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US-Iran Tensions Escalate: Potential for Renewed Attacks Looms if Ceasefire Talks Falter

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IN BRIEF

  • The draft agreement will extend the ceasefire and allow shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
  • Significant issues still need to be negotiated including Iran’s nuclear program and the conflict in Lebanon.

The United States is ready to resume military action against Iran if diplomatic efforts fail to resolve ongoing issues, despite negotiators from both countries striving to overcome significant obstacles to reach a deal.

“We are more than capable of recommencing if necessary,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated during an address in Singapore on Saturday, underscoring the U.S.’s readiness.

Hegseth further reassured that the U.S.’s arsenal is sufficiently equipped to handle such actions, both regionally and globally, highlighting the nation’s strong strategic position.

Addressing the Shangri-La Dialogue, the Pentagon chief emphasized that President Donald Trump remains patient, aiming to secure a significant agreement that would prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Earlier, on Friday, President Trump announced plans to convene a meeting in a secure room at the White House to make a “final determination” on a proposal to end the conflict with Iran.

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The agreement would extend an early-April truce for another 60 days, giving negotiators time to forge a permanent end to the conflict. However, both countries still appeared to differ on significant issues central to the conflict.

A White House official said the meeting in the Situation Room lasted about two hours, but did not address whether Trump had made a decision.

A senior Iranian source told Reuters an agreement was close but had not yet been approved.

Trump also said Iran would have to end its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz and dismantle its capacity to make a nuclear weapon — two conditions that Tehran has not agreed to.

An agreement would represent a big step towards ending a war that has pushed the world towards an energy crisis, though the underlying dispute over Iran’s nuclear program would only be thrashed out in talks over subsequent weeks.

Where is the discussion at?

Following a ceasefire in early April, the two sides have remained at odds on issues including Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Israel’s war in Lebanon with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia, and Tehran’s demands for the lifting of sanctions and the release of frozen assets.

After weeks of mainly indirect talks, four sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday that the US and Iran had agreed on a memorandum of understanding that would halt the war and give negotiators 60 days to reach a final deal.

However, both sides have said several times before that they believed an agreement was close, but none has been reached. The position of Israel, which launched the war on Iran on 28 February alongside the US, is central to any deal, but its role in the agreement is unclear.

Trump has not yet approved the deal, according to the sources. Vice President JD Vance said on Thursday: “We’re not there, but we’re very close and we’re going to keep working on it”.

Iran has not yet formally commented, but the semi-official Tasnim news agency cited a source close to the negotiating team as saying the text of the agreement had not yet been finalised or confirmed.

Iranian sources have previously said a framework deal is only about ending the war on all fronts, establishing a 30-day framework for international and Iranian movement through the Hormuz strait and possibly providing some financial relief.

There would then be negotiations on the more difficult issues, such as the status of Iran’s highly enriched uranium and details concerning the strait, and the sequencing of the many points in the preliminary deal such as sanctions relief and security.

The last deal over the nuclear program — struck in 2015 and torn up by Trump in 2018 — took years of negotiations between large teams of technical experts.

So, what are the main issues and roadblocks?

Strait of Hormuz and the gulf blockade

Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the conduit for a fifth of global supplies of oil and liquefied natural gas, has pushed up oil prices. Reopening the strait is the US’ priority and Iran’s main point of leverage, but it could take time.

Many vessels are stuck in the gulf and Iran says it has laid some sea mines that could be difficult to locate.

The US blockade on Iranian ports is hitting Iran’s own exports and state revenue. Lifting this is one of Tehran’s main goals. However, a sensitive issue could be how far US forces withdraw.

Nuclear

The US says it believes Iran wants to build a nuclear bomb. Iran denies this, saying its atomic program is for peaceful purposes only. The focus is on its enrichment of uranium, which generates fuel for nuclear power but can also make material for a warhead.

The nuclear question is extremely complicated. Iran might eventually agree to dilute part of its highly enriched uranium in a friendly country into uranium enriched to 5 per cent purity and then have it returned, Iranian sources said.

But, many other issues would still need to be addressed: how long the nuclear program would be halted, whether nuclear sites would be dismantled, what happens to stockpiles of uranium enriched to 20 per cent and 5 per cent, the future of Iran’s advanced centrifuges and research and development programs and the rules governing an inspections regime, among others.

Ballistic missiles

A prominent US demand before the war was that Iran limit the range of its ballistic missiles so that they could not reach Israel.

Iran has always said its right to conventional weapons is non-negotiable and that it still has a large arsenal.

Sanctions and frozen assets

Iran’s economy has been hurt by sanctions for years, contributing to the nationwide unrest in January. Tehran wants sanctions lifted and the tens of billions of dollars in Iranian oil revenues frozen in foreign banks released. It also wants reparations for war damage.

The US has resisted this, with Trump having lambasted former president Barack Obama for returning some frozen assets to Iran under the 2015 nuclear deal. Some media have reported that the latest draft agreement would include an investment program for Iran.

