comes as Costco’s chief financial officer has claimed there has been no significant reaction to the membership price increases.

Gary Millerchip’s comments come after a number of disgruntled shoppers voiced concerns over the rising cost last month with some even declaring they won’t be renewing their Costco membership.

Costco fans were left fuming after the chain introduced an increase in its membership fees for the first time in seven years on September 1.

Fees rose from $60 to $65 with the Executive Membership also increasing from $120 to $130 a year.

CFO and Executive Vice President Millerchip defended the price hike when asked about it at the end of last month on an earnings call.

He said: “We were very deliberate in delaying the increase until we felt that we started to see inflation dissipate and our members were spending more in nonfood categories seeing that they were coming through the inflationary period.

“I think there’s been a recognition that in the context of what’s happened ore broadly over the last seven years we stayed true to our principles of really trying to help the member and deliver the value.”

And an angry Costco member has blasted the retail chain for for its “pointless” checkout policy online.

The irate man took to social media platform X (formally Twitter) to beg the chain for change.

He wrote: “Dear Costco and Sams Club – It p***es me off every time I shop that I have to stand in line to check out and and then stand in line to again for my receipt to be checked after I just left the checkout line.

“This is absolutely pointless, just like your membership fees!

“It’s time for a change!”

PYREX is set to refund thousands of customers as part of an $88,000 settlement over a misleading label.

The compensation will go to more than 10,200 customers who purchased Pyrex measuring cups marketed in a way that misled customers.

Getty Images - Getty

It stems from an investigation by the Federal Trade Commission, which revealed a portion of the measuring cups marketed as “Made in USA” by Instant Brands was produced in China.

The controversy surrounding Instant Brands emerged in 2023 when the FTC charged the company with misleading advertising practices, per a release.

Investigators found that while Pyrex has long emphasized its American-made identity, the surge in demand for its products during the Covid-19 pandemic prompted the company to produce some measuring cups in China.

The FTC’s findings indicated that over 110,000 units of these Chinese-made measuring cup sets were sold to US consumers under the misleading “Made in USA” label.

As a result of the investigation, Instant Brands agreed to a settlement with the FTC.

It prohibited the company from making deceptive claims regarding the origin of its products.

In addition, it imposed a monetary judgment to compensate affected consumers.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The FTC will issue checks to 10,259 impacted consumers, with the median refund amount being approximately $8 per customer.

The agency advises recipients to cash their checks within 90 days, as indicated on the checks.

Each state has at least one affected consumer, highlighting the widespread nature of this issue.

Consumers with questions about their refunds can contact the refund administrator, Simpluris, at 833-244-7320.

They also have the option to visit the FTC website for frequently asked questions regarding the refund process.

Importantly, the FTC clarifies that it does not require individuals to pay money or provide account information to receive refunds.

MORE SETTLEMENTS

Thousands of dollars are available as part of a settlement with Acrisure, a financial technology and insurance brokerage company, over a 2022 data breach.

While Acrisure has not admitted wrongdoing, the company agreed to settle claims that it failed to implement adequate cybersecurity measures, compromising sensitive consumer information.

The settlement offers up to $4,000 for those affected by the December 2022 breach.

To qualify for payment, individuals must submit a claim form by November 14, 2024.

This, along with supporting documents like account statements, tax records, and fraud reports.

Claimants may also be eligible to receive compensation for up to four hours of lost time, reimbursed at a rate of $25 per hour.

In addition, two years of one-bureau credit monitoring and identity protection services are available.

BILL Belichick has made another public appearance with his girlfriend Jordon Hudson.

Hudson is 49 years younger than Belichick, with the pair meeting in 2021.

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Bill Belichick was seen on Jordon Hudson’s Instagram in a Taylor Swift sweatshirt[/caption]

Instagram/alojzije_jankovic

Belichick and Hudson started dating last year[/caption]

Their relationship exploded into the public eye earlier this year, and since then they have been more relaxed about being seen together.

As summer rolled along, the two were spotted out together more frequently than ever before.

To commemorate a fun summer, the 23-year-old Hudson shared a bunch of pictures to her Instagram account.

“Summation of summer,” she captioned the post.

In the post there was a picture of her cozied up alongside Belichick in front of a lighthouse.

Belichick can be seen wearing a Taylor Swift sweatshirt as he posed alongside his girlfriend.

He featured in a number of other snaps in the summer roundup from Hudson, including pictures from hikes and vacations.

Fans went wild for the pictures and shared their thoughts in Hudson’s comments.

“He’s wearing Eras tour tee, Goat,” one fan said.

“Bill in the blue Eras Tour crewneck is something I thought I would never see in my life,” another fan said.

“Your making my coach happy, thanks,” a third fan said.

“Can’t see Billy being a Swifty,” a fourth fan said.

“Bill is still playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers that’s why he’s the goat,” a fifth fan said.

Belichick is without a coaching position this NFL season, and he is spending much of his time off with Hudson.

While he is busy with some TV opportunities on ESPN, he is still being spotted out with his girlfriend often.

Recently he was seen enjoying a bike ride with Hudson around Nantucket in Massachusetts.

She also joined him on a trip to Croatia this year and was at his side for Tom Brady‘s Patriots hall of fame ceremony.

The two look very happy together, and sources have confirmed that fact as well.

“He is a very happy man,” a source exclusively told The U.S. Sun.

“He has found a great person that makes him happy, that is the most important thing.”

Instagram/jordon_isabella

Belichick and Hudson have gone more public with their relationship this summer[/caption]

THE Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes have some major injury concerns ahead of their New Orleans Saints showdown.

The Chiefs are looking to win at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday Night Football to take their record to an unbeaten 5-0.

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Patrick Mahomes has issues with his offense – but not with tight end Travis Kelce[/caption]

Reuters

Mahomes and Kelce will lead their Chiefs side against the New Orleans Saints[/caption]

They have had a solid start to the season, winning close ties and beating some of their nearest Super Bowl rivals.

The Chiefs have already defeated the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals at home.

They’ve also traveled to the Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Chargers and been victorious.

And now they are looking to make it five in a row in the 2024-25 NFL season with a win on Monday.

But Mahomes has a number of injury issues in his offence to contend with.

Firstly, Mecole Hardman is questionable with a knee injury, and facing a late fitness test.

The 26-year-old is a key member of the attacking side of the ball, and caught the touchdown that won the Super Bowl last year.

He did not practice at all on Friday and was limited the day before.

Meanwhile, Kareem Hunt has a shoulder problem going into the Saints clash.

He was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday last week.

The 29-year-old was only signed in September to help ease their running back woes.

Isiah Pacheco, their first choice star, could miss the rest of the season with a broken leg.

And Clyde Edwards-Helaire is bravely battling health issues off the field.

Meanwhile, Derrick Nnadi, the defensive tackle, is recovering from a triceps injury.

Nick Bolton has hamstring problems, and Mike Danna is fighting a calf issue.

All this comes after Andy Reid made a final decision over Travis Kelce‘s starting spot.

The Hall of Fame bound tight end has had a mixed start to the season, struggling for the most part.

He made a return to form against the Chargers, but there has been calls for him to be benched.

However, the Chiefs will not be moving away from their 34-year-old star tight end.

Backup Noah Gray is there if needed, and Jody Fortson was elevated from the practice squad.

Thousands of anti-Israel protesters flooded Manhattan's streets Monday to mark the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 terror attack -- creating havoc and keeping the NYPD high alert.

We American Jews were treated Monday to a reminder that the marauders who want us dead are alive and well in New York City.