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The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for Cook, Will, and Lake (Ind.) counties, active until noon on Saturday.
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The shootout marked a significant moment for the Socceroos, holding the potential to be a historic moment.
Harry Souttar, the 27-year-old captain and center-back, stood poised over the ball. He took a composed breath, initiated his run-up, only to see the ball soar over the crossbar.
Following successful goals by Jackson Irvine and Awer Mabil, something eerily similar unfolded.
Lucas Herrington, a promising 18-year-old defender, struck the ball, only for it to ricochet off the crossbar, missing the goal entirely.
With two penalties missed and Egypt converting all of theirs, Australia’s hopes in the FIFA World Cup 2026 came to a halt, postponing their aspiration for a first knockout-stage triumph by another four years.
In a post-match interview with SBS, Herrington said he will “move on” from the shootout.
“Obviously, it’s tough; it’s part of the game. I made them [penalties] during the week, I was confident … And unfortunately I missed, but it’s part of the game,” he said.
“It’s hard because it’s the biggest tournament of the year. It’s the biggest, probably, moment in my life, and I miss. I just got to rely on my support network and just get back to working.
“I’m 18, I’ve got a lot of career left, and I think it’s just the first big speedbump in my career.”
In the hours since the shootout, Souttar and Herrington have had support thrown around them by the international football community.
Veteran Swedish striker and football legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic told Herrington, “reach out, I’m here” during the the US Fox Sports coverage.
“Penalty is like lottery. You score, you become a hero; you don’t score, sadly you become zero,” he said.
“I just want to reach out to Herrington. You’re 18 years old, you’re young, this is just the beginning of your career. You stepping up there, you showed a lot of courage, not everybody will do that.
“My friend, you’re the best. Don’t listen to the rest.”
Socceroos players have also supported their teammates after the shootout.
Midfielder Jackson Irvine, who was in tears after the match, said Souttar and Herrington have been “immense” through the whole tournament.
“I hope everyone stays behind them and they get all the support … To step up and take a penalty is not easy,” he said
He said the tournament was the beginning for many of the players.
Socceroos defender Aziz Behich also said Lucas Herrington can keep his head up after missing his shot.
“Lucas is going to be in more of those positions later down the track,” he said.
“The kind of boy Lucas is, such a great lad, great head on his shoulders, great professional.
“I just told him that for him to even just go up there, to put the ball down, was enough for us, and he can keep his head up.”
While some experts, such as Scott Brown, a former Scotland midfielder and BBC One pundit, have criticised the two for being penalty takers, Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has defended his decision to choose Herrington.
“I’m sure you’d be saying something else if the young kid scored,” he said to a journalist.
“You’d probably be sitting there saying how wonderful it is that an 18-year-old had scored.
“If I trust him to play in a game that we needed to get a result against Paraguay, a game where elimination was on the line, then what’s the difference with the penalty?”
You can watch all 104 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ live, free and exclusive on SBS, SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand.
For a wounded police officer, the toughest day may not be when they’re hurt on duty. The real challenge might come later.
Retired Las Vegas police Lt. Randy Sutton stresses that for many, the hardest blow is the realization that time has marched on and they’ve been forgotten.
Sutton isn’t just speaking from hearsay—he’s lived it. After a debilitating stroke cut his career short, he channeled his experience into founding The Wounded Blue, a one-of-a-kind nonprofit in the United States dedicated to aiding injured and disabled law enforcement officers.
Randy Sutton addressing supporters at a fundraiser for an injured officer. (Wounded Blue)
Since its inception eight years ago, The Wounded Blue has significantly impacted the lives of over 17,000 officers across the nation, offering peer support, advocacy, and vital resources to those in need.
As America celebrates its 250th birthday, Sutton hopes the nation takes time to recognize not only those who wear the badge, but also those whose service continues long after they’ve left it behind.
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“If you had asked me what I’d be doing in my retirement years after 34 years of police service, this never would’ve been in the informational packet of my own brain,” Sutton told News Media. “But fate works in very, very strange ways.”
Randy Sutton provides peer support to an injured officer. (Wounded Blue)
Those twists of fate began one night while Sutton was patrolling the Las Vegas Strip.
“I literally felt my brain slowing down,” he recalled. “I stopped the car and said, ‘Get me medical. I’m having a stroke.'”
The stroke ended his law enforcement career, but Sutton said what happened after he left the hospital changed the course of his life even more.
“I lost my career,” he said. “I lost my identity.”
As he fought for his medical benefits, Sutton said he began receiving calls and messages from officers across the country sharing similar stories.
“‘Randy, I was shot in the line of duty.’ ‘Randy, I was paralyzed when my police car was struck by a drunk driver.’ One after another from cops I didn’t even know,” he said. “I realized at that point this is a national issue and there was no national resource for these men and women. So I created it.”
