Missing teen’s ‘last confirmed sighting’ captured on neighbor’s dashcam footage
Texas authorities have released dashcam video showing the last confirmed sighting of missing 19-year-old Camila Mendoza Olmos, who has been unaccounted for since the morning of Christmas Eve and is believed to be “in imminent danger.”
Grainy video taken on Wildhorse Parkway between Shetland Wind and Caspian Spring in Bexar County, Texas, shows a lone figure wearing clothes consistent with what Mendoza Olmos had on when she went outside her family home minutes earlier.
The video was recorded by a neighbor who happened to be driving to work and had a dashboard camera in their vehicle, according to Sheriff Javier Salazar. It was taken just a couple of blocks from her home, he added, and authorities have not ruled out that “somebody may have taken her” after the sighting.
“We’re sharing that with you all in hopes that somebody may have collected similar video,” he told reporters at a Monday news briefing. “To this point, really, this was the best direction of flight that we were able to develop.”
TEXAS 19-YEAR-OLD CAMILA MENDOZA OLMOS VANISHES OUTSIDE HER HOME ON CHRISTMAS EVE
Mendoza Olmos is believed to have left her home on Caspian Spring, turned left on the parkway and continued north to parts unknown, he said.
The missing teen was last seen wearing a baby blue and black hoodie, baby blue pajama pants and white shoes, according to authorities.
“We just have a feeling that someone took her,” her aunt, Nancy Olmos, told Fox News’ Lawrence Jones on “FOX & Friends” Tuesday morning. “Someone took her from outside.”
WATCH: Missing Camila Mendoza Olmos’ last ‘confirmed sighting’ captured on commuter’s dashcam video
MISSING 19-YEAR-OLD CAMILA MENDOZA OLMOS BELIEVED TO BE ‘IN IMMINENT DANGER,’ TEXAS SHERIFF SAYS
However, she called rumors that her ex-boyfriend could be behind her disappearance “fake news.” She said the two had recently split on “good terms” and that the two families have been close for decades.
The missing teen’s cousin, Destiny Mendoza, also told the show that nothing seemed unusual the last time she spoke with Mendoza Olmos on Dec. 23.
“Everything was completely normal, it was just, ‘Oh I love you I’ll talk to you after the gym,'” she said.
She added that her cousin wasn’t a fan of the outdoors and didn’t like hiking or nature trails.
TEXAS FATHER RESCUES KIDNAPPED DAUGHTER BY TRACING HER PHONE’S LOCATION, SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAYS
“At this point we’ve got several different theories,” Sheriff Salazar said.
There is some evidence of past “bouts of depression,” he said, before adding that’s common in young people.
“We’ve got to consider all possibilities, from disappearing willfully to the possibility of self-harm, to somebody may have taken her,” he said. “Maybe, after this video, somebody may have taken her.”
The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who lives in the area or was driving through at the time to call 210-335-6000 or email BCSOTips@bexar.org.
“If you live two or three communities over, it doesn’t cost you much more than time to just look through your surveillance camera video from [Christmas Eve] and let us know, and we’ll be the judge of it,” Salazar said.
He said the FBI is assisting with the analysis of digital evidence, including devices and additional video — and that Homeland Security has been monitoring flight and border crossing records.
“Not that we have any direct information that would lead us to believe that she left the country, but again, we would be remiss if we didn’t check everything,” the sheriff said.
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And although Mendoz Olmos is a U.S. citizen, Salazar said his office also checked with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to see if they’d run into her.
“That didn’t lead us to anything,” he said. “They indicated that they did not have her in custody, but we would have been remiss if we did not ask that question.”
Top Minnesota official’s viral hijab video sparks outrage, call for apology
Minnesota Republican senatorial candidate David Hann is calling on one of his potential Democratic opponents to apologize after a video of her wearing a hijab and supporting the Somali community amidst a massive fraud scandal went viral on social media.