Lebanon

Iran has repeatedly said that Israel’s war against its main ally, Hezbollah in Lebanon, must be included in any deal. Israel and Lebanon agreed on a ceasefire last month, but both parties accuse each other of repeated violations, and Israel’s military is ramping up its campaign in southern Lebanon. Israel would oppose any US-Iran agreement that limits its ability to act in Lebanon.

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5 Bed Exercises That Effectively Target Belly Fat for Those Over 60, Surpassing HIIT Workouts

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5 Bed Exercises That Effectively Target Belly Fat for Those Over 60, Surpassing HIIT Workouts

A performance expert reveals five bed exercises designed to combat belly fat for those over 60.

High-intensity interval training, commonly known as HIIT, is among the most favored workout routines globally. It involves short, vigorous bursts of activity interspersed with brief periods of low-intensity recovery. This approach accelerates your metabolism, leading to calorie burning both during and after the workout. Despite the widespread popularity due to its cardiovascular, strength-enhancing, and calorie-blasting benefits, it’s not the sole method for tackling abdominal fat.

“As you get older, particularly past 60, high-intensity workouts can become less feasible because the body doesn’t handle them the same way,” notes Karly Mendez, PhD, a Senior Human Performance Specialist at Memorial Hermann Rockets Sports Medicine Institute. “Biological changes such as slower muscle recovery, a decrease in fast-twitch muscle fibers, diminished joint cartilage, and lower maximum heart rates come into play. Additionally, joint discomfort, stiffness, fatigue, and previous injuries can make high-intensity exercises both uncomfortable and challenging.”

For a safer, more enduring alternative to HIIT as you advance in age, Mendez recommends incorporating these five bed exercises into your routine to help manage belly fat after 60.

Below, Mendez shares a safer, more sustainable approach than HIIT as you age. Check out these five bed exercises that can help burn belly fat after 60.

“These exercises are great because they don’t put too much stress on the body, all while still improving muscle activation, blood circulation, and mobility. These exercises are also sustainable and simple, which can help older adults be consistent with these exercises,” Mendez shares.

Now, let’s dive in!

Glute Bridges

  1. Begin by lying flat on your back with bent knees and feet hip-width apart on the mattress, arms at your sides with palms pressing into the surface.
  2. Press through your heels to lift your hips until your body forms a straight line from head to heels.
  3. Squeeze your buttocks, holding at the top for 2 seconds.
  4. Lower your hips back to the start position.

Seated Knee Lifts

  1. Begin sitting tall at the edge of the bed with your feet flat on the floor.
  2. Place your hands on the mattress for support.
  3. Lift one knee toward your chest, then lower it, bracing your abs and maintaining a tall spine.
  4. Switch sides.

Dead Bugs

  1. Lie face-up on the mattress with your arms extended toward the sky and knees lifted and bent to 90 degrees.
  2. Press your lower back into the mattress as you gradually lower your left arm and extend your right leg.
  3. Return to the center.
  4. Then, lower your right arm and left leg.
  5. Continue to alternate.

Side-Lying Leg Lifts

  1. Begin by lying on one side with your legs stacked, your head resting on your bottom arm, and your top hand placed on your hip.
  2. Lift your top leg upward.
  3. Hold it for a moment.
  4. Slowly lower.
  5. Repeat on the other side.

Bicycle Crunches

  1. Lie down flat on the mattress with your knees raised and bent to 90 degrees.
  2. Place your hands behind your head.
  3. Crunch up as you bring your left elbow toward your right knee and extend your left leg.
  4. Repeat on the other side, bringing your right elbow toward your left knee and extending your right leg.
  5. Continue to alternate.

White House Unveils Trump’s Health Report Amid Rising Public Curiosity

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White House Unveils Trump’s Health Report Amid Rising Public Curiosity

Donald Trump is reportedly in “excellent health” according to the latest summary of his physical examination conducted at Walter Reed Medical Center.

The President received positive feedback from Captain Sean P. Barbabella, who shared the results on Friday evening amid growing interest in Trump’s health status.

“President Trump remains in excellent health, with robust cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and overall physical function,” Barbabella stated.

“His busy daily routine, which includes numerous high-level meetings, public appearances, and regular exercise, continues to bolster his health. Both his cognitive and physical performance are outstanding.”

Barbabella concluded, “He is fully capable of fulfilling all responsibilities as Commander-in-Chief and Head of State.”

Trump visited Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Tuesday morning. The delayed results prompted questions about whether the White House was sitting on bad news. 

But that afternoon, as he returned to the White House, Trump boasted that he was in perfect health. 

‘Just finished my 6 month physical at Walter Reed Military Medical Center. Everything checked out PERFECTLY,’ the President posted to Truth Social from the motorcade. ‘Thank you to the great Doctors and Staff! Heading back to the White House.’

President Donald Trump has been subject to bruising, which doctors blame on his aspirin regimen and shaking hands too vigorously

President Donald Trump had a visible rash on his neck in March. The White House doctor said it was caused by a medicated cream used for a preventive skin treatment

President Donald Trump has been subject to bruising (left), which doctors blame on his aspirin regimen and shaking hands too vigorously and had a visible rash on his neck in March (right), which was caused by a medicated cream used for a preventive skin treatment

In July, President Donald Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, an explanation for why his ankles had suddenly started to look swollen

In July, President Donald Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, an explanation for why his ankles had suddenly started to look swollen

However Friday’s report did disclose that the president had gained 17lb weight since his last physical in April 2025.

