A St. Augustine surrogate mother is fighting for custody of two surviving triplet boys after the intended father, a single man from China, failed to claim them for nearly 20 months.
One of the triplets died from complications related to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) while in her care, and the remaining two are now in foster care as a legal battle over their future unfolds.
Kyla Simpson gave birth to the boys at UF Health Jacksonville on November 4, 2024. The intended father never appeared for the birth. She and her husband, Lincoln, brought the babies home from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in January 2025, breastfed them, and raised them as their own until a court order placed the children in foster care.
The case first gained national attention after children&#8217;s rights activist Katy Faust summarized it in a post on<a href="https://x.com/katy_faust/status/2077790028273766872"> X</a>. Faust wrote that a single Chinese man commissioned triplets, failed to show up at birth, later sent “two sketchy guys in a black SUV” to collect them, and then disappeared for a year and a half. One child died of RSV. The surrogate and her husband are now fighting for custody while the babies sit in foster care. “Welcome to the global baby trade,” Faust wrote.
According to<a href="https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/investigations/surrogate-fights-for-parental-rights-st-augustine/77-9d74ed3f-41c9-471b-a87e-9a4648c0345c"> First Coast News</a>, Simpson signed a gestational surrogacy contract and a hospital birth plan dated October 31, 2024, that gave her physical custody and decision-making authority in the intended father’s absence. The boys remained in the NICU for roughly two months. 
The case comes as Florida implements a new law, effective July 1, that bans gestational surrogacy contracts involving citizens or residents of “foreign countries of concern,” including China. Assisted reproductive technology attorney Karen Persis, who is not involved in the case, noted that intended parents from abroad usually handle all paperwork and are present for the birth. Situations in which an intended parent simply never appears are extremely rare, she said.
Simpson said the intended father repeatedly claimed he was working on a U.S. visa and at one point asked her to help obtain the children’s travel documents. They even discussed her flying the babies to China.
In a March 21, 2025, email, the intended father said he would send a friend and an agent to pick up the children. Two men later arrived at Simpson’s home. She refused to hand the babies over to strangers, telling him she would only release them to him, the people listed in case of his death, or a representative from the agency.
Communication then broke down. In August 2025, one of the triplets died from RSV complications. “I broke down crying over him,” Simpson told First Coast News. “That was like my most bubbly baby.”
She did not hear from the intended father again until February 2026. In May, she began legal proceedings to terminate his parental rights and adopt the boys. His attorney successfully sought an emergency order requiring the children to be turned over. 
Simpson’s attorney, Ellen Kaplan, filed an emergency motion and an appeal with Florida’s Fifth District Court of Appeal on July 14 seeking to keep the children in the United States, noting that China is not a party to the Hague Abduction Convention. The court denied the emergency motion; Kaplan has requested a rehearing. A ten-minute hearing is scheduled for late July in St. Johns County.
An investigator working for Simpson said she spoke with the FBI. First Coast News could not confirm an active investigation.
The St. Augustine case also comes amid broader scrutiny of surrogacy arrangements involving Chinese clients. Separately, federal authorities are investigating alleged China-linked “rent-a-womb” operations in California, first reported by<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-feds-investigating-alleged-china-linked-rent-a-womb-surrogacy-scandal-in-california"> The Daily Wire</a>.
Center for Bioethics and Culture executive director Kallie Fell called the pattern “a form of organized reproductive trafficking.”
Simpson and her husband are raising money for legal fees as they continue fighting to bring the boys home. “You had a year and a half to do all that you needed to do,” she said, “but to now rip them from everything they’ve known.”

