Tony Romo arrested in Milwaukee for alleged OWI offense: report

Restaurant visits fall, grocery store lettuce sales dip. Here’s how cyclosporiasis is affecting businesses.

By

-

July 24, 2026

Restaurant visits fall, grocery store lettuce sales dip. Here’s how cyclosporiasis is affecting businesses.

Foot traffic to popular food and restaurant chains has declined as the outbreak of cyclosporiasis, linked to lettuce from Mexico, grows in scope, and consumers take steps to avoid getting sick.

Cases of illness connected to the cyclospora parasite expanded to four more states, bringing the total number of affected states to nine, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services told CBS News on Friday. It’s also been linked to at least one additional, but yet-to-be-identified food product, the Food and Drug Administration said Thursday.

Grocers and restaurant chains featuring lettuce-heavy menus have experienced a drop-off in visits in the wake of cyclosporiasis, which causes explosive diarrhea, spreading across the U.S.

Data provided to CBS News from foot traffic analytics platform Placer.ai shows that consumers are shying away from eating greens and even avoiding some establishments altogether amid the outbreak.

On July 18, the most recent date for which statistics are available, visits to fast casual restaurant chains like Cava, Chopt, Chipotle, Panera, and Sweetgreen were all down compared to an average Saturday between January 1 and July 6. Visits to Taco Bell, which served the lettuce under recall at some of its locations before removing it from store menus, dropped the most dramatically, by nearly 30%.

Here’s how much foot traffic declined:

Taco Bell: -29.8%
Chopt: -24%
Panera Bread: -9.1%
Cava: -4.7%
Sweetgreen: -4.7%

None of the restaurant chains immediately responded to CBS News’ request for comment about the lower-than-usual foot traffic.

Sweetgreen addressed its customers in a post on social media platform X, outlining its standard food safety protocols, while assuring the public that the restaurant chain “has not been identified in connection with the current cyclospora outbreak.” The company said its own food safety experts are keeping a close eye on the situation.

On Wednesday, Taco Bell announced a promotion on Instagram, featuring $1 lettuce-free enchiritos. The social media post did not cite the cyclosporiasis outbreak in introducing the deal, and it’s unclear if it drew more customers into Taco Bell restaurants.

“Hesitation in the market”

Grocers also say consumers are buying less lettuce as a precautionary measure, denting sales. Stew Leonard’s, with eight grocery stores across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, told CBS News that lettuce sales are down about 11%.

“There’s a lot of confusion on store floors right now,” Stew Leonard’s president and CEO Stew Leonard Jr. told CBS News. “Customers are asking if they can eat lettuce and shying away from it. There’s hesitation in the market, and I think that’s why our store sales are off.”

Leonard’s own advice to cautious customers is to buy hydroponic lettuce, grown in a controlled environment.

“It’s grown in a greenhouse with controlled soil, and the water is purified and filtered. It’s what I am eating at home,” Leonard said.

He doesn’t blame customers for avoiding foods they believe might make them sick.

“Of course, they don’t want to end up with diarrhea for two weeks,” he said. “So customers are cautious right now.”

He said over the past couple of days, regular lettuce sales have already started to pick up again, and he is confident they’ll rebound. “I don’t think people are going to stop eating lettuce,” he said.

Edited by

Lucia I Suarez Sang

In:

Ever wondered why hotel rooms always have four pillows? Here’s the real reason

By

-

July 24, 2026

As it turns out, those extra pillows are there for much more than decoration.

You check into a hotel after a long journey, drop your bags, and head straight for the bed. It is neatly made, the sheets are crisp, and almost every time, four pillows are waiting for you, even if the room is meant for just two people.Most of us barely think about it. Some people stack the extra pillows in a corner, others use every single one, and a few wonder why hotels keep adding more than anyone seems to need.As it turns out, those extra pillows are there for much more than decoration.

Not everyone sleeps the same way

One of the biggest reasons hotels provide four pillows is simple: comfort is personal.Some guests prefer sleeping with two pillows under their head, while others find one enough. Side sleepers often need more support than back sleepers, and some people like hugging a pillow or placing one between their knees to sleep more comfortably.Instead of trying to guess every guest’s preference, hotels simply provide extra pillows so people can arrange them however they like.