That organization became The Wounded Blue, whose motto, “Never Forgotten. Never Alone,” was born from Sutton’s own experience.
“Having experienced it, I came up with that motto from what it felt like to me when I did feel forgotten, when I did feel alone,” he said. “It took me to some very dark places.”
Today, The Wounded Blue’s peer support team is made up entirely of officers who have survived shootings, stabbings, devastating crashes, post-traumatic stress and other life-changing injuries.
“Our entire team is made up of cops who have been shot or stabbed or beaten or run over… and they’ve come out on the other side,” Sutton said.
Members of The Wounded Blue pose with Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel, the Houston teen battling terminal brain and spinal cancer whose mission to be sworn in by 1,000 law enforcement agencies has inspired officers across the nation. (Wounded Blue)
Of the more than 17,000 officers the organization has helped, one story continues to stay with him.
A Utah police officer lost his leg after being struck by a tractor-trailer driven by a man under the influence of cocaine. Sutton said the officer’s department abandoned him, leaving him with a worn-out prosthetic so damaged he was “walking around on a bloody stump.”
Then came a phone call from what Sutton affectionately calls “the Voice on the Phone,” an anonymous donor who first contacted him after seeing him discuss The Wounded Blue on Fox News.
When Sutton learned a replacement prosthetic would cost more than $117,000, he called the donor.
“That man’s a hero,” Sutton recalled the donor telling him. “He deserves the best prosthetic leg money can buy.”
The generosity didn’t stop there. After learning the officer and his wife had adopted two children with special needs, Sutton said The Wounded Blue and its charitable partners completely renovated the family’s home.
“That’s The Wounded Blue,” Sutton said.
Another story still brings a smile to Sutton’s face.
A Texas police officer suffered a catastrophic spinal injury during a struggle with a suspect and endured 16 botched surgeries before doctors told him he would never walk again. Sutton said The Wounded Blue first purchased the officer a wheelchair before connecting him with a renowned spinal surgeon through the same anonymous donor.
“Three months ago, he danced with his daughter at her wedding,” Sutton said. “He’s got his life back.”
Those stories continue to fuel Sutton’s mission.
Just days before speaking with News Media, he traveled to Mississippi to spend nearly a week beside a deputy who was critically wounded after being ambushed and struck by an AK-47 round.
“My wish is that someday we’ll have the resources to go to the bedside of every cop who’s been severely injured in the line of duty,” Sutton said. “If someday we have the resources to do it, you can bet that’s where I will be.”
Deputy Yates Rodney of the Covington County Sheriff’s Office is transported by ambulance after being critically wounded in an ambush in Mississippi while family members and fellow law enforcement officers look on. (Wounded Blue)
Beyond expanding bedside support, Sutton hopes to continue growing The Wounded Blue’s annual National Law Enforcement Survival Summit, which brings officers and their spouses together to focus on recovery, mental health and life after the job.
“It’s every aspect of surviving a law enforcement career — physically, emotionally, psychologically, spiritually,” he said.
As America celebrates its 250th birthday, Sutton hopes the country remembers that supporting those who protect their communities shouldn’t end when the headlines do.
Deputy Yates Rodney recovers after an ambush in Mississippi. (Wounded Blue)
“The men and women serving today are heroes,” he said. “They’re willing to give their lives for their communities.”
For those looking to get involved, Sutton encourages Americans to support The Wounded Blue through its “9-1-1 Campaign,” which asks supporters to donate $9.11 a month. Businesses can also partner with the nonprofit, while current and retired officers in need are encouraged to reach out directly for help.
“If you’re a law enforcement officer or have been and you’re struggling, contact us,” Sutton said. “The Wounded Blue exists for you.”
If there’s one message Sutton hopes Americans remember as they celebrate the nation’s milestone birthday, it’s one shared by the anonymous donor whose generosity has changed countless lives.
“America cares about its heroes.”
Just as Christmas is renowned for its carols, Independence Day boasts an array of iconic songs.
These stirring melodies echo the patriotism of the holiday, our appreciation for the visionary efforts of our founding fathers in shaping a united nation, and our deep affection for America. Classics like the Star‑Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful, and Lee Greenwood’s God Bless the U.S.A. instantly come to mind. More recently, John Denver’s Country Roads has found renewed popularity during events like the World Cup.
Naturally, among these beloved anthems is God Bless America, a song that continues to be passionately sung by crowds nationwide.
Yet, have you ever wondered about its origins or who composed this revered piece?
The inaugural public performance took place in 1938 to honor Armistice Day, marking the end of World War I. However, the history of the song traces back to 1918. It was penned by the legendary Irving Berlin, often celebrated as “The Dean of American Songwriters.” Berlin wrote the song two decades prior, but it wasn’t until 1938 that a revised version captivated audiences in its public debut.
