Amalija Knavs‚ mother of former first lady Melania Trump‚ has died. She was 78 years old. “It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved mother‚ Amalija‚” Melania Trump said in a statement. “Amalija Knavs was a strong woman who always carried herself with grace‚ warmth‚ and dignity.” “She was entirely devoted to her husband‚ daughters‚ grandson‚ and son-in-law‚” she added. “We will miss her beyond measure and continue to honor and love her legacy.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP Knavs was born in Slovenia in 1945 while the country was under communist rule and later married her husband Viktor. Amalija was a textile worker while Viktor was a car dealer. Former President Donald Trump said at his New Year’s Eve event at Mar-a-Lago that his wife was absent from the family’s Christmas and New Year’s celebrations because she was visiting her mother. “Melania — great first lady‚ so popular‚ the people love her — she’s now in a hospital with her mother. Her mother‚ Amalija‚ is very ill‚ but hopefully she’ll be recovering‚” Trump said. “But she’s been very ill‚ so I just want to say ‘hello’ to the first lady — we just spoke‚ down in Miami‚ great hospital — and hopefully they’ll be ok. But it’s a tough one‚ it’s a very tough one. She knows probably about 95% of the people in this room. We just want to wish Amalija that she gets better as quickly as possible.” This is a breaking news story; refresh the page for updates.

U.S. forces shot down nearly two dozen drones and missiles that were launched as part of a “complex attack” on international shipping lanes in the Red Sea this week. U.S. Central Command said in a statement that the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists launched the attack at approximately 9:15 p.m. local time on Tuesday‚ which included anti-ship cruise missiles‚ and an anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen into the Southern Red Sea. CENTCOM said that the hostile projectiles were fired at areas where “dozens of merchant vessels were transiting.” “Eighteen OWA UAVs‚ two anti-ship cruise missiles‚ and one anti-ship ballistic missile were shot down by a combined effort of F/A-18s from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69)‚ USS Gravely (DDG 107)‚ USS Laboon (DDG 58)‚ USS Mason (DDG 87)‚ and the United Kingdom’s HMS Diamond (D34)‚” CENTCOM said in a statement. “This is the 26th Houthi attack on commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea since Nov. 19. There were no injuries or damage reported.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP A joint coalition that includes the U.S. issued a statement last week saying that the Houthis would “bear the responsibility for the consequences should they continue to threaten lives‚ the global economy‚ or the free flow of commerce in the region’s critical waterways.” The Biden administration has done little to nothing to deter the continued attacks from the Houthis or from Iran‚ which has launched direct attacks against merchant vessels in the Indian Ocean.

'Artistry‚ range‚ depth and vulnerability'

'We will miss her beyond measure'

'Bear the responsibility for the consequences'

'And I think what's most disturbing about the prosecution is that it is so obviously political'

'Ideological forces that would see them turned into nothing more than a sidekick'

'They can’t beat him in the polls'

'He was as excited as I could imagine'

Congratulations‚ Coach Spo! Well deserved