Pregnancy Ultrasound in 3rd Trimester

Babies Abandoned In Another Chinese Surrogacy Scandal

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a straightforward <a href="https://x.com/StateDept/status/2079908555969245667">warning</a> on Wednesday about efforts to push communist influence inside the United States.
“The United States doesn’t want to be a communist country,” he said. “We’re never going to be a communist country. We’re not going to allow communist influences to undermine our politics or our society.”
“Our system doesn’t want communism,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;And we’re certainly not gonna allow communist efforts to undermine American society and drive wedges into our country.”
Rubio identified the Cuban regime as one of the leading forces behind these kinds of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/rubio-reveals-how-cuba-is-trying-to-undermine-america">operations</a> in the hemisphere. He tied the comments to a recent intelligence report from the administration.
Rubio also stressed that while the United States interacts with different governments and systems around the world, there is a clear boundary when it comes to protecting American institutions and society from communist subversion.
His comments on Wednesday come shortly after the Secretary of State delivered a major international <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/rubio-levels-the-left-pledges-to-crush-global-marxist-terror-networks-in-historic-address?author=Hank+Berrien&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Rubio+Levels+The+Left%2C+Pledges+To+Crush+Global+Marxist+Terror+Networks+In+Historic+Address">address</a> focused on the threat of far-Left militant networks. In that speech to delegates from more than 60 nations, Rubio described the militant networks as being driven by a deep hatred for civilization itself and laid out how America aimed at confronting them. Those steps include offering bounties to disrupt their financing and officially designating several violent far-Left groups as &#8220;Foreign Terrorist Organizations.&#8221;
Rubio called for dismantling these networks brick by brick. He reviewed the history of earlier movements that followed similar ideologies. He referenced groups such as the Tupamaros and the Montoneros in Latin America, the Shining Path in Peru, the Red Brigades in Italy, the Red Army Faction in Germany, and the Weather Underground in the United States. He also pointed to current trends showing far-Left violence increasing in several European countries. Rubio noted that such violence has risen more than 40% in Germany and makes up over 80% of radical violence in Greece.
Rubio outlined the administration&#8217;s responses to the issue, which include both domestic vigilance against influence operations and international coordination against violent extremist networks.

President Trump Hosts Prime Minister Of Norway Jonas Gahr Store To The White House

Rubio Warns Communist Influence In America Has Met Its Match

Communism

Marco Rubio

State Department

Trump Administration

Iran-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen have <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/21/world/middleeast/houthis-yemen-iran-war.html">declared</a> a maritime blockade targeting Saudi Arabian ships in the Red Sea, a move that risks pulling the group deeper into the U.S.-Iran war and further straining global energy routes.
As the conflict between the United States and Iran festered across the Middle East over the past five months, Yemen had largely remained a spectator. That changed Monday when the Houthis, who control a significant portion of the country including areas along the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, announced the blockade on Saudi vessels. The declaration comes amid rising tensions and raises the prospect of disrupted oil and gas shipments at a time when the Strait of Hormuz has already been heavily impacted.
The Houthis, a terrorist group originally from Yemen’s northern highlands, took control of the capital Sanaa over a decade ago with Iranian backing. Saudi Arabia responded in 2015 by leading a military intervention aimed at restoring the internationally recognized government, triggering a prolonged civil war. A ceasefire in 2022 largely froze the conflict into a fragile stalemate.
Tensions reignited last week after the Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of striking Sanaa’s main international airport. The dispute centered on an Iranian plane that attempted to land there following a Houthi delegation’s attendance at the funeral in Tehran for Iran’s slain supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Yemen’s Saudi-backed government claimed responsibility for the airport strike, though it lacks a functional air force and depends heavily on Saudi military support. A senior Yemeni official said the plane was believed to be “carrying personnel and military dual-use equipment” from Iran.
In response, the Houthis launched an attack on Abha airport in southern Saudi Arabia, the first direct strike on Saudi soil by the group since early 2022. Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi had previously warned that all Saudi oil and energy facilities would become targets if the kingdom escalated militarily.
Analysts view the Red Sea threat as potential leverage for Iran in its confrontation with the United States. “I think the message from Iran is: Don’t assume our leverage is limited to the Strait of Hormuz. We also have an ally that can threaten the Bab al-Mandab if needed,” said Ahmed Nagi, a Yemen analyst at the International Crisis Group.
The Saudi-led coalition stated it would respond to any Houthi threats against transiting vessels “swiftly and firmly,” according to coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki. Yemen’s defense minister, Taher al-Aqili, said the army of the internationally recognized government stands ready “to end the Houthi coup,” while exiled president Rashad al-Alimi urged residents in Houthi-controlled areas to “align themselves around the state.”
The Houthis have disrupted Red Sea shipping before. During the two-year Gaza war that began in late 2023, they targeted commercial vessels with drones, missiles, and hijackings. Saudi Arabia has recently relied on Red Sea routes to export more than 3.6 million barrels of oil and related fuels a day, mostly to Asia, according to maritime data firm Kpler. 
Yasir al-Rumayyan, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s state oil giant, described the ability to use Red Sea export terminals — circumventing the blocked Strait of Hormuz — as a “lifeline” for the country&#8217;s economy. A sustained Houthi blockade could impact more than 3 percent of the global oil market.
“The Red Sea is always an easy way in which they can make the world bleed,” said Farea Al-Muslimi, a research fellow at Chatham House. “The Houthis are banking on insurance costs going up and panic among the global shipping industry like what happened during the war in Gaza.”
The latest developments unfold against a backdrop of continued Iranian efforts to arm the Houthis. In July 2025, U.S. Central Command <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/centcom-praises-yemeni-allies-who-interdicted-irans-weapons-bound-for-houthis?author=Hank+Berrien&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=CENTCOM+Praises+Yemeni+Allies+Who+Interdicted+Iran%E2%80%99s+Weapons+Bound+For+Houthis">praised</a> Yemeni National Resistance Forces, led by Gen. Tareq Saleh, for intercepting the largest seizure of Iranian advanced conventional weapons in their history, over 750 tons of munitions and hardware, including hundreds of advanced cruise, anti-ship, and anti-aircraft missiles, warheads, seekers, components, hundreds of drone engines, air defense equipment, radar systems, and communications gear. Manuals were in Farsi, and many systems came from a company affiliated with Iran’s Ministry of Defense. 
At the time, CENTCOM Commander Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla called Iran “the most destabilizing actor in the region” and stressed that limiting the flow of Iranian support to the Houthis remains critical to regional security, stability, and freedom of navigation.
The Houthis have not yet detailed how they plan to enforce the blockade.