November 9, 1938
In [a] remarkable letter, songwriter Irving Berlin writes to fellow composer Harry Ruby on the eve of “God Bless America’s” reintroduction to the world. The timing is chilling as the letter was written on the eve of the Kristallnacht program (Nov. 9–10, 1938) in Nazi Germany. Berlin reveals that Kate Smith will sing it the next night on national radio—reviving a forgotten WWI-era tune that would become a defining American anthem. This letter, written just one day before Smith’s Armistice Day broadcast, captures the quiet beginnings of what would become one of the most patriotic songs in U.S. history.
“God Bless America,” written by Irving Berlin (born Israel Beilin), a Jewish immigrant from Russia, became a timeless patriotic anthem. First penned in 1918 and revised in 1938, it reflects Berlin’s deep love for his adopted country. pic.twitter.com/ucyM8vIZ0f
— Reuven Goldstein (@curatorWH) July 1, 2026
Hat tip to my friend and California state senate candidate for the 22nd district, Mike Netter, for sharing the following post.
Here is the first time ever God Bless America was sung
Happy 250 America
Watch and spread
Like and smile pic.twitter.com/9xPMImc96W— Mike Netter (@nettermike) July 3, 2026
The song became an immediate classic:
This simple one-verse song became an overnight hit, and a hopeful song as war threatened. “It’s not a patriotic song,” composer Irving Berlin said in a 1940 interview, “but an expression of gratitude for what this country has done for its citizens, of what home really means.” Today, many Americans consider “God Bless America” an unofficial national anthem of the United States.
LAND OF THE FREE: Amidst America’s Attempted Destruction, the Songs of Freedom Remind Us Why July 4 Will Never Be Canceled
GOALLLLL! US Men’s Soccer Overcomes Garbage Red Card, Disallowed Scores to Achieve Epic World Cup Victory
For decades, you used to hear Smith’s version at New York Yankees and Philadelphia Flyers games, but the Left always wants to make sure you can’t have nice things, so in 2019, they dragged up other songs that she had sung nearly a century ago and got her canceled. The two teams no longer play her voice because some of the tunes were deemed to be racist.
Critics of cancel culture struck back, noting that Smith recorded one of the controversial “racist” songs with an African American man, and it was meant to be satirical, not hateful. Meanwhile, she didn’t exactly sound like your average KKK Grand Wizard in an interview:
Smith called for racial tolerance in 1945 in an address on CBS Radio, declaring, “Race hatreds, social prejudices, religious bigotry, they are the diseases that eat away the fibers of peace”. She went on to state “it is up to us to tolerate one another in order to achieve peace”.
In any case, you won’t hear her anymore at Yankees or Flyers games.
The Left is always trying to erase our history, but the problem for them is that they can’t. We’ve got the documents, we’ve got the videotapes, we’ve got the contemporaneous news stories. I hope you enjoyed Smith’s rendition.
Now fire up those grills, display your American flags, and let the world know that you are a loud and proud American who will not be erased.
GOD BLESS AMERICA. 🇺🇸🎆 pic.twitter.com/RgWxYQX6BO
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 4, 2026
Editor’s Note: It’s America’s 250th birthday! Help RedState celebrate the greatest nation in history by honoring its past, defending its present, and preserving its future with reporting you can trust.
There was jubilation for the Egyptian star Mohamed Salah and disappointment for Australia, who suffered a significant setback after taking a daring risk.
Australia took a bold step by swapping their goalkeeper right before the penalty shoot-out, but the decision backfired. Substitute Mat Ryan failed to stop any penalties, leading to Egypt clinching victory.
Patrick Beach, the starting goalkeeper, had been a standout performer for the Socceroos throughout the tournament. His exceptional reflex save from close range kept Australia in the contest.
However, coach Tony Popovic’s decision to replace Beach left him with a miscalculated move, as Ryan, once with Brighton and Arsenal, struggled to make any impact during the shoot-out.
With composed precision, Salah converted his penalty, helping Egypt secure their first-ever knockout victory at the World Cup. The Pharaohs emerged triumphant, winning the shoot-out 4-2, after Emam Ashour’s initial goal was negated by a Mohamed Hany own goal during regulation time.
The former Liverpool man was left in tears at full time after his cheeky dinked effort and said: ‘I told the guys “this is the biggest game you will play in your life, don’t let the pressure get to you”. I am happy we created history today.’
Egypt came out on top on penalties against Australia to reach the last-16 of the FIFA World Cup
Mohamed Salah, who left Liverpool at the end of the season, was in tears following the victory
Why on earth are Egypt watching a compilation of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior? That was the first thought as the television cameras zoomed in on a laptop on the sidelines.
