(NewsUSA) - The magic of Christmas doesn’t wait until December, and neither does Marine Toys for Tots. Nationally recognized as America’s flagship children’s Christmastime charity during the holiday season, Toys for Tots remains committed to delivering hope and joy to children in need all year long.

Christmas in July might seem a little early to some, but for the children and families Toys for Tots supports, any time is the right time to start spreading tidings of comfort and joy! For Toys for Tots, the magic of Christmas begins long before December 25th — because it takes months of planning, giving, and preparing to ensure no child wakes up without something special under their tree.

As families across the United States continue to navigate ongoing financial challenges, Toys for Tots’ year-round initiatives strive to provide a sense of normalcy and comfort to disadvantaged children by delivering toys, books, and other gifts during special distributions, promoting hope for brighter days ahead.

That’s why year-round events like the one held earlier this summer in Smithfield, Virginia, for local foster children are so meaningful. Foster children represent some of our most vulnerable young people and Toys for Tots wants to remind them that holiday magic can happen any time. Thanks to the local Toys for Tots Chapter and Coordinator Elizabeth Moose, the second annual “Kids Summer Funfest” at Windsor Castle Park, brought together local foster children for a day of laughter, excitement and unforgettable memories - where they petted horses, splashed down water slides, and participated in engaging activities led by local police and fire departments.

With the help of 94 dedicated volunteers, local first responders, and civic organizations, the event provided children with toys and gifts and opportunities for outdoor activities designed to uplift and inspire. The beloved Gunny Bear also made a special appearance, spreading extra joy with hugs and playful moments alongside the children.

"Seeing the pure joy on the kids' faces as they played, laughed, and hugged Gunny Bear made every minute of volunteering worth it. Knowing we helped create a day where they felt truly celebrated—that’s what makes this event so special," said one event volunteer.

One foster parent commented, "This event gave my child a chance to just be a kid—to play, laugh, and feel special. As a foster parent, seeing them light up with joy and feeling part of something bigger was incredibly meaningful. The volunteers and community truly made a difference."

Optimism and excitement also filled the air earlier this month in McKee, Kentucky, thanks to Toys for Tots’ partnership with Christian Appalachian Project. With the help of 81 volunteers, a special summertime distribution delivered over 5,700 toys to nearly 2,000 children in the local community.

Thanks to the unwavering generosity of Toys for Tots supporters, children facing hardship receive joy and support not just during the holidays, but all year long. Their contributions make special summertime events—like Kids Summer Funfest and special summertime distributions—possible, bringing smiles and hope when it's needed most. Filling Santa’s boots is no small feat, but if anyone can rise to the challenge, it’s the Program’s dedicated donors. Every donation helps ensure that no child wakes up without a toy on Christmas morning and messages of optimism and joy extend throughout the year.

Celebrate Christmas in July with Toys for Tots and give the gift of hope year-round to disadvantaged children across the Nation by visiting toysfortots.org.

(NewsUSA) - For children, the hours before and after the school bell rings are full of potential. For parents, they’re often the most stressful parts of the day: rushing to drop off, coordinating pickups and wondering if their child is safe and happy. That’s where a high-quality before- and after-school program becomes a game-changer.

These programs, like KinderCare’s before- and after- school provider, Champions, do more than fill time. They engage children in experiences that cultivate independence, creativity and critical thinking in intentionally different environments from the school day, while providing parents with peace of mind and a consistent routine they can count on.

Educators and curriculum development experts are increasingly recognizing these programs as vital for nurturing social-emotional learning, independence and real-world problem-solving, all within a supportive, experience-rich environment that complements the school day.

More Than Free Time: A Foundation for Life Skills

Unlike the highly structured school schedule, these programs provide children with flexibility and freedom. In that space, children make decisions, collaborate with peers, and navigate social dynamics in meaningful ways. These experiences build confidence and emotional resilience—skills that are as important as academic achievement.