They make the bed look more inviting

There is also a visual reason.A bed with multiple fluffy pillows instantly looks more luxurious than one with just a pair. Hotels know that the first impression of a room matters, and the bed is usually the focal point when you walk in.The extra pillows create a fuller, more comfortable look that makes the room feel premium, even before you sit down.

They are useful even when you are not sleeping

Pillows are not just for bedtime.Many travellers spend time reading, watching television, working on a laptop, or scrolling through their phone while sitting on the bed. Extra pillows provide back support and make it much easier to sit comfortably for long periods.If two people are sharing the room, having additional pillows also means nobody has to compromise.

They come in handy during the night

Sometimes, one pillow simply is not enough.People dealing with neck pain, acid reflux, pregnancy, back discomfort, or recovering from an injury often use extra pillows to support different parts of their body while sleeping.Hotels cannot predict which guests may need additional support, so keeping extra pillows on every bed is an easy way to accommodate different needs without guests having to make a request.

It helps hotels meet guest expectations

Over the years, travellers have come to associate multiple pillows with a comfortable hotel stay.Even if many guests end up using only two, having extras available creates a sense of choice. It is one of those small details that quietly improve the overall experience.In the hospitality industry, convenience often comes down to anticipating what guests might need before they even ask.Thumb image: Canva (for representative purposes only)

Video Comic-Con returns with costumes, fans and major movie reveals

By

-

July 24, 2026

Video Comic-Con returns with costumes, fans and major movie reveals

Yasmeen Ludy takes us inside Comic-Con, where fans gather for epic cosplay, franchise news and a preview of Marvel’s next Avengers film.

Source link

Measles surge hits new milestone as US cases surpass last year’s total

By

-

July 24, 2026

MEASLES-INFECTED TRAVELER MAY HAVE EXPOSED PASSENGERS AT LAX AND NEARBY HOTEL, HEALTH OFFICIALS WARN

Measles surge hits new milestone as US cases surpass last year’s total

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Measles has reemerged as a persistent public health challenge in the U.S. over the past two years — and the spread isn’t slowing down.

According to a Johns Hopkins University tracker that compiles local and state health data, there were 2,295 confirmed measles cases in the U.S. as of July 22.

This figure has officially surpassed the 2025 numbers, which totaled 2,286 measles cases nationwide.

Cases have been reported across the country, but concentrated outbreaks have worsened in some areas of Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Florida, Virginia, Utah, Texas and Arizona. In 2025, Texas had the largest outbreak, totaling 803 cases throughout the state.

Measles cases have officially surpassed 2025 numbers, which totaled 2,286 cases. The U.S. has reported 2,295 measles cases so far in 2026. (iStock)

In the latest CDC measles update on July 17, there were 34 new outbreaks reported in 2026, compared to 48 outbreaks in 2025. Most cases were associated with local outbreaks, while some were linked to international visitors.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Both this year and last year, 93% of all measles patients were either unvaccinated for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), or had an unknown vaccination status, data shows.

Most cases have occurred in children and young adults between the ages of 5 and 19. There have been no deaths reported in 2026, according to the CDC, but there were three deaths in 2025.

A poster to spread Measles awareness offers symptoms to watch out for, facts about measles, and resources if someone may have it.

Most cases have occurred in children and young adults between the ages of 5 and 19. There have been no deaths reported in 2026, according to the CDC, but there were three deaths in 2025. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

The rise in cases comes more than two decades after health agencies reported that the disease was eliminated in 2000.

Measles can be spread through direct contact with infectious droplets, or can be airborne when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes, according to health officials. The virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Symptoms usually appear within a week or two, and may include a high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes.

A few days later, flat, red spots appear on the face and then spread down the neck to the rest of the body. People are most contagious in the four days before and four days after the rash appears.

Community protection

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, emphasized the highly contagious nature of measles.

“Measles is so contagious that up to 90% of susceptible people who are exposed to an infected person will become infected,” he told Fox News Digital, noting the importance of community protection. “We need a 95% vaccine coverage rate to ensure herd immunity,” he said.

A paramedic administers a dose of the measles vaccine at a health center in Lubbock, Texas, on Feb. 27, 2025. (RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)

The herd immunity threshold is a mathematical estimate based on how contagious a disease is and how effectively immunity from vaccination or prior infection prevents its spread, according to Siegel.

“In this case, two-dose vaccination is almost 100% effective, and natural immunity after a measles infection is generally lifelong,” the doctor said. “This isn’t about personal choice, it’s about community protection. We need to protect those who can’t have a live virus vaccine because they are immunocompromised or pregnant.”