Seizure Process Of Israeli Cargo By Houthis In Yemen

A Familiar Terrorist Foe May Be About To Enter The Iran War

Houthis

Iran

Terrorism

An older Cubs fan smacked a younger spectator on the back of the head at Wrigley Field after the kid refused to stand for the national anthem.
Decked out in team gear, the older Cubs fan lost it on Sunday during the national anthem at the Cubs-Twins game. He started yelling at the younger guy sitting in front of him to get on his feet for “The Star-Spangled Banner.” When the kid stayed put, the older fan reached out and <a href="https://x.com/LibOrNormal/status/2079136859020538069">smacked</a> him hard on the back of the head.
The slap turned heads right away. Nearby fans looked over, and at least one of them seemed to take issue with it. But it worked; the younger fan stood up and stayed standing for the rest of the anthem.
After the younger fan stood up for the rest of the performance, the older fan could also be heard thanking the young man, per <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/chicago-cubs-fan-slaps-younger-fan-not-standing-national-anthem-viral-video">Fox News</a>.
Guy at a Chicago Cubs game refuses to stand during the National Anthem!
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">The guy behind him gets pissed and does this&#8230;. <a href="https://t.co/C4iKqPX7Co">pic.twitter.com/C4iKqPX7Co</a>
— Brandon (@LibOrNormal) <a href="https://x.com/LibOrNormal/status/2079136859020538069?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2026</a></blockquote>
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The entire incident was caught on camera, and the video went viral after the game. People watched the older Cubs fan go from yelling to delivering the smack in a matter of seconds.
Reactions online seem to favor the elderly fan. &#8220;If he doesn’t want to stand he can get the hell out,&#8221; one comment read. Another wrote, &#8220;Good, I’m sick of these liberal ass wipes.&#8221;
Chicago Police confirmed to <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2026/07/20/chicago-police-aware-of-national-anthem-slap/">TMZ</a> they are aware of the video that shows the older fan slapping the younger spectator on the back of the head during the anthem at Wrigley. But no police report has been filed, and there is no active investigation as of this writing.
For now, it remains a viral moment inside a packed ballpark that thousands have now watched and shared.
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1st Infantry Division Soldiers Return Home From Iraq