“It’s emblematic of the way she and other Democrat politicians in Minnesota have behaved over the past decade or so. They’re very political,” said former Minnesota state Sen. David Hann, who is running for Senate in the Republican primary, of Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan’s video wearing a hijab and defending the Somali community amid a massive fraud scandal that has rocked Minnesota over the past several years.
“They just are pandering to political constituencies, and they’re not doing the job that they were elected to do.”
In the video, which was widely criticized by conservatives on social media last week, Flanagan can be seen donning a hijab while talking to Somali constituents.
MINNESOTA GOP LAWMAKERS CITE CONSTITUTION IN CALL FOR WALZ TO RESIGN OVER FRAUD CRISIS
“Salam alaikum,” Flanagan says in the video giving an Arabic greeting before saying, “The Somali community is part of the fabric of the state of Minnesota.”
“I am here shopping today and just encouraging other folks to show up, support our Somali businesses, support our immigrant neighbors, and I know that things are scary right now,” Flanagan added in the video that was aired on Somali TV.
“Being part of Minnesota and growing up here, the Somali community has always been a part of my Minnesota,” Flanagan added, while telling residents to “show up and support our Somali businesses and our immigrant neighbors.”
“We’ve got your back,” Flanagan said.
Flanagan, who has not spoken out in response to the viral investigation from journalist Nick Shirley highlighting the alleged fraud problem in Minnesota, faced criticism over the video from those who accused her of downplaying the scandal.
MEDIA ‘COMPLICITY’ BLAMED AS FEDS SAY MINNESOTA FRAUD CRISIS COULD REACH $9B: ‘SHOWN THEIR TRUE COLORS’
“This is what political performance looks like — symbolism over accountability — while billions in taxpayer dollars vanish,” Fox News anchor Laura Ingraham posted on X. “Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan wears hijab in solidarity with Somalis as feds probe multibillion-dollar fraud scandal.”
Hann told Fox News Digital that Flanagan should apologize for and retract the video.
“They did not do their duty out of concern that they would offend a political constituency,” Hann said. “So they haven’t done anything to take responsibility for what the public expects them to do. So yes, she should apologize.”
“She certainly should not be sent to Washington to oversee federal dollars being spent. But it’s emblematic of the way Democrats have governed in this state. They like to posture, they like to tell people how compassionate they are. They tell us our high taxes are helping people, but they really haven’t demonstrated a concern for helping people. They’re more interested in just spending.”
Fox News Digital has extensively reported in recent weeks on the Minnesota fraud scandal, including concerns that the fear of being called “racist” helped provide cover for the fraud, which primarily occurred within the state’s Somali community.
LAWMAKERS PROBE SBA LOANS LINKED TO MINNESOTA’S $9B FRAUD SCANDAL: ‘RECKLESS DECISION MAKING’
“The Somali voting block is significant in the Minneapolis area, of course, and they’re concerned about that,” Hann told Fox News Digital. “And yes, I’ve seen those reports as well, that there were concerns about how this would appear. Most of the fraud was conducted by Somalis who put up these shell companies and looted the public treasury and I think the Democrats were concerned that if they went after that, they would appear to be picking on the Somali community when, in fact, they needed to enforce the law.”
“I think every community wants to see the laws enforced and people in Minnesota want to see laws enforced. And this is why this is so terrible. They are just failing to do the duty that they were elected to do.”
The lieutenant governor, who has been in office since 2019, is challenging two other Democratic candidates in the Senate primary race to fill the seat of outgoing Democratic Sen. Tina Smith. Former Democratic presidential candidate and current Sen. Amy Klobuchar serves as the other senator from the state.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Flanagan spokesperson Alexandra Fetissoff said the focus should be on the Trump administration’s efforts to deport illegal immigrants in Minnesota.
“While the Lt. Governor was showing her support for small businesses and communities being terrorized by ICE, she was handed a scarf by a friend and briefly wore it out of respect,” Fetissoff said. “The real outrage should not be a scarf, but masked men throwing American citizens into vans and violating the constitution.”
