The U.S. Institute of Peace acting president Dr. Darren Beattie told Blaze Media co-founder Glenn Beck on Tuesday about the melee that took place at his agency's headquarters during its takeover by the Department of Government Efficiency in March.Beattie, who is also undersecretary for public diplomacy at the State Department, revealed both the lengths that deep-staters went to cover their tracks as well as what illicit trade the agency apparently had an interest in propping up in Afghanistan.The USIP is a taxpayer-funded think tank established by Congress in 1984 that had a budget last year of $55 million. The Heritage Foundation noted in a 2024 report that the agency lacked transparency and mechanisms to ensure fiscal accountability; was full of partisans; and had greatly overstepped the bounds of its original mission.Beattie told Beck that the USIP is an "important member of the NGO archipelago," whose quasi-governmental, quasi-private "chameleon character" helps America's foreign policy establishment "fulfill some of those more sensitive functions that had been exposed in the course of the Church [Committee] hearings" regarding misconduct by American intelligence agencies, including the CIA.Pursuant to President Donald Trump's Feb. 19 executive order concerning the "reduction of the federal bureaucracy," the DOGE set to work earlier this year on eliminating bloat and inefficiencies at the USIP.The Trump administration fired the voting members of the agency's board of directors along with the USIP's president, former Clinton official George Moose; terminated nearly all of the institute's staff and activities around the world; had elements of the DOGE take over the institute's headquarters; and transferred USIP's property to the General Services Administration.RELATED: State Department isn't buying ProPublica's sob story about Taliban alumnus whose funding was exposed by DOGE Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty ImagesDeep-staters apparently desperate to cling to power at the agency tried to fight this house-cleaning, not only filing legal challenges but getting physical.After DOGE member Kenneth Jackson was temporarily made acting president of the agency, Trump's efficiency team attempted to enter the USIP's headquarters. However, Moose and agency staffers repeatedly barred their entry.Finally, on March 17, the DOGE managed to enter with the help of law enforcement.In response to Moose's claim that the "DOGE has broken into our building," the DOGE responded:Mr. Moose denied lawful access to Kenneth Jackson, the Acting USIP President (as approved by the USIP Board). @DCPoliceDept arrived onsite and escorted Mr. Jackson into the building. The only unlawful individual was Mr. Moose, who refused to comply, and even tried to fire USIP’s private security team when said security team went to give access to Mr. Jackson.Beattie told Beck that during the DOGE takeover of the agency, USIP staffers "barricaded themselves in the offices. They sabotaged the physical infrastructure of the building. There were reports of there being loaded guns within the offices.""There was one hostage situation where they held a security guard under basically kind of a false-imprisonment type of situation," continued Beattie. "It was extremely intense. Far more so than the better-known story of USAID."'I think even more bizarre than having this former Taliban guy on the payroll is the kind of schizophrenic posture in relation to Afghanistan exhibited by the US Institute of Peace.'Beattie noted further that "in the course of all of that, they tried to delete terabyte of data — of accounting information that would indicate what kind of stuff they were up to, what kind of people they were paying."After the DOGE secured the headquarters, former Trump adviser and DOGE head Elon Musk indicated that the DOGE recovered the terabyte of financial data that USIP staffers allegedly deleted to "cover their crimes."RELATED: Democracy promotion is dead: Good riddance Taliban extremists in Kabul. Photo by WAKIL KOHSAR/AFP via Getty ImagesThe DOGE not only exposed significant waste and alleged fraud but questionable contracts, including a $132,000 contract with a former Taliban official, Mohammad Qasem Halimi, who served as the extremist regime's chief of protocol, then later as a "fixer type" in Afghanistan."What the heck is an organization like this doing having an individual who is a former Taliban member on their payroll?" Beattie said to Beck.Beattie suggested ProPublica's recent attempt to paint Halimi as a victim of the DOGE was a "total joke," stressing that "he was probably one of these people who was playing all sides, made a lot of enemies." — (@) "I think even more bizarre than having this former Taliban guy on the payroll is the kind of schizophrenic posture in relation to Afghanistan exhibited by the U.S. Institute of Peace," continued Beattie.The USIP's acting president suggested that his supposedly peace-focused agency was apparently interested in keeping Afghanistan's opium trade alive and well."One truly bizarre thing is that one of the U.S. Institute of Peace's main kind of policy agendas was basically lamenting the fact that the opium trade had dissipated under Taliban leadership," said Beattie. "They had multiple reports coming out, basically saying, 'This is horrible that the opium trade is diminished under the Taliban. We need to find some way to restore it.' How bizarre is that?!""The whole story of opium and Afghanistan and its connection to government entities is a very intricate and delicate and fascinating one. But it seems very clear that the U.S. Institute of Peace was involved in that story to some degree," added Beattie.Beck noted that "this is the real deep-state stuff that I think bothers people so much. Look, we expect our CIA to do stuff — we don't necessarily want it to do it, but we expect it. But when it's in the State Department, when it's in every department ... pushing money to NGOs to overthrow governments, it's out of control."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

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Apple is the most likely to adopt tandem OLED panels in smartphones, considering it helped pioneer the technology with last year's M4 iPad Pro.