‘Preventive counseling was provided, including guidance on diet, recommendation to take a low-dose aspirin, increased physical activity, and continued weight loss,’ the report reads.

The checkup came just weeks before Trump turned 80, and as mysterious bruises continued to raise health concerns about the man who will set the record for the country’s oldest President before he finishes out his second term. 

It also came as former President Joe Biden’s fitness for office was back in the news. 

Former First Lady Jill Biden told CBS Sunday Morning that she feared her husband was having a ‘stroke’ during his disastrous June 2024 debate against Trump.

She pushed that she had ‘never ever seen Joe like that before or since.’

Biden’s inner circle has been under fire since he dropped out of the 2024 race, with Democrats losing the presidential election, for hiding what many allege was a deteriorating health condition. 

His poor debate performance was a turning point, leading him to drop out three weeks later.  

Biden was diagnosed with Stage 4 testicular cancer four months after leaving the White House, with Trump pushing that the Democrat kept a manor health issue under wraps while in office, an assertion that his medical team and former aides deny.

Now similar questions are swirling around about Trump. 

Join the discussion

How much transparency do you think the public deserves about a president’s health?

President Donald Trump is captured departing the White House Tuesday morning to travel to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for his annual physical

President Donald Trump is captured departing the White House Tuesday morning to travel to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for his annual physical 

President Donald Trump's motorcade is seen driving to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland on Tuesday morning

President Donald Trump’s motorcade is seen driving to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland on Tuesday morning 

The White House has said his near-constant hand bruising is a combination of shaking too many hands and the President’s daily aspirin regimen.

His swollen ankles were due to chronic venous insufficiency, White House Physician Dr. Sean Barbabella said in July. 

The White House has mocked reporters for pointing out that Trump has appeared to fall asleep during daytime events, a move they attribute to the 79-year-old President being an active listener.  

Trump went to Walter Reed for the first physical of his second term last April, but also stoked speculation that something could be wrong when he returned to the military medical facility in October. 

He told reporters he had a ‘perfect MRI,’ which Barbabella had to correct and say was a CT scan to rule out any cardiovascular or abdominal health issues. 

Barbabella also said at the time that the President was in ‘excellent overall health.’  

Others in Trump’s circle have attempted to hype up his health. 

‘Dr. Oz looked at his medical records and said he’s got the highest testosterone level that he’s ever seen for an individual over 70 years old,’ Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr recently boasted on an episode of the Katie Miller podcast.

President Donald Trump is seen in the back of the Beast as he traveled to Walter Reed Tuesday for his physical

President Donald Trump is seen in the back of the Beast as he traveled to Walter Reed Tuesday for his physical 

The comments were reminiscent of Representative Ronny Jackson, then serving as Trump’s White House doctor, who said in 2018 that the President must have ‘incredible genes.’ 

‘I told the President that if he had a healthier diet over the last 20 years, he might live to be 200 years old,’ Jackson said at the time. 

Presidents do not legally have to release information about their health. 

That means the health assessments that are released often paint a rosier picture than what’s actually going on. 

For instance, when Trump got sick with COVID-19 in 2020, weeks before the presidential election, his White House Physician, Dr. Sean Conley, gave upbeat briefings to the press on the President’s prognosis.

At the same time, Trump’s Chief of Staff Mark Meadows told reporters on-background that the President’s condition was much more serious than Conley let on.

During the 2024 campaign cycle, Trump largely escaped old-age questions because he appeared so vigorous in comparison to Biden, but a year and a half into his second term, it appears some concerns are resonating with the American public. 

He’s lost ground on how Americans perceive both his mental and physical health in recent surveys. 

A Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos survey from April found that just 40 percent of Americans believe Trump has the mental sharpness to serve as President, down from the 47 percent he scored in September. 

Last month, 44 percent said Trump was fit enough to do the job, down from 54 percent in September. 

During last Friday’s campaign rally in New York, Trump told the elongated version of the story he tells about acing a cognitive test. 

‘And don’t you want to have a smart person as President?’ Trump asked. ‘I said, doctor, I don’t mind being called a brilliant total tyrant dictator, but I don’t want to be called dumb. What do I do, doctor? Is there some kind of test I can take?’ 

Trump scored a 30 out of 30 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment during last year’s physical.  

DCLM Daily Manna 30 May 2026 — Greatly Beloved

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DCLM Daily Manna 30 May 2026 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Greatly Beloved

TOPIC: Greatly Beloved (DCLM Daily Manna 30 May 2026)

KEY VERSE: And said, O man greatly beloved. fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong. yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak: for thou hast strengthened me – Daniel 10:19

TEXT: Daniel 10:16-21 (KJV)

16 And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.

17 For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.

18 Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,

19 And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.

20 Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.