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

The doctor also cautioned that the U.S. could be at risk of losing its measles elimination status, as the number and duration of outbreaks suggest sustained local transmission within the U.S., rather than isolated cases linked only to international travel.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

The CDC recommends that everyone receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, calling vaccination the best protection against measles.

Anyone who is showing measles symptoms or think they’ve been exposed should self-isolate and contact their doctor before showing up to a medical center and infecting others.

Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for Fox News Digital.

PlayStation Network down, leaving thousands unable to play digital games

By

-

July 24, 2026

PlayStation Network down, leaving thousands unable to play digital games

Gamers have been unable to connect to the PlayStation Network, leaving some unable to play digital games for several hours.

According to Down Detector, which tracks outages, tens of thousands of people have reported problems globally, external with the service – although some reported they were able to get back online since.

The outage, which affects gamers’ ability to launch games, apps or network features on their PlayStation, has prompted some to highlight their concerns around Sony’s plans to no longer release new PlayStation games on discs from January 2028.

Sony’s status page, external currently reads all services are “experiencing issues” and it was “working to resolve the issue as soon as possible”.

The BBC has approached PlayStation for comment.

“Can’t play digital games till you fix it. Yet I can put my disc in and play. The all digital future looks great,” read one comment on X, external.

Sony said in a blog post earlier this month, external that new games would still be able to be bought in shops, but they would come with a digital code.

The problems began to appear around the same time as an alert from Amazon Web Services that some servers were facing issues, however this has since been resolved, external.

Trump allies notch redistricting win as judges find no ‘smoking gun’ to scrap red state map

By

-

July 24, 2026

TENNESSEE PASSES NEW CONGRESSIONAL MAP LIKELY TO FLIP FINAL DEM SEAT AS PROTESTS ERUPT INSIDE CAPITOL

Trump allies notch redistricting win as judges find no ‘smoking gun’ to scrap red state map

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

A redrawn Tennessee congressional map expected to give Republicans a 9-0 advantage in congressional seats will remain in place for the state’s Aug. 6 primary, handing President Donald Trump and his allies another victory as they work to preserve the GOP’s House majority ahead of the midterm elections.

A three-judge panel on Thursday denied a request for a preliminary injunction filed by a group of Black Tennessee voters and civil rights organizations, who argued the map intentionally sought to weaken the power of Black voters.

The lawsuit stems from Tennessee lawmakers redrawing the state’s congressional map during a special session in May after the Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, which made it harder to challenge redistricting plans on racial discrimination grounds. The new map split Memphis and Shelby County into three congressional districts, effectively dismantling Tennessee’s only majority-Black district. Republican lawmakers said the goal was to create a map that favored Republicans in all nine congressional districts and help preserve the GOP’s majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Voting machine operator David Schaefer, right, helps voter Kaitron Gordon with her ballot on Tennessee’s Super Tuesday primary election at the Cleveland Park Community Center precinct Tuesday, March 3, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. A judge has ruled that Super Tuesday polls will stay open later in Nashville after deadly overnight tornadoes delayed the start of voting in the city and rendered some of its polling places unusable. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

The judges — two Trump-appointed judges and one appointed by President Barack Obama — concluded the evidence pointed to partisan politics as the driving force behind the redistricting.

“At bottom, Plaintiffs won’t succeed on their vote-dilution claim because they haven’t presented meaningful evidence that race — not politics — motivated Tennessee’s May 2026 map,” the judges wrote.

The judges contrasted the case with the Supreme Court’s 2017 decision in Cooper v. Harris, where the High Court ruled that there was direct evidence that race influenced the redistricting process.

SUPREME COURT RULES ON KEY VOTING RIGHTS ACT RULE AS REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS WAGE REDISTRICTING WAR

a new tennessee redistricting map that is all red

Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., pitched this 9-0 Republican-favored map for the state after last week’s Supreme Court ruling. (Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn./X)

“Plaintiffs’ evidence is a far cry from the ‘smoking gun’ direct evidence in Cooper v. Harris.”

As evidence, the plaintiffs pointed to the map itself, which eliminates the state’s only majority-minority district; lawmakers’ use of census data containing racial demographics; the unusual timing of the mid-decade redistricting; Tennessee’s history of racial discrimination; and affidavits from Black Memphis voters who said the new map diluted their voting strength.