WATCH: Young Sports Fan Slapped For Sitting During National Anthem

Chicago Cubs

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Before you head to the airport for that international trip, stop and dig through every single pocket of your bag. One <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/travel/cannabis-mistake-airport-could-bring-10-years-prison-15000-fine">forgotten item</a> can turn your vacation into years in a foreign prison and a hefty fine.
U.S. officials are warning American travelers that cannabis products remain illegal to bring across most international borders. The latest alert comes from Thailand, which toughened its rules in June.
Under the new Thai customs policy, getting caught with cannabis can mean up to 10 years in prison, a fine of 500,000 Thai baht (roughly $15,000), or both. The U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Thailand made it plain: even though Thailand decriminalized possession in 2022, importing or exporting cannabis without proper permission is still illegal.
Jeffrey Hoffman, a New York cannabis attorney, laid it out in plain language: “While we are seeing cannabis laws relaxed in countries like Canada and in various states in the US, cannabis is still generally illegal across the overwhelming majority of the planet. When you travel to a different jurisdiction, you become subject to its laws.”
He pointed to WNBA star Brittney Griner, who was imprisoned in Russia after authorities found cannabis oil in her luggage. “There is no safe harbor when traveling internationally,” Hoffman said. “Even a mistake is no excuse.”
Travel expert and former flight attendant Bobby Laurie said that he sees this mistake constantly, saying that people tend to pack as if the rules from their home jurisdiction will travel with them.
“Even if you’re carrying a cannabis product for personal use or have a medical prescription, that doesn’t guarantee it will be allowed at your destination,” he said. “Some countries have extremely strict drug laws, and the penalties can be severe.”
Laurie’s advice is simple. Check the local laws for every destination before you pack. Empty the backpacks, purses, and carry ons. Look for anything you forgot. Never assume a customs agent will let it slide because it was only a small amount or because you have a card.
He even cited Singapore’s chewing gum ban as a reminder that countries ban everyday items most of us never think about. “This is one of those things you wouldn’t know unless you researched it, and how many of us walk around with that in our bags?”
The TSA has guidance for medical marijuana on domestic flights, but that guidance ends at the border. Once travelers cross into another country, that country&#8217;s laws control everything that happens from there on out. TSA officers focus on security, and they will hand suspected violations to local law enforcement.
So before you zip your suitcase, do the check. Those few minutes can be the difference between a pleasant vacation and an extended stay in a foreign prison.

Marijuana

The Common Packing Mistake That Could Land You in Prison

Air Travel

cannabis

Darline Graham Nordone’s appointment as interim U.S. Senator marks a historic milestone for South Carolina as she becomes the <a href="https://x.com/RepJamesClyburn/status/2077104368218763573">first woman</a> and the first HBCU graduate to represent the state in the chamber.
U.S. Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-SC) highlighted the significance in a post on X, writing that her appointment “marks a significant milestone for our state” and that her accomplishment “will inspire generations of South Carolinians to believe that no barrier is beyond reach.”
The appointment came days after Republican Governor Henry McMaster picked Nordone, who graduated from South Carolina State University in 2009, to fill the remainder of her brother’s Senate term, which ends in January 2027. President Donald Trump recommended her for the role as a tribute to the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, who had spoken highly of his sister in past interviews.
In an open letter <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/darline-graham-nordone-pens-emotional-open-letter-following-brothers-death?author=Leona+Salinas&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=3&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Darline+Graham+Nordone+Pens+Emotional+Open+Letter+Following+Brother%E2%80%99s+Death&amp;trueLinkId=2O%2FbAu5Q0JkRE%2FFz68BRk0GhxmF6NCE05bcQWkS5XAx9w2lMEr8lp8a4hj0xpCeVyLGqjIkO2odcD9pEp%2BbCNA%3D%3D&amp;trueLinkTs=1782495158&amp;trueLinkExpiry=43200">posted</a> to X on Saturday, Nordone reflected on the abrupt loss of her brother a week earlier. “If I could trade this moment and have Lindsey back, I would do so in a heartbeat. But I can’t,” she wrote. “Now, it’s time for me to step up for South Carolina, just like he stepped up for me when our parents died. In the most challenging of times, I’ve learned God often calls on ordinary people to do extraordinary things.”
Nordone mentioned that while she is not her brother, the two were raised with the same core values: work hard each day, trust in the Lord, remember your roots, and never forget who you work for. She pointed to her own career focused on helping South Carolinians with disabilities find employment and live independently as an example of that service.
Supporters, including members of Graham’s former staff and fellow South Carolina officials, have praised her background in state government and workforce development. During an <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/who-is-darline-graham-nordone-south-carolinas-likely-next-senator">emotional public appearance</a> after accepting the appointment, she stated, “Lindsey has always been there for me. Now, I will be there for him.”