21 But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.

DCLM Daily Manna For Today MESSAGE:

In the world, falling at the feet of royalty, power and persons of fame and wealth is almost an everyday experience that only massages the ego of vain men and women. It bestoWS no spiritual gain on the one dispensing the honours. On the other hand, there are infinite benefits When believer, beholding the stupendous splendour of the supernatural, not only goes down in Worship, but also passes out, to be brought back to life by the divine.

When Daniel, who had been fasting and supplicating for the suffering land of Judah, finally saw a confounding vision as an answer to his prayers, he Was paralysed and dumb with all natural strength drained. He needed to be filled with a greater energy. The angelic visitor provided it, and the prophet became strong aneW. He was assured of his status in heaven. The angel described him as “man greatly beloved.” Peace was pronounced upon him. And more revelation followed.

All who follow Christ are the apple of God’s eye. We are highly favoured by heaven. Therefore, we are to fall in reverence only to God in gratitude for the deep apocalyptic truths He exposes us to, but deny the gentile world. We are “greatly beloved” by God because of Christ. We can intercede when our loved ones and the land are writhing in pain for transgressions against heaven. We should not be closet Christians, unperturbed by what is troubling our Community. We are guaranteed expected answers to petitions in the name of Jesus. Daniel had that sure and unbending standing before God and His angels; and so he was not afraid to take personal and national challenges before heaven. He Was prepared to wait if there was a little delay in response. For he knew the answer would come, eventually.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:
Godly fervour attracts divine favour, which has a distinct flavour.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Micah 5-7

Deeper Life Daily Manna For Today 2025 was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.

REMINDER!!! JESUS IS COMING SOON

ARE YOU BORN AGAIN? IF NO, WHY NOT ACCEPT JESUS NOW!

Accept Jesus Christ today and secure a life of eternal rest and Glory by saying this short prayer below:






Lord Jesus, I believe you died for my sins, Forgive me of all my iniquities. I accept you as my Lord and Saviour from today and forever.



Come and Be the Lord of my life and I am willing to obey Your command and live according to Your will by Your Grace, Thank you for accepting me into Your fold

AMEN!!! John 6:37…and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Rhapsody Of Realities 30 May 2026: Success, Victory And Increase

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Rhapsody Of Realities 30 May 2026: Success, Victory And Increase

Rhapsody Of Realities 30 May 2026 By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (Christ Embassy): Success, Victory And Increase

TOPIC: Success, Victory And Increase (Rhapsody of Realities 30 May 2026)

And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity] (Psalm 1:3 AMPC).

Rhapsody Of Realities For Today’s MESSAGE:

God never produces failures. When a person is united with Christ, he or she steps into a life designed only for success, victory and increase. The nature of God in you produces excellence, progress and greatness. It’s the reality of the new creation life.

I came into this understanding very early. I was born again before I was nine years old and began to preach the Gospel not long after. I started winning my friends to Christ, and shortly after I was ten, I began a fellowship. By fifteen, I was already holding crusades. I have walked this path long enough to know beyond any argument that the Word works.

When God sets you on course and your mind is stayed on Him, the Word declares that He will keep you in perfect peace because you trust in Him. That peace is the peace of prosperity, a life that continually moves forward. The Scripture also says concerning the one who’s in Christ: Whatsoever he does shall prosper.

That’s the destiny of the one who lives by the Word; we saw that in our opening scripture. The one who doesn’t follow the advice of the ungodly is blessed. Some people allow ungodly friends, relatives, or neighbours to shape their decisions; no!

The blessed man delights in the Word of God and meditates on it day and night. He gives attention to the Word, and the Word shapes his life. The result is extraordinary: He becomes like a tree planted by the rivers of water, bearing fruit in season, and his leaf doesn’t wither; that means no failure with you. What a life!

When you give yourself to the Word, it programmes you for a one-way journey in life—upward and forward only. The Word is seed, and meditating on it keeps it deeply rooted in your spirit to govern your mentality such that you think success, victory, and glory only. Your life becomes the demonstration of the Word, causing you to have good success (Joshua 1:8). Hallelujah.

PRAYER

Dear Father, I thank you for the life of unending success that you’ve given me in Christ. Your Word works mightily in me, producing excellence, prosperity and victory; I heap success upon success. I think the Word, speak the Word and walk in the light of the Word every day, in Jesus Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

Joshua 1:8 AMPC
This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.

3 John 1:2 KJV
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Proverbs 4:20-22 KJV
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. [21] Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. [22] For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Galatians 2:1-21 & Songs of Solomon 1-2

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Luke 23:1-12 & 2 Samuel 5-6

DIVINE HEALTH CONFESSIONS – 30TH MAY 2026

I am an embodiment of God’s grace. My daily experience is that of the miraculous and God’s infinite love. I am whole, fortified against sickness, and preserved in supernatural health because divinity is embedded in the life that I have received.

Keep saying it, don’t stop talking it! Remember, you can make your way prosperous with words. Get talking today!

Remember to share with all your friends and loved ones today. Thank you and God bless you richly.