“Out-of-school time isn’t just a gap in the day,” said Rurik Nackerud, KinderCare education content manager. “It’s these in-between spaces where children explore identity, navigate peer dynamics and build adaptive social-emotional skills with autonomy. It’s formative and in these informal spaces we see self-regulation, resilience, and empathy take root.”

Play That Prepares Children for the Real World

Through fun, hands-on activities, like building projects, science experiments or group games, children are learning more than how to follow directions. They’re practicing leadership, communication and creative thinking. These essential life skills are developed naturally in environments where children have both the freedom to explore and the support of caring adults.

“When learners feel trusted and seen, they lean into challenge,” said Nackerud. “We see it in the way they solve problems together, iterate on ideas and discover what they’re capable of. Confidence grows outside the structures of formal instruction that enhances academic success.”

Daily Routines That Empower Children

Beyond skill-building, before- and after-school programs also provide emotional stability and a dependable rhythm to the day. Consistent routines reduce anxiety and help children ease transitions.

“Children thrive when they know what to expect,” said Nackerud. “These programs offer predictable routines that reduce stress and open the door to deeper engagement and social connection.”

A Space for Lifelong Learning

Ultimately, these programs are about more than filling the hours during out-of-school time, including holiday and summer breaks. They’re about preparing children for life. Whether it’s encouraging a quiet child to take the lead in a group activity, helping a kindergartener learn to manage frustration, or simply giving them time to recharge, out-of-school time programs create safe, enriching spaces where children can be themselves and grow in the process.

The next time you think of before- and after-school care, consider what’s really happening: a place where children’s voices are heard, their curiosity is nurtured and their development is supported in real and lasting ways. Learn more about how Champions is helping children shine bright—before school, after school and beyond at DiscoverChampions.com. 

(NewsUSA) - For many, breathing is something we take for granted, 23,040 breaths a day without a second thought. But for those impacted by lung cancer, every breath matters.

On August 1, World Lung Cancer Day highlights the importance of lung cancer awareness, the urgency of research, and the power of personal stories, like Jeff Stibelman's.

From Stage 4 Diagnosis to a Full Life

Jeff never expected a persistent cough to turn into something serious. But in early 2021, after a scan revealed advanced-stage lung cancer, his life changed in an instant. The cancer had spread to his bones, ribs, clavicle, and brain, initially considered inoperable.

Jeff refused to give up. He educated himself and pursued biomarker testing. While every cancer journey is different, research made more options available to him, and that made a difference.

“I want my story to focus on the disease and the cure. It is because others before me advocated and made their needs heard that biomarker testing was discovered and, in turn, new highly effective drugs were developed. Getting more involved in research and doing my own research has become my purpose.”

Research That Breathes Life Into the Future

Behind stories like Jeff’s are the scientists pushing boundaries in lung cancer treatment. Dr. Zhen Zeng of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine was recently awarded a prestigious Early Career Researcher Grant of $200,000 through LCFA.

Dr. Zeng’s work uses cutting-edge bioinformatics to identify tumor-reactive T cells, a breakthrough that could lead to more personalized and effective immunotherapy for patients.

“This grant gives me the resources to move faster,” says Dr. Zeng. “And that means earlier detection, better treatment options, and more lives saved.”

The impact of early detection is staggering: catching lung cancer at Stage I could improve five-year survival rates by more than 50%.

Every Post, Every Dollar, Every Breath Counts

On World Lung Cancer Day, LCFA encourages everyone to join the conversation. Through social media spotlights on survivors, updates from the lab, and stories from patients and doctors, the day reminds us that we all have lungs and a reason to care.

“Research is vital,” says LCFA Co-Founder Kim Norris. “Behind every story of hope, every extra moment, every second chance is research. But research doesn’t happen without support. It takes all of us, donors, advocates, and communities, working together to fuel the breakthroughs that help these stories continue. If you want to make a difference, please donate today, because every dollar moves research forward.”

