RFK Jr.’s Flawed Claims About Sperm Count and Fertility

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has baselessly tied alleged declines in sperm counts among teenagers to a “fertility crisis” or an “explosion in infertility.”

There is very little data on sperm counts in teenagers, and there’s mixed evidence on whether they have changed over time in adults. Regardless, experts told us there isn’t reason to believe declining sperm counts are causing the falling rate of childbirths in the U.S., which has more plausible social and behavioral explanations.

On at least a dozen occasions since becoming HHS secretary, Kennedy has claimed there has been a dramatic drop in sperm counts, saying it’s evidence of a health crisis. His interest in this topic goes back nearly a decade.

“Male sperm counts, I think, in this country are down 50% for teenage males,” he said on a May 28 episode of his recently launched podcast, after introducing concerns about a “stunning” drop in the rate of childbirths. “I read the other day that teenage males today have less sperm than the average 65-year-old American man.” At a May 11 event at the White House, he discussed statistics on childbirths, while also claiming a “fertility crisis” involving falling sperm counts in teens. “This is an existential crisis for our country,” he said.

Contrary to Kennedy’s statements, there is very little data about sperm counts in teenagers in the scientific literature at all. The studies establishing sperm counts in healthy adolescents have “never been done,” Dolores Lamb, who studies male reproductive biology and urology at Children’s Mercy Kansas City, told us.

2 U.S. Troops Killed, 1 Missing After Iranian Missile and Drone Attack in Jordan, CENTCOM Confirms

Attack on U.S. and partner forces marks another deadly escalation in the conflict with Iran as Central Command reports two service members killed in action, one missing, and multiple casualties evacuated.

WASHINGTON | Two U.S. service members were killed in action, and another remains missing after Iranian ballistic missiles and drones struck U.S. and partner forces in Jordan on July 17, according to the latest statement from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

CENTCOM said the service members were defending against coordinated Iranian missile and drone attacks when the casualties occurred. Four additional U.S. service members were medically evacuated to hospitals in Jordan but have since been released after treatment. Personnel treated for minor injuries have returned to duty.

The identities of the fallen service members have not yet been released. Military officials said their names will be withheld until at least 24 hours after next of kin notifications are complete.

Investigation Continues

CENTCOM has not publicly identified the specific installation struck during the attack or released additional operational details while investigations continue. Multiple news organizations have reported that the strike targeted a U.S.-used military facility in Jordan, though the military has not officially confirmed the location.

The attack involved both ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial systems, underscoring Iran's continued use of layered strike capabilities against U.S. positions in the region.

Saronic Unveils $3 Billion ‘Port Alpha’ Shipyard in Texas to Accelerate U.S. Navy’s Autonomous Fleet Expansion

Autonomous vessel manufacturer selects Brownsville for next-generation shipyard capable of producing large unmanned warships as the U.S. races to rebuild maritime industrial capacity and counter China's shipbuilding dominance.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas | Defense technology company Saronic has announced plans to build Port Alpha, a $3 billion next-generation shipyard at the Port of Brownsville, marking one of the largest private investments in America's defense-industrial maritime sector in decades.

The project positions Texas at the center of the Pentagon's rapidly expanding autonomous naval strategy while reinforcing broader federal efforts to rebuild U.S. shipbuilding capacity amid increasing strategic competition with China.

Construction is expected to begin later this year, with the facility scheduled to become operational in 2028.

Two Defense Tech Firms Sue U.S. Navy Over MUSV Contract Awards, Challenging Billion-Dollar Unmanned Vessel Program

Blue Water Autonomy and Saildrone allege the Navy improperly excluded them from the Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel competition, raising new legal questions as the service accelerates autonomous fleet modernization.

WASHINGTON | Two prominent U.S. defense technology companies have filed federal lawsuits challenging the U.S. Navy's evaluation process for its next-generation Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) Family of Systems program, escalating a high-profile procurement dispute as the Pentagon pushes to rapidly expand autonomous maritime capabilities.

