Men's Journal's Blog, page 72
June 23, 2025
Deadly Virus Infects Thousands Across Europe, Prompting Urgent Travel Warning
An alarming outbreak of hepatitis A has swept through four popular European vacation destinations, sickening more than 2,000 people and leaving nine dead.
Health officials are now urging travelers to take precautions or reconsider their plans altogether.
The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) confirmed a "significant increase" in cases of the highly contagious liver virus between January and May 2025 in Austria, Czechia, Hungary, and Slovakia.
Hepatitis A spreads primarily through contaminated food and water, or person-to-person contact via poor hygiene—most commonly when infected individuals don’t wash their hands after using the restroom.
Slovakia, home to scenic destinations like Štrbské Pleso, leads the outbreak with 880 confirmed cases. Hungary has seen 530 infections, mostly among adults, while Czechia has recorded six deaths. Austria, with 87 reported cases, has also experienced three fatalities.
Though Germany hasn't been officially named in the outbreak, three of its recent cases match viral profiles found in Hungary and Austria, suggesting regional spillover is already underway.
What’s especially concerning is how durable the virus is. It can survive on surfaces for months, and symptoms like fatigue, nausea, jaundice, and abdominal pain may not appear until weeks after exposure.
Related: U.S. Issues Urgent Worldwide Travel Warning Amid Rising Threats
The virus is also being spread via shellfish from contaminated waters and people preparing food without proper sanitation.
Officials say the surge is primarily affecting individuals in close-knit communities and those with limited access to sanitation, but the risk to travelers is real. With summer travel heating up, Czech health authorities advise vaccinations ahead of holidays and warn that "prevention is key."
If you've booked travel to one of the affected countries, consider getting the hepatitis A vaccine before departure. It may also offer protection if administered within two weeks of potential exposure.
In a season where tourism is typically booming, this outbreak is a sobering reminder: not all travel risks are visible.
Related: Scientists Sound Alarm on New Tick Behavior That Puts More People in Danger
Dolly Parton, 79, Announces Surprise Vegas Residency With Only 6 Shows
Dolly Parton hasn't toured in nearly a decade, but that's about to change in a limited way.
The 79-year-old country music legend just announced a six-show residency at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas this December. Variety reported this is her first string of live performances since 2016.
The mini-residency, titled Dolly: Live in Las Vegas, will run at The Colosseum from December 4 through December 13.
The timing aligns with the National Finals Rodeo, a stretch when Vegas draws massive country music crowds. While fans may hope for additional dates since these are sure to sell out, only six shows are on the books for now.
"To say I'm excited would be an understatement," Parton said in a statement. "I haven't worked Vegas in years, and I've always loved singing there. I'm looking so forward to the shows in The Colosseum at Caesars and I hope you are as well. See you there."
Tickets go on sale Wednesday at 10 a.m. PT via Ticketmaster. VIP packages will also be available, offering extras like a photo op with Dolly, an onstage tour, and access to Dolly’s Rhinestone Lounge.
While Parton hasn’t headlined Vegas since the early 1990s, when she performed nearly 50 shows at the Mirage, this brief return is poised to be something special.
The show is billed as a "hit-driven concert event," meaning fans can expect her biggest songs like "9 to 5," "Jolene," and "I Will Always Love You" to anchor the setlist.
Since wrapping her Pure & Simple tour in 2016, Parton has only played select one-off concerts, choosing instead to focus on philanthropy, writing, and projects like her rock album Rockstar.
This new Las Vegas run offers fans a rare opportunity to see the icon back onstage, and in classic Dolly fashion, she’s doing it on her own terms.
Related: Iconic 2000s Reality Show Gets Rebooted With a Wild New Twist
Fear Factor Rebooted With a Twist, and Johnny Knoxville at the Helm
Johnny Knoxville is no stranger to extreme television, but this time, he's not the one taking the risks—he's the ringmaster.