Flanagan’s team also clarified that while many on social media have claimed she said Somalis “built” Minnesota, “she does not say that in the video.”
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Last week, Fox News Digital first reported on legislation introduced by GOP Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks named after Tim Walz that is aimed at addressing future fraud like what has occurred in Minnesota and could total as much as $9 billion, according to federal prosecutors.
If elected to the Senate, Hann told Fox News Digital he would push for more “safeguards.”
“But I think we should also be looking at, how can we reform the whole welfare establishment?” Hann explained.
“Are there better ways to help people? We should be more concerned about trying to make sure people’s lives are improved, rather than just spending money. It seems to me that the Waltz administration has been focused on just handing out money, Democrats in Washington just hand out the money and no accountability and no attempt to figure out the effectiveness of the programs that we have, we need to take a hard look at that.”
Pop star apologizes for honoring Bardot after learning of actress’ controversial views
Pop star Chappell Roan walked back a brief tribute to French screen icon Brigitte Bardot, who died Sunday, after fans criticized the late actress’ history of controversial views.
“Holy s— I did not know all that insane s— Ms. Bardot stood for [obviously] I do not condone this. Very disappointing to learn,” the “Pink Pony Club” singer, 27, wrote in her Instagram Story on Monday.
Roan had previously paid a brief tribute to Bardot by pointing out that she had been the inspiration for her 2023 hit “Red Wine Supernova,” and tacking on a message for her to “rest in peace.”
Fan backlash preceded her retraction and she deleted the post, however.
BRIGITTE BARDOT, HOLLYWOOD ICON AND ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST, DEAD AT 91
“Chappell Roan honors the openly racist and homophobic, Brigitte Bardot, on her Instagram story,” one post read.
Another urged Roan to “open Brigitte Bardot’s Wikipedia page” so she could read about the actress’ views herself.
Others defended Roan, arguing that critics are holding her to an unattainable standard and that she couldn’t possibly know everything about Bardot.
“And yet you all streamed red wine supernova and didn’t gaf when her name was mentioned in the first line. Try something else,” one commenter said.
BRIGITTE BARDOT’S FINAL DAYS BEFORE HER DEATH AT 91 AS TRIBUTES POUR IN FOR FRENCH ICON
“It’s a joke to hold chappell to the standard of knowing bardot’s life story just to reference her as a sex symbol while being okay with a playboy… reference in the same line. Y’all are too uneducated to hold people to such a high standard, so stop,” another wrote.
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Roan has consistently been supportive of LGBTQ+ causes and identifies as a lesbian.
Bardot, best known for her starring role in “And God Created Woman,” was convicted multiple times for inciting racial hatred. Many of her convictions stemmed from statements opposing halal slaughter and kosher food practices, which courts ruled crossed into stigmatizing Muslim and Jewish communities, according to The Daily Mail.
A French court on the island of La Réunion fined Bardot 20,000 euros in connection with a 2019 incident in which she referred to the island’s inhabitants as “savages,” comments prosecutors said constituted incitement to hatred.
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She also criticized their alleged mistreatment of animals.
Bardot also made negative remarks about gay people, describing them as “fairground freaks” in her book, “A Scream in the Silence,” per the Daily Mail’s report.
Minnesota daycare manager responds to viral video alleging fraud scheme
Minnesota officials and a daycare manager denied fraud allegations Monday after a viral video questioned state-funded childcare centers, with both sides disputing claims that the facility was closed or improperly collecting taxpayer money.
The allegations stem from a viral video posted by independent journalist Nick Shirley showing visits to several Minnesota daycare facilities, including Quality Learning Center in Minneapolis, which appeared inactive during the visit despite receiving state childcare assistance funds.
At a news conference Monday, Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families Commissioner Tikki Brown said prior inspections of the centers did not uncover fraud and that regulators are conducting additional unannounced visits to review concerns raised by the video.
