A California teenager pleaded guilty Friday to repeatedly kicking a sea lion in the face and chasing the animal as it tried to escape, according to video of the attack.Tyler Muehl, 18, who lives in the San Diego seaside neighborhood of La Jolla, entered his plea in a federal courtroom to a misdemeanor violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Acts prohibition on harassing wildlife, the Justice Department said."Federal crime. Federal consequences," U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon wrote in a statement.SUSPECT IN VIRAL MONK SEAL HARASSMENT VIDEO SAYS HE WAS DOXXED AS FEDERAL COURT FIGHT BEGINSThe incident was investigated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Muehl admitted to kicking the sea lion on July 22 as the mammal was peacefully sitting on a seawall, federal prosecutors said."Intentionally striking or kicking a marine mammal is not only illegal, it is dangerous for the well-being of the animal," said NOAA official Eric Morgan.The teen approached the animal with his hands squared up as if he were preparing to fight, authorities said. As he made his approach, Muehl referred to himself as Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter Max Holloway.He then kicked the animal four times, "which caused the sea lion to rear, flinch and immediately recoil," prosecutors said.EL-SAYED IN THE HOT SEAT AFTER 'SICKENING' ANIMAL CONTROL RECORD GOES VIRAL ON SOCIAL MEDIA"After the second kick, the sea lion turned and tried to flee, but Muehl chased after the animal and kicked at it a third time," a DOJ news release states. "As the sea lion tried to get away, it stumbled on the sea wall as it fled."Officials said the teen kicked the sea lion again and chased it until the animal made its escape.As part of his plea agreement, Muehl said the video, which went viral online, was a "fair and accurate recording of what occurred."People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) commented on the incident on its social media accounts."Assault is ASSAULT, no matter the species," the group wrote on X in a July 24 post. "Leave animals ALONE, and always speak up when you witness abuse."Muehl faces up to one year in prison and $100,000 in fines. He is expected to be sentenced Oct. 20.Fox News Digital has reached out to Muehl's attorney for comment.

The UK will look at watering down its zero-emission vehicle sales mandate, a win for automakers that have been pushing new Prime Minister Andy Burnham to bring forward a review of the targets.

Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa said he was "frustrated and disappointed" after Friday night's preseason loss to the Broncos, during which he played two series and was 3-of-5 passing for 22 yards.

DFW Airport canceled plans for an Islamic foot-washing station as Gov. Greg Abbott ordered a review of state grants to Texas airports.

A federal appeals court on Aug. 14 revived a Department of Justice (DOJ) subpoena seeking information from a Washington state provider of so-called transgender healthcare to minors, which a lower court

Jason Arday, the ex-Cambridge professor who sparked an international controversy over plagiarism allegations, was found dead Friday, according to multiple reports.BBC News reported that a man at a south London address was found "unresponsive" and that, according to the Metropolitan Police, "a 41-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene and his next of kin have been informed.""At this time, his death is being treated as unexpected, but is not believed to be suspicious," Met Police said in a statement to BBC News."We are desperately saddened to hear this tragic news," Cambridge University Vice Chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice told Fox News Digital. "Our heartfelt sympathies go to Jason Arday's family and friends at this incredibly difficult time."CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR RESIGNS AFTER MAJOR PLAGIARISM ACCUSATIONS PROMPT INVESTIGATIONThe Metropolitan Police did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment.Last week, Arday resigned as a sociology professor at Cambridge University after the university announced an investigation into his academic qualifications and honorary appointments amid plagiarism accusations, with one accuser telling Fox News Digital Arday had been hired to be the "face of DEI."This week also marked the release of his memoir, "Great and Unfortunate Things," which had also come under scrutiny due to some of the questionable claims Arday had made about his background. Publisher Simon & Schuster had stood by releasing the book in statements to the media.Accusations against Arday resurfaced last month from former Cambridge philosophy researcher Nathan Cofnas, who published a Substack article alleging that Arday was a known "plagiarist and fabulist" for more than a year, and much of his personal biography was questionable.CAMPUS ANTISEMITISM EXTENDS BEYOND STUDENT PROTESTS AND INTO CLASSROOMS, ADL WARNSCofnas first expressed doubt about Arday's background after the educator said he had been nonverbal until age 11 and practically illiterate until 18, while still being able to get a Ph.D. in 2015 and eventually becoming the youngest Black professor at Cambridge University in 2023.Using the plagiarism detection program Copyleaks, Cofnas said he found several examples of Arday directly lifting materials from a 2009 dissertation without proper citation and sometimes even retaining copy editing mistakes. Other earlier papers written by Arday were also issued corrections to add more citations, which Cofnas characterized as an admission of plagiarism.CAMPUS GRADUATION CHAOS SHOWS HIGHER EDUCATION NEEDS A SERIOUS MORAL RESETArday's appointment in 2023 received massive media attention, much of it celebrating the hiring as a landmark moment.In addition to the plagiarism allegations, Arday faced further scrutiny about his biography. Among his boldest claims was that he once ran 30 marathons in 35 days to raise money for charity, an astonishing long-distance feat for even standout runners.After initially rushing to Arday's defense, Cambridge ultimately launched an investigation into the professor."The University of Cambridge has begun an investigation following new information about Professor Ardays academic qualifications and honorary appointments. In order to ensure a fair process, we will not comment further until this has concluded," the statement said.Shortly after the statement was released, Arday released his own statement through the Good Law Project announcing he was resigning with "immediate effect," noting "public scrutiny" as a factor."Sadly, the years since my appointment have also been marked by an unrelenting level of public scrutiny and personal attack. While criticism is an inevitable part of academic life, what I have experienced has gone far beyond scholarly disagreement. The relentless accusations, speculation and public commentary have taken a profound toll on me and on those I love," Arday wrote."I have tried to continue because I believe deeply in the values of higher education, in rigorous scholarship, and in the transformative power of universities. I have tried because of my students, my colleagues and the countless people who have written to tell me that my journey gave them hope. But there comes a point when the personal cost becomes too great."Fox News' Lindsay Kornick contributed to this report.

