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ICE Detains Marine Veteran’s Breastfeeding Wife Amid Push for Mass Deportations

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ICE Detains Marine Veteran’s Breastfeeding Wife Amid Push for Mass Deportations

BATON ROUGE, La. (BN24) — The Trump administration’s immigration crackdown has left one Marine Corps veteran scrambling to care for his infant daughter after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested his breastfeeding wife during a green card meeting last month.

Adrian Clouatre, a service-disabled Marine veteran, said he is struggling to explain to his children why their mother, Paola Clouatre, has vanished from their home. The arrest has forced him to bottle-feed their 3-month-old daughter Lyn, who had relied on breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact, while trying to comfort their nearly 2-year-old son Noah, who keeps asking for “Mama.”

“She’s just gone,” Clouatre said, still stunned by how swiftly immigration officers acted. “We were trying to do everything right.”

Paola Clouatre, 25, a Mexican national who entered the U.S. as a child seeking asylum, is now in ICE detention and faces deportation, a fate that could separate her from her family indefinitely. Her arrest comes amid a surge in detentions under President Donald Trump’s directive to ramp up deportations to 3,000 per day, targeting undocumented immigrants — even those married to U.S. citizens.

Paola’s arrest came during what was supposed to be a routine green card appointment with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on May 27. There, she disclosed that a 2018 deportation order had been issued after her mother failed to appear at an immigration hearing — a fact Paola, estranged from her mother and raised in shelters, had only recently discovered.

After the couple was asked to wait in the USCIS lobby, Paola was handcuffed and taken away by immigration officers, handing her wedding ring to her husband before being led out. Adrian, 26, said he was blindsided.

“They set her up,” he said. “We were told we’d be called for a follow-up. That was just a ploy.”

Immigration experts say Paola’s case illustrates a sharp shift in how military families are treated. Under past administrations, veterans’ spouses often received special discretion from deportation. But a February 2025 memo from USCIS declared the agency “will no longer exempt” military-connected families from removal.

According to military immigration attorney Margaret Stock, Paola would previously have been allowed to remain in the U.S. while reopening her deportation case. Now, such discretion appears all but vanished.

“They’re arresting breastfeeding mothers married to Marines,” Stock said. “That says everything about where we are.”

Paola’s attorney, Carey Holliday, a former immigration judge, echoed that outrage: “It’s a hell of a way to treat a veteran. You take their wives and send them back to Mexico?”

The couple has filed a motion to reopen the deportation order with a judge in California and await a decision.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed Paola is “in the country illegally” and said the administration has “no tolerance for defiance” of immigration orders.

In a June 9 post on X, USCIS appeared to reference her case, writing: “Ignoring an Immigration Judge’s order to leave the U.S. is a bad idea. The government has a long memory and no tolerance for defiance when it comes to making America safe again.”

But Adrian Clouatre insisted his wife’s situation was misunderstood.

“She didn’t even know about the order. She was brought here as a child,” he said. “If she had been defiant, she’d have been deported years ago.”

While Marine Corps recruiters have promoted enlistment as a way to protect undocumented family members, immigration law experts say that promise no longer holds. Social media ads aimed at Latino recruits still suggest joining the Corps offers “protection from deportation” for relatives.

“That’s incredibly misleading,” said Stock. “They’re giving hope that doesn’t exist under current policy.”

In response, Marine Corps spokesperson Master Sgt. Tyler Hlavac said recruiters have now been instructed to stop implying military service guarantees immigration protection.

Adrian now makes an eight-hour round trip from Baton Rouge to the rural ICE detention center in Monroe, Louisiana, whenever he can, bringing updates from home and photos of the children. But the hardship of Paola’s absence is growing heavier by the day.

“I’m not political,” he said, “but I believe if you’re married to an American and trying to do the right thing, you should have a path to stay.”

For now, his only answer to Noah’s nightly question — “Where’s Mama?” — remains:
“She’ll be back soon.”