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Clint Eastwood’s daughter, Francesca, recently revealed she was hospitalized, urging her followers to stay mindful about hydration. The 30-year-old actress shared photos from her hospital bed, where her 6-year-old son, Titan, sat beside her. In one post, she wrote, “Don’t get dehydrated,” turning her experience into a reminder for others. According to Suggest, Francesca also reposted the same photo with the caption, “Just two dehydrated kids.” Her candid words resonated with fans who saw a vulnerable side of her life. The hospitalization came only months after reports confirmed she and her partner, trainer-actor Alexander Wraith, are expecting their second child together. Clint Eastwood’s Daughter Balances Health And Family Francesca Eastwood/Instagram Francesca has long carried the spotlight as Clint Eastwood’s daughter, though she has often chosen a quieter life. Like her father, mother Frances Fisher, and several half-siblings, she has appeared in films and television, building her own career while keeping her private world guarded. Clint Eastwood/Instagram Her health scare arrived during a major family moment. With another child on the way and Titan by her side during her treatment, Francesca showed the challenges of balancing motherhood with personal wellness. Her hospital post highlighted how even familiar Hollywood families face very human struggles. Past Headlines And Moving Forward Francesca Eastwood praised Clint Eastwood’s performance as a grandfather, even if he was a very strict father to her / ImageCollect Francesca also made headlines in late 2024 after a domestic dispute with Wraith led to her arrest in Beverly Hills. Police intervened after the argument escalated, and she was taken into custody. A few months later, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office confirmed that charges would not move forward because of insufficient evidence. Clint Eastwood and her daughter, Francesca/Instagram Since then, she and Wraith have turned their focus back to family life. They are now preparing for the arrival of their second child while moving beyond the difficulties of last year. Francesca’s hospitalization shows another side of her journey: a young mother working through setbacks with resilience. Even as Clint Eastwood’s daughter, she faces challenges that mirror those of any parent. Next up: The Beach Boys And John Stamos Celebrate 40 Years Of Partnership With New Shows The post Clint Eastwood’s Daughter Francesca Hospitalized After Health Scare appeared first on DoYouRemember? - The Home of Nostalgia. Author, Ruth A

After more than three decades of serving the local community, the JCPenney store closing at Westminster Mall has left longtime shoppers stunned. The beloved location, which first opened its doors in 1993, will shut down permanently this November, marking the end of an era for many who grew up visiting the mall. According to The U.S. Sun, the retailer announced that the Westminster store, its oldest anchor at the 51-year-old shopping center, will close between November 16 and November 21. For many families, this JCPenney location was more than a department store—it was a central part of the shopping experience that defined the mall for generations. The Longstanding Impact Of JCPenney Store Closing JCPenney stores/Wikimedia Commons The closure reflects the challenges that JCPenney has faced in recent years, from its 2020 bankruptcy to increased competition and shifting consumer habits. Store employees and loyal customers are now navigating the impact of this decision, with 76 associates affected, including cashiers, sales floor staff, and management. While some workers may transfer to other locations, the end of the Westminster store leaves a gap in the community. JCPenney outlet stores/Wikimedia Commons This JCPenney store closing is part of a larger pattern for the retailer, which has shuttered more than 200 stores since filing for bankruptcy. Despite restructuring efforts and a merger with Sparc Group earlier this year, the chain continues to struggle with drawing younger shoppers and adapting to the rise of online retail. Still, for many Orange County residents, it is the memories of family shopping trips and holiday visits that make the loss of this store especially poignant. The Broader Struggles Behind The Decision Interior of the JCPenney Outlet store at Potomac Mills mall in Woodbridge, Virginia/Wikimedia Commons The Westminster JCPenney store closing also highlights the broader struggles of department stores across the country. JCPenney, once considered a retail giant, has been weighed down by debt, declining sales, and the challenges of competing with rivals like Macy’s and Nordstrom. The pandemic only intensified these difficulties, as lockdowns and the surge in online shopping cut deeply into its revenue. 