Tragedy struck at California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base on Thursday, when a 23-year-old from North Carolina lost his life in a heavy equipment mishap, according to an announcement by officials on Friday.

The fallen airman, identified as Airman 1st Class Cedric Eneluna, served with dedication in the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron’s Pavements and Equipment Flight, as reported by Vandenberg’s Space Launch Delta 30 Public Affairs office.

This pivotal squadron is entrusted with the maintenance of vital infrastructure such as roads and airfields, ensuring seamless support for Vandenberg’s U.S. Space Force launch, testing, and range endeavors, officials shared. The base holds the crucial role of overseeing satellite launches into polar orbit and the testing of intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Eneluna was tragically involved in an accident while operating heavy machinery, which unexpectedly rolled down an embankment. Fortunately, no other personnel sustained injuries during the incident, confirmed base officials.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the loss of Airman 1st Class Cedric Eneluna, a member of the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron,” Vandenberg Space Force Base said in a statement.

“A1C Eneluna served with honor, humility, and an unwavering commitment to his teammates and the mission. His loss is felt across our Vandenberg family.”

The official cause of death has not yet been determined by the Santa Barbara County Coroner’s Office. Units at Vandenberg are supporting a Safety Investigation Board review into the incident.

According to the base, Eneluna was from Fayetteville, North Carolina, and also spent part of his childhood in the Philippines.

He joined the military on March 5, 2024, and arrived at Vandenberg in August for his first duty assignment, where he became part of the unit’s “Dirt Boyz” team, a group of pavement and heavy equipment specialists.

“During his assignment at Vandenberg, he earned the respect and admiration of those around him through his positive attitude, tireless work ethic, and willingness to help others,” the base said.

“He made a lasting impression on his teammates through his character, dedication, and genuine care for others,” U.S. Space Force Col. James T. Horne III, commander of Space Launch Delta 30 and Vandenberg Space Force Base, said in a statement.

Eneluna’s squadron commander added that the young service member exemplified the qualities of an outstanding Airman.

“He brought out the best in everyone,” U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Seth Poulsen, 30th CES commander, said. “He was always ready to work, always willing to help, and always had a positive attitude. He truly represented what it means to be an Airman.”

This season has been a marathon for the Angels, often leaving fans weary. Yet, their performance has reignited a passion for baseball in at least one dedicated follower.

Jeff Pearlman, a celebrated sports writer and New York Times award recipient, recently shared on TikTok how the Angels have reignited his enthusiasm for the game.

“In the past month, I’ve attended roughly five games, going solo for three of those. You might wonder, ‘Who attends a baseball game alone?’ But honestly, it’s fantastic,” Pearlman expressed in his TikTok message. “I snag a ticket for the nosebleed seats, enjoy free parking by leaving my car offsite, and simply soak it all in.”

“The ballpark has a captivating vibe and a stunning view. I relish the lush green, the national anthem, the seventh-inning stretch, and those delightfully cheesy giveaways the Angels are famous for.”

Even with the Angels’ lackluster record of 39-61, Pearlman finds joy in the affordable thrill of live baseball, calling it the “cheapest, best bang for your buck ever.”

Pearlman went on to compare how cheap the Angels tickets are compared with Dodgers tickets. He said he’s happy not having to spend $40 to park and spending over $100 for a ticket.

Pearlman is a New York Times best-selling author who writes about football, baseball and basketball. He also wrote a biography on Tupac Shakur.

Some notable books Pearlman has written about LA sports in his career include “Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s,” and “Three-Ring Circus: Kobe, Shaq, Phil, and the Crazy Years of the Lakers Dynasty.”

Now attending Angels games for the experience to watch baseball in its purest form, Pearlman said he’s been taking photos with fans in attendance and leaving free copies of his books across the stadium. He enjoys getting a cold brew coffee from the Rise Espresso Bar in the stadium that includes cold foam and Cocoa Puffs.

The 2026 season has been another tough one for Angels fans, and the franchise might lose 100 games in a season for the first time.

Fans at Angel Stadium have been voicing their frustrations toward ownership this year. Earlier this season, they organized protests toward owner Arte Moreno, urging him to sell the team due to another losing season.

The protests have also been happening inside the stadium as fans have been participating in the Tarps Off movement, which has included regular chants of “Sell the team,” echoing from the right field seats.

Pearlman admitted he has mixed feelings about Tarps Off but called it “entertaining.”

“My new happy place is going to Angels games, parking for free, knowing I have a $5 ticket, watching the game, presuming the Angels are probably going to lose,” Pearlman said. “Just relishing in the moment.”

At the iconic MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the World Cup final drew a star-studded crowd on Sunday, featuring some of the entertainment industry’s most renowned figures.

Hollywood heavyweights such as Tom Cruise, Timothee Chalamet, and Matt Damon were spotted soaking in the thrilling moments as Spain secured a dramatic 1-0 win against Argentina in extra time.