Turns out they were watching every penalty that Australia goalkeeper Mat Ryan, now of Spanish side Levante, has faced this season.
It was clear from the clips that the 34-year-old, who has 105 caps, was quick to move and dive one way. Egypt’s players stuttered their run-ups and it came up trumps.
But what a baffling decision from Popovic. Easy to say in hindsight, to be fair. Had Ryan saved just one penalty, it would have been an inspired call.
Hauling off Beach felt weird, though. He was a hero against Turkey in the group stage and made a save-of-the-tournament contender here to deny a Ramy Rabia header from point-blank range.
At one point, one wondered whether they would name Bondi Beach as Patrick Beach. But Popovic made his bed and the decision backfired.
Fans were perplexed to see Egypt’s players seemingly watching Real Madrid highlights prior to the penalty shootout against Australia – but there was a logical explanation to it
Egypt have a Salah, a Zico and a Trezeguet in their ranks, plus Manchester City star Omar Marmoush – but it is little-known (outside of his homeland at least) star Emam Ashour that is lighting up the World Cup.
The midfielder scored in a vital 1-1 draw against Belgium, which helped Egypt on their way to five points and the knockout stages for the first time, and did so again here.
His goal was well taken, too. He ghosted into the penalty area, found space at the back post and confidently headed home from Karim Hafez’s cross.
Ashour, 28, plays for Al Ahly – as did four other members of the starting XI – in Egypt, where he has scored 30 goals in 86 games from midfield.
He might have thought his time to flourish on the biggest stage had passed him by but, at his first World Cup, he is flourishing.
Substitute Haissem Hassan also looked dangerous. Salah had a quiet first hour or so but started to warm up and caused all sorts of problems in the latter stages.
Emam Ashour is not a household name but he stood out for Egypt in the Australia match-up
Here’s a good pub quiz question for the niche football fans among you: how many own goals have there been in the history of the World Cup?
That’s right, the answer is 67. But who is the only player to help their opposition more than one of those? Poor Ramy, who diverted into his own goal here after doing the same against Belgium two weeks ago.
Leicester defender Harry Souttar, once of Sheffield United, Stoke City and Fleetwood Town, wheeled off in celebration. The Aberdeen-born 6ft 6in star did not get the decisive touch, though, so the goal was not his.
The big lad had an inspired game defensively and Australia maybe deserved more. But ultimately the Aberdonian skied his penalty and that is all he will be remembered for. Scotland’s World Cup woes go on…
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Authorities have arrested 35-year-old Cornelius Davon Henderson from Tallahassee, following accusations of firing a pistol into the air while making threats against his ex-girlfriend and her young child.
According to a report by the Gainesville Police Department, the incident occurred when the victim, accompanied by her one-year-old, visited a home in the Pine Ridge area to meet friends. The victim stated she encountered Henderson at the location, who left after purchasing marijuana.
The victim recounted walking south on NW 23rd Terrace when a maroon or burgundy vehicle approached her. Henderson was reportedly inside the car and asked her for a lighter. Upon declining any interaction with him, the victim said Henderson reacted with anger, brandishing a purple handgun. He allegedly pointed the weapon skyward, declaring, “I’m gonna fire this [expletive] gun,” before discharging a shot. The victim expressed that she feared for her and her child’s safety during the incident.
Friends of the victim, who remained at the Pine Ridge residence, confirmed to the officer that they heard a gunshot coming from the south of their location.
The officer learned from law enforcement databases that Henderson and his current girlfriend had been pulled over in a red vehicle on June 29, and they found the vehicle, which was registered to Henderson’s girlfriend, parked outside her residence in Oak Glade.
The officer reported that while he was investigating the vehicle, Henderson’s girlfriend came outside and told him her vehicle had not been to Pine Ridge, Henderson was not in her residence, and her gun was locked up inside her residence. After a “lengthy” period, she reportedly admitted that Henderson had been living with her for a few months and that they had driven to Pine Ridge earlier that day to buy “weed.” She reportedly said she owns a purple gun and gave consent to remove it from her car; a loaded purple 9mm handgun was reportedly collected from her car.
The officer spoke to Henderson by phone, and he reportedly said he had left to go back to Tallahassee, had not been to Pine Ridge that day, had not spoken with the victim, and had not fired a gun. Henderson eventually came out of the residence and was detained, but he continued to deny having a gun that day.
A search at the jail reportedly produced a 9mm bullet in Henderson’s pocket.
Henderson has been charged with two counts of domestic aggravated assault with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. His full criminal history is unavailable because of the holiday, but he has served two state prison sentences, with his last release in October 2025. Judge Jonathan Ramsey set bail at $120,000.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Experiencing reduced knee strength after turning 60? Kickstart your morning with these five invigorating exercises designed to boost your leg muscles.