“We are aware of a video that’s being circulated that has gained local and national attention about childcare centers in Minnesota,” Brown said. “While we have questions about some of the methods that were used in the video, we do take the concerns that the video raises about fraud very seriously.”
COMER WARNS ‘WALLS ARE CAVING IN’ ON TIM WALZ AS MINNESOTA FRAUD PROBE WIDENS
Brown said each facility mentioned in the video has been visited at least once in the past six months as part of the state’s licensing process, with annual inspections conducted without advance notice to assess normal operations.
She added that inspectors found children present during those visits and that none of the prior reviews uncovered fraud.
“None of those investigations uncovered findings of fraud,” Brown said, adding that there is currently no pause on payments to the centers named in the video.
FBI SURGES RESOURCES TO MINNESOTA AS PATEL CALLS $250M FRAUD SCHEME ‘TIP OF ICEBERG’
Brown also acknowledged questions about the timing of the video visits, noting that regulators are seeking clarity on whether footage was recorded during operating hours or on days when centers were scheduled to be open.
Meanwhile, the manager of Quality Learning Center forcefully rejected the allegations, saying the video misrepresented the facility by filming outside posted hours and falsely suggesting the business was inactive.
“There’s no fraud going on whatsoever,” said Ibrahim Ali, the center’s manager. “Kids come to us, clients come to us, their parents come to us – they’re here daily, they leave on time, they come on time. There is no fraud going on whatsoever.”
MASSIVE MEDICAID FRAUD SCHEME PUTS MINNESOTA’S FEDERAL FUNDING AT RISK — AND FALLOUT COULD WIDEN
Ali said the center operates Monday through Thursday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., serving primarily after-school children, and has remained open for more than eight years without interruption.
He also disputed claims made during the state briefing that the center had closed due to space concerns, calling that assertion false.
“We haven’t closed. We’ve never closed,” Ali said. “There was never a time where kids were told to stop coming. There was never a time we told our employees to stop coming. All that is false information.”
‘EPICENTER OF FRAUD’: MINNESOTA’S EMPTY STOMACHS, FAKE AUTISM THERAPY AND A SCANDAL THAT COULD TOP $2 BILLION
Ali said the scrutiny has been damaging to the business and the broader Somali community, arguing that allegations were amplified without evidence and unfairly linked to ethnicity.
“Are you trying to record that we’re doing fraud or are you trying to put the Somali name and the fraud in the same sentence?” Ali said. “That’s what really hurt us the last couple of days.”
State officials said additional site visits are underway and emphasized that any credible evidence of fraud would be investigated, while Ali invited media and inspectors to return during operating hours to observe normal activity.
MISSPELLED ‘LEARNING’ CENTER, NO CHILDREN INSIDE: EMMER PRESSES WALZ OVER MINNESOTA DAYCARE TIED TO $4M
The response follows the release of a 42-minute video by Shirley, posted Friday on X and YouTube, documenting visits to several daycare centers in the state, including a location on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis.
In the video, Shirley and another man are seen at what appears to be a largely inactive childcare facility. The building also displays a misspelled sign reading “Quality Learing Center,” even though the center is reportedly supposed to account for 99 children and received roughly $4 million in state funds.
During a Sunday appearance on Fox News’ “The Big Weekend Show,” Shirley said the alleged fraud in Minnesota was “so obvious” that a “kindergartner could figure out that there is fraud going on.”
TIM WALZ PUSHES BACK ON MINNESOTA FRAUD ALLEGATIONS FOLLOWING VIRAL DAYCARE VIDEO
Shirley also suggested other journalists may be reluctant to pursue similar reporting out of fear of being labeled “Islamophobic” or “racist.”
“Fraud is fraud, and we work too hard simply just to be paying taxes and enabling fraud to be happening,” he said.
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The video has sparked widespread backlash, drawing criticism of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz throughout the weekend from several high-profile figures, including Vice President JD Vance, Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., Donald Trump Jr. and Elon Musk.