US-POLITICS-CONGRESS-GRAHAM

HISTORIC: Lindsey Graham’s Sister Becomes First HBCU Grad To Represent South Carolina In Senate

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A new investigation has identified significant levels of a toxic metal known to cause cancer in inexpensive &#8220;silver&#8221; jewelry available on Amazon and TikTok.
Testing conducted as part of The Sunday Times <a href="https://www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcare/article/jewellery-carcinogen-amazon-tiktok-zrl6tcmxf">investigation</a> revealed that several pieces exceeded legal limits in the U.K., where cadmium content in jewelry is capped at 0.01%. One ring purchased on Amazon, listed as “Women’s 925 Sterling Silver Simple Open Adjustable Rings” from the brand Littleduckling and priced at approximately $4, contained just over 92% cadmium — more than 9,000 times the U.K. maximum allowance. A charm bracelet from TikTok seller Perform Pearls registered nearly 3,300 times the permitted level.
Cadmium, a silvery-white toxic metal commonly used in rechargeable batteries and metal coatings, is known to cause cancer and poses risks to multiple organs with prolonged exposure.
The United States lacks a comprehensive nationwide regulation governing cadmium in adult jewelry. Individual states have enacted their own restrictions, primarily focused on children&#8217;s products. California prohibits the manufacture or sale of children&#8217;s jewelry with more than 300 parts per million (0.03%) of cadmium by weight.
Illinois, under the Cadmium-Safe Kids Act, bans children&#8217;s jewelry containing more than 75 ppm of cadmium in any paint, surface coating, or material that comes into contact with skin. Washington state sets a 40 ppm limit for children&#8217;s products and mandates reporting of high-concern chemicals.
Cadmium exposure primarily occurs through ingestion rather than skin absorption. The CDC estimates that only about 0.5% is absorbed dermally. Risks increase when individuals handle the jewelry and then touch their mouth or food. 
The metal can also enter the environment through burning coal, household waste, and industrial processes. While low levels occur naturally in some foods such as shellfish, additional sources of exposure include cigarette smoke and proximity to industrial facilities.
Health effects associated with cadmium poisoning include kidney damage, osteoporosis, liver damage, lung <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/cadmium">cancer</a>, and other respiratory problems. Experts describe it as one of the most potent toxic metals. 
Christer Hogstrand, professor of molecular ecotoxicology at King’s College London, stated that cadmium is more dangerous than mercury in terms of overall toxicity and advised minimizing any exposure. Earrings present particular concern if inserted into pierced or damaged skin.
Previous examinations have documented similar issues. In 2018, testing by the Center for Environmental Health found jewelry at Ross and Nordstrom Rack containing at least 40% cadmium, with most samples exceeding 90%. This year, the U.K.’s Office for Product Safety and Standards intercepted and destroyed Amazon jewelry shipments with excessive cadmium levels at the border.
The Sunday Times investigation did not publish a full list of affected products but highlighted the prevalence of such items on major online platforms. Cadmium’s presence in consumer goods sold as affordable fashion accessories raises questions about supply chain oversight for imported jewelry.
The findings arrive amid larger criticism of heavy metals in everyday products. While direct skin contact is generally considered low risk for short-term exposure, cumulative contact and accidental ingestion remain a concern for public health authorities.

Elegant jewelry set. Jewellery set with gemstones. Jewelry accessories collage. Product still life concept. Ring, necklace and earrings.

Fake Silver Jewelry On Amazon And TikTok May Hide A Toxic Secret

Fake Silver, Real Cancer Risk: Cadmium Floods Amazon and TikTok Jewelry

Amazon

public safety

TikTok

The Trump administration is highlighting more than $1 billion in United Nations budget cuts over the past six months as part of its ongoing push to reform the international organization.
On June 30, all 193 U.N. member states approved a peacekeeping budget of approximately $5.1 billion for the coming fiscal year. That figure represents a cut of about $550 million, or 9.7 percent, from the previous year, Fox News <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/world/trump-administration-touts-1-billion-un-budget-cuts-reform-push-gains-momentum">reported</a>. 
Combined with a 15 percent reduction to the U.N.’s regular budget approved in December, U.S. officials say the agreements total more than $1 billion in savings on assessed budgets. 
Assessed budgets are funded through mandatory contributions from member states, calculated largely based on the size of their economies. 