How You Can Help

Donate: Supports lifesaving research.

https://secure.lcfamerica.org/forms/wlcd25

Share: Use your voice on social media to raise awareness.

Learn: Visit LCFAmerica.org to hear more stories and explore how research makes a difference.

Hashtags: #WorldLungCancerDay #LCFAmerica #LivingWithLungCancer #WLCD2025

Join the movement this World Lung Cancer Day. Because hope is real.

About LCFA: Lung Cancer Foundation of America enhances lung cancer survival rates by funding transformative science, elevating public awareness, and providing hope, information, and access to contemporary treatment options. Learn more at LCFAmerica.org.

(NewsUSA) - The evolution and impact of AI, especially with respect to national security, is poorly understood, but the explosion of knowledge is unprecedented, according to Dr. Eric Schmidt, chair of the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP).

In a fireside chat on "Delivering the AI Advantage," at the year's AI + Expo, Dr. Schmidt discussed whether AI is over- or underhyped. "The arrival of this level of intelligence is an issue as historic as the invention of electricity," he said.

The 2025 AI+ Expo and The Exchange: Advancing the Legacy of Innovation and National Security was sponsored by the SCSP, a non-profit initiative focused on strengthening America's long-term competitiveness in AI and other emerging technologies. 

Dr. Schmidt noted the implications of AI in improving America's military advantage, with some recent successes and gaps where improvement is needed.

Success Story. Although the details are not publicly available, a recent project called Maven involved the creation of an open-source library that can be trained to look for certain things. "In the Pentagon, they spend a lot of time looking for things," and it is much smarter to have the computer looking and the human is alerted if it finds something, or detects a trend or pattern, he said.

Gaps: The expanded role of drones in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine highlights the need for more development of remote AI technology in the U.S., according to Schmidt. The war in Ukraine has become drone against drone, he said. By contrast, the U.S. does not as a nation have a good UAS counter drone, Schmidt added.

Looking ahead, the U.S. military needs to be proactive in taking advantage of AI, said Schmidt. His ideal defensive strategy would include two layers of drones, a high surveillance level with deep-looking cameras connected by an unjammable AI network, and other drones that could deploy bombers. With this kind of defensive system "it would be essentially impossible to invade a country by land," he said.

The key takeaway, Schmidt said, is that the military needs to use modern AI tools to plan defensive strategies. Companies in the U.S. are ready to take on this challenge, but need to establish and improve partnerships, he added.

Visit scsp.ai to learn more about SCSP and view other presentations from the AI + Expo.

(NewsUSA) - Kiwifruit, with its bright green flesh and sweet-tart flavor, is a powerhouse of nutrition packed into a small, fuzzy package. Originally from China and popularized in New Zealand, today much of the kiwifruit available in North America during the summer comes from Chile. Thanks to Chile’s opposite growing season, fresh kiwifruit arrives during the Northern Hemisphere’s warmer months, making it a seasonal favorite for healthy snacks and school lunches.

Just one kiwifruit provides 120% of your daily requirement for vitamin C. It's rich in fiber, potassium, vitamin K, and antioxidants. Kiwifruit can also be a supportive part of a GLP-1 diet.  This is because it has a low glycemic index, high fiber content and is nutrient dense with a low-calorie profile.

 In other words, kiwifruit is the perfect treat to keep your summer slim and trim!

For summer snacking, kiwifruit is incredibly versatile. Enjoy it sliced and chilled, blended into smoothies, or paired with yogurt for a high-protein snack. For back-to-school season, kiwifruit is a lunchbox win—easy to prep and packed with nutrients to support focus and energy. Try cutting it into fun shapes or serving it with a toothpick for kid-friendly appeal. Here’s an idea perfect for kids, or maybe just the kid in you. Turn a basic bagel into a blueberry-eyed panda with kiwifruit "ears" and a creamy kiwifruit purée spread!