Rhapsody of Realities 2026 Devotional was written by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (D.Sc., D.D.). President of Loveworld Inc. aka Christ Embassy Int’l.

REMINDER!!! JESUS IS COMING SOON

ARE YOU BORN AGAIN? IF NO, WHY NOT ACCEPT JESUS NOW!

Accept Jesus Christ today and secure a life of eternal rest and Glory by saying this short prayer below:






Lord Jesus, I believe you died for my sins, Forgive me of all my iniquities. I accept you as my Lord and Saviour from today and forever.



Come and Be the Lord of my life and I am willing to obey Your command and live according to Your will by Your Grace, Thank you for accepting me into Your fold

AMEN!!! John 6:37…and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Inspiring Journey: Young Man Graduates High School and Marine Corps Boot Camp, Proudly Walks in Uniform

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Inspiring Journey: Young Man Graduates High School and Marine Corps Boot Camp, Proudly Walks in Uniform


Alabama stands out for its deep-seated respect and admiration for military service members and veterans. Despite Texas and Georgia boasting more veterans and military bases, Alabama’s profound reverence for those who serve or have served is truly remarkable. This sentiment is epitomized by Luke Owen from Chilton County, whose relentless pursuit of his dream to become a Marine has captured our hearts.

This week’s Feel-Good Friday celebrates the American Dream and the courageous individuals who defend it.

Luke Owen’s story is a powerful testament to resilience and determination. Instead of succumbing to life’s challenges, he chose to take action and transform himself to achieve his aspirations. As Thomas Edison famously noted, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Owen’s unwavering focus ensured he would not miss his chance.

When Luke Owen walked across the stage at Chilton County High School graduation, he expected to hear cheers from his family.

Instead, the entire stadium rose to its feet.

The standing ovation came just days after the 17-year-old officially earned the title of United States Marine following 13 weeks of recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina.

For Owen, the moment marked the culmination of a dream he says began at age 7.

“I saw my first Marines, and something just sparked at that moment,” Owen said. “Someone just clicked on my brain, told me I’m gonna be a Marine one day, but I had to work for it.”

What a testament to this young man, that he didn’t curl up into a ball and rail about how unfair life is. Instead, Owen immediately buckled down and did the work to change himself in order to see his dream fulfilled. It was Thomas Edison who said, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Owen was intently focused on not missing his.





During his sophomore year, Owens made an appointment to see a Marine recruiter to assess what he needed to do to make the grade. The recruiter told him his weight was above the standard for enlistment. So, Owen went back home and made changes to his eating, incorporated a daily exercise routine, and worked to get the weight off.

“That was my motivation,” Owen said. “So I changed my lock screen to the Marine Corps EGA, started eating well, dieting, working out practically every day. It was a click to where I had to lock in.”

Feel-Good Friday: Wreaths Across America Continues Its Mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach

Within one year, Owen lost 90 pounds, meeting the Marine enlistment weight requirement. His parents were more than proud. Owen was still 17 at the time, so they accompanied him to the military recruitment office to approve his enlistment. However, the work had only just begun. Owen still wanted to complete high school. So, in his junior year, Owen accelerated his coursework in order to meet graduation requirements by the end of the first semester of his senior year. 

In February 2026, Owen left for recruit training (AKA “boot camp”), and on May 15, Owen became a United States Marine. His high school graduation was a week later, so Owen came home to walk in his graduation. But instead of a cap and gown, Owen was in his Marine uniform.





“I remember standing up, my name was about to get called, and I just thought I was gonna hear my family yelling from the crowds,” Owen said. “Then they called my name and I just hear like a roar, thunder, just everyone’s clapping, cheering.”

His mother said the reaction inside the graduation ceremony represented something larger than just support for her son.

“You felt the American pride in there,” Christa Owen said. “These are people that don’t know Luke. He wasn’t even there his last semester. These families don’t know him and they just stood because of the uniform that he wore and what it represented. It was an amazing moment.”

Owen’s father, John Owen, said watching his son pursue his dream has been one of the most rewarding experiences as a parent.

“I’m not sure there’s anything more rewarding as a parent than to see your child finally decide what their dream is and then to pursue it and actually throw themselves into it and get there,” he said.

What a beautiful testament to the American Dream and the resilience, determination, and sacrifice embodied in our fighting men and women. Owen is on his way to Camp Geiger in North Carolina to fully dive into his service. We are thankful for this service, and remain inspired by his pursuit of his dream. 

WATCH:






 

Editor’s Note: At RedState, it’s not all about politics and policy. We like to bring attention to what’s good in the world, with columns like “Feel-Good Friday,” “Start Your Weekend Right,” and “Hoge’s Heroes.”

Repeat Offender Caught After Stealing Gourmet Meats and Evading Police

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Staff Report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Authorities have apprehended Donald Eugene Wetherington, 64, on charges of multiple shoplifting incidents, including the theft of premium cuts of meat such as filet mignon, ribs, and a ribeye steak from a Sam’s Club store.

On October 3, 2025, a Loss Prevention Officer (LPO) at Walmart reported spotting Wetherington, who was already familiar to the store’s staff due to past thefts. The officer observed him navigating the aisles with a walker, discreetly placing $144.30 worth of merchandise in its seat. Wetherington then exited the store without making any attempt to pay.