Kremlin Condemns U.S. Strikes on Iran, Warns of Regional Escalation

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Kremlin Condemns U.S. Strikes on Iran, Warns of Regional Escalation

MOSCOW (BN24) — The Kremlin issued a strong condemnation Monday of the U.S. military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, expressing deep regret over an action it said could spiral into a broader regional war.

Speaking to reporters, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned that the American decision to strike Iran’s nuclear infrastructure had “expanded the number of actors in the conflict” and launched a “new and dangerous spiral of escalation” across the Middle East.

“We deeply regret and resolutely condemn the actions taken by the United States,” Peskov said. “They have exacerbated an already volatile situation and risk plunging the region into uncontrollable instability.”

Peskov said it remained unclear what damage had been done to Iran’s nuclear facilities following the U.S. bunker-buster bombings, and whether there was any radiological hazard. “The situation on the ground cannot fail to raise serious concerns,” he added.

The U.S. operation, launched early Sunday, targeted Iran’s Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz nuclear sites, drawing international scrutiny and deepening fears of a broader confrontation. The International Atomic Energy Agency has not yet confirmed the extent of damage or any radiation risks.

While U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously discussed the possibility of American military involvement in general terms, Peskov said the Kremlin was not informed in advance about the timing or specifics of the strikes.

“There was no prior detailed notification provided to President Putin by the U.S.,” Peskov said, subtly hinting at Washington’s unilateral decision-making despite Moscow’s warnings about potential fallout.

With tensions at a boiling point, Russia has renewed its offer to act as a mediator in the crisis, although Peskov emphasized that any next steps would depend on what Iran required.

“We are prepared to assist in de-escalation,” Peskov said. “What happens next will be dictated by Iran’s needs and position.”

Russia and Iran signed a strategic partnership treaty earlier this year, deepening their political and economic ties, though the agreement did not include a mutual defense clause.

In a signal of Moscow’s ongoing engagement, President Putin is scheduled to meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Moscow later Monday. The high-level meeting comes as Tehran weighs its next move following unprecedented strikes by both the U.S. and Israel.

Russia has long maintained that a military solution to the U.S.-Iran standoff would be catastrophic. In the days leading up to the American strikes, Moscow had explicitly warned that direct U.S. intervention could destabilize the entire Middle East and drag multiple countries into conflict.

Iran Warns ‘Gambler’ Trump: ‘You May Start This War, But We Will End It’

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Iran Warns ‘Gambler’ Trump: ‘You May Start This War, But We Will End It’

TEHRAN (BN24) — Iran issued a stark warning to U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday, vowing to end the war he initiated and expanding its list of legitimate military targets after American forces bombed key nuclear facilities inside the country.

Labeling Trump a “gambler” for joining Israel’s military campaign, Iranian military spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaqari declared that Iran will have the final word in the conflict.

“Mr. Trump, the gambler, you may start this war, but we will be the ones to end it,” Zolfaqari said in English in a video statement from Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya military command.

Though Iran has continued to launch missile attacks against Israeli cities, it has so far refrained from direct retaliation against U.S. military bases or targeting oil traffic near the Strait of Hormuz, where nearly 20% of global oil supply passes.

The Iranian warning came a day after Trump suggested toppling the regime in Tehran, marking a sharp shift from prior U.S. assurances that the mission was limited to halting Iran’s nuclear program.

“It’s not politically correct to use the term ‘Regime Change,’ but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!” Trump wrote on social media Sunday.

Meanwhile, the U.S. military confirmed it had launched massive airstrikes on Iran’s Fordow nuclear complex, using bunker-buster bombs in an operation codenamed Midnight Hammer. Satellite imagery and defense analysts reported extensive damage to the uranium enrichment facility buried deep inside a mountain, though independent verification remains incomplete.

Trump called the strike a “Bullseye,” boasting that “monumental damage was done to all nuclear sites in Iran,” including sites at Natanz and Isfahan.