Victor Davis Hanson to undergo ‘major operation’ after months-long health struggle
Hoover Institution senior fellow Victor Davis Hanson will undergo a “major operation” on Tuesday.
Hanson, 72, a famed author, scholar and conservative commentator, frequently appears on Fox News Channel. He shared the news of his procedure last week on his podcast “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words.”
“I’m having a major operation, and I’ve got a major problem, and I’m going to have a major effort to solve it, and that’s all I can do,” Hanson told listeners.
VICTOR DAVIS HANSON: WHEN LIBERALS PLAY CONFEDERATES. PORTLAND’S REVOLT AGAINST AMERICA
“I finally ended up going to the best medical center that I know, Stanford Med, and the people there are wonderful,” he added. “It’ll work out one way or the other.”
Hanson said he didn’t want to discuss his “own problems,” but people have been calling him suggesting he doesn’t “look well” or sounds hoarse.
“It’s been a nine-month odyssey, the problem I had was very hard to diagnose, so it’s no one’s fault. It’s been diagnosed through biopsy and everything else and I’ll be fine. At least, I’ll do my best for everybody because I think I have an obligation to all of our readers and listeners that I get wonderful letters from,” Hanson said.
VICTOR DAVIS HANSON: TRUMP AND MUSK NEED TO RECONCILE FOR THE SAKE OF AMERICA’S FUTURE
Many took to social media to offer support:
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Hanson has penned countless articles and books, including The New York Times bestseller “The Case for Trump.” Hanson has also penned opinion pieces for Fox News Digital, including “When liberals play confederates. Portland’s revolt against America,” “Trump and Musk need to reconcile for the sake of America’s future” and “Key questions about the Signal psychodrama.”
Cohost Jack Fowler will host “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words” until the show’s namesake is healthy enough to return.
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Ex-NFL kicker uses tennis match to highlight concerns about men in women’s sports
Jay Feely, a former NFL kicker who is running for Congress in Arizona, was among those who weighed in on the panned “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match between Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka.
The match featured Sabalenka having an edge to level the playing field as her side of the court was 10% smaller than her opponent’s. Feely on Sunday made a point about men playing in women’s sports.
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“Please don’t ever believe the absolute garbage coming from ignorant liberals that letting men compete with women isn’t unfair to the women,” he wrote on X in response to the match.
The “Battle of the Sexes” name was borrowed from the historic 1973 match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. King won the match in four straight sets and helped launch efforts to start a female tour and get equal pay in tennis.
The match didn’t appear to have the same effect on fans.
TENNIS STAR ARYNA SABALENKA SAYS FEMALE ATHLETES FACING TRANS COMPETITORS ‘JUST NOT FAIR TO WOMEN’
Sabalenka and Kyrgios both defended the match, which the Australian won in straight sets.
“I don’t understand how people were able to find something negative in this event,” she said. “I was playing great tennis. It was an entertaining match. He won the match, but I showed great tennis … It was a great fight. It was interesting to watch.”
Kyrgios credited Sabalenka for holding her own on the court.
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“There’s nothing but positives that can be taken away from this,” Kyrgios said, adding that Sabalenka hung with someone who had beaten Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray in his career. “I had to work for it. I had to sweat. I had to play. I had to run. It was not easy. Nothing came easy. So, let’s put that narrative out there rather than all the negativity.”
Exercise may trigger unseen changes in the heart, according to new research
Regular exercise may do more than strengthen the heart. It could also reprogram the nerves that control how the heart beats, new research has found.
The discovery could eventually help doctors better treat common conditions such as irregular heart rhythms, chest pain, angina and stress-related “broken-heart” syndrome, according to scientists at the University of Bristol in the U.K.
The study, which looked at lab rats after 10 weeks of aerobic exercise, found that moderate exercise does not affect the heart’s nerve control system evenly. Instead, it produces distinct and opposing changes on the left and right sides of the body — a split that researchers say has gone largely unnoticed until now.