The Jackass legend has signed on to host Fear Factor: The Next Chapter, a modern reboot of the early 2000s reality classic that once pushed network TV boundaries with its blend of high-stakes stunts and gross-out dares. Now, Fox is reviving the show with a twist that aims to shock and go viral, according to Variety.
Set to debut during the 2025–2026 season, the new Fear Factor will strand contestants in a remote location. Once there, they'll not only face physical and psychological challenges but also social-media-driven dares and group dynamics designed to test alliances.
According to Fox and producers at Endemol Shine North America, the series is engineered for a new era of reality TV, where fear meets strategy, and outrageous moments are tailor-made for TikTok.
"When you reimagine a series as legendary as Fear Factor, you need a host who is the epitome of daring charisma and spectacle, and that’s Johnny Knoxville," said Endemol Shine CEO Sharon Levy. "We're pushing fear and social strategy to places that will redefine reality competition."
Knoxville, who made a name for himself by launching out of porta-potties and wrestling wild animals on Jackass, now gets to watch others face their fears.
"Johnny Knoxville is the champion of fearless entertainment," said Fox's President of Entertainment, Michael Thorn. "His unmatched ability to push boundaries makes him the perfect host for this wild reinvention."
Fear Factor first aired in 2001 with Joe Rogan at the helm, challenging contestants to do everything from eat insects to leap across moving trucks.
Related: Joe Rogan Says This Guest Was His Worst—And It’s Not Who You Think
MTV attempted a reboot with Ludacris in 2017, but Fox's version promises to turn up the intensity for a generation raised on social media spectacle and viral dares.
Casting is already underway for U.S. and Canadian residents 18 and older at FearIsBack.com.
The show is produced by Endemol Shine North America, with Knoxville bringing his signature shock-value energy to a format built for the age of clicks, chaos, and clout.
The next chapter of fear starts now, and it's going to be wild.
June 22, 2025
Isaiah Hartenstein’s Son Steals the Spotlight After Thunder’s NBA Finals Win
As confetti rained down in Oklahoma City following the Thunder’s 103-91 Game 7 victory over the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals, one of the night’s most unforgettable moments didn’t happen on the court—but in the arms of center Isaiah Hartenstein.
His 13-month-old son, Elijah, fell asleep on his shoulder in the middle of the deafening celebration, creating a viral image of calm amid chaos.
Fans cheered, teammates shouted, reporters asked questions and cameras flashed, but the toddler's peaceful slumber offered a grounding reminder of what mattered most to the Hartenstein family.
Isaiah's wife, Kourtney Kellar, was nearby, no doubt soaking in the moment with pride. The model and influencer has supported Hartenstein through team trades, a massive contract signing with OKC, and the long grind of the NBA season—all while adjusting to new motherhood.
"I guess it's not loud enough..."
— NBA (@NBA) June 23, 2025
Isaiah Hartenstein's son was sleeping through the raucous trophy celebration 😂 pic.twitter.com/XtEmb4E9T9
The family's story began in 2019 when Isaiah slid into Kourtney’s DMs with a compliment about her smile. She was living in Dallas, modeling to pay off student loans, while he played for the Rockets.
After a few FaceTime dates, sparks flew in person, and the rest was history. They married in 2023 aboard a Newport Beach yacht and welcomed Elijah in May 2024, just two months before Hartenstein inked his Thunder deal.
Hartenstein’s first year with the Oklahoma City Thunder couldn’t have ended on a higher note. After signing a three-year, $87 million deal in the summer of 2024, the 7-foot center quickly established himself as a critical piece of the Thunder’s young core.
The player's hustle and versatility helped the Thunder outlast Indiana in a physical Game 7. As the game ended with the Thunder crowned champions, all eyes turned to the courtside family moment that said it all.
For Hartenstein, the win was huge. But Elijah’s nap on his shoulder? That was perhaps the real victory.