While Iran has not yet retaliated against the U.S. directly, it has continued retaliatory missile attacks on Israel. Iranian strikes have killed 24 civilians and injured hundreds in what Israeli officials called the most successful missile penetration of its air defense in history.

On Monday, Israel said it had conducted a fresh wave of airstrikes, with around 20 fighter jets hitting military infrastructure in Kermanshah and Tehran, including radar installations and missile launchers. Explosions were reported in central Tehran, and sirens rang out in Tel Aviv overnight.

Iran claimed that over 400 civilians have been killed in Israeli strikes since the conflict began on June 13, with many residents fleeing the capital for safety.

Though its rhetoric remains fiery, Iran’s military options appear increasingly constrained. Israeli victories in Lebanon led to the collapse of Hezbollah, once considered Iran’s most potent proxy. In Syria, Iran’s top client, President Bashar al-Assad, was ousted in a pro-Western coup weeks earlier, further isolating Tehran.

Now, Iran’s most formidable response could be economic warfare: closing the Strait of Hormuz, a move that would trigger a global oil crisis. Oil prices spiked above $80 per barrel on Monday before retreating slightly, a signal of market unease.

Iran’s parliament approved a measure to authorize closure of the strait, pending review by the Supreme National Security Council, which is headed by an appointee of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

However, such a move would bring direct confrontation with the U.S. Navy, whose Fifth Fleet is stationed in Bahrain.

“It’s economic suicide for them if they do it,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned. “And we retain options to deal with that.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Monday that diplomacy is off the table until Iran retaliates. Speaking in Istanbul, he confirmed meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow later in the day to coordinate positions. Russia, a strategic partner of Iran, also maintains close ties with Israel, making its role in the crisis pivotal.

“There will be no return to diplomacy until Iran’s sovereignty is respected,” Araqchi declared. “We are considering all options.”

As tensions escalate across the region and world leaders urge restraint, Tehran’s message remains unwavering: Iran will choose the battlefield, the timing, and the scope of its response — but a response is coming.

U.S. Warns Iran Against Retaliation as Trump Suggests ‘Regime Change’ After Nuclear Strikes

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U.S. Warns Iran Against Retaliation as Trump Suggests ‘Regime Change’ After Nuclear Strikes

WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Donald Trump raised the prospect of regime change in Iran on Sunday in a provocative social media post following devastating U.S. airstrikes on three major nuclear sites inside the Islamic Republic. The comment, made as senior American officials publicly disavowed any intent to topple Tehran’s government, signaled rising tensions amid fears of regional war.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth calls on reporters for questions during a news conference at the Pentagon in Washington, Sunday, June 22, 2025, after the U.S. military struck three sites in Iran, directly joining Israel’s effort to destroy the country’s nuclear program. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

“It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,’ but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!” Trump posted on his platform, invoking his “Make America Great Again” slogan.

The president’s message contradicted earlier statements from top U.S. officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who emphasized that the strikes were aimed strictly at Iran’s nuclear capabilities, not at destabilizing its regime.

“This mission was not and has not been about regime change,” Hegseth said during a briefing at the Pentagon, describing the air campaign as “a precision operation” under the codename Operation Midnight Hammer.

Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, Vance reiterated the administration’s stance. “We want to end their nuclear program, and then we want to talk to the Iranians about a long-term settlement. We do not want boots on the ground,” he said.

The remarks came as the Pentagon confirmed the highly classified strike operation, involving seven B-2 bombers and over 125 military aircraft, executed with precision against the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites. The attack included 75 precision-guided munitions, among them 14 bunker-buster bombs and dozens of Tomahawk missiles.

According to Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, the bombing inflicted “extremely severe damage” to all three sites. Satellite images reportedly showed cratered terrain above Fordow, where the U.S. deployed 30,000-pound bombs to penetrate underground facilities.

However, questions remain about the status of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi confirmed strikes on the Fordow enrichment site but cautioned that it was “too early” to assess damage to underground operations.