SIMPLE LIFESTYLE CHANGES COULD SLASH HEART ATTACK RISK FOR MILLIONS, SCIENTISTS REPORT
On the right side, the nerve hub that sends “go faster” signals to the heart developed many more nerve cells, suggesting increased wiring, the study found.
On the left side, however, the number of nerve cells did not rise as much. Instead, the existing cells grew significantly larger, indicating a different kind of adaptation.
“The discovery points to a previously hidden left–right pattern in the body’s ‘autopilot’ system that helps run the heart,” Dr. Augusto Coppi, the study’s lead author and a senior lecturer in veterinary anatomy at the University of Bristol, said in a statement.
“This could help explain why some treatments work better on one side than the other — and, in the future, help doctors target therapies more precisely and effectively.”
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The findings show that exercise reshapes the heart’s nerve control system in a side-specific way rather than affecting both sides equally, the researchers said.
Understanding that process could help doctors better target treatments, especially for patients who cannot exercise or whose symptoms persist despite lifestyle changes.
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Researchers compared the nerve clusters, known as the stellate ganglia, to a “dimmer switch” that fine-tunes how strongly the heart is stimulated. That fine-tuning is important because overstimulation of these nerves is linked to chest pain and dangerous heart rhythm problems.
The findings are early-stage and based only on animal research, so they do not prove the same effects in people.
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The researchers noted that more studies are needed to determine whether similar left–right nerve changes occur in people and whether they could help explain why some heart treatments work better on one side than the other, potentially paving the way for more precise, personalized care.
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The study was conducted in collaboration with researchers from University College London, the University of São Paulo and the Federal University of São Paulo in Brazil.
The research was published in the journal Autonomic Neuroscience.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the study authors for comment.
Wealthy Americans buy ‘golden’ visas as insurance against economic uncertainty
So-called “golden” visas enjoyed a boom in popularity among America’s wealthiest over the past year.
Mo Bennis, an associate vice president at Arton Capital, a global financial advisory and consultancy firm, told Fox News Digital that many Americans realized these special visas represent “the ultimate insurance policy against uncertainty.”
Bennis shared the top five destinations his firm observed people flocking to throughout 2025 — here are details.
PARADISE TRAVEL DESTINATION SEE ‘GOLDEN’ VISA BOOM, ROLLS OUT BRAND NEW OFFERING
Portugal
Portugal’s LXL Ventures Fund offers a five-year residence-by-investment program for non-EU nationals.
The special visa allows people to live, work and study in Portugal, along with enjoying visa-free travel across the Schengen Area.
“Portugal continues to be the benchmark for golden visas. Even with longer processing timelines, it remains one of the most effortless ways to secure EU residency,” said Bennis, “particularly through fund-based options with minimal physical presence requirements. For many investors, the long-term citizenship pathway far outweighs any short-term hurdles.”
LATEST GULF STATE LAUNCHES ‘GOLDEN RESIDENCY’ PROGRAM TO LURE WEALTHY AMERICANS
Visas require only an average of seven days per year spent in Portugal, per the program.
Lisbon-based Vida Capital saw a 571% increase in traffic from the U.S. in the first half of 2025 compared to the first half of 2024, Forbes reported.
Greece
Greece “clearly” has been a breakout “golden” visa story of 2025, said Bennis.
“Lower entry thresholds, faster processing and a straightforward real estate route have made it especially attractive to investors who want clarity, speed and lifestyle in one package,” said Bennis.
Greece offers a two-tier system with a minimum real estate investment of about $600,000 in high-demand areas such as Athens and about $300,000 for most other regions, according to the law.
“Golden” visa holders can travel visa free across the Schengen Area.
AMERICA’S ELITE LEAD BOOM OF ‘GOLDEN’ VISA APPLICATIONS TO VACATION DESTINATION
United Arab Emirates
Bennis said the “UAE has firmly established itself as the leading non-European alternative.”
He added, “Many high-net-worth individuals are prioritizing long-term residency, tax efficiency and stability over passports, and the UAE golden visa delivers all three with exceptional speed.”