“Plaintiffs present no direct evidence, weak circumstantial evidence, and no path for Tennessee to accomplish its political aims without producing the same effect,” the judges wrote.

WHERE TRUMP, GOP VS DEMOCRATS REDISTRICTING BATTLE HEADS NEXT IN WAKE OF KEY COURT RULINGS

Amber Sherman, a plaintiff in the lawsuit and an affected voter, called the panel’s rejection of the preliminary injunction “painful.”

SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER

“The decisions by this court continue to further the disenfranchisement of Black voters in Memphis,” Sherman said in a statement. “We deserve the same opportunity to shape our future as anyone else. When our voting power is diluted, our neighborhoods have a harder time making their voices heard on the issues that shape our daily lives.”

Donald Trump speaking to reporters while standing outdoors at an airport.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport on March 23, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. President Trump is traveling to Tennessee before returning to Washington. (Roberto Schmidt / Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

While the preliminary injunction was denied, the lawsuit remains ongoing.

Since Trump began urging GOP-led states to pursue mid-decade redistricting, at least eight states have adopted new congressional maps, with Republicans hoping to gain seats in Texas, Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Alabama, Louisiana and Tennessee. Democrats have responded with redistricting efforts in California, Utah and Virginia, although Virginia’s new map was later struck down by the state’s Supreme Court.

Elaine Mallon is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business covering national politics.

Romanian F-16 shoots down drone after airspace breach, marking first for NATO ally

By

-

July 24, 2026

REPORT WARNS RUSSIA USING SHADOW FLEET TO PROBE NATO DRONE DEFENSES

Romanian F-16 shoots down drone after airspace breach, marking first for NATO ally

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

A Romanian F-16 fighter jet shot down a drone that entered the country’s airspace without authorization Friday, marking the first time the NATO member has intercepted and destroyed a drone inside its national airspace, authorities said.

Romanian officials have not yet identified the drone’s origin or purpose. Romania’s army chief said pilots described it as appearing to be a Shahed-type drone, Reuters reported, the Iran-designed attack drone widely used by Russia against Ukraine.

The incident carries direct implications for the U.S. and its NATO allies, as repeated airspace breaches along the alliance’s eastern flank have fueled concerns that Russia’s war in Ukraine could spill across NATO borders. Romania, which borders Ukraine, has reported dozens of drone incursions or debris incidents since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.

Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu said the interception took place over an unpopulated area in Buzău County.

An F-16 fighter jet takes part in the NATO Air Shielding exercise near the air base in Lask, central Poland, Oct. 12, 2022. (Radoslaw Jozwiak/AFP via Getty Images)

“Our borders and our sovereignty are non-negotiable, and our military and NATO air police will continue to monitor the land border, the Danube and the Black Sea, as our military frequently identifies risks,” Țoiu told Fox News Digital.

“The impact area and the drone debris are currently being analyzed, but the pattern is consistent with prior confirmed Russian drone flights during the numerous illegal attacks against Ukrainian civilian infrastructure on Romania’s border,” she added.

Țoiu said Romania and NATO would continue to defend allied territory.

“NATO works, and we plan to be even stronger with the decisions on air defense and budget allocation from The Hague and Ankara summits,” she said. “The path toward increased security is the path toward peace at Romania’s border. We will defend our citizens and we will continue to invest in protecting Romanian and Allied territory.”

THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT AMERICAN WEAPONS SYSTEMS NATO IS EAGER TO HAVE

Explosion in Romania following a detonation of Russian drone fragments

Explosion following what Romania’s defense ministry says was a detonation of Russian drone fragments found in a location given as near Rachelu village, Romania, in this screengrab taken from a handout video released June 30, 2026. (Romanian Defence Ministry/Handout via Reuters)

Țoiu previously told Fox News Digital July 2 that Russian drones had been detected inside Ukraine roughly 19 miles from Romania’s border, prompting two Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon jets operating from Romania’s 86th Air Base in Fetești to scramble under NATO’s Enhanced Air Policing mission. A Romanian Air Force IAR 330 Puma helicopter was also deployed, she said at the time.

Romanian President Nicușor Dan and Defense Minister Radu Miruță reaffirmed the country’s commitment to protecting its airspace and investing in modern air-defense and anti-drone capabilities, according to Țoiu.