Confronted by the LPO and another store employee outside the premises, Wetherington was escorted to the Loss Prevention office. There, he allegedly confessed to the theft. The Gainesville Police Department was contacted to take Wetherington into custody. However, after waiting for an hour with no response from the police, the LPO released him, citing Walmart’s policy limitations on how long an individual can be held.

The following day, the incident was inadvertently not reported to the police due to the LPO dealing with numerous other theft and fraud cases, which resulted in no investigation being conducted by the Gainesville Police Department at that time.

On May 22, 2026, a GPD Detective contacted Walmart LPOs by email about a different investigation in which Wetherington is suspected of taking a stolen generator to a pawn shop; the detective believed that the generator may have been stolen from Walmart. During that email exchange, the LPOs remembered the October incident and sent video from that incident to the detective.

The detective noted that it was “odd” to see Wetherington using a walker because he had been seen in video from the pawn shop, walking normally; surveillance video also reportedly showed Wetherington riding a bicycle up to the pawn shop and carrying the boxed generator into the pawn shop “with no problem.”

The detective learned that Wetherington has been flagged in GPD’s system since 2011 as someone who is known to fake medical conditions; a note in his file says that he “plays the system well.”

On May 27, a GPD officer saw Wetherington riding a bicycle in the Butler Plaza area and called to him from her patrol car. The officer reported that Wetherington kept riding and started pedaling faster; at one point, the wagon he was pulling behind his bicycle fell over, causing his bags to spill onto the ground. The officer got out of her patrol car and reported that Wetherington paused and looked like he was going to pick up the bags, but instead he got back onto the bicycle and rode away again.

By the time the officer got back to her patrol car and turned around, Wetherington had fallen, and a Butler Plaza security guard had caught up with him. The officer placed Wetherington in handcuffs, and he reportedly started screaming that he needed an ambulance for heart problems. The officer called EMS, and Wetherington was transported to an emergency room.

In the ambulance, an EMT asked Wetherington what the police thought he stole, and Wetherington reportedly said, “Meat.”

A search incident to arrest reportedly produced two packages of filet mignon worth over $150, $98 of ribs, and a $40 package of ribeye steak.

The officer reported that a manager at Sam’s Club provided video that showed Wetherington pushing a walker to the meat department and selecting the meat before walking out of the store without paying. The officer noted that as Wethington walked away from the store, he walked quickly and did not limp.

The detective noted that the generator theft is still being investigated and may lead to additional charges.

Wetherington has been charged with two counts of felony petit theft and fleeing from a police officer. He has 28 felony convictions (three violent) and 20 misdemeanor convictions (non-violent); he has served 12 state prison sentences out of Alachua, Bay, Gilchrist, Lake, Leon, and Marion counties, with his most recent release in 2024. Judge Meshon Rawls set bail at $25,000.

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.


USC Baseball Stumbles in Final Moments of NCAA Tournament Opener

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USC Baseball Stumbles in Final Moments of NCAA Tournament Opener

Andy Stankiewicz’s unorthodox pitching strategy paid off unexpectedly.

When he opted for a more traditional choice?

It ended in catastrophe.

In the ninth inning of Friday night’s NCAA Tournament opener, with his team clinging to a narrow one-run advantage, the USC baseball coach called upon his closer.


USC closer Adam Troy watches Chase Mora's two-run homer leave the yard during the Trojans' 5-4 loss to Texas State on Friday night in College Station, Texas.
USC closer Adam Troy watches Chase Mora’s two-run homer leave the yard during the Trojans’ 5-4 loss to Texas
State on Friday night in College Station, Texas. @TxStateBaseball / X

Adam Troy, a standout reliever, faltered at the crucial moment.

The hard-throwing right-hander gave up a two-run homer, consigning the Trojans to a 5-4 loss to Texas State at Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park that sent them into an elimination game in the College Station Regional.

Only a few minutes earlier, USC (43-16) appeared bound for a different outcome.

Adrian Lopez’s solo homer to right pushed the Trojans into a 4-3 lead in the eighth inning before things quickly deteriorated in the ninth.

Justin Vossos led off with a chopper to USC third baseman Maximo Martinez, who couldn’t field the short hop cleanly and was charged with an error.

After Vossos advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt, Stankiewicz replaced reliever Andrew Johnson with his closer.

Chase Mora then belted Troy’s second pitch over the wall in left-center field, allowing Mora to place an inflatable donut-holed pool toy over his body in the dugout as part of a celebration ritual.

Mora came up big again with two out in the bottom of the inning when he made a diving catch of Dean Carpentier’s line drive with the potential tying run on second base. The Trojans finished the game 1 for 14 with runners in scoring position.

Stankiewicz had opened the game by going with Grant Govel, his No. 2 starting pitcher, in a move that would preserve ace Mason Edwards for an anticipated showdown against top-seeded Texas A&M on Saturday.