You can even freeze kiwifruit slices for a naturally sweet popsicle alternative—perfect for hot days or after-school treats. Whether you're looking to nourish your body, or just enjoy a naturally delicious fruit, Chilean kiwifruit is a fresh, smart choice.

(NewsUSA) - With summer in full swing, safety on the road should be a top priority. Auto Glass Now is helping drivers across the country get road-trip ready — because wherever the season takes them, a damaged windshield shouldn’t stand in the way.

Auto Glass Now knows summer means more time behind the wheel — and cracked windshields often tag along for the ride. With over 200 locations nationwide, the company is committed to helping drivers stay safe with fast, reliable glass repair and replacement services. Whether you are headed to the beach, lake, or mountains, you can count on Auto Glass Now for fast and convenient auto glass services, wherever you may be!
 

Why You Shouldn’t Hit the Road with a Damaged Windshield

Planning a road trip this summer? Before you pack the cooler and load up the car, make sure your windshield is ready for the journey too. That small chip or crack you’ve been putting off could turn into a much bigger problem once the temperatures rise.

Summer heat can worsen existing windshield damage. As glass expands in the heat — especially under direct sunlight — minor chips can rapidly turn into large cracks. Add in high interior temperatures and sudden cooling from air conditioning, and the risk of further damage increases. In some cases, a minor chip can quickly grow into a full crack, potentially compromising your visibility and safety.

Here are a few risks to consider:

• Thermal stress: The combination of a hot windshield and a blast of cold AC can trigger cracking.
• Rough roads and road vibrations: Potholes, gravel roads, speed bumps, and uneven pavement transmit strong vibrations and shocks to the vehicle chassis. These impacts travel through the frame and can stress the windshield, especially if there's a crack already present.
• Safety compromise: A cracked windshield can compromise a vehicle’s structure, especially in rollover accidents.
   

Why Now Is the Time to Repair a Windshield

Taking care of a damaged windshield before hitting the road isn’t just safer — it’s smarter. What could be a quick repair now might turn into a full replacement if left untreated in summer conditions. That’s why taking care of it before your road trip is key.

Auto Glass Now makes the process as easy and stress-free as possible, offering:

• Same-day & next-day service to get drivers back on the road quickly
• Insurance support, including claims handling and acceptance of all providers
• Price match guarantee to ensure you get the best price and value
• Experienced technicians trained to work on all vehicle makes and models
• No- Hassle Lifetime warranty against glass defects or repairs needed to their original work.
• Over 200 locations nationwide, so help is never far away

Travel Safe and Stress-Free This Summer

Summer road trips should be about fun and adventure — not anxiety about whether a windshield will hold up under pressure and heat. From winding mountain drives to scenic coastal highways, a clear, undamaged windshield provides peace of mind and improved safety for every mile.

Auto Glass Now encourages drivers not to delay when it comes to repairs. That small crack could turn into a vacation spoiler. By visiting a local Auto Glass Now location, customers can enjoy expert service today, not someday.

(NewsUSA) - Shopping online is easy and convenient—you can find almost anything, from snacks to sneakers. But not every product is what it seems. While most sellers are honest, some try to take advantage of shoppers by offering counterfeit goods.

That’s why at Walmart we’ve built layers of protection into the shopping experience—to help you shop with confidence. Here's how to stay sharp when shopping anywhere online.

How to Identify a Counterfeit Product

• Check the Seller's Reputation: Always look at the seller's ratings and reviews on the platform. A strong, positive track record and customer reviews are good signs. Be wary of brand-new sellers with no history or negative reviews.
• Examine Listings Carefully: Be cautious of listings with poor-quality images, blurred logos, misspelled brand names, or spelling and grammar errors in the product description. Trusted sellers with authentic listings typically feature clear, professional photos and detailed, accurate information.
• Compare Prices: If a price seems "too good to be true," it likely is. Extremely low prices for a typically expensive item, especially when compared to other reputable sellers, are a major red flag for fakes.