A senior Iranian source told Reuters that most of the highly enriched uranium stored at Fordow — including material enriched to 60% purity, close to weapons-grade — had been moved before the U.S. attack. The revelation could signal an effort by Tehran to preserve parts of its nuclear program or to hedge against anticipated escalation.

Trump’s comment and the operation itself mark a significant escalation in a region already beset by more than 20 months of warfare in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as instability in Syria. The airstrikes followed Israel’s earlier strikes on Iran, prompting Tehran to launch a barrage of ballistic missiles at Israeli targets.

Senior U.S. officials warned Iran against further retaliation. “The response from Tehran will determine whether the U.S. conducts additional operations,” one Pentagon official said.

The success of Operation Midnight Hammer relied heavily on military secrecy. Few in Washington or at U.S. Central Command headquarters in Tampa were briefed in advance. B-2 bombers flew 18-hour round trips to deliver their payloads, using deception to mask their targets.

While Trump’s public suggestion of regime change may have been rhetorical, it has deepened unease among U.S. allies and adversaries alike. Officials across Europe and the Middle East continue to urge restraint, while Iran’s leadership has vowed to defend its sovereignty and people — warning of “all options” on the table in response.

The international community is now bracing for what comes next in a confrontation that has rapidly expanded from shadow warfare to open conflict.

Armed Attacker Fatally Shot by Security After Opening Fire Outside Michigan Church

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Armed Attacker Fatally Shot by Security After Opening Fire Outside Michigan Church

WAYNE, Mich. (BN24) — A would-be gunman was shot and killed by church security staff Sunday morning after opening fire outside a packed suburban Michigan church, in what police say could have become a mass shooting if not for swift and decisive intervention by churchgoers.

The incident unfolded shortly before noon at CrossPointe Community Church in Wayne, about 25 miles west of Detroit, where roughly 150 people were attending a worship service. Police said the suspect, a 31-year-old white male, pulled into the church parking lot recklessly, got out of his vehicle wearing a tactical vest, and was armed with a rifle and a handgun.

According to Wayne Police Chief Ryan Strong, the suspect began firing rounds toward the church, striking one person in the leg. A parishioner in a pickup truck responded by ramming the gunman with the vehicle, providing enough time for at least two staff members to return fire. The shooter was struck and fatally wounded by church security.

“We are grateful for the heroic actions of the church’s staff members, who undoubtedly saved many lives and prevented a large-scale mass shooting,” said Chief Strong during a press briefing.

The suspect, whose identity has not yet been released, had no known connection to the church, and police believe he may have been suffering from a mental health crisis. The exact motive remains under investigation, authorities said.

The only injury beyond the suspect’s death was to a single worshipper who suffered a gunshot wound to the leg and was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Wendy Bodin, a churchgoer, told WXYZ-TV she heard a “boom” and looked outside to see a man lying on the grass. “I thought he got hit or crashed his car or was hurt,” she said. “And another lady saw and pointed to me and said, ‘Oh my, call 911!’”

Authorities said CrossPointe’s security team responded in seconds, neutralizing the threat before he could enter the sanctuary.

The church’s website lists its Sunday worship service time as 10:45 a.m., and the shooting occurred around 11 a.m., just as services were underway.

Wayne Police and El Dorado County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene, alongside the FBI, whose support teams arrived to assist in the investigation. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said the bureau’s leadership was coordinating with local law enforcement to determine the shooter’s background and intent.

Deputy Police Chief Finley Carter III said it was too early to determine a motive, but early indicators point to a disturbed individual acting alone.

The small city of Wayne, home to about 17,000 residents, is still reeling from the narrowly averted tragedy. Church leaders and community members have expressed gratitude that the incident didn’t result in greater loss of life.

“This could have been a devastating attack, but thanks to the preparedness of church staff and the bravery of members of the congregation, a massacre was stopped before it could begin,” said Chief Strong.