Related: Kristin Chenoweth Turns Heads With NBA Finals Game 7 Star Spangled Banner
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Joins Michael Jordan With Rare NBA Feat After Thunder Title Win
Any time an NBA player accomplishes a feat that puts their name in the record books alongside Michael Jordan, it has to be pretty impressive. That was the case for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to one of the most impressive NBA seasons in history.
Gilgeous-Alexander fueled the Thunder to a Game 7 victory in the 2025 NBA Finals on Sunday, June 22, scoring 29 points with 12 assists and five rebounds in the 103-91 victory. With the Thunder's championship, it meant Gilgeous-Alexander earned three of the most prestigious honors all in the same season.
The 26-year-old won the NBA Most Valuable Player award, the league scoring title while averaging 32.7 points per game and the NBA title. In total, only three other NBA players have ever accomplished that feat, with one being Jordan, who did it three times.
Only four players have won MVP, the scoring title & an NBA Championship in the same season.
— Keerthika Uthayakumar (@keerthikau) June 23, 2025
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1971
Michael Jordan (x3)
Shaquille O'Neal in 2000
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander this season
Etching your name alongside arguably the greatest player in NBA history, and two of the most elite big men/overall talents to play the game, is impressive work. It's even more incredible when factoring in Gilgeous-Alexander's age and the fact that he's only played seven NBA seasons.
Along with the Thunder's impressive playoff run, they were a force in the Western Conference all season, finishing with a 68-14 record. When the year wrapped up, Oklahoma City held a 16-game advantage on the No. 2 seed in the West, the Houston Rockets.
The 2024-25 season marks the third consecutive year in which Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 30 points or better per game, and also the third-straight season in which he shot 51 percent or better from the field. Gilgeous-Alexander also averaged a career-best 6.4 assists per game to go along with his career-high year in scoring.
Related: LeBron James, Patrick Mahomes Among Star Reactions to Tyrese Haliburton's Game 7 Injury
Fast-Food Giant McDonald's Faces a Weeklong Boycott
McDonald’s is the latest corporate giant facing public backlash, with organizers calling for a nationwide boycott of the fast-food chain starting June 24.
According to Newsweek, the weeklong protest, led by grassroots advocacy group The People's Union USA, is part of a broader campaign the group has dubbed the "Economic Blackout Tour."
The boycott urges Americans to avoid McDonald’s from June 24 through June 30, as part of a growing movement for "economic resistance, corporate accountability, and real justice for the working class.
"The group has already targeted brands like Walmart, Target, and Amazon in earlier actions this year.
John Schwarz, founder of The People’s Union USA, said in a recent video that corporations need to "finally pay their fair share of federal income taxes" and stop lobbying against wage increases. "Economic resistance is working," he added. "They're feeling it. They're talking about it."
McDonald’s joins a list of companies under fire not just for labor and wage issues, but also for accusations of tax avoidance and monopolistic practices. The chain has previously drawn criticism from labor advocates and pro-Palestinian groups, including a separate boycott linked to alleged ties to military actions in Gaza.
According to the group's website, the goal is to shift consumer spending toward local businesses and create real pressure for policy change.
In past boycotts, Schwarz has encouraged Americans to halt not only shopping but also streaming, online orders, and fast food altogether.
Related: The Sweetest McDonald’s Deal Is Hiding in Plain Sight
This particular boycott comes with added significance. With Independence Day on the horizon, The People's Union USA is positioning these actions as part of a patriotic duty to demand corporate fairness and economic justice.
McDonald's has not yet issued a public statement in response to the boycott. However, in a 2019 letter obtained by Politico, McDonald’s vice president of government relations Genna Gent pledged that the company would not oppose minimum wage increases.
Still, organizers say actions speak louder than promises, and they plan to keep the pressure on.
Next up? Starbucks, Amazon, and Home Depot are scheduled to be the focus of July's monthlong boycott campaign.
Related: Starbucks CEO Admits Major Misstep as Company Unveils Big Fix
Nick Cannon's Surprising 4-Word Response to Having More Kids
Nick Cannon says he’s probably done growing his famously large family. But the way he said it—and what happened next—might be the most telling part of all.