Govel did his part in a sharp outing, allowing 4 hits and 3 runs in 5⅔ innings. But after the bullpen couldn’t hold the late lead, Edwards will be pitching just to keep his team’s season going. 

What it means

USC must now win four consecutive games to advance to its first Super Regional since 2006.

Turning point

The Trojans had everything going their way when the fielding error to open the ninth inning opened the door for Mora’s game-changing homer.

MVP: Chase Mora

It’s not often that someone hits a go-ahead homer and makes a game-saving defensive play in the same game, much less the same inning.

But that’s exactly what Mora did after coming up big twice in the ninth.

Honorable mention must go to Texas State right fielder Rashawn Galloway, who robbed USC’s Kevin Takeuchi of a run-scoring extra-base hit in the sixth inning when he ran down a towering fly ball while crashing into the wall.


Chase Mora celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a game-winning two-run homer in the ninth inning of Texas State's 5-4 comeback win over USC.
Chase Mora celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a game-winning two-run homer in the ninth
inning of Texas State’s 5-4 comeback win over USC. @TxStateBaseball / X

Did you see that?

Home plate umpire Connor Hoagland was momentarily stunned in the third inning when he took a foul ball off his facemask, which came loose and fell to the ground.

Hoagland needed a few minutes to recover before play resumed.

Up next

The Trojans will play Lamar at 1 p.m. Pacific on Saturday. The game will be broadcast by ESPN+.

Federal Conspiracy Verdict for ‘Spokane 3’ Protesters in Washington ICE Blockade

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Federal Conspiracy Verdict for ‘Spokane 3’ Protesters in Washington ICE Blockade

On Thursday, three individuals known as the “Spokane 3” were found guilty of federal conspiracy charges related to their involvement in demonstrations against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities in Washington state last year.

The accused — Jac Archer, Justice Forral, and Bajun Mavalwalla II — faced allegations of trying to obstruct federal officers from moving two detained immigrants between Spokane and Tacoma in June 2025, according to a report by KUOW.

These individuals were part of a larger group of protesters who reacted to a social media call to action from former Spokane City Council President Ben Stuckart. The post urged supporters to impede the progress of the transfer bus.

At the time, Stuckart was acting as a sponsor for one of the two immigrants, both of whom were pursuing asylum in the U.S.

WASHINGTON STATE MAN INVESTIGATED FOR ONLINE THREATS AGAINST ICE AGENTS, PROMISING TO ‘MAKE LIFE HARDER’ FOR OFFICERS

Protesters holding a Stop ICE sign during a bill-signing event in Seattle

Protesters hold a “Stop ICE” sign after being removed by Seattle police during a bill-signing event with Gov. Bob Ferguson on March 19, 2026, in Seattle. (Lindsey Wasson/AP)

He was later arrested along with nine other protesters on conspiracy charges.

According to KUOW, Stuckart and five others pleaded guilty in exchange for reduced sentences.

Following Thursday’s verdict, Washington state Rep. Natasha Hill, D-Spokane, criticized Stuckart for not attending the proceedings.

‘GEN Z’ DEM CANDIDATE CHARGED WITH INTERFERING WITH ICE POSTED VIDEO OF HERSELF IN MOB BLOCKING UNMARKED SUV

Federal agents detaining an anti-I.C.E. protester outside U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building

Federal agents detain an anti-I.C.E. protester outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland, Ore., on Oct. 12, 2025, during a protest against federal immigration enforcement and policing tactics. (Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/Getty)

“You started this and you couldn’t even show up to finish it,” Hill said. “So I call on you, and I call on others to do what you said you were going to do, and stand up for your community because the fight is not over with this conviction.”

Stuckart later wrote on Facebook that attending the two-week trial would have violated the terms of his parole.

“I feel awful about the guilty verdict,” he wrote. “I feel awful for Jac, Bajun and Justice and their families. I support those that took plea deals and I support those that went to trial.”

ANTI-ICE AGITATORS CONVICTED OF STALKING FEDERAL AGENTS ON LIVESTREAM

People protesting in front of Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters in Washington, D.C.

People protest in front of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 24, 2026, following the fatal shooting of a man by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis earlier that day. (Alex Wroblewski/AFP via Getty Images)

He also referenced the two detained immigrants.

“I am trying my best to finish what I started by taking care of the guys the government wrongfully took,” Stuckart wrote.

Bajun Mavalwalla Sr., the father of one of the convicted protesters and a congressional candidate, said federal prosecutors were attempting to make an example of his son, according to KUOW.

He accused the government of trying to discourage Americans from speaking out against immigration enforcement policies.

“The right to protest, the right to dissent, the right to assemble — all of those things are now in question because of this case,” he said. “In other cases across the country, the juries were not tainted and the cases have been thrown out.”

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Real Housewives’ Dorit Kemsley Opens Up About Friendship Dynamics and Reflects on Reunion Choices

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Real Housewives’ Dorit Kemsley Opens Up About Friendship Dynamics and Reflects on Reunion Choices

Dorit Kemsley reveals where she stands with Kyle Richards and Erika Jayne, what she'd do differently & reunion regrets, plus If Kyle has producer rights on RHOBH and how PK convinced her not to quit the show after her first season

Credit: Faye’s Vision/Cover Images

Dorit Kemsley shared the current status of her relationships with Kyle Richards and Erika Jayne during a recent interview series.