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Daily, your knees bear the brunt of numerous tasks, often overlooked until discomfort sets in. As one ages beyond 60, the strength in the muscles supporting the knee can diminish if not regularly exercised, complicating menial tasks like ascending stairs, rising from a seat, or taking a brisk walk. From my experience as a trainer, I’ve noticed that knee complaints often mask the real culprit: weakened hips, thighs, and calves, which fail to provide necessary support. Introducing a few specific exercises each morning can activate these muscles, readying your joints for the day’s activities.
Many individuals turn to yoga for relief from knee pain, and while enhancing flexibility is beneficial, bolstering strength is crucial for joint protection. For optimal knee health, strength in your quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and calves is essential to distribute force properly and maintain stability. Lacking this muscular support, the knees endure undue strain. Hence, I suggest clients dedicate a few minutes each morning to building muscle strength instead of solely focusing on stretching to begin their day with robust support.
Throughout years of coaching adults over 60, I’ve observed a common trend amongst those with well-maintained knees: the integration of a morning movement routine. They refrain from elaborate workouts or long gym sessions pre-breakfast. Instead, they routinely perform simple exercises that fortify the muscles crucial for joint support and endurance. These five exercises are particularly favored for their simplicity, effectiveness, and ability to enhance knee strength every time you rise.
If I could only recommend one exercise for stronger knees after 60, the sit-to-stand would sit near the top of the list. It closely mirrors one of the most common movements you’ll perform throughout the day while strengthening the quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings, and core at the same time. Rather than placing unnecessary stress directly on the knee joint, it teaches the surrounding muscles to share the workload more efficiently. Many of my clients notice that getting out of chairs, climbing stairs, and walking longer distances begins feeling easier after only a few weeks of consistent practice. Stronger legs create happier knees, and few exercises accomplish that more naturally.
How to Do It
This movement targets one of the most important muscles for knee health: the vastus medialis, part of the quadriceps responsible for helping stabilize the kneecap. I frequently introduce this exercise to clients recovering from long periods of inactivity because it strengthens the knee without requiring deep bending or high-impact movement. The controlled extension teaches the leg to lock out with strength while improving muscular endurance around the joint. Over time, clients often report greater confidence during walking and less stiffness when first getting out of bed. Small movements like this often produce surprisingly big improvements in knee function.
How to Do It
People rarely think about their calves when discussing knee strength, but they play a major role in absorbing force every time your foot contacts the ground. Strong calves reduce stress traveling upward into the knees while improving balance and walking mechanics. I include calf raises in nearly every lower-body routine because they strengthen the ankle and lower leg without placing excessive demand on aging joints. Clients often notice smoother walking and greater confidence on stairs after making them part of their morning routine. Better support from the ground up leads to healthier movement throughout the entire leg.
How to Do It
The muscles along the back of the thigh help stabilize the knee every time you walk, climb, or change direction. Weak hamstrings force the quadriceps to shoulder more of the workload, creating unnecessary imbalance around the joint. I often prescribe standing hamstring curls because they isolate these overlooked muscles without requiring special equipment or getting onto the floor. Clients frequently tell me they feel steadier during daily activities after strengthening the backs of their legs. Balanced strength around the knee creates smoother, more efficient movement with every step.
How to Do It
Deep squats aren’t necessary for building stronger knees. In fact, I often start clients with mini wall squats because they strengthen the quadriceps and glutes while keeping the movement controlled and comfortable. The wall provides support, allowing you to focus on proper mechanics instead of worrying about balance. As strength improves, many people notice greater confidence when sitting down, standing up, and navigating stairs. This exercise reinforces healthy movement patterns while gradually increasing muscular endurance around the knees.
How to Do It
BlackRock, a titan in the world of finance, is renowned for overseeing trillions in assets. However, the world’s preeminent money manager is now venturing into a new domain with a significant investment in the American workforce’s future.
Through its innovative Future Builders initiative, the company plans to allocate $100 million over the next five years. This ambitious project aims to train and introduce 50,000 skilled trade workers into a rapidly evolving job market, crucial for powering the AI-driven expansion of America’s energy infrastructure.
“What better way to honor America’s 250th birthday than by celebrating the men and women who have constructed our nation, as well as those who will build the essential infrastructure we depend on?” remarked John Kelly, BlackRock’s Global Head of Corporate Affairs.
Launched last month under BlackRock’s philanthropic division, this program specifically focuses on addressing the shortfall in professions such as electricians, welders, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and wiremen.
“The U.S. urgently needs to develop the infrastructure vital for competing in the tech arena and achieving energy resilience,” Kelly emphasized. “These are well-compensated, skilled jobs filled by individuals building our infrastructure. We just need a lot more of them.”