The incident underscores the growing danger along NATO’s eastern flank as Russia continues strikes across Ukraine and Kyiv increasingly targets Russian military and energy infrastructure deeper inside Russia.

RUSSIA UNLEASHES NEARLY 600 MISSILES AND DRONES ON KYIV IN DEADLIEST STRIKE SINCE MAY

Emergency employees work at the site of a Russian missile strikes, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv region, July 24, 2026. (Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine/Handout via Reuters)

The drone shootdown came as Ukraine reported deadly Russian strikes in the Kyiv region and Slovyansk.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a rescue operation was underway in the Kyiv region after a Russian missile strike killed six people and wounded dozens. Reuters later reported that Ukrainian officials and industry representatives said the strike killed 10 people and injured close to 100 at a site where a defense industry event was being held.

“There were also casualties in Slovyansk following guided aerial bomb strikes,” Zelenskyy said. “Five people were killed. My condolences to their families. Nine others were injured. The Russians damaged ordinary homes, the consulate building, and vehicles.”

Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže said Latvia’s honorary consulate building in Slovyansk, in Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast, was destroyed Friday morning in a Russian attack involving a KAB-250 guided aerial bomb, according to information provided by Ukrainian authorities.

Braže said Latvia’s honorary consul, Oleksandr Pavenko, was not injured, but two consulate staff members were wounded. She informed European Union and NATO foreign ministers and international organizations about the incident, while Latvia summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires and delivered a note of protest.

“Russia will be held accountable for this and other violations of international law,” Latvia’s Foreign Ministry said. “All war crimes committed by Russia must be thoroughly investigated, and those responsible must be brought to justice.”

Zelenskyy called the strikes “brutal attacks on civilians” and again pressed Ukraine’s partners for air-defense support.

“Interceptors for Patriot systems are the number one priority,” he said.

Ukraine also said its forces had struck one of Russia’s key military enterprises in Kirov, which Zelenskyy said supplies components for Russian aircraft and missile systems used in attacks on Ukrainian cities. Zelenskyy said Ukraine had also hit an oil facility nearly 840 miles away and that operations against Russian logistics supplying drone components, navigation equipment and military gear remained underway. Ukrainian outlet UNN reported that Zelenskyy confirmed the Kirov strike and the long-range strike on the oil facility.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Smoke rises from Wildberries facility, Russia

Smoke rises from Wildberries facility, from what the Ukrainian authorities say was following a drone attack, in Shushary, Pushkinsky District, St. Petersburg, Russia July 24, 2026 in this screen grab taken from a social media video. (Social media/via Reuters)

The Security Council is expected to hold an emergency meeting on Ukraine Monday at 10 a.m., as requested by Ukraine, according to a United Nations schedule viewed by Fox News Digital. The meeting comes after Kyiv has repeatedly urged the international community to respond more forcefully to Russia’s attacks on civilians and infrastructure.

The back-and-forth comes as Kyiv is trying to show battlefield momentum despite continued Russian missile and drone attacks.

Outgoing Ukrainian Commander in Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said Ukraine had recaptured 270 square miles of territory in 2026 and was handing over to his successor “an army that is not only holding the defence but is also on the offensive,” Reuters reported Wednesday.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Russian defense ministry but didn’t receive a response in time for publication.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Efrat (Effie) Lachter is an investigative journalist, filmmaker and war correspondent. She has directed and produced over 200 documentary segments across more than 40 countries. Recipient of the 2022 Peres Center for Peace Award, Lachter is also a 2023-24 Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellow at the University of Michigan. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communication and a master’s degree in political science.

Ford recalls more than half a million Bronco vehicles over engine fire risk

By

-

July 24, 2026

Ford recalls more than half a million Bronco vehicles over engine fire risk

Ford Motor Co. is recalling more than half a million Bronco vehicles because a short circuit in the cars’ engine compartments can create heat or spark, and pose a fire risk.

Up to 565,691 Bronco and Bronco Raptor vehicles from the years 2021 to 2026 could be affected, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The cars’ engine compartments have a wiring harness that can short-circuit if it’s damaged, according to NHTSA.

When a short circuit occurs, it can create smoke or start a fire, and potentially cause serious injury or death.

Only about 1% of the vehicles under recall have the defect, according to the automaker.

To fix the issue, Ford dealers will install sheathing over the wiring for all vehicle owners for free. NHTSA said letters notifying owners of the recall will be mailed beginning on August 24, and that owners may contact Ford customer service and refer to recall number 26S55.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed beginning August 24, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 26S55. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 23, 2026.