The event also attracted several other celebrities, including Jon Hamm, Adrien Brody, and Blake Lively, who has kept a low profile since her ex-friend Taylor Swift’s wedding to Travis Kelce earlier this month.

Adding a touch of musical glamor, megastars like Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, and the recently wedded pop sensation Dua Lipa were also seen enjoying the spectacle.

Naturally, the football scene wouldn’t be complete without its legends, as former and current soccer icons, including Sir David Beckham and his wife Victoria, were also in attendance. For a complete rundown of the celebrity guests at the match, keep scrolling.

Tom Cruise 

Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner 

Matt Damon and Luciana Barroso 

Victoria and David Beckham

Beyonce and Jay-Z 

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky

Jessica Alba and Danny Ramirez 

Blake Lively 

Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick 

Anya Taylor-Joy and Malcolm McRae 

Madonna  

Romeo Beckham and Kim Turnbull 

Cruz Beckham and Jackie Apostel 

Robbie Williams and Ayda Field 

Javier Bardem 

Richard Gere and Alejandra Silva

Adrien Brody 

Dua Lipa and Callum Turner

Trevor Noah 

The Trumps 

Norman Reedus 

Will Ferrell  

Mick Jagger  

Tate McRae 

Jon Hamm 

Julia Garner 

Lindsey Vonn 

Winnie Harlow 

Gayle King 

Ronaldo Nazario and Celina Locks 

Eniko Hart and Kevin Hart 

Rob Gronkowski and Camille Kostek 

Karl-Anthony Towns 

Finn Cole 

Victor Wembanyama 

Shakira 

 Justin Bieber

BTS 

 Jason Sudeikis

Post Malone

Swae Lee 

Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and Laura Pausini 

Joe Burrow 

WASHINGTON — In a historic moment at the nation’s capital, Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, joyfully welcomed their fourth child. This marks the rare birth of a child to a sitting vice president, a milestone last seen over 150 years ago.

The new addition, Alec Neel Vance, arrived on Sunday, joining his siblings: Ewan, 9; Vivek, 6; and Mirabel, 4, who are thrilled to greet their new brother into the family.

This happy news was shared by Vance himself through a heartfelt post on social media, co-signed with his wife, Usha.

“We are delighted to announce the arrival of our baby boy, Alec Neel Vance, this morning. Both Usha and Alec are in great health, and our children are over the moon to welcome their baby brother,” the statement said, capturing the family’s joy.

The Vance family expressed their gratitude towards the dedicated doctors and staff at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, along with the White House medical team, for their exceptional care.

The Republican vice president’s growing family is in keeping with his passionate advocacy for Americans to have more children. He has also suggested that the 2025 killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was his friend, factored into the decision to have another child.

Vance, a former U.S. Marine, repeatedly expressed alarm about declining birth rates in America as he launched his political career in 2021 with a bid for a U.S. Senate seat from Ohio. As vice president, he said in Washington at the 2025 March for Life anti-abortion rally, “I want more babies in the United States of America.”

The vice president, who’s 41, has been accompanied on overseas trips by Usha Vance, 40, and their children, with the kids often pajama-clad as they board Air Force Two for the overnight flights.

Usha Vance, the daughter of immigrants from India, had already been the subject of some public fascination because of her husband. Her pregnancy, which was announced in January, amplified that spotlight since it is rare for occupants of the United States’ highest public offices to add to their families while serving.

The last time a sitting vice president became a new father was in the 1800s.

Schuyler Colfax and his second wife, Ellen Wade, had a son, Schuyler Colfax III, in 1870 when Colfax was serving as vice president, according to the White House Historical Association. Decades before that, John C. Calhoun and his wife, Floride Bonneau, had a son, William, in 1829 when Calhoun was vice president, the association said.

The newest addition to Vance’s family was part of a recent mini baby boom among top members of President Donald Trump’s administration. White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller’s wife, Katie Miller, recently gave birth to the couple’s fourth child, and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt had her second child with her husband, Nicholas Riccio, in May.

Usha Vance recently came under scrutiny after The New York Times’ fashion critic called attention to the stomach-hugging, coral maternity dress she wore for a Father’s Day episode of “Storytime with the Second Lady,” a video podcast she launched during the pregnancy.

The Times wrote that the attention that Vance, Miller and Leavitt had put on their pregnancies offered “an image of idealized womanhood that gives literal shape to the pronatalist movement,” which encourages couples to have as many children as possible to counter declining birth rates.

The second lady responded on social media, writing, “Now that we know the political significance of my $8.75 coral maternity dress from Old Navy, can’t wait to hear what the New York Times has to say about my elastic-waistband pants and compression socks! In the meantime, enjoy my pregnancy fashion (or lack thereof) and a good story with your kids on Storytime with the Second Lady.” She later shared the receipt for the dress, and her husband applauded her frugality.

“She bought a $50 dress for $8.75. America: meet your next director of the federal budget!” the vice president wrote on social media.