The investment, which comes amid widespread anxiety that AI will eliminate positions, helps create a new narrative: that the next phase of American growth will still depend on human workers with hard skills.
BlackRock co-founder and CEO Larry Fink has estimated that America should plan to spend $10 trillion on data centers and the energy infrastructure needed to power AI in the coming years.
That creates demand not just for capital, but for people.
“In order for the infrastructure that the United States needs to be built for to become energy resilient, we need these skilled trades,” Kelly said. “We’re investing in both the projects but also the people.”
BlackRock is not attempting to run training programs itself. Instead, the company is partnering with existing organizations that already have track records in training and placing workers, and using its funding to help scale those efforts.
“We’re not experts on training people. We’re experts in investing,” Kelly said. “We are partnering with organizations that are currently already doing this right.”
He added that BlackRock wants to help workers build long-term financial security once they are trained, certified and placed in jobs.
“We want to celebrate these people because these are hardworking Americans who are independent, who are financially secure, and who are building the future of the country,” Kelly said.
The initiative is also part of a broader push to mobilize corporate America around skilled trades. BlackRock is partnering with major companies including Walmart, Home Depot, Carhartt, Google and Meta to support the effort.
For BlackRock, the pitch is also personal. The firm, founded in 1988 by eight partners, has grown into the world’s largest asset manager, overseeing more than $14 trillion in assets and managing retirement funds for millions of Americans.
“We’re optimists,” Kelly said. “BlackRock [is] an American success story ourselves… eight founders who built this extraordinary fiduciary out of nothing.”
Kelly framed the effort as an extension of BlackRock’s broader role helping American workers build long-term financial security.
“This is BlackRock’s role and purpose, which is to help … 35 million American men and women working hard to help them invest better to live better and to retire with dignity,” Kelly said. “And we’ve done that with police officers, with firefighters, nurses and teachers now doing that with skilled trades.”
Kelly said the effort is not just about job training, but about whether America can move quickly enough to build the infrastructure required to compete.
“We’re in a race geopolitically,” he said. “We have to move quickly as a country.”
Still, he said he remains optimistic.
“America has always risen to the occasion,” Kelly said. “We know how to mobilize and we know how to work hard.”
A wave of deep ‘hurt’ has overcome Blake Lively as she was notably absent from what was once a close friend’s wedding list—Taylor Swift’s.
The duo shared a bond closely knit enough for Lively to appoint Swift as the godmother to her three daughters with husband Ryan Reynolds.
Yet, their seemingly indestructible friendship hit rocky terrain when Swift inadvertently got entangled in a legal dispute involving Lively and Justin Baldoni.
This past Friday marked a star-studded affair at Madison Square Garden, where Swift and her partner Travis Kelce celebrated their wedding. The event, officiated by Adam Sandler, boasted performances from legends like Stevie Nicks and Paul McCartney, alongside a musical moment from the bride herself.
A source has now told the Daily Mail that Lively’s exclusion has ignited a fierce anger, potentially dousing any hopes of reconciliation between her and Swift.
Lively is ‘sad and a little bit p***ed. No, a lot p***ed,’ said the insider. ‘That friendship was over before but if there was hope, it’s gone. They’ll never be friends again.’
The Daily Mail has contacted Lively and Swift’s representatives for comment.
Blake Lively’s excruciating sense of ‘hurt’ has been laid bare, as her former best friend Taylor Swift gets married without her in front of 1,000 guests; the pair are pictured in 2024
Swift and her groom Travis Kelce welcomed a cavalcade of celebrities to Madison Square Garden this Friday for their nuptials; the couple are pictured in March
But what once seemed an indissoluble bond was torpedoed after Swift was embarrassingly dragged into Lively’s legal battle with Justin Baldoni (pictured February)
The Gossip Girl star ‘wanted to go,’ the source noted. ‘It feels bad to be excluded like that. She had sort of hoped that despite everything, their history was enough that they’d be included, but that’s not the way it went.’
Stars galore flocked to the wedding, where a fairytale castle inspired by Swift’s Love Story music video was reportedly erected inside Madison Square Garden.
Road closures around the venue plunged Manhattan traffic into chaos and impeded travel out of Penn Station just as New Yorkers attempted to leave town ahead of Fourth of July weekend.
Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper, as well as Selena Gomez, Lena Dunham, Hugh Grant, Steven Spielberg, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Tom Brady, Jessica Chastain, Ed Sheeran, The Chainsmokers, Chris Rock, Jessica Alba, Danny Ramirez, Paul Mescal, Gracie Abrams and several of Kelce’s Kansas City Chiefs teammates like Patrick Mahomes were on hand for the blowout extravaganza.
Even Karlie Kloss, long rumored to have fallen out with Swift, managed to snag an invitation along with her husband Joshua Kushner.