While expressing gratitude to her husband, Paul “PK” Kemsley, 58, for encouraging her to remain on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills after she almost left following her first season, Dorit, 49, recounted her recent interactions with Kyle, 57, and Erika, 45, since the reunion. She discussed how they might mend their relationships, reflected on what she might have done differently during the reunion, and clarified whether she believed Kyle had any influence over the show’s production.

In a conversation with E! News on May 28, Dorit stated, “Kyle and I haven’t talked yet, but I firmly believe that when two people are committed to resolving an issue, that’s all it takes.” She explained that she was “willing to resolve” her differences with Kyle, even if it involved “recognizing how our friendship has evolved.”

She added, “I’m hopeful that Kyle will be ready, and we can both move forward.”

As for Erika, Dorit revealed they’d sent texts back and forth.

“It was as warm as it always was,” she explained. “It’s a testament to our connection. It’s almost a decade-long friendship.”

Then, speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Dorit said that when it came to moving forward with her castmates, she needed Kyle and Erika to want resolve “as much as” she does.

According to Dorit, she was in a dark place at the reunion.

“I think I was in such a dark place and I was hurt and frustrated and aggressive. It was hard to watch back because it’s not who I am. Don’t forget: You live through it and then you live through it again when you’re watching it. There’s the judgment and, you know, it’s not nice, especially when it’s matters of the heart,” she reasoned.

Regarding what she’d do differently, Dorit said, “I would be a lot more open and not so closed off, not so rigid.”

Also during the interview, Dorit was asked if she thought Kyle had producer power on RHOBH.

“No. I know she doesn’t,” she confirmed.

Meanwhile, in an excerpt shared with Us Weekly on May 29, Dorit confirmed she nearly quit after one season on RHOBH as she recalled arriving home from a trip to Hong Kong.

“I held PK and the kids so tightly it almost hurt,” she wrote. “Home has a way of restoring perspective instantly. The chaos of airports, flights, and long emotional days evaporates the moment you hear a child’s laugh or feel your husband’s arms around you. In that doorway, still carrying my bags and jet lag, nothing about television or dinners or arguments felt important. It was just my family, my life, my center.”

According to Dorit, she told PK at that moment, “I never want to do that again, ever,” and she meant it.

As she explained, the cast trip made her feel “unsettled” and “rattled.”

“What really got to me was the accumulation, the strange, disorienting feeling of being inside something that moved faster than instinct, louder than context, and heavier than I had anticipated, while not having the two things that normally grounded me within reach,” she explained. “In my real life, if something shakes me, I recalibrate quickly. I go home. I talk it through. I sit with my husband. I tuck my children into bed. I make tea. I replay the moment. I let my nervous system settle. I restore myself.”

“Reality television required me to sit inside a misunderstanding without immediately fixing it. It demanded a thicker skin than I had ever needed before,” she continued. “Unfortunately, I had not yet built that muscle. It was a humbling realization. I wasn’t failing — I was simply untrained in a very specific way of existing.”

When she watched the show back, Dorit “didn’t like the version” of herself she saw at times, describing it as “reactive, defensive, and occasionally naïve,” and admitting it made her feel “uncomfortable.”

Although Dorit hoped producers wouldn’t ask her back, they did, and she said, “Yes.”

“The principal reason was simple: PK,” she revealed. “He was proud of me — like, genuinely proud. He loved seeing me step into the alluring world of television: the events, the fashion, the travel, the visibility. But beyond that, there was something strategic about it that he immediately understood. In Los Angeles, visibility has value. It opens doors. It builds leverage. It creates opportunity not just socially, but professionally, too. He saw possibility where I saw disruption … It’s part of what makes him brilliant—and occasionally exhausting.”

While Dorit wasn’t on board with returning at first, she liked bringing something exciting into her and PK’s marriage.

“I liked being admired by my husband. I liked knowing he believed I could do it,” she wrote. “And if I am honest, I didn’t want to disappoint him … So, I stayed.”

Following her second season, Dorit was diagnosed with Epstein-Barr and felt “not just tired, but bone-deep exhausted,” which forced her into a place of growth.

“I had to learn how to hold my ground without reacting, listen without immediately defending, speak clearly without overexplaining myself into exhaustion, and protect my peace without dimming my personality or warmth,” she stated. “I was getting sharper. And sharpness doesn’t mean losing softness. It means gaining clarity. And that, more than pride, visibility, or even the fear of quitting, is why I stayed.”

Also during her interview with E! News, Dorit described the experience of writing her new book as “deeply personal.”

“When you speak very honestly and vulnerably, it resonates with people—and I’m hoping that the reader resonates with the book,” she shared. “There’s something very powerful in being honest, not being afraid to be open regardless of the judgment or the circumstances. There’s a power and a beauty in that.”

Unburdened will hit bookshelves and online retailers on June 2.
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