U.S. Ambassador for U.N. Management and Reform Jeff Bartos described the results as significant. “On June 30th, with U.S. leadership, all 193 countries came together again for the second time in six months,” Bartos told Fox News Digital. “We’ve achieved over a billion dollars of savings in six months, which is unprecedented. Any one cut would be unprecedented. The totality of the reforms is monumental.”
The administration has made U.N. reform a crucial part of its approach, saying the organization has grown overly bureaucratic and inefficient. The latest agreements come as the U.N. prepares for a <a href="https://unis.unvienna.org/unis/topics/related/2026/selection-next-secretary-general.html">leadership transition</a> in 2027, with Secretary-General António Guterres scheduled to leave office at the end of his second term.
U.N. spokesman Stéphane Dujarric confirmed the reductions, describing both the peacekeeping budget cut and the 15% regular budget reduction as “unprecedented.”
Bartos credited sustained pressure from the United States and months of negotiations by the U.S. Mission. He said the changes are shifting how the U.N. approaches peacekeeping. “The new budget, this reformed budget, the enhanced efficiency changes the culture of how the U.N. looks at peacekeeping,” Bartos said. “Every dollar has to achieve impact on the ground.”
As an example, he pointed to the U.N. Mission in South Sudan, where the U.S. worked to streamline the mandate before cutting its budget.
Another reform approved on June 30 changes how the U.N. handles unused budget credits. Previously, the organization was required to return unspent funds to member states even if those contributions had never been paid in cash. The new approach, approved on a four-year trial basis, returns unspent funds only when backed by actual cash received. Bartos said this change could save more than $1 billion over the next three years in addition to the cuts already implemented.
Guterres, who had advocated for the reform for nearly a decade, welcomed the change after the vote. He described the old system as a “Kafkaesque cycle” in which the U.N. was expected “to give back cash that did not exist.” Dujarric said the update would help the organization manage resources “in a more predictable and responsible way.”
Bartos indicated that the recent budget agreements are only the start. He said the administration plans to pursue further changes to staff compensation, employee benefits, and the U.N. pension system. “There’s massive numbers of additional reforms that our team is working on right now,” he said.
Bartos also mentioned that reform efforts are likely to continue as member states prepare to select the next secretary-general in 2027.

World Leaders Gather For The 80th Session Of The United Nations General Assembly

Trump Admin Secures $1B In UN Cuts As Reform Push Intensifies

A man believed to be an anti-ICE activist armed with two airsoft rifles deployed an incendiary device outside 26 Federal Plaza in New York City on Monday morning, prompting a swift response from federal and local law enforcement.
At least two people were injured in the incident after the suspect &#8220;menaced&#8221; bystanders with the airsoft rifles, MS NOW <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/20/new-york-nyc-fbi-incendiary-device.html">reported</a>. Five law enforcement sources told MS NOW that the suspect appeared to be an anti-ICE radical.
Video <a href="https://x.com/BillMelugin_/status/2079203258724471267?s=20">footage</a> showed a plume of smoke rising near the building&#8217;s entrance as law enforcement officers, including ICE agents and FBI personnel, rushed out with guns drawn. Federal Protective Service officers apprehended the suspect on scene. The sidewalk was shut down, and the building was evacuated as authorities responded.
According to the FBI, the incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. ET, Fox News <a href="https://x.com/BillMelugin_/status/2079203258724471267?s=20">reported</a>.
&#8220;This morning an individual deployed an incendiary device outside of 26 Federal Plaza. The individual has been taken into custody and the FBI New York Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the incident,&#8221; the FBI said.
FBI Director Kash Patel <a href="https://x.com/FBIDirectorKash/status/2079219684717596752">added</a> that &#8220;two minor injuries reported thus far.&#8221;
Sources told MS NOW that the incendiary device was fireworks that were placed in a shopping cart and then doused in accelerant and lit on fire.
The New York Police Department told Fox News that a firearm was found in relation to the event, though officials could not confirm whether it was recovered from the suspect. It&#8217;s unclear if the firearm found by authorities is different from the airsoft rifles the suspect reportedly had on him.
The building at <a href="https://www.ice.gov/field-office/new-york-city-field-office">26 Federal Plaza</a> houses the ICE New York City Field Office on the 9th Floor as well as a federal immigration court. The ICE office oversees Enforcement and Removal Operations and Homeland Security Investigations across the five boroughs of New York City and several surrounding counties, including Dutchess, Nassau, Putnam, Suffolk, Sullivan, Orange, Rockland, Ulster, and Westchester.
This incident comes amid a broader trend of heightened concerns regarding threats to ICE operations. The Department of Homeland Security has previously reported a significant rise in vehicle attacks against ICE officers, noting a <a href="https://dallasexpress.com/national/dhs-warns-sanctuary-rhetoric-linked-to-surge-in-ice-vehicle-attacks/">3,300% increase</a> in such incidents during a recent period compared to the prior year.
Authorities have not released additional details about the suspect or possible motives as the investigation continues. The Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes partners from the NYPD and other agencies, is handling the case.
The building, a federal facility in lower Manhattan, serves multiple government functions and is a known hub for immigration enforcement activities in the region.