Authorities are expected to release the suspect’s identity and additional details about the investigation in the coming days.

6 Dead, 2 Missing After Boat Capsizes on Lake Tahoe During Violent Storm

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6 Dead, 2 Missing After Boat Capsizes on Lake Tahoe During Violent Storm

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. (BN24) — A powerful thunderstorm over Lake Tahoe, California, turned deadly over the weekend when a boat carrying ten people capsized in rough waters, leaving six people confirmed dead and two others still missing, according to officials.

The tragedy occurred Saturday afternoon near D.L. Bliss State Park, located along the lake’s southwestern edge. The U.S. Coast Guard and El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office responded swiftly to emergency calls reporting multiple people in the water after a 27-foot Chris-Craft boat overturned amid treacherous weather conditions.

Authorities said winds reached 30 knots (35 mph) and waves rose up to eight feet (2.5 meters) when the gold-colored vessel capsized, throwing all ten occupants into the frigid water.

Two people were rescued from the lake and transported to a nearby hospital, while the bodies of six others were recovered during a coordinated response effort that stretched into the evening. Dive teams and marine units resumed their search Sunday morning in hopes of locating the two remaining missing individuals.

Officials cited extreme weather as a likely factor in the capsizing. The violent thunderstorm produced gusty winds and heavy swells that battered boats across Lake Tahoe. Video obtained by KCRA-TV showed vessels at a nearby marina violently slamming into each other, illustrating the storm’s sudden intensity.

As of Sunday, the full extent of damage across the lake remained unclear, though authorities warned that water conditions remain dangerous, and further boating is discouraged until weather conditions stabilize.

The Coast Guard said the vessel flipped suddenly during peak storm activity, leaving little time for those aboard to respond. Emergency responders battled the elements to rescue survivors, while divers scoured the lake floor late into Saturday night.

“This was a sudden and catastrophic event,” an El Dorado County Sheriff’s spokesperson said. “Our thoughts are with the families of those lost, and our teams are working tirelessly to locate the missing.”

Lake Tahoe, which straddles the California-Nevada border, is a major summer tourist destination, known for its crystal-clear waters and scenic alpine backdrop. Boating is a popular pastime on the lake, which typically draws thousands of visitors in the summer months.

This weekend’s deadly incident has cast a pall over the region, prompting renewed focus on boater safety and weather preparedness.

Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims as they work to notify next of kin. Investigators are reviewing weather data and interviewing witnesses to determine the sequence of events that led to the disaster.

As of late Sunday, the search for the two missing individuals continues, with officials urging the public to avoid the area to allow emergency crews space to work.

Iranian Missile Barrage Leaves 23 Wounded Across Israel; Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Nes Tziona Among Hit Areas

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Iranian Missile Barrage Leaves 23 Wounded Across Israel; Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Nes Tziona Among Hit Areas

TEL AVIV, Israel (BN24) — A wave of Iranian ballistic missiles targeting Israel on Sunday left 23 civilians wounded, with reported damage to buildings and vehicles across central and northern districts, Israeli authorities confirmed.

According to the Israel Defense Forces’ Home Front Command, the missile strikes injured 13 people in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, six in Nes Tziona, three in Haifa, and one on a highway near Beer Yaakov. Of the total wounded, only one individual sustained moderate injuries—a man in his 30s with shrapnel wounds to the upper body—while the others suffered light injuries from impact or debris.

The Iranian attack came in two salvos, the first involving around 20 missiles and the second fewer than 10, the IDF reported. The barrage struck densely populated regions including the Coastal, Central, and Dan districts, prompting a widespread emergency response.

The IDF acknowledged a technical error in its warning system in Haifa, where sirens failed to sound despite the impact of an intercept explosion. Military officials said the damage in Haifa likely stemmed from an Israeli interceptor missile, not a direct Iranian ballistic hit.

Sirens are programmed to trigger only in the event of missile threats, not interceptor activity, to avoid unnecessary panic. However, the incident has raised concerns about civilian warning coverage amid ongoing hostilities.