Not so Lively, who was seen hundreds of miles away from Madison Square Garden on Thursday, the day a smaller event was held there.
Lively and Reynolds were seen that day supporting their daughter Betty, six, as she competed in a horse show at a farm in Lake Placid, New York, according to TMZ.
A dressed-down Lively was a far cry from the glamour of Swift’s functions, cutting a casual figure in a navy tank top and denim shorts at her daughter’s event.
Her blonde hair was swept into a haphazard updo that was secured with a claw clip. Meanwhile Reynolds wore a white t-shirt, a tan hat and khaki pants.
While celebrity guests were pictured arriving to the glamorous rehearsal dinner at MSG, Lively and her husband were seen supporting their daughter Betty, six, as she competed in a horse show at a farm in Lake Placid, New York; The pair seen in 2025
Lively and her husband were seen hundred miles away from the festivities at Madison Square Garden on Thursday, after Swift iced them out from her and Travis Kelce’s, 36, big day; Swift and Kelce seen in 2026
Lively and Reynolds’s NYC apartment is seen on Thursday, the day of Swift’s wedding festivities
‘Madison Square Garden holds more than 20,000 people. If Blake isn’t there, nobody can blame a lack of space,’ a source previously told the Daily Mail.
‘The guest list is so massive that Blake’s absence becomes impossible to ignore. People will notice immediately.’
‘Taylor could invite practically everyone she’s ever known. That’s why Blake not getting an invite would speak volumes.’
‘This isn’t about logistics or capacity. If Blake is left off the list, it’s personal.’
‘The bigger the wedding gets, the worse this looks for Blake,’ the source continued.
‘There will be movie stars, athletes, politicians, and music royalty in that arena,’ a source said.
‘When Blake isn’t among them, that becomes one of the biggest stories of the night and Taylor knows it.’
The exterior of the power couple’s home in New York City seen on Thursday
Lively and Reynolds pictured with daughters James and Inez in 2015
Explosives text messages from Baldoni’s complaint revealed Lively had referred to the superstar singer and her husband as ‘my dragons’; Lively and Swift seen in 2023
Swift and Lively have been friends for a decade, with the pair celebrating milestones together and the singer even name dropping Lively’s children in her music; Seen in 2024
The apparent snub carries an extra sting given that Swift is the beloved godmother to the couple’s daughters: James, 11, Inez, nine, and Betty. The pair also share three-year-old son Olin.
Swift and Kelce have brought midtown Manhattan to a standstill with night one of their wedding bonanza.
Reported bridesmaid Selena Gomez was spotted dressed to the nines in an elegant black gown as she arrived at the arena early Thursday evening to celebrate her best friend’s wedding.
Supermodel Gigi Hadid, another reported bridesmaid, headed to the venue accompanied by her boyfriend Bradley Cooper and Swift’s close friend Ashley Avignone.
Jack Antonoff, Swift’s longtime music collaborator, was also seen leaving the Bowery Hotel in a dapper suit as he got into a private car.
While Lively’s bitter lawsuit against Baldoni was settled earlier this year, it appears it wasn’t enough to secure her a coveted spot on Swift’s guest list.
Swift’s reported fallout with the actress happened after she was subpoenaed in the her lawsuit against Baldoni, before the subpoena was later withdrawn.
Swift, whose hit song My Tears Ricochet was featured on the soundtrack of Baldoni’s 2024 film It Ends With Us – where he starred alongside Lively – was pulled into the rollercoaster saga last year when Baldoni filed a $400 million countersuit accusing Lively and her husband of defamation. The suit was later thrown out.
Explosives text messages from Baldoni’s complaint revealed Lively had referred to the superstar singer and her husband as ‘my dragons’ in a bid to intimidate him over the ill-fated flick.
Though Lively was left off the guest list, Swift’s close pal Selena Gomez shared a video of herself en route to the rehearsal dinner
Madison Square Garden was lit up in pink on Thursday night, but a few prized ads remained prominent
In January, a source told DailyMail.com: ‘Her friends also think that Blake’s “I’m Khaleesi, and like her, I happen to have dragons” text to Justin was uncool and unnecessary because she was essentially used as an intimidation tactic. She was referred to as some kind of pet or possession.’
Since then, Swift has reportedly been trying to distance herself from the scandal as well as her friendship with Lively.
Those efforts have included icing Lively out of her inner circle while Kelce unfollowed Reynolds on Instagram.
Swift and Lively have been friends for a decade, with the pair celebrating milestones together and the singer even name dropping Lively’s children in her music.
In an intense overnight offensive, Russia unleashed a barrage of weapons on Kyiv, targeting the Ukrainian capital with a multitude of drones and missiles. This assault devastated residential areas, resulting in at least 18 fatalities and injuring more than 90 individuals, as reported by Reuters.