There is a 0% income tax imposed on corporations and employees in the UAE.
To qualify for the UAE golden visa as an investor, you must make a substantial financial investment — such as placing at least $545,000 in a UAE fund or business, or holding an ownership share of similar value in a company.
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The visa lasts for 10 years.
Arton Capital’s Passport Index ranked the UAE as the most stable, providing freedom of mobility.
Malta
“Malta continues to attract families looking for a premium and legally robust EU residency,” said Bennis.
“One of its strongest advantages is the flexibility to include adult children as dependents, which is increasingly important for multi-generational planning.”
Visa holders must either purchase a property for at least about $410,000 in Malta, or rent a property for about $14,000 per year in Malta.
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The property must be held for at least five years, and the person must make a direct contribution to the government of Malta of about $68,000 if renting or about $33,000 if purchasing.
Botswana
“As 2025 winds down and attention turns to 2026, Botswana stands out as a clear signal of Africa’s rise as a strategic destination,” said Bennis.
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While the Botswana government does not publish a fixed minimum investment amount, those interested must prove a real business investment.
“While the impact citizenship program is expected to open in Q1 of 2026, interest has already exceeded 1,000 applicants, with U.S. nationals now the largest group,” Bennis added.
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“Investors are drawn by political stability, strong governance and the appeal of being early in a credible, well-structured program.”
Workers in 19 states get pay boost as minimum wages jump nationwide on New Year’s Day
American workers at the bottom end of the pay scale are set to see the minimum wage rise in 19 states effective on New Year’s Day, while three other states are also planning minimum wage increases later in 2026.
While 20 states opt to leave their minimum wage at the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour, the majority of states have set higher minimums which may be periodically adjusted to account for inflation or to account for a change in state labor compensation laws.
The minimum wage helps to support workers at the lower end of the pay scale, though critics note that higher minimum wage levels increase costs for businesses and can suppress job growth as firms look to automate tasks that could otherwise be done by lower-wage workers.
Here’s a look at which states will be raising their minimum wages in 2026 and when those changes are set to occur.
US ECONOMY EXPECTED TO GROW FASTER IN 2026 DESPITE STAGNANT JOB MARKET: GOLDMAN SACHS
Minimum wage rising January 1
Arizona: $15.15 an hour, though local rates may vary.
California: $16.90 an hour.
Colorado: $15.16 an hour, local rates may vary.
Connecticut: $16.94 an hour.
Hawaii: $16 an hour.
Maine: $15.10 an hour.
Michigan: $13.73 an hour.
Minnesota: $11.41 an hour, local rates may vary.
Missouri: $15 an hour.
Montana: $10.85 an hour.
Nebraska: $15 an hour.
US ECONOMY GREW FASTER THAN EXPECTED IN THE THIRD QUARTER, DELAYED REPORT SHOWS
New Jersey: $15.92 an hour for firms with six or more employees; $15.23 for seasonal workers or firms with fewer than six employees; $14.20 for agricultural workers; $18.92 for long-term care facility direct care workers.
New York: $17 an hour in New York City, Long Island and Westchester; $16 for the remainder of the state; home care aides may have different minimum wage rates.
Ohio: $11 an hour, though small firms meeting income requirements may pay the federal minimum.
Rhode Island: $16 an hour.
South Dakota: $11.85 an hour.
Vermont: $14.42 an hour.
Virginia: $12.77 an hour.
Washington: $17.13 an hour, local rates may be higher.
SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS REMAIN ‘CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC’ HEADING INTO 2026 AMID RISING COSTS, LABOR CHALLENGES
Minimum wage rising later in 2026
Alaska: Rising from $13 to $14 an hour effective July 1.
Florida: Rising to $15 an hour on September 30.
Oregon: Standard rate of $15.05 per hour will adjust based on CPI inflation data on July 1; Portland metro rate is $16.30 an hour, while the nonurban county rate is $14.05 an hour.
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