"I think I’m done," Cannon said with a grin during his June 19 appearance on The Really Good Podcast with Bobbi Althoff.
The four-word statement came after a conversation about his 12 children, which he shares with six different women. Cannon admitted he always dreamed of a big family, calling his background "unorthodox" and attributing his prolific parenting to what he jokingly described as a "king complex."
"I really think I’m a king," he told Althoff. "And a king’s gotta have a big court."
Cannon, 44, isn't just known for his hosting duties on The Masked Singer or his years in entertainment. He's also become somewhat infamous for his rapid-fire fatherhood.
When Althoff asked him to name all his kids on the spot, Cannon hesitated. "You want all 12?" he asked with a laugh. "This is where I usually get in trouble."
He rattled off ten: Moroccan, Monroe, Golden, Powerful, Rise, Onyx, Legendary, Zion, Zillion and Zen. Then paused. "How many is that?" he asked, before adding, "Did I say Beautiful? And Halo, my youngest."
The moment was humorous, but also revealing. While Cannon insists he's present and involved in his children's lives, keeping track of 12 names on the fly clearly isn't easy.
He shares twins Moroccan and Monroe with Mariah Carey, and has children with Brittany Bell, Abby De La Rosa, LaNisha Cole, Alyssa Scott, and Bre Tiesi. One of his sons, Zen, passed away at five months old from brain cancer in 2021.
Cannon left the door slightly open to the universe. "When I was 30, I didn't have any kids. Then by the time I was 40, I had 12," he said. "So who knows what's next?"
For now, though, it seems Cannon's four-word answer might finally be the closing line to his chapter on fatherhood.
Tyrese Haliburton's Father Says Son Suffered Game 7 Achilles Injury in Update
Tyrese Haliburton’s resilience and incredible ability to battle through a strained calf to lead the Indiana Pacers to a Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder was already one of the NBA Finals’ biggest storylines.
After Haliburton left the Thunder home crowd silenced early, nailing three clutch three-pointers in the first quarter, the Pacers' Game 6 confidence had unquestionably carried over to Game 7.
Then, Haliburton endured one of the most gut-wrenching moments in a Game 7 in recent memory.
While driving left, Haliburton slipped and immediately slammed the floor over and over while screaming in pain. The initial belief from many was that he had suffered an Achilles injury, and unfortunately, his father John confirmed that while speaking to Lisa Salters on the ESPN broadcast.
Tyrese Haliburton's dad, John, tells @saltersl that his son has an Achilles injury and is watching the game from the locker room in good spirits. pic.twitter.com/hmP206jamK
— ESPN (@espn) June 23, 2025
"I just spoke to Tyrese Haliburton's father, who has been back in the locker room with his son. Mr. Haliburton confirmed that it is an Achilles injury, and he said that Tyrese is doing as well as he can be under the circumstances," Salters said.
"The entire family is back there with him, his mom, his dad, his brother, he says that he seems to be in good spirits, he's watching the game and he's trying to root on his team from back in the locker room."
While nothing has been confirmed beyond that yet, anyone who saw the injury was holding out hope that Haliburton had somehow avoided an Achilles injury.
Related: Tyrese Haliburton's Dad Has Gut-Wrenching Reaction to Pacers Star's Game 7 Injury
LeBron James, Patrick Mahomes Among Star Reactions to Tyrese Haliburton's Game 7 Injury
The Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder squared off on Sunday, June 22, for one of the most highly anticipated championship games in recent memory. The NBA finals hadn’t reached a Game 7 since the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors squared off in 2016.
That changed this year, as Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers dominated in Game 6 to force a win-or-go-home Game 7 in Oklahoma City. Throughout the early part of the first quarter, the Pacers pushed a talented Thunder team, thanks partly to three big three-pointers for All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton.
Then, with roughly five minutes remaining in the first quarter, the worst-case scenario for Indiana played out. Haliburton drove to his left, slipped and immediately was seen screaming and banging the floor in pain.