JD Vance has said it was Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, telling them that she wished she’d had more than two children with her husband before he was assassinated last September in Utah that led him and the second lady to decide to grow their family. Usha Vance, a former attorney who once clerked for Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, concurred – in part.

“It was very powerful, what (Erika) said about her own family, and certainly very moving to both of us. I think I had already started to open my mind to the possibility,” Usha Vance said during a joint interview with her husband for “CBS Sunday Morning” that aired in June. “I wouldn’t say that this was, for me in any way, the decisive factor. But it came in the middle of a conversation that we were already having.”

The Islamic State is reportedly making a resurgence as the United States nears the end of its military presence in Iraq. This development is causing concern that the terror group might leverage a potential security vacuum, according to a regional security expert on Sunday.

With all U.S. forces set to exit by September 30, and as Baghdad works to manage Iran-affiliated militias, Iraq could be approaching its most precarious point since ISIS took control of Mosul in 2014. This is the view of counterterrorism specialist Dr. Omar Mohammed.

“ISIS is strategically poised in the voids, as it has historically done,” stated Mohammed, who is both an author and researcher with the George Washington University Program on Extremism, during an interview with News Media.

“The issue isn’t whether the American forces will depart in September; that decision is already made. The concern is about what states of affairs, and perhaps chaos, might accompany their exit.”

“The militias claim the ISIS threat in order to keep their weapons, while ISIS recruits from the grievances that the militias create,” Mohammed explained.

“That is exactly the dynamic that hollowed out Mosul before 2014, when the city was caught between a sectarian security apparatus and the insurgency it fed.”

After preparing for years, ISIS captured Mosul, about 250 miles north of Baghdad, over a decade ago. Iraqi security forces collapsed and fled the city.

The group built underground networks through assassinations, extortion, intimidation and infiltration before launching its offensive. ISIS seized U.S.-made weapons and hundreds of millions of dollars before leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared the group’s self-proclaimed caliphate.

At the time, Mohammed launched “Mosul Eye,” a blog that secretly documented life under ISIS rule, exposing its operations and offering intelligence to U.S. forces.

Mohammed’s story is chronicled in Mosul Eye: A Scholar’s Clandestine War Against ISIS, out July 21 from Skyhorse Publishing, with a foreword by Pope Francis and an introduction by retired Gen. David Petraeus.

Iraqi forces, backed by the U.S.-led coalition, went on to recapture Mosul in July 2017. When the U.S. combat mission ended in 2021, ISIS continued operating in parts of Iraq and Syria.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has said it will continue working to dismantle ISIS networks and prevent the terror group’s resurgence.

But, citing Iraqi intelligence estimates, Mohammed said the number of ISIS fighters in neighboring Syria has increased from around 2,000 to as many as 10,000 since the collapse of Bashar Assad’s government in 2024.

Mohammed also said the Popular Mobilization Forces, or PMF, an umbrella organization integrated into Iraq’s security forces, was never disbanded after ISIS’s territorial defeat.

He estimated the force has about 238,000 members, receives billions of dollars in government funding and includes factions with close ties to Iran that operate outside the Iraqi government’s direct control.

Now Baghdad is trying to bring armed factions, including Kataib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl al-Haq, under full state control.

“Sept. 30 is not one deadline; it is two,” Mohammed said, referring to the simultaneous U.S. withdrawal and the domestic disarmament push.

“The militias and ISIS are not separate stories; they are deeply interdependent. Each actively justifies the other. Both forces thrive in the unstable spaces the central state cannot hold.”

The U.S. withdrawal also follows a 2024 U.S.-Iraq agreement that envisioned ending the mission in Iraq by 2025 while continuing support for anti-ISIS operations in Syria through September 2026. Mohammed warned against repeating past complacency.

“Mosul did not fall in 2014 because ISIS was strong. It fell because everything that would have detected its strength—presence, attention, honest reporting from the ground—had been withdrawn in the years before, while the world’s eyes were elsewhere.”

Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s White House meeting July 14, where it was announced remaining U.S. troops would leave Iraq, drew condemnation from Tehran.

According to Iran International, Ali Akbar Velayati, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei , called al-Zaidi’s trip “regrettable” and claimed it damaged Iraq’s dignity.

Mohammed said Iran’s influence inside Iraq is important to Tehran after U.S. strikes degraded parts of its proxy network.

“Iran’s strategic calculation matters more now than at any point in a decade because Iraq is essentially what Iran has left,” Mohammed said. “So the regime’s real fear is not resurgence. It is irrelevance.”

Tehran fears an Iraq where the government successfully disarms the militias, U.S. forces leave on Baghdad’s terms rather than Iran’s, and no active security crisis remains to justify armed groups operating outside full state control, he said.

“That said, what happens across the wider region after September will not be decided by anyone’s stated intentions or diplomatic promises,” Mohammed added.

“I have seen what a city pays when that judgment is wrong. Whether ISIS grows large enough to frighten Iran, or stays just large enough to serve it, will be one of the defining questions of the year after the withdrawal,” he warned.

News Media has reached out to the White House for comment.