Fox News/NYC fire

Armed Man Triggers Terrorism Investigation Outside ICE Office

Fire

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

New York City

South Carolina’s newly appointed interim U.S. Senator Darline Graham Nordone <a href="https://x.com/darlinegrahamsc/status/2078593464053166332?s=46&amp;t=5nB3R1hthzMlYMrXjZyN8Q">addressed</a> the people of her state in an open letter posted to X on Saturday, reflecting on the sudden loss of her brother, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, and her commitment to stepping into the role.
Nordone began the letter by addressing her brother&#8217;s death a week before, writing, &#8220;Dear Fellow South Carolinians, I never imagined I would be speaking to you under these circumstances.&#8221;
&#8220;If I could trade this moment and have Lindsey back, I would do so in a heartbeat,&#8221; she continued.
Darline Graham expressed gratitude for the support her family has received. “I have been amazed and appreciative of the outpouring of love and support from the people of South Carolina,” she said. “I always knew Lindsey was an amazing person, but I have been overwhelmed by how many people truly loved him and how many lives he touched.”
The letter highlighted Lindsey Graham’s lifelong dedication to South Carolina and the nation and also described Nordone&#8217;s decision to accept the appointment as a continuation of family values instilled in them from an early age.
“Lindsey dedicated his life to serving South Carolina and defending our nation. He accomplished so much, yet he still had so many big ideas that he was determined to see through,” she wrote, adding, “Now, it’s time for me to step up for South Carolina, just like he stepped up for me when our parents died. In the most challenging of times, I’ve learned God often calls on ordinary people to do extraordinary things.”
She acknowledged that she brings her own approach to public service. “Yet I am not Lindsey. I have my own way of doing things. But we were raised with the same values: work hard each day, trust in the Lord, remember your roots, and never forget who you work for.”
She cited her career focused on helping South Carolinians with disabilities find employment and live independently as an example of that service.
The open letter also thanked Lindsey Graham’s staff for their work during a difficult period. “On behalf of my family and Lindsey’s staff — who have worked tirelessly through their own grief while continuing to serve the people — thank you.”
She concluded by asking for prayers: “I did not seek this moment. But it’s here. Now, I’m asking for your prayers. God Bless.&#8221;
The letter comes days after South Carolina Republican Governor Henry McMaster appointed Nordone to fill the remainder of her brother’s Senate term after she was recommended by President Donald Trump, saying it would be a fitting <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/lindsey-grahams-sister-named-interim-senator-she-accepted-through-tears?author=Virginia+Kruta&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Lindsey+Graham%E2%80%99s+Sister+Named+Interim+Senator+%E2%80%94+She+Accepted+Through+Tears">tribute</a> to Lindsey Graham, who had spoken highly of his sister in past interviews. She accepted the position in an emotional public appearance. 
“Lindsey has always been there for me. Now, I will be there for him,” she said last week.
Supporters, including members of Graham’s former staff and fellow South Carolina officials, praised her background in state government, workforce development, and her personal character. With her appointment, Nordone became the first woman to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate. She will serve out the remainder of her brother&#8217;s term, which ends in January 2027.