• Trust Your Instincts: If something about a listing or a seller feels off, move on. Seek out other, more trusted sellers on the marketplace. Your gut feeling can often be a good indicator.
• Review Return and Warranty Policies: Reputable sellers typically offer clear and transparent return, refund, and warranty policies. Look for these details before buying, as a lack of clear policies can be a red flag.

At Walmart, before a seller can list items on Walmart.com, they go through an identity and business check. We also use smart tools and teams of people to review listings and remove any items or sellers that do not meet our standards. If you do see something that doesn’t seem right—like a suspicious item or seller—say something! You can report them to us, details here. And if a customer isn’t satisfied—for any reason—our return policy is designed to make things right, quickly and easily.

With all these protections in place, you can truly shop with peace of mind. The truth is, the vast majority of items sold online are authentic and sold by trustworthy sellers. By combining our robust safeguards with these simple tricks, you can navigate the online marketplace with even more confidence.

(NewsUSA) - If there’s one product redefining undereye makeup prep and touch-ups right now, it’s RoC’s Revive + Glow Eye Balm. This eye balm will be your new favorite makeup hack, as it revives tired eyes and restores a more youthful appearance.

RoC’s Revive + Glow Eye Balm effortlessly glides on the skin with its unique stick format, instantly refreshing the under-eye area with just a swipe. The balm targets dark circles and puffiness, leaving the skin looking brighter and more awake.

But it doesn’t stop there. This eye balm has gone viral, with beauty enthusiasts calling it a “concealer essential” to help prevent and smooth undereye creasing and dryness. The nourishing formula, packed with Peptides and Vitamin C, firms and hydrates the under-eye area, creating a smooth canvas for concealer. What’s even better? It works on top of concealer too, making it the perfect mid-day touch-up tool for smoothing dry makeup patches and reviving tired eyes, without disrupting your look.

Shoppers catching on to the viral hack are calling the eye balm a “game-changer” for undereye revival, and clinical studies certainly back up its virality. Instantly, eyes are brighter and refreshed, and in 4 weeks, 90% saw visibly revived eyes with reduced dark circles & puffiness.

“Nothing ruins the look of makeup worse than a creasing concealer. The majority of mature women struggle with this and almost give up on makeup” said Erica Taylor, makeup artist, beauty educator, and digital creator. “The RoC Revive + Glow Eye Balm is the best prep before concealer as well as a quick fix on the go, even over powder. Just pat and release your crease.” 

For mature or dry under-eyes, use your ring finger to gently press the eye balm into your concealer, allowing the formulas to melt together and create a blended, crease-free finish. This technique not only prevents cakiness, but also softens the look of fine lines.

It’s no surprise this product has gone viral, and one is sold every 20 seconds¹.

Visit rocskincare.com or visit Walmart to get your hands on the viral eye balm that’s changing the way we perfect our concealer routine, providing a flawless finish at all times of day.

^{1Based on Internal RoC sales data in units from 12/30/24 to 7/6/25.}

(Jane Kamensky and John Bridgeland) - On July 4, 2025, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello hosted its 63rd annual immigration and naturalization ceremony, swearing in 74 new American citizens from 40 countries across five continents. Their stories remind us of the promise of the Declaration of Independence we celebrate in this 249th anniversary year.

Jefferson would have approved. The ability to leave one's country and join another was, he wrote in 1817, a "natural right, like that of our right to life, liberty, … and the pursuit of happiness” he enumerated in the Declaration decades before.

Keynote speaker Ken Burns captured the spirit of the day by noting that in 1776 -- when kings ruled in France and Britain, a Czarina in St. Petersburg, an emperor in China, a Sultan in Constantinople, and a Shogun in Japan -- men in Philadelphia envisioned a system and wrote words in a Declaration that "turned the world upside down." And out of the Revolutionary War, Burns said, America "came to be about the noblest aspirations of humankind."