Some Mastercard card payments are being declined for Australian customers on Saturday afternoon because of a global issue, Commonwealth Bank of Australia said.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he felt "pretty confident" about Shohei Ohtani returning to the mound this season after the two-way star threw a 35-pitch bullpen session Friday.

Bill DeLind thought the Picasso print that was stolen from his gallery in 2018 was gone forever.

By Samuel Ben-Ur, Op-ed contributor Saturday, August 15, 2026iStock/wildpixelIn China, faith in Christ as the only way to Heavenisconsidered cultist theology by the government. In Russia,

FIRST ON FOX: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday directed a review of state grants to entities operating two major Texas airports over religious accommodations after Dallas Fort Worth International Airport said it would no longer move forward with a proposal to install Islamic washing stations.Abbott said the state will review grants to entities operating DFW and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston for possible revocation and denial of future funding. He also referred both airports to the U.S. Department of Transportation for investigation."Government-owned airports cannot favor one religion over all others," Abbott wrote on X Friday. "DFW plans to install Islamic wudu washing facilities are illegal. I've directed a review of all state grants to both airports for possible revocation, and referred DFW & IAH to USDOT for investigation."Texas will not allow illegal religious discrimination at taxpayer-funded facilities."DALLAS-FORT WORTH AIRPORT TO INSTALL ISLAMIC FOOT WASH STATIONS INSIDE BATHROOMSDFW told Fox News Digital Friday it had been evaluating a proposal to add ablution washing stations on the pre-security side of Terminal D, its international terminal, but accelerated that review in response to increased public attention."DFW was in the process of evaluating an internal proposal to add a set of ablution washing stations on the pre-security side of Terminal D, the international terminal. Like all proposed projects, the airport ultimately considers the operational benefits, customer service impacts, operational risks and costs before approving them," the airport said."While that evaluation was planned, the airport accelerated its review due to elevated public interest this week and has determined not to proceed with the project as it would not deliver the originally anticipated operational benefits."The project was registered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation July 31. The filing initially listed the project as privately funded, estimated its cost at $300,000 and indicated construction would be completed by the end of the year.DFW previously said those details resulted from administrative errors by the airport's outside design firm and stressed that the project had not received final approval.CONNECTICUT BARS NATIVITY DISPLAY IN STATE CAPITOL BECAUSE IT'S 'RELIGIOUS,' LAWSUIT THREAT SAYS"While the estimate noted was $300,000, that was a preliminary high estimate, and we expect the project, if it were approved to proceed, would cost closer to $120,000," a spokesperson for DFW previously told Fox News Digital.The airport said the design firm also mistakenly selected "privately funded" when submitting the regulatory filing."That was an error, and it should have indicated that airport funds would be used to pay for the work like all our projects," DFW said.DFW said it does not use taxpayer dollars for airport operations and instead relies on revenue streams, including parking and concessions.MYSTERY WI-FI NETWORK ABOARD FLIGHT RAISES UNUSUAL ALARM ABOUT TRAVELERS' INFORMATIONAbbott's office said Friday that George Bush Intercontinental Airport already has an ablution station and an adjoining prayer room.In a letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Abbott asked the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration to review religious facilities and accommodations at both airports."These ablution facilities appear designed to single out one subset of the population for special treatment based on religion. That is illegal," Abbott said. "Both airports are government-owned facilities. The federal and state constitutions prohibit government from facilitating this sort of discrimination. Just as the government cannot favor the secular over the sacred, it also cannot favor one religious view over all others."Abbott's office said recipients of state grants must certify compliance with laws prohibiting discrimination.Similar low-level basins and interfaith spaces exist at other major U.S. airports, including Chicago O'Hare, Fox News Digital previously reported.Fox News Digital has reached out to Houston Airports and the U.S. Department of Transportation for comment.Fox News Digital's Landon Mion contributed to this report.

"How can you validate human sweat to make something?"will.i.am tells Mishal Husain that in the era of AI, human creativity "should be worth more than just compute output." (Source: Bloomberg)

Six-time All-Star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. left the Toronto Blue Jays' 3-1 victory over the Yankees on Friday night and was evaluated for a concussion after colliding with New York rookie shortstop George Lombard Jr. on a chaotic play at third base.