Senator Lindsey Graham Makes Announcement On Presidential Run

Darline Graham Nordone Pens Emotional Open Letter Following Brother’s Death

U.S. Senate

Two American troops were killed Saturday by an Iranian strike on Jordan, according to U.S. Central Command. Another American service member remains missing.
The deaths mark the first confirmed U.S. fatalities from Iranian attacks on <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/5975822-iranian-attacks-jordan-us-bases/">Jordan</a> this <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/iran-war-trump-strait-of-hormuz-attacks-persian-gulf/#post-update-f33e0e20">week</a>. Four other American troops were medically evacuated to Jordanian hospitals and have since been discharged. CENTCOM says it will not <a href="https://x.com/centcom/status/2078530691109974522?s=46">release</a> the names of the fallen until 24 hours after their families have been notified. 
Iran has attacked American allies in the region in recent days. Kuwait reported that an Iranian attack hit a power generation and water desalination facility, starting a fire and knocking units offline. A child was injured by shrapnel in Qatar, and Bahrain came under attack as well.
The United States has ramped up strikes on Iranian targets in recent days, many of which were located around Bandar Abbas, Iran’s main strategic port city on the Strait of Hormuz. The city, home to more than half a million people, is home to Iran’s navy headquarters and serves as a key commercial hub for the regime.
CENTCOM also confirmed the earlier destruction of the Chah Bahar Shahid Kalantari Port surveillance tower on July 16.
“The destruction of the tower directly degrades IRGC’s ability to coordinate attacks on innocent civilian crew members,” CENTCOM said. 
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth shared images of U.S. troops and wrote that “Iran does not control the SoH,” <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/u-s-pounds-bridges-and-roads-to-cut-off-irans-strategic-port-city?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=U.S.+Pounds+Bridges+And+Roads+To+Cut+Off+Iran%E2%80%99s+Strategic+Port+City">referring</a> to the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran&#8217;s Energy Ministry has reportedly ordered residents to cut back on electricity use during peak hours because attacks on energy facilities had affected the power grid in southern provinces
Conflict in the region has escalated in the days since Iran announced it would no longer honor the interim peace deal with the United States.
“The only way you can negotiate with these people is through strength,” President Donald Trump said in a July 14 <a href="https://www.fox.com/watch/episode/fmc-wo9mpqdcemr6qlz5/7-14-trump-on-iran-and-strait-of-hormuz">interview</a>. “And the only strength is military strength.”

MIDDLE EAST-ONGOING U.S.-ISRAEL-IRAN CONFLICT

Two U.S. Troops Killed In Iranian Attack On Jordan, One Missing

President Donald Trump <a href="https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4546926/trump-announces-10b-investment-in-defense-industry/#:~:text=In%20January%2C%20Secretary%20of%20War,various%20stops%20throughout%20the%20country">announced</a> a $10 billion War Department investment in materiel production Wednesday, saying the funding is expected to support more than 4,000 defense-industry jobs across Pennsylvania.
Trump made the announcement during keynote remarks at the first Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The two-day event brought together leaders from the finance, defense, and technology industries to discuss military production, innovation, and the defense industrial base.
“We’re here today to celebrate a colossal victory for this commonwealth and for the entire nation,” Trump said before announcing the investment.
According to the Department of War, more than 30 investment announcements came out of the summit. The funding is intended to advance munitions production, shipbuilding, the space industry, artificial intelligence, robotics, and other emerging technologies.
“Pennsylvania workers will build the ships, submarines, trucks, weapons and industries that ensure America remains the strongest and most powerful nation in the history of the world,” Trump said.
Trump also tied the investment to the country’s 250th anniversary and Pennsylvania’s role in American history.
“This year we’re celebrating the 250th anniversary of American freedom, and no state has been more central to protecting that freedom than the commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” Trump said. “With today’s announcement, Pennsylvania will play a key role in building the arsenal of freedom to defend our nation in the modern world.”
The War Department describes the “<a href="https://www.csis.org/events/arsenal-freedom-tour">Arsenal of Freedom</a>” tour as a call to strengthen the defense industrial base by expanding American manufacturing and supporting the national workforce.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth launched a multi-week Arsenal of Freedom tour in January. The department said the tour focused on one of its priorities of rebuilding the military through engagement with the defense industrial base at stops across the country.
“It is true to say that there has never been a moment like this, or a stage like this, where innovators, prime contractors, private equity titans of industry, labor leaders [and] defense leaders have come together for this type of moment,” Hegseth said.
“There’s never been a moment like this where the aperture has opened up inside the [War Department] for defense and [for] the second word: innovation,” he added.
Hegseth credited Trump with prioritizing military investment during his second term and described the announcement as a long-term investment in U.S. warfighting capabilities.
“When you talk about the arsenal of freedom, this is only something a ‘builder in chief’ could unleash,” Hegseth said. “In defense, specifically, this is a generational investment in the future of our warfighting capabilities that our country has not seen since Ronald Reagan.”
The War Department compared the administration’s approach to Reagan’s military buildup during the 1980s, which included efforts to expand the Navy, develop nuclear programs, and modernize conventional forces.
Trump and the department are also seeking $1.5 trillion in defense spending under the fiscal year 2027 budget proposal.
“This investment will fundamentally change the battlefield [and] keep the American people [safe] into the future,” Hegseth said.

Donald Trump

Trump Announces $10 Billion Defense Boom, Thousands Of New Jobs

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Leona Salinas