Tyrese Haliburton went down with an injury in Game 7. pic.twitter.com/AZ1uk65dFg
— ESPN (@espn) June 23, 2025
It was a heartbreaking moment for Haliburton, who was already playing through a calf strain and battled through that first injury during the Game 6 victory.
As ESPN reported shortly after the injury, Haliburton's father, John, told Lisa Salters that his son has an Achilles injury and is watching the game "from the locker room in good spirits."
Tyrese Haliburton's dad, John, tells @saltersl that his son has an Achilles injury and is watching the game from the locker room in good spirits. pic.twitter.com/hmP206jamK
— ESPN (@espn) June 23, 2025
He had to be helped off the floor and couldn't put weight on his leg, igniting well wishes and prayers being sent to the Pacers guard from fans, fellow athletes and everyone in between.
Here are a few of the reactions that came from fellow stars across the sports world.
"F---!!!!!!!!" posted LeBron James on X, with a prayer emoji.
No way man….
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) June 23, 2025
Prayers up man… 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) June 23, 2025
🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) June 23, 2025
Never wanna see that😔
Prayers up man 🙏🏽
— Jalen Brunson (@jalenbrunson1) June 23, 2025
These calf strains ain’t no joke man!! Praying for Ty 🙏🏾🙏🏾
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) June 23, 2025
You never want to see that, prayers up 🙏🏽
— Karl-Anthony Towns (@KarlTowns) June 23, 2025
Sickening… Sending Prayers @TyHaliburton22 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
— Maxx Crosby (@CrosbyMaxx) June 23, 2025
Prayers Brother @TyHaliburton22 🤞🏾🌪️
— Breece Hall (@BreeceH) June 23, 2025
The injury itself was heartbreaking for Haliburton. And the guard's impressive resilience to overcome an injury suffered earlier in the series to help push his team to Game 7 is truly unbelievable. Thoughts go out to the 25-year-old guard, and it was good to see fellow athletes sending love his way.
Related: Tyrese Haliburton's Dad Has Gut-Wrenching Reaction to Pacers Star's Game 7 Injury
Tyrese Haliburton's Dad Has Gut-Wrenching Reaction to Pacers Star's Game 7 Injury
In the biggest game of Tyrese Haliburton’s NBA career, the 25-year-old guard kicked things off by silencing an overwhelmingly loud Oklahoma City Thunder home crowd on Sunday night, June 22.
Haliburton knocked down three early three-pointers and had the Indiana Pacers pushing the Thunder before the absolute worst-case, heart-breaking scenario played out.
With just over five minutes remaining in the first quarter of Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, Haliburton drove to his left, slipped and was immediately seen screaming and banging on the floor in pain. When he eventually got to his feet, he had to be helped off the court and couldn’t put pressure on his leg while heading back to the locker room.
Tyrese Haliburton went down with an injury in Game 7. pic.twitter.com/AZ1uk65dFg
— ESPN (@espn) June 23, 2025
The entire Pacers team circled around Haliburton on the floor before he was taken off, and it was a moment that fans simply couldn't believe. It was gut-wrenching for the Pacers guard, and the pain of the moment could be seen when cameras panned to his father, in tears, watching the scene unfold from the stands, as CBS Sports highlighted.
Tyrese Haliburton's father's reaction. pic.twitter.com/7IERRNYDZY
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) June 23, 2025
As brutal as the moment was, it's even tougher to watch considering the fact that Haliburton was already battling through a calf strain. The two-time NBA All-Star willed the Pacers to a Game 6 victory at home to force Game 7 on Sunday in Oklahoma City, and was still pushing through the initial injury in pursuit of his first championship.
The rest of the Pacers were forced to face the tall task of keeping their eye on a title, while still unquestionably worrying about their young star guard and the Game 7 injury.
Related: LeBron James, Patrick Mahomes Among Star Reactions to Tyrese Haliburton's Game 7 Injury
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