242 JCPenney stores shall close their doors after selling everything / Canva While JCPenney continues to operate nearly 650 stores nationwide, the disappearance of long-standing locations like Westminster shows how the retail landscape is changing. The company expressed gratitude to the associates and customers who supported the store for more than 30 years, but the sight of “store closing” signs lining the entrance has become a familiar reminder of a once-thriving retail era now fading from view. Next up: ‘Sopranos’ Actor Jerry Adler Dies At 96 The post JCPenney Stores Drop Bombshell Closing News After 32 Years appeared first on DoYouRemember? - The Home of Nostalgia. Author, Ruth A

Kathleen Turner made a rare red carpet appearance in New York, reminding audiences of her enduring Hollywood legacy. At 71, she stepped out to support The Roses, a remake of the 1989 classic The War of the Roses, in which she once starred. Her appearance sparked nostalgia for the film that originally showcased her sharp wit and undeniable chemistry with Michael Douglas. According to People, Turner wore a classic black dress with matching sandals at the Hudson Theatre premiere on August 25. The evening marked the debut of the new adaptation and rekindled memories of her commanding role as Barbara Rose. For fans, it was a reminder of how Kathleen Turner defined an era with her glamour, strength, and unforgettable presence. Kathleen Turner And The War of the Roses Legacy HOLLYWOOD ROYALTY: Kathleen Turner, who starred in the original “The War of the Roses” in 1989, attended the New York premiere of Searchlight Pictures “The Roses” starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman. (Photo: Dia Dipasupil/WireImage) #KathleenTurner #TheRoses pic.twitter.com/FgB8ilCW2w — On The Red Carpet (@OnTheRedCarpet) August 26, 2025   The 1989 film quickly became a cultural touchstone, thanks in large part to Kathleen Turner’s performance alongside Michael Douglas and Danny DeVito. The story of Barbara and Oliver Rose’s collapsing marriage balanced dark comedy with biting commentary on love, ambition, and materialism. Turner’s portrayal made Barbara Rose both relatable and formidable, leaving audiences captivated by her ability to command every scene. Michael Douglas with Kathleen turner/Everett The Roses remake stars Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch as a modern couple facing marital struggles amid success and wealth. While the cast offers a fresh take, Turner’s original role remains the benchmark. Fans also recall her acclaimed films like Romancing the Stone and Jewel of the Nile, which paired her with Douglas and cemented her Hollywood legacy. A Career Of Lasting Impact THE WAR OF THE ROSES, Kathleen Turner, 1989, TM & Copyright © 20th Century Fox Film Corp./courtesy Everett Collection Kathleen Turner’s collaborations with Michael Douglas extended beyond The War of the Roses, creating some of the most memorable romantic-adventure films of the 1980s. Their undeniable chemistry carried over from Romancing the Stone to its sequel, Jewel of the Nile, where audiences were drawn to their fiery energy on screen. Turner herself has admitted that the connection between them was charged with a tension that fueled their dynamic performances. THE MAN WITH TWO BRAINS, Kathleen Turner, 1983, © Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection Even today, her presence on the red carpet stirs admiration and nostalgia. Turner’s decades-long career shines through moments like The Roses premiere, reminding audiences why she became a defining figure. Her work still inspires fans of classic cinema and a new generation of performers taking on roles she made iconic. Next up: Clint Eastwood’s Daughter Francesca Hospitalized After Health Scare The post ’80s Femme Fatale Kathleen Turner Makes Rare Red Carpet Appearance appeared first on DoYouRemember? - The Home of Nostalgia. Author, Ruth A