Despite early reports of unusually severe damage in Tel Aviv, the IDF clarified that no advanced or new weaponry was used, and the destruction was consistent with prior missile impacts.

Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency teams and the Fire and Rescue Authority responded to extensive damage across impacted areas. Emergency personnel reported collapsed residential structures, scorched vehicles, and debris-strewn streets.

“This is a scene of major destruction,” said MDA paramedic Moti Nissan, speaking from central Israel. “Several two-story residential buildings were severely damaged, and some collapsed. We immediately began searching with firefighting forces and the Home Front Command for survivors. We remain prepared to provide medical care should more casualties be discovered during the search.”

Emergency teams were actively scanning additional impact sites Sunday afternoon, and authorities have not ruled out the possibility of discovering more injured individuals trapped beneath rubble.

In advance of the attack, the IDF confirmed that missile defense systems were activated, intercepting a portion of the incoming threats. While many of the missiles were shot down midair, fragments and direct hits still caused substantial damage, especially in densely populated areas.

The attack marks the latest escalation in a conflict that has seen intensified Iranian missile fire toward Israeli cities following ongoing Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure.

As tensions escalate, Israeli defense officials continue to prepare for additional salvos while emphasizing the need for vigilance among civilians, especially in regions close to potential impact zones.

At least 54 people in Israel have been killed since the broader conflict erupted in June, with over 1,200 wounded in strikes and retaliatory attacks.

FedEx Founder Fred Smith, a Visionary Veteran Who Reshaped Global Delivery, Dies at 80

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FedEx Founder Fred Smith, a Visionary Veteran Who Reshaped Global Delivery, Dies at 80

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (BN24) — Fred Smith, the Marine Corps veteran and founder of FedEx Corp. who pioneered the modern express delivery industry and transformed global commerce, has died at age 80, the company announced on Monday.

Smith’s vision of overnight delivery—once a radical concept—gave rise to a logistics empire that became an indispensable artery of global trade and a bellwether of the U.S. economy. Under his leadership, FedEx grew from a 14-plane startup in 1973 to a multinational giant averaging 17 million shipments per business day.

Though he stepped down as CEO in 2022, Smith remained executive chairman, continuing to influence the company he founded and built into a symbol of American business ingenuity.

A 1966 graduate of Yale University, Smith developed the core concept for FedEx as a student, proposing a centralized air delivery system that relied on a “hub-and-spoke” model to coordinate shipments. That idea, initially overlooked, would become the bedrock of the modern logistics industry.

“I came up with the name ‘Federal Express’ because I wanted the company to sound big and important,” Smith later told the Associated Press, recalling how he tried—unsuccessfully—to secure a contract with the Federal Reserve Bank to jumpstart the fledgling business.

In the early days, Federal Express operated out of Memphis International Airport, serving just 25 U.S. cities with a fleet of 14 small aircraft. But Smith’s vision quickly gained momentum as FedEx became critical to businesses increasingly dependent on time-sensitive deliveries.

Before launching FedEx, Smith served in the U.S. Marine Corps, commissioned as a second lieutenant after college. He completed two tours in Vietnam, earning commendations for bravery and sustaining injuries in combat. He rose to the rank of captain before leaving the military in 1969.

In a 2023 interview, Smith emphasized that his leadership style and business instincts were shaped more by his military experience than his Ivy League education.

“Everything I did running FedEx came from the Marines,” he said. “Not from Yale.”

Despite his enormous influence in business, Smith kept a low public profile, rarely seeking the spotlight. He made a cameo appearance in the 2000 film Castaway—a nod to FedEx’s cultural presence—but largely focused on family, work, and philanthropy.

Though private about his charitable work, Smith discussed a 2023 gift to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, which endowed a scholarship for children of Navy service members pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

“What interests me are the institutions and the causes—not the naming or the recognition,” Smith told AP at the time. “If you’ve done well in this country, it’s pretty churlish not to give a good portion of that back.”