Blue Water Autonomy and Saildrone separately filed protests in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, alleging the Navy improperly eliminated them from the MUSV competition despite what both companies contend were fully compliant proposals.

The legal challenges could affect one of the Navy's most closely watched autonomous surface vessel initiatives, which is expected to play a significant role in future distributed maritime operations.

Companies Challenge Navy Evaluation Process

Blue Water Autonomy argues the Navy's evaluation relied on overly restrictive criteria and incorrectly interpreted its proposal.

According to the company's complaint, the service reached conclusions that were inconsistent with the MUSV solicitation and applicable statutory procurement requirements.

Much of the filing remains under seal, leaving many of the specific evaluation details unavailable to the public.

The Navy declined to comment, citing the pending litigation.

Jürgen Klinsmann Reveals Why Winning the FIFA World Cup Changes Your Life Forever Ahead of Spain–Argentina Final

The 1990 World Cup champion says mental toughness—not physical preparation—is the ultimate difference-maker as Spain and Argentina battle for soccer's biggest prize at New York New Jersey Stadium.

As the soccer world turns its attention to New York New Jersey Stadium for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final between Spain and Argentina, one man understands exactly what awaits the players on football's grandest stage.

Former West Germany star Jürgen Klinsmann, a World Cup champion in 1990, says lifting the sport's most coveted trophy is an experience that extends far beyond the final whistle—one that forever changes the course of a player's life.

Speaking ahead of Sunday's championship match, Klinsmann reflected on the emotions, pressure, and lifelong legacy that come with competing in—and winning—a FIFA World Cup Final.

A Stage Reserved for Football's Elite

Few athletes ever experience a World Cup Final.

Even fewer leave the field as champions.

Klinsmann knows firsthand what it means to stand atop world football after helping West Germany defeat Argentina in the 1990 FIFA World Cup Final in Italy.

According to the former striker, every person involved understands the rarity of the occasion.

"The magnitude is enormous," Klinsmann said. "Every player, coach, staff member, and fan dreams about their country being in a World Cup final."

For Spain and Argentina, Sunday's showdown represents more than a championship—it is an opportunity to secure a permanent place in football history.

UC San Diego Bolsters Swimming Staff with Proven Championship Coaches Matt Martinez and Molly Spano

Tritons add Power Four recruiting standout Matt Martinez and rising coaching talent Molly Spano as Head Coach Marko Djordjevic continues building a nationally competitive NCAA Division I swimming program.

LA JOLLA, Calif. | UC San Diego is making another significant investment in the future of its NCAA Division I swimming program.

Head Coach Marko Djordjevic announced the addition of Matt Martinez as Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator and Molly Spano as Assistant Coach, bringing together two rising coaching talents with experience developing conference champions, NCAA finalists, Olympians, and elite recruiting classes.

The hires come as the Tritons continue to build momentum in The Big West Conference and position the program for sustained national success.

The Hidden Science Powering the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Michigan State Researchers Engineer the Fields Beneath Soccer's Biggest Stars

From Mexico City to New York, MSU turfgrass scientists are helping design the natural playing surfaces for all 16 FIFA World Cup 2026 stadiums—using decades of research to deliver elite-level consistency across three countries.

When millions of soccer fans tune in to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup, they'll focus on spectacular goals, breathtaking saves, and unforgettable moments. Few will notice the meticulously engineered natural grass beneath the world's greatest players—a result that, according to Michigan State University researchers, will actually mean the project succeeded.

Behind every World Cup match lies years of scientific research, turfgrass engineering, and logistical precision led in part by Michigan State University (MSU) Professor John "Trey" Rogers III, whose work is helping create consistent playing surfaces across the tournament's unprecedented 16 host stadiums in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

"It's engineered from the ground up," Rogers explained, describing the challenge of ensuring every stadium provides the same world-class playing experience despite dramatic differences in geography, climate, and stadium design.