Andrii Melnyk, Ukraine’s envoy to the UN, conveyed the gravity of the situation to News Media, revealing that the attack represented “the most terrifying night for Kyiv since the onset of Russia’s comprehensive invasion.”
“This morning, I was on the phone with my mother-in-law, who is currently in Kyiv. She confessed that she had never experienced such fear. It was as though a biblical Apocalypse was unfolding before her eyes, with everyone around her in prayer.”
Emergency crews responded to the damage inflicted on an apartment building during the missile and drone assault by Russia in Kyiv, Ukraine, on July 2, 2026. (Reuters)
The central areas of Kyiv were rocked by explosions for several hours, prompting thousands of people to seek refuge in bomb shelters and subway stations. This incident marked the most extensive destruction in Kyiv throughout 2026 and was the deadliest attack on the capital since May, when an attack claimed 24 lives after an apartment block collapsed.
Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 74 missiles and 496 drones overnight, according to Reuters.
Yuri Ihnat, the Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson, said the number of ballistic missiles was unusually high and that the interception rate for them was low, as Ukraine continues to face shortages of Patriot missiles.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who cut short a visit to Ireland and returned to Ukraine, said damage had been reported at more than 20 sites across the capital.
“The main strike was directed at Kyiv,” Zelenskyy said. “Air defence supplies for Ukraine are an absolute and critical priority.”
An explosion lights up the sky over the city during a Russian missile and drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, July 2, 2026. (Gleb Garanich/Reuters)
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko declared Friday a day of mourning and said damage had been recorded across the city of roughly 3 million people.
Melnyk told News Media the attack should force the international community to confront Russia’s status inside the U.N. Security Council.
“And yet, this barbaric Russia continues to be treated at the U.N. as a normal member state,” he said. “It is time to end this parallel reality. Russia’s status as a permanent member of the Security Council should finally be called into question. Russia should be treated for what it has become: a pariah state.”
Emergency crews searched through the rubble of a nine-story building on the left bank of the Dnipro River as fires continued to burn after sunrise. City officials said some people remained trapped inside damaged residential buildings.
East2West footage showed the overnight barrage from inside Kyiv, including a baby sleeping as explosions flashed outside an open window and smoke from an earlier strike rose nearby. Other footage showed residents sheltering near a metro station as strikes hit the capital, as well as heavy damage across Kyiv, including residential buildings torn apart and thick smoke hanging over parts of the city.
More than 20 sites were damaged, including residential buildings, diplomatic accommodation and the National Institute of Biochemistry, where a state-of-the-art laboratory and offices were gutted.
Rescuers conduct search and rescue operations at a multi-storey residential building damaged in a massive Russian missile and drone attack in the Darnytskyi district of Kyiv, Ukraine, on July 2, 2026. (Kyrylo Chubotin/Ukrinform)
Katarina Mathernova, the European Union’s ambassador to Ukraine, said Russia “unleashed hell on Kyiv” overnight and struck accommodation used by diplomatic personnel. Diplomats were not injured, but their belongings were damaged in a fire that engulfed the building, she said.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said in a Telegram post that its “massive attack” used long-range, high-precision weapons and drones to strike military and energy facilities, as well as airports in Kyiv and other locations. Moscow said the attack was retaliation for Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia.
Ukraine said it hit an oil refinery overnight in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region, where the regional governor reported one person killed in a strike on an industrial facility.
The Kremlin said Russian military commanders briefed Russian President Vladimir Putin on the attacks and said Moscow would continue increasing pressure on Ukraine to achieve its war aims.
Poland, a NATO and European Union member that borders Ukraine, briefly scrambled fighter jets as a preventive measure. Finland also briefly issued a temporary aviation restriction zone in the eastern Gulf of Finland, its defense forces said.
Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu told News Media that Russian drones were detected in Ukraine roughly 30 kilometers from Romania’s border Wednesday, prompting NATO air-policing aircraft to respond.
“Two Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft deployed under the Enhanced Air Policing mission and operating from the 86th Air Base in Fetești in Romania, were scrambled to monitor the Romanian airspace situation near the border with Ukraine,” Țoiu said. “A Romanian Air Force IAR 330 Puma helicopter was also deployed. Such incidents have constantly accompanied Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.”
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Thursday that she would propose new sanctions on entities supporting Russia’s military-industrial complex in response to the strikes.
“The more Moscow attacks civilians, the more sanctions must be imposed,” Kallas said in a post on X.
A woman reacts near an apartment building damaged during a Russian missile and drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine July 2, 2026. (Viacheslav Ratynskyi/Reuters)
Russia has killed thousands of Ukrainian civilians in strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities since launching its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Moscow denies intentionally targeting civilians but says attacks on what it calls civil infrastructure are legitimate because they affect Ukraine’s ability to wage war.
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