Smith’s impact extended far beyond business. U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee called him “Memphis’ most important citizen,” noting his support for local institutions like the University of Memphis and the city zoo.

“FedEx is the engine of our economy, and Fred Smith was its visionary founder,” Cohen said. “But more than that, he was a dedicated citizen who cared deeply about our city.”

Born into a Memphis family of entrepreneurs—his father built a small fortune through transportation ventures—Fred Smith channeled his heritage, education, and military service into building one of the world’s most influential companies.

His legacy lives on in the infrastructure of commerce, the discipline of logistics, and the enduring belief that speed, coordination, and vision can transform industries and lives.

American Among 3 Arrested After High-Speed Chase Leads to 110,000 Fentanyl Pill Seizure in Mexico

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American Among 3 Arrested After High-Speed Chase Leads to 110,000 Fentanyl Pill Seizure in Mexico

CIUDAD JUÁREZ, Mexico (BN24) — A U.S. citizen is among three individuals arrested after a high-speed car chase led to the seizure of 110,000 fentanyl pills in northern Mexico, Mexican authorities said Sunday. The bust is the latest in a string of major fentanyl seizures amid growing U.S.-Mexico tensions over cross-border drug trafficking.

The Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection confirmed the arrests in Ciudad Juárez, a key border city directly across from El Paso, Texas. The detained individuals include an American woman, a Mexican man, and a third suspect who holds dual U.S.-Mexican citizenship. Mexican officials revealed that the dual national had an active arrest warrant in the United States for alleged drug trafficking offenses.

According to authorities, the group attempted to flee after spotting law enforcement while traveling by vehicle. Following a brief pursuit, police intercepted the suspects and discovered 10 bags of fentanyl tablets, along with multiple cell phones and ID cards inside the car.

The arrests resulted from a coordinated effort involving several Mexican security agencies and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Officials described the operation as the culmination of “intelligence work and surveillance actions” that had been ongoing prior to the attempted escape.

The suspects have not yet been publicly named, pending formal charges and extradition considerations in the case of the Mexican-American man wanted in the U.S.

The Mexican government has intensified efforts to crack down on synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, a drug 50 times more potent than heroin and a leading cause of overdose deaths in the United States.

The latest seizure is part of a broader trend of massive fentanyl hauls intercepted by Mexican authorities. In March 2025, police uncovered 275,000 fentanyl pills hidden in boxes of sliced cactus en route to Arizona. In December, over 2,400 pounds of fentanyl were seized in what officials called the largest narcotics bust in Mexican history.

The March shipment, valued at approximately $6.5 million, was allegedly being transported by a 29-year-old man through Sonora — a major drug corridor for cartels seeking access to the U.S. market.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly cited the surge of fentanyl from Mexico as a central justification for his tariff policies and toughened immigration stance. Earlier this year, Trump announced a 25% tariff on all imports from Mexico and Canada, saying both countries had failed to uphold promises to halt the flow of illegal drugs and migrants into the U.S.

“Enough is enough. We are holding our trade partners accountable for stopping the deadly poison that’s killing American citizens every day,” Trump said during a February press conference.

In response, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum defended her administration’s actions, citing a 50% drop in fentanyl seizures at the U.S.-Mexico border between October 2024 and January 2025, and pledging further cooperation with U.S. agencies.

As security collaboration intensifies, so do economic tensions. The U.S. has imposed 50% tariffs on Mexican steel, and although talks are reportedly underway to ease the trade conflict, no formal deal has been reached. Reuters reports that negotiations remain fragile as the fentanyl crisis remains a key sticking point in bilateral relations.

Meanwhile, Washington’s focus on fentanyl trafficking — particularly via land routes through northern Mexico — continues to shape both foreign policy and domestic political narratives.

The arrests in Ciudad Juárez serve as a stark reminder that cross-border drug networks remain active and adaptive, despite increased enforcement and political pressure.