Judge John Charles Thomas, the first Black American appointed to Virginia's Supreme Court, declaimed the Declaration's preamble to a roaring crowd. Judge Michael Urbanski noted these new citizens were taking the same oath new Americans had pledged since President Jefferson signed the Naturalization Act of 1802.

Like many American leaders since, Jefferson believed immigration made our country stronger, fairer, richer, and truer to its ideals.

A young woman recounted fleeing Afghanistan in 2020 for “safety, freedom and dignity.” A 35-year-old woman from Peru said she waited decades, like so many others, to become an American. An Irishman became a U.S. citizen “to have my voice count as a parent, neighbor and citizen.” An older woman from Syria simply danced with joy.

As those who witness naturalization ceremonies know, they are powerful reminders to Americans born in this country of why we should value it. In 1915, President Woodrow Wilson said to new citizens in Philadelphia: “if some of us have forgotten what America believed in, you…imported in your own hearts a renewal of the belief…. If I have in any degree forgotten what America was intended for, I will thank God if you will remind me.”

In the century that preceded the Declaration of Independence, almost everyone in the 13 American colonies – whether of European or African descent – had arrived there from someplace else, often within two generations or less. Even Native Americans uprooted often, sometimes in response to European migrations. Since 1776, the United States has constantly been reborn by drawing in populations from around the world, breathing life into the country's motto, e pluribus unum.

As America moves into the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, we ought to learn more about our country's plural origin story, and the ways we became one, born from many. Our founding ideals have endured the test of time precisely because of the recommitment we saw on Jefferson's mountaintop on July 4: a ceremony that spurred us all to renew our oath. Our new and varied fellow Americans breathe fresh life into those ancient ideals and remind us of the relevance they hold for our world today and for future generations.

To learn more about the Declaration of Independence, download these materials at Declaration Book Club.

(NewsUSA) - The second AI+ Expo took place in Washington, D.C., from June 2-4, 2025, and served as a stark reminder of the lightning pace of AI development, according to Ylli Bajraktari, president of the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP).

The event was sponsored by SCSP, a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative with a goal of making recommendations to strengthen America's long-term competitiveness in artificial intelligence (AI). More than 15,000 attendees represented a vital cross-section of innovators, policy-makers, and leaders coming together to discuss and brainstorm the challenges of maintaining America's national security and economic vitality with help from cutting-edge AI technology.

Some key features of the AI+ Expo included:

-Challenging Competitions. The AI+ Expo's Drone Arena hosted the first U.S. military drone competition held in Washington, including not only military teams, but also high school and college students. Attendees looking to bend their brains signed up for an on-site hackathon that challenged the boundaries of AI problem-solving.

-Meeting and Mingling. The AI+ Careers Stage featured professional discussions about AI-related jobs. The accompanying Talent Marketplace allowed professionals in the public and private sectors to network one-on-one about the future of AI-related jobs and the impact of AI on the workforce and workplace. Job-seekers looking to pursue new careers in AI found opportunities to connect with potential employers.

-Expert Insights. Eight stages, special event rooms, and other venues provided the forums for experts to share vital insights about the future of technology and the impact on American security and success over the three-day conference.

-Books and Demos. The Expo exhibition floor was a celebration of American ingenuity, with more than 160 participants sharing the latest in AI technology. In addition, a dedicated bookstore space hosted book talks, signings, discussions, and Q&As.

Concurrently with the AI+Expo, SCSP hosted The Exchange: Advancing the Legacy of Innovation and National Security. Panelists discussed ways to advance collaboration in AI and other technology across platforms to improve national security. The SCSP Exchanges were inspired by Dr. Ash Carter, the 25th Secretary of Defense, whose pioneering work initiated a transformational change across the U.S. government.

To watch the AI+Expo, visit SCSP's YouTube and to learn more about SCSP, visit scsp.ai.