Edited by

Lucia I Suarez Sang

In:

Why Mark Zuckerberg’s baby is staring at black-and-white flashcards: A pediatric neurologist says there’s a parenting lesson here

By

-

July 24, 2026

Photo: Mark Zukerberg with his baby

Every new parent has wondered at some point: Am I doing enough to help my baby’s brain develop? The market is flooded with sensory toys, musical gadgets, flashing lights and products that promise to make babies smarter. It’s easy to believe that more stimulation automatically means better development. But according to pediatric neurologist Dr. Arif Khan, the opposite is often true in the first few months of life.Reacting to a photograph of Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg spending time with his baby using nothing more than black-and-white flashcards, Dr. Khan says the image carries an important parenting lesson. “Have you seen this picture? Mark Zuckerberg, one of the biggest tech founders in the world, is sitting with his baby using black-and-white flashcards. There are no flashy screens, no gadgets or complicated toys. They are just having simple tummy time with black-and-white flashcards and eye-level interaction,” he says.

7 Jul 2026 | 16:15

What was the most useful baby product during the first six months?

Why black-and-white flashcards work in the early months

Dr. Khan explains that the science behind these cards is remarkably simple. “Those cards are actually pretty useful in the early months. Babies can’t see colours very clearly yet, so simple black-and-white patterns are much easier for them to notice and to focus on,” he says.

Photo: Instagram/@dr.arif.khan

A newborn’s vision is still developing. During the first few months, babies see best at close distances and are naturally drawn to strong visual contrast rather than detailed colourful images. High-contrast patterns help them practise focusing, tracking objects and paying attention.

The most powerful stimulation isn’t a toy

Why Mark Zuckerberg’s baby is staring at black-and-white flashcards: A pediatric neurologist says there’s a parenting lesson here

While the flashcards often become the talking point, Dr. Khan says the real value lies in something much simpler: the interaction between parent and baby. “Babies learn so much from simple things like this just by looking at faces, watching our expressions, hearing our voice and interacting with us at eye level,” he explains.In developmental neuroscience, these everyday interactions form the foundation of early learning. Babies observe facial expressions, recognise familiar voices, gradually learn turn-taking in conversations and begin building emotional security through repeated face-to-face engagement. Even before they understand words, babies are learning patterns of communication from these moments.This doesn’t mean black-and-white flashcards make babies smarter on their own. Rather, they match what an infant’s developing visual system is capable of processing at that age.Dr. Khan adds with humour, “That’s why babies keep staring at them like they are deeply analysing life decisions.”

Every stage needs different kinds of stimulation

One mistake many parents make is assuming babies constantly need new activities or continuous stimulation. Dr. Khan disagrees. “They need different kinds of stimulation at different stages of development. I think a lot of parents need to hear this,” he says.As babies grow, their developmental needs naturally change. In the newborn stage, simple visual contrast, gentle sounds and face-to-face interaction are enough. As they become older, reaching, grasping, crawling, exploring textures, listening to language, reading books and free movement gradually become more important.

Babies don’t need entertainment all day

Perhaps Dr. Khan’s biggest message is aimed at the pressure many modern parents feel. Social media often creates the impression that every waking minute should involve an educational activity, sensory bin or developmental exercise.Dr. Khan believes that expectation is unnecessary. “Babies don’t need entertainment every second of the day. Sometimes simple things like this are already doing a lot for their brain development,” he says. This idea is increasingly relevant in an era where even infants are exposed to screens at very young ages. A calm interaction, a familiar face, gentle conversation or a few minutes of tummy time may offer richer developmental experiences than overstimulating lights and sounds. For parents who worry they aren’t buying enough educational toys or providing enough stimulation, Dr. Khan’s message is comforting. The first months of life are less about expensive products and more about consistent, loving interaction. A few minutes of tummy time, talking to the baby, making eye contact, singing softly, showing simple high-contrast images and simply being present can already support healthy early development.As Dr. Khan puts it, “Babies don’t need constant entertainment. Sometimes a simple face, a voice, eye contact, or even a black-and-white flash card is doing more for brain development than the fanciest toy in the room.”Disclaimer: Every baby develops at their own pace. Parents should always follow guidance from their pediatrician regarding developmental milestones, vision concerns and age-appropriate activities.