Tehran Reserves ‘All Options’ to Defend Itself After U.S. Strikes on Nuclear Sites, Warns of ‘Everlasting Consequences’

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Tehran Reserves ‘All Options’ to Defend Itself After U.S. Strikes on Nuclear Sites, Warns of ‘Everlasting Consequences’

TEHRAN, Iran (BN24) — Iran issued a stark warning Sunday following a wave of U.S. airstrikes on its nuclear facilities, declaring it reserves “all options” to defend its sovereignty and national interests, as fears of a wider war in the Middle East intensify.

The response came after President Donald Trump confirmed that U.S. forces struck three major nuclear sites in Iran—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—marking the most direct American military intervention against the Islamic Republic in decades.

“Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interests and people,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi wrote on social media. He denounced the strikes as a “grave violation” of international law and said the move would have “everlasting consequences.”

Araqchi emphasized that the United States had acted unlawfully as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, striking peaceful nuclear installations in defiance of the U.N. Charter and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

“These events have made clear that diplomacy is being torpedoed by bombs,” he added, warning that Iran would not sit idly by in the face of foreign aggression.

Tehran’s stance signals a potentially explosive shift in the conflict, as Iranian military and political leaders hinted that no retaliatory action is off the table—including possible escalation in the Gulf, renewed attacks on Israel, or even a reassessment of its participation in international nuclear agreements.

The U.S. strikes, announced by Trump as a “spectacular military success,” were carried out using stealth bombers and Tomahawk cruise missiles. Fordow, a hardened underground facility, was targeted with “bunker-buster” bombs, while missile strikes were directed at Natanz and Isfahan—critical centers of Iran’s uranium enrichment program.

A senior Iranian official told state media that much of the country’s most sensitive nuclear material had been moved before the attacks. However, Tehran acknowledged the strikes inflicted significant damage.

Meanwhile, the U.N. nuclear watchdog (IAEA) said no radiation leaks had been detected but called for an emergency meeting of its board of governors.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had fired 40 missiles at Israel overnight in retaliation and warned that the “main phase” of its response was still to come. The IRGC added that Israel and its backers would pay a heavy price if further attacks occur.

Air raid sirens sounded across Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and other Israeli cities, and explosions lit the night sky. Israeli authorities confirmed at least 86 people were injured, while dozens of missile impact sites were reported.

In Iran, panic and dread spread among civilians, particularly in cities near the targeted sites. One woman in Kashan told Reuters, “Our future is dark. We have nowhere to go.” Power and communication outages were also reported across several provinces.

Governments around the world urged calm. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the U.S. strikes as a “dangerous escalation” and called for immediate de-escalation. European and Gulf states, including Qatar, Japan, and Germany, warned that further conflict would have “catastrophic consequences.”

Iran has long insisted that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but enrichment at levels up to 60% purity—just shy of weapons-grade—has sparked growing international concern. The country’s leaders now say the U.S. strike may force them to reconsider their commitment to the NPT.

The head of Iran’s atomic agency vowed the country would not allow foreign aggression to derail what it called its “national industry,” while lawmakers threatened to withdraw from international nuclear treaties.

Trump, flanked by Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said the U.S. had no intention of seeking regime change but warned of further military action if Tehran retaliates.

“This was not a step taken lightly,” Trump said. “But if peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets.”

Still, in the U.S., Trump’s move sparked bipartisan concern, with lawmakers warning that congressional authorization may be required before further military involvement.

According to Iran’s state-run Nour News Agency, at least 430 people have been killed and over 3,500 injured in Iran since Israel’s air campaign began June 13. In Israel, 24 civilians have died and over 1,200 have been wounded amid continued missile strikes.

With diplomacy stalled and the conflict intensifying, Tehran’s vow to defend itself by any means necessary casts a shadow over prospects for peace.

As the world watches with alarm, Iran’s message remains clear: “We will not stand down. We will defend our homeland.”

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